In the third episode of Scarpetta, the story begins with a flashback to Miami in 1978. Dorothy, dressed to the nines, says goodbye to her parents as she heads out to meet her boyfriend. When she returns home, their apartment is surrounded by police cars. Her mother is inconsolable, and Kay lies on the floor, next to a pool of blood.
In the present, Dorothy is doing a live interview for the 20th entry in her ‘Dot the Dorkasaurus’ book series. Scarpetta, who is annoyed at being interrupted, walks in on the interview and complains about it to Benton. He asks her to help him shave, and she does, but then begins to see flashes of dead bodies and steps away.
Scarpetta and Marino then head to see Matt Peterson. They now know that the skin graft on Gwen’s body is her DNA, which means it was likely 3D printed. They’re hoping Matt has nothing to do with this because reopening the older case would open a Pandora’s box of problems they can’t afford to have in the open.
In the past, Dorothy calls home and Scarpetta tells her off for telling Lucy about her remarriage over the phone. As usual, the argument spirals and both blame each other. Scarpetta says she’s working on a really big case and shouldn’t have to look after Dorothy’s daughter.
She then goes to work, where a reporter named Abby tries to talk to her. She says it’s personal, but Scarpetta doesn’t think it’s appropriate for them to talk since Abby has been writing salacious articles about the case. At the lab, Scarpetta’s team finds a glittery makeup remover that looks a lot like the shiny substance found on the victims’ bodies. Health Commissioner Amburgay then asks to see Scarpetta.
At the commissioner’s office, City Attorney Boltz and Benton are present as well. She is forced to tell them about her computer being hacked, and the commissioner seems keen on firing her. In turn, she presents Lori’s phone records that show she called 911. However, this has been hushed up to avoid a scandal for the government officials. As a result, the commissioner is forced to let her be.
Scarpetta and Marino visit Matt at The Orchard, a place where he conducts grief camps. He invites them for lunch. Meanwhile, Officer Fruge, following Marino's instructions, arrives at Lucy's cabin to gather information on Jinx Slater. Lucy provides Jinx's location and insists on accompanying Fruge to question him, claiming her ex-FBI agent status. On the way, Fruge offers her condolences for Lucy's loss. After they leave, Dorothy enters Lucy's cabin to leave her new book. There, AI Janet starts conversing with her about her books. Fruge and Lucy arrive at Jinx's place but find him absent. They wonder if someone has taken Jinx, and they're right – Jinx is in the custody of Benton and Sierra, who are questioning him as part of their investigation.
At the grief camp, Matt claims not to know Gwen. Scarpetta and Marino try to press further about his fingerprints but he doesn't oblige. While there, Scarpetta notices that one of the girls has marks around her wrists, suggesting she was tied up.
Benton visits Scarpetta at home and makes it clear that he didn't know she was being summoned to see the commissioner. He declares his support for her and eventually, the two start kissing. They get an amusing interruption from Lucy, after which he gets ready to leave. That's when they notice a car speeding away from the house. Was someone watching them?
Scarpetta tells Marino that both Gwen and Lori's killers used Palomar knots. Marino learns about Jinx from Fruge, who also reveals they found invisible ink at Jinx's house. She also mentions that she and Lucy are having dinner together, which pleases Scarpetta. Meanwhile, Benton starts questioning Jinx about Gwen's work at Thor Labs.
At home, Dorothy is still talking to Janet. She asks Janet if she has to be so hard on Lucy for spending time with her. She promises that she would never do anything to hurt Lucy. While chatting, AI Janet reveals that Pete has always been in love with Kay, which takes Dorothy aback.
The episode concludes with a scene from the past, where City Attorney Boltz watches Abby from his car.
