Cris explains to his mother that the book isn’t for him, but for a friend. Layla back Cris up. Carlotta explains that, even though she goes to church every Sunday, she wouldn’t care if either of her children were gay. John and Fish play back the tapes of Lowell’s call to Keaton. John is nervous when Lowell tells Keaton to kill Cole. Fish tracks Keaton, who is still inside the station. John figures that Keaton went to Cole’s cell and rushes downstairs.

Keaton arrives at Cole’s cell and makes Cole believe that he was in on John’s plan the whole time. Cole admits that he knows Lowell is behind the drug ring. Keaton takes out his gun and points it at Cole. Cole is terrified as he hears a gun go off, only it’s John’s. John shot Keaton, but didn’t kill him. John and Fish quickly take Cole up to John’s office, where Brody is waiting. John explains that he’s going after both Lowell and Sergey before they figure out what’s going on. Brody is there to stand guard and protect Cole. Fish and John take off, Brody watches the doors to make sure no one comes in John’s office.

Todd makes Lowell promise nothing will happen to Cole, Hope or Starr. Lowell explains that he’s working on the situation as they speak and there is nothing to worry about. Todd leaves as Dorian arrives. Dorian explains that Viki goated her into agreeing to hold a debate, she also tells Lowell that she promised Viki he would show up at her rally. Lowell doesn’t want to do either event, but fears if he doesn’t he could lose the election.

Lowell sees Sergey enter and sends Dorian off to make the final arrangements for the debate with Viki. Sergey tells Lowell that Keaton was taken to the hospital and that Cole is still alive. Lowell is furious, thinking that Cole can out him. Sergey explains that Cole can point him out and feels that they need to make Cole aware of his situation by using Starr and Hope as bait. Lowell wants no part of it, Sergey explains that he’ll take care of everything. John and Fish show up at the Mayor’s campaign headquarters, they burst into the office only to find it empty.

Rachel’s outburst at Greg’s testimony prompts her to ask Tea to put her on the stand so she can tell her side of the story. Nora, Bo and Matt watch as Tea destroys Rachel on the stand – dredging up her sordid past of drugs, murder and prostitution. Both Greg and Matt are stunned – neither knowing that Rachel was a prostitute and accused of murdering someone. After her testimony, Rachel races out of the courtroom. Greg follows her. Nora confronts Tea on her tactlessness in pursuing Rachel and her testimony. Tea explains that she was just doing the best for her client. At that point, Matt fires Tea for what she did to Rachel. Nora and Tea go at it – which prompts Nora to slug Tea in the jaw. The judge puts both Tea and Nora in contempt and forces them to share a jail cell for a little while – to cool off. Greg catches up with Rachel and apologizes for what he did on the stand, explaining that his testimony was only meant to get under her skin so he could see the real person that Rachel is. Rachel didn’t appreciate his little game and tells Greg to stay away from her. As Rachel pushes Greg away, he grabs her and kisses her. Shaun rushes to Dorian’s house, where Todd sent him to guard his children and grandchild. Starr is worried that Todd told someone about Cole. Shaun and Starr get to talking about their respective relationships, where Shaun admits that he’s falling in love with Rachel. Starr convinces Shaun that it’s time to tell Rachel how he really feels about her. Todd shows up and relieves Shaun of his duty, as he sees no point in Shaun staying. Starr is worried that Todd told someone about Cole. Todd explains that the situation is taken care of. Starr demands to know where he went, as Todd begins to explain Sergey walks in. Todd forces himself in front of Starr as Sergey begins to wave a gun at both Todd and Starr. . .