AlmostayearhaspassedsinceEllenParsonsleftHewesandAssociates.SheisnowworkingintheDistrictAttorney'sofficeandisdealingwithafairlyimportantdrugcase,tryingtogetadealertorevealtheidentityofhissupplier.PattyHewesisnowactingonbehalfofagroupofinvestorstryingtorecovermoneytheyhadentrustedtoLouisTobinandwho,itturnsout,wasrunningaPonzischeme.Withbillionsofdollarsunaccountedfor,PattyistryingtofindanyfundsthatmayhavebeenhiddenbytheTobinfamily.PattyandEllenhavehadnocontactsinceherdeparturebutPattyhasbeenreluctanttore-assignheroffice,convincedthatEllenwillreturn.Sheevensendsheranexpensivehandbag.EllenwantsnothingtodowithherhoweverandwhenshethinksPattymaybeinterferingwithherdrugcase,tellshershedoesn'tneedanyhelp.Shealsotellsherthatanysecretsshemayhaveareperfectlysafe.Inaflash-forward6monthsintothefuture,PattyHewesisinaseriousaccidentwhenanothercarbroadsideshervehicleinanintersection.Theoccupantoftheothervehiclehasfledbutitisregisteredtosomeonesheknows.