Janet Zarish

Danny and Maria investigate the murder of a respected college professor who was involved with a questionable scholarship program. Meanwhile, Danny discovers that his father didn't tell him that the District Attorney is investigating Danny for ethical and procedural violations.

Emily Milius (Deja Kreutzberg) is out of her element, a Park Avenue private school rich girl in Washington Heights. Exiting a diner after she is "stood up" she is hit by a blue Saturn and killed. It's obvious this was no accident -- based on the tire marks the car was gunning for her. Emily's parents are horrified; she was a perfect student and had a bright future. The Saturn is found abandoned and the driver, Danny Payton, is later found dead. Emily's father, Ronald (Martin Kildare) owns a pharmaceutical company, and is concerned that shady business dealings may have put his daughter's life in danger. Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Green (Jesse L. Martin) question Danny's mother, Diane (Ellen McLaughlin), who has a "strange story": she said she had breakfast with her son the day before but based on the medical examiner's findings, he was already dead.

Elaine breaks up with her 66-year-old beau (Edward Penn), who suffers a stroke in front of Jerry's apartment.

Working as a male model, J.C. probes the fashion industry; Simone continues to keep secrets; Eddie's painkiller addiction grows.

A murder prompts Henry and Jo to explore 1970s-era New York. The investigation leads Henry and Jo back to college professor Molly Dawes, aka dominatrix Iona Payne (Hilarie Burton).