With only a commonplace name, an old address and dim memories as leads, Veronica and Wallace attempt to help classmate Justin Smith find his father John, who disappeared 10 years earlier.

Meanwhile, as Veronica faces some complicated feelings towards ex-boyfriend Duncan and new romantic interest Troy, guidance counselor Rebecca James calls Keith to the school to discuss the recent, dramatic changes in his daughter's life. Later, Duncan struggles with ways to cope with his sister's death as the anniversary of her murder approaches.

Veronica tries to help her new boyfriend Troy find his father's stolen car and turns to Weevil for assistance, but the situation becomes dangerous when she discovers that Logan and Troy's buddy Luke might have left more than a piata in the car after their night out in Tijuana.

While Keith has accepted that his wife is gone and begins dating school guidance counselor Rebecca James, Veronica continues to secretly investigate her mother's whereabouts, leading her to stumble on a secret Lianne Mars was keeping.

When a family accuses Veronica of providing a fake ID to their son, now in an alcohol-induced coma, and files suit, the search to find who's really responsible leads Veronica to a clandestine, exclusive organization operating on Neptune High's campus with a possible connection to Duncan.

Meanwhile, Aaron Echolls hires Keith to find out who's been supplying pictures to the tabloids that have humiliated his wife Lynn. Later, Veronica bugs Ms. James' office to eavesdrop on grief counseling sessions, and learns some surprising information about her friends.

Veronica begins having dreams involving the dead students from the bus crash, who drop clues along the way. Meanwhile, Logan and Wallace become unlikely lab partners in Mr. Wu's class, and Keith helps Clemmons expose a doctor's scam.