Investigating the death of a rock band singer who had large amounts of cocaine and heroin in her system, the detectives question a former boyfriend who was a disgruntled band mate of her late husband. The prosecutors are hampered by the actions of a retired detective-turned-writer, who worked a case with Briscoe several years back and whose unconventional research tactics make him a suspect as well.

The discovery of a body in Hell's Kitchen that had been wearing a $40,000 diamond ring leads Briscoe and Green back to the September 11th attacks, as the victim had been reported to have died on the 89th floor of the World Trade Center. The ensuing investigation leads to a fiancee and a lover and the determination that the events of 9/11 may have been convenient timing to hide the fact that she was murdered the night before.