Picking up where the series left off after the fall finale, the search for the serial killer takes a very personal turn, as Rosewood and Villa must follow a trail of clues left for Rosie, before another victim falls prey. As things heat up between Villa and Mike (guest star Taye Diggs), Villa escapes by throwing herself deeper into the case, which inevitably pushes her closer to Rosewood. Meanwhile, Donna intervenes when Pippy decides to give TMI's absentee mother a piece of her mind. Plus, the Chief position is Hornstock's, if he is willing to pay a stiff price.

Rosewood's partnership with Villa faces an uncertain future when she's paired with a recent transfer to the East Miami PD, with whom she shares a past. As Villa and her new partner investigate the death of a suburban dentist who ran a yuppie drug ring, Rosewood can't shake the feeling that his "replacement" knows more about the victim's narcotics business than he's letting on. Meanwhile, a new medical examiner, Dr. Anita Eubanks (guest star Sherri Shepherd), is brought in to help with the investigation and Hornstock's insecurities hinder his ability to handle the public relations side of the case, forcing him to turn to an unlikely source for help.