Last Stop - Part 2

**Last Stop - Part 2** is the third episode of Season 1 of Wild Card: Shuffled and the third episode overall. It is the second half of the full Last Stop episode and debuted on YouTube on April 15, 2022.

## Synopsis

Facing an imminent arrest at the hands of the transit investigators, Jack Barter must think quickly and unmask a thief to save himself while uncovering the full truth.

## Cast

* **Brendan Blaber as Jack Barter**
* **Cougar MacDowall as Nolan Vice**
* **Xanthe Huynh as Connie Dali**
* **Cyrus Rodas as Felix Luckless**
* **Emma Breezy as Claire Lee**
* **Patrick Mealey as Eddie Hemm**
* **Kdin Jenzen as Patrick Riarque**
* **Belsheber Rusape as Julian Philips**
* **Zack Maher as Varian Morse**

## Persons of Interest

### Suspects

Felix Luckless
Connie Dali

Eddie Hemm

Claire Lee

Patrick Riarque

## Logistics

### Method

Grabbed from Nolan's back pocket when he bent down to pick up his phone

### Evidence

Dede's drawing
Patrick's profile on the bus app

Photo of Patrick's son

### Case outcome

The wallet is returned and Nolan chooses to not press charges

The episode begins with Jack Barter stating that everyone aboard has been operating under the incorrect assumption that only one of the passengers could have taken the wallet. The passengers appear confused, but Nolan Vice seems to know where Jack is headed. Jack states that the bus driver could have also had the opportunity and openly accuses Patrick Riarque of being the thief. Patrick casually responds that Jack only has 2 minutes before the transit investigators arrive to arrest Jack. Jack questions why Patrick won't refute his claim to which Patrick claims it's so stupid that he won't bother. He sarcastically wishes Jack good luck convincing the investigators once they arrive.

Jack then attempts to convince the passengers to take his side, with Patrick questioning why they would ever help him after he kept them hostage on the bus. When Jack asks how Patrick was able to pick him and Nolan up in the middle of a route if this bus was supposed to be an express, Claire Lee mentions it's not an uncommon occurrence for things to change mid-trip and that it's happened to her before. Patrick confirms this and claims he was radioed about a confidential emergency in the park and was told to drive straight there. Jack questions why this wouldn't have been posted on the bus's app, and adds that Patrick made up the emergency in an effort to get Nolan off the bus before he realized his wallet was gone. Patrick angrily curses and claims he doesn't control the app, making him appear suspicious.

Claire appears to agree with Jack's deductions, but claims he needs to make a more solid case before she'll back him up. Felix Luckless and Eddie Hemm echo these sentiments. Before Jack can continue his questioning, Patrick lets the transit investigators onto the bus to apprehend Jack. Jack desperately grabs Nolan and runs toward the back of the bus, frantically asking him if he has any ideas. Nolan suggests they check the bus app for clues, much to Jack's disgust. He quickly changes his tune however when Julian Philips and Varian Morse grab him and begin to arrest him. When the passengers tell Patrick to stop and let Jack finish his investigation, Patrick asks them if they're suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. They offer words of encouragement to Jack, with the exception of Felix who says he just wants this to be over so he can go home.

Nolan pipes up as he manages to find a picture on Patrick's profile showcasing him and his son, Reese Riarque. Jack, having broken free from the investigators, comes to take a look. In the photo, Reese is clearly sick with what Jack deduces is cancer. He comes to the conclusion that Patrick stole Nolan's wallet in order to commit insurance fraud due to the bus system's lack of healthcare benefits for their drivers. Jack offers to let Patrick discreetly admit he has the wallet, to which Patrick declines. Jack then reveals the truth in front of the entire bus, with Patrick begging him to stop on the verge of tears.

Unable to withstand the emotional weight any more, Patrick breaks down and admits he has the wallet. He says that he wasn't thinking clearly and just wanted to do anything he could to take his son's pain away. He returns the wallet, promising he'll find another way. Nolan and the other passengers come forward with words of support, with Nolan even refusing to press charges. Jack doesn't accept this outcome, claiming that Nolan is just letting a criminal get away. He even goes so far as to ask the investigators if they'll be taking Patrick away or not.

Patrick begrudgingly agrees with Jack and says he needs to take responsibility for what he did, to which Nolan replies that his responsibility is to accept help from others which isn't an easy thing to do. Filled with relief that he now has a system of support, Patrick embraces Nolan as the doors to the bus finally open. Out in the park, everyone enjoys a nice sunny day. Patrick and Nolan discuss fatherhood, Claire and Felix look at butterflies, Eddie and Connie Dali search for Citrus, and Julian and Varian arm wrestle. Jack is the only one who remains alone, sulking on a dock leading out to the park's pond.

Once things die down, Nolan approaches Jack to show him the mystery item in his wallet. It's a drawing made by his daughter, Dede Vice. When Jack seems less than enthused, Nolan cautiously asks him why he seems so uncomfortable around the subject of fatherhood. He asks Jack if something happened to his dad. Jack laughs, shooting back that his dad's alive, but Jack wishes it was the opposite.

## Trivia

* The first few panels of the episode feature a uniquely designed background that mimics a traditional detective string board

## Gallery

Jack is caught by the transit investigatorsA photo of Patrick and his sonNolan's wallet is returnedThe passengers arrive at Unity ParkNolan and Patrick hugA drawing by Nolan's daughterA bittersweet ending