15. Fresh Meat

Toby witnesses Alison looking absolutely defeated in jail. She asks him to tell the others that ‘A’ is still out there and wants every one of them behind bars. The girls suspect that Detective Holbrook has been helping Alison, and Hanna wants to talk to him. She learns that Holbrook has been taking care of his sick father and decides to take a detour during a college visit. When Hanna finds Holbrook’s father, the man looks perfectly healthy and doesn’t know the whereabouts of his son. The police are searching behind the Vanderwaal house when Toby finds a bloody knife.

He later tells Spencer and Caleb that he regrets not alerting the other officers to it. Considering Alison’s warning, Spencer and Caleb are worried that the knife was planted by ‘A’. They want to get rid of it. Neither side is willing to entertain the other’s idea, so all three promise to leave the knife alone. Ezra’s caterer quits last-minute and Emily offers to fill in. She wants to save up to visit Paige over spring break. Ezra initially agrees, but ends up hiring a professional chef named Talia.

Emily insists on sticking it out in the kitchen to prove herself. She and Talia butt heads until Emily breaks down and explains her situation. Talia responds with empathy and helps Emily fix her questionable empanadas. When Aria learns that Jackie Molina is the admissions officer at Talmadge, she writes an unfaithful e-mail expressing regret for her relationship with Ezra. Jackie reads the letter and expresses solidarity with Aria for falling for the same awful man. Aria gets her acceptance from Talmadge, but knows that ‘A’ will use her letter against her soon.

Jason stops by the Marin house on professional business, and Ashley asks him to stay for dinner. It’s clear that the two are both feeling vulnerable. They share a kiss and end up taking things to the bedroom. Spencer and Caleb decide to go back for the knife. They find it in the woods and burn it in Rosewood High’s walk-in pottery kiln. ‘A’ lurks around the school and even locks Caleb inside the kiln, but the pair are ultimately successful. Later, Toby confronts Spencer about breaking their promise. She tries to explain, but Toby can’t hear the details. In the battle for his loyalty, Toby’s new police job is edging Spencer out.