While investigating a homeless man's death and a possible connection with one of the deceased's prized possessions, which he kept at a shelter, John recalls how his addiction problems in the 1960s landed him in a psychiatric ward.

The dying wish of John's first partner (Chris Bauer), who was shot in the line of duty, brings back memories of John's early days as a detective, and even provides clues about his search for mortality. But it also leads to run-ins with the Russian mafia.