Cleo takes the gang to a deserted beachfront motel in the second episode of Outer Banks season 3. They avoid discovery by Carlos's men and try to come up with a new method to rescue Kie. The problem is that the only way forward is to obtain Denmark's diary, but Kie is unwilling to do so.
Rafe is aware of Kie's deceit and the diary's existence. Despite Rafe's assurances that he can trust Kie, she demands a meeting with the CEO and succeeds in getting an appointment with Singh. She says she'll get him a copy, but she prefers to travel solo. Singh laughs incredulously and appears ready to explode at Kie until his phone rings.
Meanwhile, in the previous episode, JJ steals Jimmy's phone. He is unaware that Jimmy is dead, and contacts Carlos Singh about making a deal. He reports that he has Sarah and John B. in his custody. Carlos pretends to go along with it, but he ultimately discovers their whereabouts by following the phone. JJ decides to booby trap the area in an effort to gain the start on the soldiers and swing the tide in their favor.
It's effective; only two soldiers are sent inside, and JJ gets the jump (literally) on them. John B ties them up, steals their weapon, and then calls Carlos in an attempt to strike a bargain, saying he'll kill the two soldiers if he has to. Singh mocks them and suggests they do it, calling their bluff.
They are surrounded by the hotel and must escape through an abandoned elevator. John B hears bells from the hilltop right before he leaps, triggering memories of his late father, Big John. We all know this was Big John's signal for his kid to come home.
The youngsters managed to escape the hotel and its shockingly lax security. Meanwhile, Rafe and Kie collaborate to fool the security guard at the complex's front door and escape the apartment through an unlocked bedroom window.
Even more remarkably, they escape the property by hiding in a vehicle that is leaving. Rafe successfully gets a boat for Kie, but she betrays him and sets out on her own to find John B and the others.
Kie sends a message arranging to meet them at the docks. As a result of past betrayals, JJ enters first. As it turns out, though, Kie and the rest of the gang are the ones who find themselves back together.
John B. won't join them unless he can first examine the church. He asks Sarah for permission to leave, and then he immediately leaps off and swims for the marina. As it turns out, that's probably for the best, because Carlos Singh's men have shown up at the harbor to try to kidnap them. Several shots are fired in their direction, but they are able to escape.
Oblivious to the events unfolding around him, John B arrives at the church hoping he will hear his father's voice.
Season 3 of Outer Banks is now available on Netflix.
