With Patty's help, Ellen hires her investigator, Malcolm, to look into her sister's drug case. She also asks him to look into her own background and particularly her one time babysitter, Ann. Patty meanwhile is under threat of removal from the Tobin case when a group petitions the judge in the case to remove her. She explains the lead with Tessa Marchetti but he gives her one week to come up with something concrete or she's out. Tom wants to lean on Tessa but Patty flatly refuses. Under ever increasing financial pressure, Tom ignores Patty's orders and approaches Tessa pushing the young woman into the arms of the DA. Marilyn Tobin meanwhile is outraged that the charity she has supported for many years will not allow her to make the annual trip to Africa. She suggests to Ray Winstone that he get Stuart Zedeck to help her out.
Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.
Complete story — includes the ending
Patty's clients are unsatisfied with her progress and request her removal from the Tobin case. Judge Reilly gives Patty one week to make significant progress. Ellen's colleague at the D.A.'s office, Nick, learns Ellen has been collaborating with Patty on the case and rats her out to Curtis Gates. Ellen is haunted by dreams of a mysterious woman, and after finding the woman's picture among some old photos, she decides to pay her a visit. Leonard's father arrives in town and continues his streak of blackmail. Tessa Marchetti learns from Tom that her mother's death may be linked to the Tobins and agrees to help Patty in the case, but Gates arrests her before she can be questioned.