Chapter 122 of All the Colors of the Dark follows Saint as she navigates the changing seasons from late summer to autumn, tracking a suspect involved in a string of bank robberies. Her life is marked by the isolation of a dull cubicle in Kansas, nights spent in motels, and the cluttered interior of her navy sedan, a mobile reminder of her unyielding dedication to the case. With Nix’s advice to maintain physical fitness, she begins each day early, at five a.m., running through familiar landscapes, always prepared with her weapon by her side.

After losing contact with Patch, Saint throws herself into her work with Himes’s team, refining her investigative skills and gaining the respect of her peers. Stationed in an unmarked car outside a nondescript apartment complex, she monitors Micky Hubert, a suspect tied to a robbery at the Summit Ridge Credit Union. Hubert, having stolen cash after brandishing a weapon, fled in a minivan, which Saint traced back to his current location. As she watches Hubert’s every move, she reflects on how relatively simple this case seems compared to others she has encountered.

When Saint confronts Hubert, he appears unsuspecting, wearing only a robe, but she quickly apprehends him and finds bait bills from a previous crime tucked into his pocket. This discovery highlights the futility of his criminal choices, especially given that he is under federal supervised release after previous offenses. Hubert’s pattern of behavior, repeated across his criminal history, serves as a reminder of the persistence of crime, a theme that Saint encounters frequently in her investigations. This case is soon followed by another, where a suspect ironically robs a bank he was supposed to protect, only to be caught before completing his crime.

Amidst her work, Saint is weighed down by personal turmoil. The further she drifts from her life in Monta Clare and her strained relationship with Jimmy, the heavier the burden of her responsibilities becomes. The phone calls from Jimmy’s mother serve as a reminder of the emotional distance now defining their relationship. Saint juggles her cases with relentless intensity, each robbery feeling like a personal attack, as though her own savings have been stolen. Within her unit, she cultivates new leads from informants and sets up extensive surveillance operations, leading to the prevention of a half-million-dollar heist. The operation, though successful, draws criticism for its media coverage, a reflection of Saint’s ongoing frustrations with both her professional and personal life. As the news cycle continually elevates insignificant events, Saint is left feeling overlooked, yearning for recognition she believes she rightfully deserves but never receives.

In this chapter, Saint’s dedication to her work is evident, but so is the toll it takes on her personal life. Her relentless pursuit of justice, marked by long hours and emotional exhaustion, is juxtaposed with her fractured relationships, especially with Jimmy. This internal struggle between her duties as an investigator and the weight of her personal life underscores the complexity of her character. The tension between her career and personal life is not just a backdrop to the narrative but a driving force in her emotional development, adding depth to her character and making her journey more relatable.

The chapter also highlights the cyclical nature of crime and punishment, as Saint encounters repeat offenders like Hubert, who seem trapped in a never-ending cycle of criminal activity. Her work with Himes’s team emphasizes the importance of teamwork in solving complex cases, as they work together to uncover leads and prevent further crimes. The success of the operation, despite the media’s focus on trivial stories, points to the underlying frustrations Saint feels with the lack of recognition for the important work she does. This sense of being undervalued is a theme that runs throughout the chapter, reinforcing Saint’s inner conflict between the demands of her profession and her desire for personal fulfillment and acknowledgment.