Detectives Briscoe and Curtis investigate the death of well-known law professor who had just recently been nominated to sit on the appellate court, Maggie Abbott. She was struck by a cab after she darted out into the street, apparently running away from someone. They initially suspect her husband, Warren Abbott, who had an affair with Julianne Lowry, one of the interns at his law office. They subsequently learn that a gossip columnist, Philip Marco, is the man Maggie was running from when she ran into the street. Marco gets a suspended sentence over the incident but when he subsequently shot and killed, they once again look at Abbott and his daughter Laura. When Warren Abbott is charged with murder, his lawyer puts the tabloid newspaper industry on trial. Meanwhile Jamie Ross, who is about to be remarried, once again finds herself in family court when her ex-husband seeks custody of their daughter.
—garykmcd