A year has passed since Ellen Parsons left Hewes and Associates, now working in the District Attorney's office. She is dealing with a significant drug case, attempting to find the identity of a dealer's supplier. Patty Hewes, now acting on behalf of a group of investors seeking to recover money entrusted to Louis Tobin, discovers that Tobin was involved in a Ponzi scheme. With billions of dollars missing, Patty is looking for any hidden funds by the Tobin family. Patty and Ellen have not had contact since Ellen left but Patty remains reluctant to reassign her office. She sends an expensive handbag to Ellen as a gesture of goodwill. However, Ellen shows no interest in her and tells Patty she doesn't need any help when she thinks of Patty interfering with her drug case. She also assures Ellen that any secrets she may have are safe. Six months into the future, Patty experiences a serious accident when another car broadsides her vehicle in an intersection. The occupant of the other vehicle flees but it is registered to someone she knows.