Simone deals with an emotionally fragile woman, named Joyce Novak, whom is a witness for a double-murder when she keeps changing her story, for she is really only interested in flirting with him. Meanwhile, Sipowicz participates in the investigation where a family-run business, that he used to work in, is held up and the owner's wife is killed. After Donna leaves town for a long vacation (and to get away from the annoying Medavoy), her temporary replacement, John Irvin, is a flamboyantly gay man whom Simone used to know from his old precinct. But Irvin makes the whole the station, including the bigoted Sipowitz, uncomfortable. Also, Martinez enters in a police department boxing tournament.

Simone and Sipowicz search for a killer of a bookie in which Mike Roberts returns to offer his help. Meanwhile, Donna returns from her long vacation trip to resume her position at the station and her temp, John Irvin, gives everyone farewell greeting cards when he is moved to the anti-crime lab upstairs. But Donna continues to treat Medavoy with resentment which leads to him thinking that she might be finished with him. Simone's obsessive witness, Joyce Novak, goes too far when Simone rejects her advances after he tells her that she will not testify in the upcoming trial. This leads to Joyce attempting to murder Diane Russell when she correctly assumes that she and Simone are romantically involved. Sipowicz and Sylvia meet with the priest to help with their wedding and later she hears a story about what has contributed to Sipowicz's loss of faith.