Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Journalist Julie Cannell asks Lightman to assess a source, but he reaches her hotel room after she has been murdered. Her investigation concerned councilman Darryl Anslinger, already under FBI scrutiny. A man calling himself Bo Hackman says Anslinger hired him to kill developer Steven Cook and offers evidence. Supposed detectives follow him, then visit Cal's home, using intimidation to make it appear that the councilman is directing the pressure.
Before Hackman can deliver the documents, he is killed at a train station. Reynolds pursues the shooter and is seriously wounded. Lightman then learns he was wearing a wire for Dillon, increasing the damage to their working relationship. Cook arrives offering accusations and convenient places to search, but his knowledge raises suspicion. Julie's files and shredded material help Cal disentangle Anslinger's concealed sexual behaviour from the separate plan to frame him for murder.
Cook hired Hackman to stage a threat against himself and kill Julie, then arranged Hackman's death. An old grievance against Anslinger explains his desire for revenge, and Dillon arrests him after Cal forces the conflict into the open. Julie's reporting leaves more to investigate, while Reynolds remains in hospital. At home, Emily tells Cal that she did not have sex with Rick but became sexually active earlier. Their conversation ends with a hug and Cal having to trust the daughter he cannot supervise constantly.