Munch and Kellerman investigate the murder of a woman that Munch had a crush on in high school. Kellerman learns a lot about Jewish customs through the experience, and Munch has poignant reminiscences. The culprit is caught when he commits a similar offense. Pembleton begins a renewal of faith after experiencing his own vulnerability when he is mistaken about a shooting suspect.

Autopsy reveals that the death of a recent arrival from Europe was caused by a burst baggie he had swallowed, one of over 70 bags of heroin found in his stomach. Luther Mahoney MUST be involved somehow! Munch gets a tip from a con that a body is buried under the track at Pimlico, but eventually finds the "dead" man. The Mahoney problem is solved.