Footprints at the crime scene lead to Richard, and vomit nearby implicates Justin. Both have alibis, and deny knowing each other, but Cassie is convinced that Richard is the murderer and Justin is involved. Sam criticizes her refusal to consider other suspects, as most of the physical evidence points away from the two boys. Cassie’s boss, Captain Rod Cody, and her ex, Assistant D.A. Al Swanson, fearing Richard’s influential parents, take Cassie off as lead for the case. Richard kills Ray, making it appear like a suicide. Sam, following the planted evidence, tracks down Ray. When he finds him dead, the woman’s murder appears solved; but Sam is finally convinced by Cassie that she may be right, so continues the investigation.