Emir Goodspeed's murder spreads like wildfire through D.C., catching others in its burn, while D.C.-powerbroker Ed Ramsey seduces his next victim: an art aficionado named Shannon Witmer.

With Cross hot on his heels, Ed Ramsey sets up a new locale to perform his kills, as the Cross family continues to be tormented by a mysterious someone connected to Deirdre Nolan.