Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
After Malvo leaves, Lester enters his office, collects money and tries to conceal his visit. At Lou's diner he anonymously reports the gunshots, creating an alibi before returning to act surprised at Linda's death. Molly questions him, but he refuses to cooperate. Budge and Pepper take him home and remain outside to guard him. Malvo uses a car salesman as a distraction and kills both agents. Inside, Lester lures Malvo upstairs into a bear trap hidden beneath clothing. Their confrontation ends with Malvo escaping on a badly injured leg. Lester survives the encounter, but Malvo is still loose and Molly is coordinating the search.
Gus finds Malvo's cabin and waits inside. When Malvo returns to treat his leg, Gus shoots him dead. Police recover Malvo's recordings, including Lester's telephone confession to killing Pearl, finally giving Molly the evidence behind her suspicions. Bill intends to resign and make her chief. Two weeks later, officers pursue Lester through Glacier National Park. He crashes his snowmobile and runs onto a frozen lake, where the ice breaks beneath him. Back home, Gus learns he will receive a bravery citation. He thinks Molly deserves it, but she is content that she gets to become chief.