Unable to find proof of what Gus is up to at the laundromat (the cover for his meth super lab), Lalo informs Hector he is going back to "Plan A." This course leads him to Kim's apartment, and he coincidentally arrives while Howard confronts Jimmy and Kim about their dark Casimiro plan that painted Howard as an unhinged drug addict. Following a brief interaction, Lalo nonchalantly shoots Howard in the head and turns his attention back to an impending conversation with his lawyers. It was a horrifying and tragic end for Howard that left the season on a staggering cliffhanger.

Related: Better Call Saul Used a Walter White Trick to Make Us Care for Howard

Lalo likely saw Howard as an unexpected loose end to tie up, which is ultimately what doomed Howard. At this point in the story, the world at large is under the impression Lalo is dead, and he likely wants to keep it that way for the time being. Lalo couldn't risk Howard leaving and telling someone about what transpired at Kim's apartment. If Howard got away, he probably would have gone to a colleague or the authorities (Jimmy's past with Lalo was well-known in the legal community), which would lead to a manhunt for Lalo. Howard's life unfortunately was collateral so Lalo could maintain his relative anonymity.

Murdering Howard in cold blood was also a play on Lalo's part to demonstrate his power over Jimmy and Kim in this situation. It's unknown if Lalo planned to kill anyone when he went to Kim's apartment, but the fact he brought a gun illustrates he was at least prepared for that possibility. Perhaps he was originally going to use the weapon to merely threaten his lawyers, and he shifted gears to something far more sinister when he saw Howard (who means nothing to Lalo) standing there. It was a ruthless way for Lalo to illustrate to Jimmy and Kim he isn't going to take "no" for an answer - unless they want to suffer the same fate.

It's clear whatever Lalo has in mind for Gus, he felt it necessary to enlist Jimmy and Kim as unwilling help. Especially after Nacho's betrayal, there's a very limited number of people Lalo can trust. His history with Jimmy (see: "Bagman") is what made him seek Jimmy out in the first place. It will be interesting to see how Jimmy and Kim fit into Lalo's larger scheme, and what the ultimate endgame is there. Undoubtedly, Howard's death will hang over the two throughout the rest of Better Call Saul season 6, serving as a painful reminder of what consequences they might face if they don't stay in-line with Lalo.

Next: Better Call Saul Hints Exactly Where Lalo Is In Breaking Bad

Better Call Saul season 6, part 1 is now streaming on AMC+. Part 2 begins July 11, 2022.