Hudson University co-ed, Caroline Pereira, dependent on financial aid, is found murdered with an unexplained influx of cash. Caroline's wealthy roommate, Gloria Kulhane, is found with one of Caroline's rings, making her a suspect as the two were not friends. Detectives Benson, Fin and Stabler, have several theories about her murderer and their motive and investigate the various suspects; the roommate, her childhood friend, and someone connected to a heavily trafficked website where Caroline was selling term papers for cash.

Solid investigative work leads the detectives to a violent repeat sex offender Jeremy Paul Wilson who was recently released back onto the streets. Wilson, a cold blooded murderer and pedophile, is in possession of a cache of hunting knives, has kidnapped two children and has nothing to lose. The manhunt for Wilson brings Dets. Fin, Benson and Stabler to a bus terminal where a violent and emotional showdown with Wilson takes a dangerous turn.