Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Dark Winds season 3, episode 3 and Tony Hillerman's "The Sinister Pig".AMC's ending of Dark Winds season 3, episode 3, however, may have finally set up a way to bring everyone back together again and link Bernadette's case to Leaphorn and Chee's.

In Dark Winds season 3, episode 3, Chee and Leaphorn found a lead in the investigation into Ernesto Cata's murder. After finding the red truck that was spotted in the premiere of Dark Winds season 3, they encountered a strange group of farmers who seemed to know more than they were letting on. When they came back the next day to search the compound, the farmers had fled in the night, but they were able to find something that should let them reconnect with Bernadette in the next few episodes of Dark Winds season 3.

The Suspicious Farmers Have Been Keeping Track Of Border Patrol Officers In Dark Winds Season 3

The Farmers Leaphorn & Chee Investigated Had A Picture Of Bernadette

The mysterious farmers in Dark Winds season 3 look like they're the key to connecting Manuelito's case to Leaphorn and Chee's. While following up on a lead from Suzanne (Casimere Jollette), Chee found a corkboard filled with pictures of Border Patrol agents, including Bernadette, at the farmers' compound. It's not entirely clear why they have such pictures yet, but it certainly ties the farmers near the Navajo Nation to the Border Patrol station Bernadette is working at in New Mexico. At the very least, Leaphorn and Chee are going to give Bernadette a heads-up about their find, and they might even forces because of it.

How The Farmers Could Link Leaphorn & Chee's Case With Bernadette's Season 3 Story

The Farmers Could Be Responsible For Ernesto Cata's Murder & Involved In Tom Spenser's Human Trafficking

The farmers connect to the New Mexico Border Patrol, but they may also connect more directly to the case Bernadette has been working all season long. Bernadette has been investigating Tom Spenser (Bruce Greenwood) on suspicion of human trafficking, and the farmers may have a hand in his operation. That would explain why the farmers have pictures of Border Patrol agents, as they would have to avoid such law enforcement if they were smuggling people over the border. That gives Leaphorn and Chee more than enough reason to reconnect with Bernadette, but she may also have something to offer them.

Currently, it looks like the farmers were at least partially involved in - if not entirely responsible for - Ernesto Cata's death in Dark Winds season 3. Suzanne mentioned that Halsey (Phil Burke) took the red truck out on the same night that Ernesto went missing, and that truck was spotted near the pool of blood Leaphorn and Chee found. If the farmers did kill Ernesto and are involved with Spenser, he may be the one who's really responsible for the murder. Bernadette's investigation into Spenser may be the only way to figure out why Ernesto died in the first place.

Connecting Bernadette's Story To The Navajo Tribal Police Was Inevitable For Dark Winds Season 3

Bernadette, Chee, & Leaphorn Are The Foundation Of Dark Winds & Couldn't Stay Separated For Long

While it is good that Dark Winds season 3 is finally ready to bring Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito together, it was somewhat inevitable that this would happen. Bernadette, Leaphorn, and Chee are the central characters in Dark Winds, and the show just doesn't work as well when they're separated. Leaphorn is basically a mentor figure to the younger officers, and Chee and Manuelito have a budding romance that's too intriguing to sideline for an entire season. Dark Winds just isn't as good when the main group is split up, so it was just a matter of time before Leaphorn, Bernadette, and Chee got back together.

Another reason Bernadette, Chee, and Leaphorn were likely always going to get back together is because of Tony Hillerman's books. Bernadette's story in Dark Winds season 3 is mostly based on "The Sinister Pig," which sees her the Border Patrol to investigate a drug smuggling operation. At the end of "The Sinister Pig," Chee's case connects with Bernadette's and the two begin an official romantic relationship. While Dark Winds has never had a problem with changing some of its source material, Chee and Bernadette getting together seems to be one story the show is staying true to.