Directed by Creator/ConstantineMakris

Written by Creator/MichaelHarbert

Investigation into the murder of Dr. Eliza Glazer reveals that the victim sold oxycodone, an addictive prescription drug, on behalf of Tommy Avakian; the son of crime boss Nicky Avakian. A secret recording from a bar the Avakians own, which is bugged by the F.B.I, incriminates Tommy as the killer. However, the [=DA's=] office is not allowed to use the recording in court - revealing that the Avakians are under surveillance could jeopardize the F.B.I's case against Avakian senior. When [=McCoy=] tries to push for a plea deal by letting Tommy think a witness overheard that conversation, Tommy offers to testify against his father in exchange for full immunity and entering witness protection.

Avakian senior is arrested, but now he requests immunity from all charges present ''and'' past in exchange for revealing the identity of a contact who sells chemicals to terrorists for bomb-making purposes. [=McCoy=] is disgusted at this blatant manipulation and points out they do not even know if Avakian senior is telling the truth. Lewin is under pressure from her seniors to go along with it, so that they can be seen to do something about terrorism. She declines, and a judge rules that Tommy's confession to Glazer's murder is admissible as evidence only if he agrees to testify. Now there is no case against either of the Avakians which, [=McCoy=] realizes, was their plan all along.

[=McCoy=] tells Tommy that they can charge him with oxycodone possession with intent to supply; they have a material witness, and if Tommy wants to testify in his defense, the murder confession becomes admissible. As a convicted multiple felon, he will then spend the rest of his life in jail - unless he testifies against his own father for real. He agrees to testify against his father in exchange for serving his sentence for the murder in a federal prison, and then going into witness protection. During a recess in the trial, Avakian says he would do the same in Tommy's place but then threatens to have him killed.

!!!This episode contains examples of:

* BetrayalByOffspring: Initially subverted when [=McCoy=] realizes Tommy never really intended to do this. He's ultimately forced into it for real at the end.
* ChainOfDeals: The plot of the episode revolves around this.
* CharacterNameAlias: Glazer went to sex parties using the alias "[[Series/XenaWarriorPrincess Xena]]"
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Tommy's scheme to get both himself and Avakian senior off the hook by pretending he'll testify against his father fails, and he has to actually do it.
* LoopholeAbuse: [=McCoy=] has to honor the agreement not to use the recording in court, but that doesn't mean he won't tell Tommy a witness overheard the conversation. When Southerlyn says this is lying, [=McCoy=] insists it's technically true since they all overheard it via the recording.
* MsFanservice: Whilst there's no nudity, Alexandra (the swanky restuarant hostess) wears ''a lot'' of very expensive, very revealing dresses whilst she's interviewed at work.
* TheMafiya: Avakian senior was temporarily in witness protection after testifying against them.
* ThreeWaySex: Alexandra's alibi for Glazer's murder is that she went home with a couple after the party they attended.