When a college theater student is mysteriously found dead in her high-rise New York City apartment, Elsbeth immediately suspects foul play and enters a game of wits against the victim's popular theater director Alex Modarian.

When the world's top tennis champion drops dead on the court, Elsbeth and Kaya home in on a rising tennis star and his competitive father and coach. Meanwhile, Captain Wagner begins to suspect Elsbeth's reason for being in New York goes beyond the consent decree.

After hearing his favorite patron talk about being bullied mercilessly in college, the charismatic owner of an exclusive cocktail bar decides to seek revenge on her behalf, but his desire for justice leads to a deadly mistake, leaving Elsbeth and Kaya to connect the dots. Meanwhile, after learning that the DOJ investigation is close to an indictment, Elsbeth and Captain Wagner join forces to expose the real criminal.