Directed by Constantine Makris
Written by Wendy Battles & Alfredo Barrios Jr
Controversial right-wing pundit Larry Shea is shot dead at a book signing. The initial suspect is Melinda Phelps, who had filed a sexual harassment suit against him. But DNA links Karen Nicks, a friend of Shea's wife Miranda, to the murder weapon. Nicks says that Shea was abusive and she killed him to protect Miranda, with whom she is having an affair. Miranda insists that Nicks, who has a history of stalking, is delusional.
The DAs don't believe this is the full story. They learn that as well as Nicks, Miranda was also sleeping with her personal trainer Tom McGrath. Shea's interest in Phelps made Miranda fearful he was planning to divorce her, but she wouldn't receive any money due to their pre-nup. McGrath didn't react well when Miranda suggested killing her husband, so she made up the abuse story and asked Nicks to kill Shea for her.
Nicks and McGrath testify against Miranda in court, but it comes down to their word against hers, and the case is difficult to prove. Branch questions why Miranda's teenage son isn't testifying in her defence; and sends Borgia to interview him. Subsequently, they call the son as a witness and he states that he walked in on his mother having sex with Nicks. Although the defence claims he's lying so he can inherit his father's money, the jury believes him and Miranda is convicted.
This episode contains examples of:
- Asshole Victim: Larry Shea is somewhat portrayed as this, especially according to Van Buren who sheds no tears that a rightwing misogynist was murdered.
- Depraved Bisexual: It's not clear if Miranda really is bisexual, but she was still happy to seduce Nicks into killing for her.
- Even Evil Has Standards: Shea was a pervert and very sexist but it seems he drew the line at abusing his wife.
- Girl on Girl Is Hot: Miranda claims McGrath thought so.
- Inheritance Murder: Miranda's motive was to get her hands on her husband's money before he lost interest and divorced her.
- May–December Romance: Shea was around 20 years older than Miranda.
- Murder the Hypotenuse: Subverted. It initially looks like this was Nicks' motivation, but turns out Miranda lied about Shea being abusive and asked Nicks to kill him for her.
- New Media Are Evil: Shea discusses this at his book signing.
- No Such Thing as Bad Publicity: A side character mentions this, saying that the sexual harassment allegations didn't seem to have harmed Shea's upright public image.
- Psycho Lesbian: Nicks is so obsessed with Miranda she's prepared to kill for her, and Miranda isn't the first woman Nicks has fixated on.
- "Rashomon"-Style: Borgia references this by name, pointing out that the whole case is Nicks and McGrath's word against Miranda's.
- Ripped from the Headlines: Based on the case of Celeste Beard, who similarly persuaded a girlfriend to murder Beard's wealthy husband.
- Stalker Shrine: Nicks has one to Miranda.
- Stalker with a Crush: Nicks previously had a restraining order served against her for stalking a woman she met before Miranda.
- Stay in the Kitchen: Shea advocated this, to the disdain of Van Buren.
- Woman Scorned: The defense portrays McGrath as a male version of this, claiming he was angry at Miranda ending their affair because he wanted her money.
