Episode 5 of "High Potential" kicks off with a scene where a veterinarian arrives at the clinic for his nocturnal duties, but his shift takes a grim turn as he discovers the doctor lying lifeless, with the chilling word "murder" starkly printed on a slip of paper. The following day, Morgan and her team storm the scene, their keen eyes scanning for clues. Just as Karadec reaches for the sink to wash his hands, Morgan intercepts him with swift precision, administering a tranquilizer that saves him from impending doom.
In her subsequent explanation, Morgan reveals that the victim suffered from a severe allergic reaction on her palms, with a paper towel lying beside her as silent witness. The clinic, which houses exotic animals, had recently seen a poisonous dart frog go missing, a detail that didn't escape Morgan's notice. She deductively reasons that the frog must be concealed within the soap dispenser, causing the doctor to be paralyzed as she innocuously dried her hands with the paper towel. In her dying throes, the doctor's last act of defiance was to command the printer to spell out "murder," leaving a trail of evidence for the investigators to follow. True to her deduction, the team discovers a lifeless frog within the dispenser's confines.
Morgan and Karadec then track down Bethany, who had initially called the police to report the disappearance of Dr. Monica. Though Bethany herself is unaware of much, her son reveals a vital clue: a man had shouted at Monica just a day prior. This man is revealed to be Shane, Monica's ex-boyfriend with a checkered past, who served time for armed robbery when Monica was merely 16.Shane is subsequently brought in for questioning, but his ankle monitor, a relic of his recent release a month ago, places him under scrutiny yet ultimately clears him as a suspect. Meanwhile, Morgan stumbles upon pills resembling birth control in Ava's room, but opts to postpone questioning her, heeding the counsel of her former partner.
Later on, the investigation team confronts one of Monica's online detractors, who alleges that Monica, without consulting him, incinerated his pet spider, justifying her action by claiming it was infected. This individual confesses to have threatened Monica at her Hollywood residence. Simultaneously, Morgan recollects glimpsing a Hollywood address on a food delivery receipt discarded in Monica’s apartment trash.
Upon visiting the specified address, the team uncovers an array of exotic species, uncovering Monica's secret life as an illegal trafficker of exotic animals. Inside the office, Morgan discovers a photograph of Bethany and her son. Further inquiries reveal that Monica was desperately seeking funds to purchase a home. They consult with the real estate agent, who divulges that Monica had a partner and desired a house nearby. It transpires that Monica intended to buy a home for the woman she loved deeply – Bethany, who was already married with a son. Bethany admits that her husband was aware of her plans to leave him for Monica.
Nathan, Bethany's husband, is summoned for questioning. The team also stumbles upon a book on frogs, with a coffee stain marking the page dedicated to poisonous dart frogs. Nathan eventually caves in and confesses to Monica's murder, yet Morgan remains uncertain about the genuineness of his confession, leaving a lingering sense of doubt in the air.
Later, Morgan ventures to the beach to visit Shane, who holds a position as a gym instructor there. As she scrutinizes him, her gaze falls upon his distinctive ear dimples, which bear an uncanny resemblance to those of Bethany's son. Promptly, she cuts short Karadec's romantic evening to reveal a startling revelation: Bethany's son is not her flesh and blood but the biological offspring of Shane and Monica. The presence of identical ear dimples serves as a telltale sign of their genetic link.
Moreover, Monica's youthful pregnancy had been the silent reason behind Shane's silence regarding her involvement in the robbery saga, leading to Monica's estrangement from her parents, especially her father who was deeply ashamed. Piecing together the puzzle, Morgan concludes that Bethany stumbled upon the truth about Monica's hidden bond with her adopted son, Gavin, realizing that Monica's affections lay with Gavin, not with her. Bethany, driven by rage at discovering the deceitful nature of their relationship, admitted to Monica's murder. She had eavesdropped on a heated conversation between Shane and Monica about placing their child for adoption. Nathan, misconstruing his duty to protect Gavin, had falsely confessed to the crime and was subsequently freed. Elsewhere, Monica's mother experiences the poignant revelation that Gavin is indeed her grandson.
In a more intimate turn, Morgan confides in Ava about her birth control pills, only to be astonished when Ava reveals she's been using them not for contraception but to combat persistent acne.
