The detectives learn that Shane's phone was found on a man named Neal Douglas, who has a record of drug distribution and assault. Elliot and Olivia meet with Neal and ask him to tell him where he got the phone. Alex arrives and says Elliot violated Neal's right to council. Alex informs the detectives the interview is over. Alex says they are ruining the case.

Alex brings Liam the photo of Nikki at the party. He orders her to find the recant statement he believes the police are withholding. He says the defense attorney are claiming they have a witness who will testify that Nikki recanted her statement. Alex gets a call from Sonya who later meets her outside the court house. She suggests she doesn't give the state bar any more ammunition. She says she risks having her license pulled by trusting Elliot and Olivia.

Olivia learns that Dickie doesn't want to talk to Elliot. They find Nikki in the station who says Alex dropped the charges against Sam. Nikki says Sam is already celebrating and she should have not pressed charges. She says her friend Amy told her that Sam has a lot of friends who are going to come after her. She says she was shoved into her locker at school and doesn't want to continue any further.

Elliot finds Munch listening to Cragen as he is getting scolded by the commissioner. Cragen informs Munch he is now in charge since he was suspended. He says they located Shane's dead body. At the scene, Warner reports that Shane was found naked with multiple stab and blunt force trauma wounds. Alex tells Elliot he shouldn't be there. Olivia announces she filed a formal request for a new ADA. Olivia explains that she thinks she sacrificed a rape victim in order to save herself.

At the lab, Warner reports that Shane was stomped to death. She says the stab wounds were too shallow to cause enough blood loss. Warner says Shane died 36 hours ago. Warner says tox screens show Shane was clean for months. Elliot overhears the report and is overcome with regret.

Olivia and Alex meet with Neal and his lawyer at the detention center. Olivia says they are going to charge him with murder of Shane. Neal admits that he exchanged drugs for the phone. He says he didn't know his customer killed someone. He says the buyer was a homeless guy who hung out near the church. Olivia instructs the detectives to pick up Harold. Elliot tells Olivia he found surveillance footage of Harold with Shane. He says if he looked earlier, he could have saved him.

Fin finds Harold wearing Shane's cap. Harold attacks Fin with a small knife but misses. Fin pulls out his gun and orders him to surrender.

Olivia goes to Nikki's apartment, but she doesn't answer her door. Her neighbor hears Olivia knock and gives her a key. Olivia finds Nikki unconscious in bed next to a bottle of pills and administers CPR.

At the station, Fin tells Harold that Shane tried to help him, but he betrayed him. Harold says he knew Shane before he got clean. Harold says times are hard since no one throws there bottles away. He says he can no longer survive without redemption. Meanwhile, Elliot informs Shane's mom of the bad news. Olivia is able to revive Nikki and takes her to the hospital. Harold says Shane pretended his bank card didn't work so he killed him. Fin tells him he is going to put him in the cage for life.

Alex informs Sam and his lawyer that he is going to refile the rape charges and add charges of witness tampering and obstruction of justice. Alex calls in Amy who explains Sam gave her things in exchange for her to say that Nikki recanted her story. Alex asks Amy if she is willing to testify against Sam and she agrees. Alex says Nikki wanted a day in court and she will give it to her. She tells Sam he is going to jail.

Dickie returns home after staying out all night. He tells Elliot that Shane's mom doesn't even want him at Shane's funeral. Elliot says it is his fault. Dickie asks Elliot to sign the Army consent forms or he will never see him again after he turns 18. Elliot holds Dickie and tells him he can hate him all he wants, but he won't sign the papers. Dickie starts to cry as Elliot tells him he is his son.