As Pembleton continues his investigation into a suspected police shooting, Giardello pressures him to pursue civilian suspects. To make a point, Pembleton elicits a confession from an innocent man (Isaiah Washington), but Giardello realizes he cannot accept it. Ultimately, Giardello helps Pembleton find the real shooter, a police lieutenant (Michael S. Kennedy) with whom Howard had an affair and for whom she still harbors romantic feelings. Meanwhile, as Munch (Richard Belzer) runs into problems in his love life, the normally-lonely Bolander strikes up a relationship with a young waitress named Linda (Julianna Margulies).