When Howard and Felton are summoned to a grisly crime scene, Kay snaps and heads home to the Chesapeake Bay. Back home, she's soon investigating the murder of a local conservationist- most likely by a drunken oysterman. Howard thinks the killer might be her old flame, Chick Tawes. Howard still has feelings for Tawes, but her instincts say he's involved with the murder. Haskett's house is searched and an oyster knife and bloody shirt are found. Meanwhile, back in Baltimore, Giardello assigns Pembleton as Felton's temporary partner. To their surprise, they work well together and come to an under-standing.