Simone and Sipowicz search for a killer following a shooting spree, which left several people dead and where a rookie cop's missed shot also killed a bystander. Meanwhile, Fancy's younger brother, Reginald, a policeman in the 8th precinct, has racial troubles with his commanding officer and Fancy intercedes on his behalf and his own boss, Captain Bass, covers for him. Sipowicz sees a doctor and discovers he has an enlarged prostate and Sylvia mistakenly thinks their lack of sexual activity over the past few weeks was because of the rape incident from her past that she told him about.

Simone and Sipowicz investigate a claim of sexual assault against a mentally disabled 17-year-old schoolgirl, after her domineering and verbally abusive mother reports it. They try to persuade her to press charges against the two assailants. The alleged assailants are from privileged backgrounds who attend an exclusive prep school. One is the son of sleazy councilman Paul Manos, with whom the detectives had problems a year earlier. Meanwhile, a young man who speaks only gibberish, known to Sipowicz who had him committed four years ago, appears at the station and causes a minor scene -- trying to get someone to listen to him about a problem he now has. Sipowicz investigates. Meanwhile, Russell continues her undercover work and relationship with Jimmy, who shows off his true psychopathology when he beats up a roller blader who had accidentally bumped into Russell.