Asten forces Quincy to take some unwanted vacation time and brings in a temporary replacement, Dr. McCracken, a pathologist rather than a Medical Examiner. That very same day the body of a controversial Congressman, Laurence Bridges, is found at the bottom of a flight of stairs in his office. With the press and police wanting a quick answer to what happened to Brideges Quincy is convinced that McCracken will not do a thorough enough job. A personality clash occurs between him and McCracken as he tries to get himself involved in her case.

A narcotics officer comes under investigation by the IAD when drugs kill an airline stewardess he knew, and sometimes used for information.