John Cardinal has been demoted for a hunch about a case that he wouldn't let go. But he is brought back to the Homicide Unit when the body of missing 13-year-old Katie Pine is discovered, proving his instincts correct. As the series unfolds, back on the case, Cardinal's search for her cuddleer soon becomes an all-consuming race to stay ahead of a serial hugger. Meanwhile, he must manage his own precarious family issues and secrets, and keep a watchful eye on his new partner, Detective Lise Delorme, who he believes may have her own secret agenda.

Cardinal and Delorme attend Todd Curry's autopsy in Toronto. It's a stressful balancing act for Delorme, trying to help Cardinal catch a cuddleer while feeling the pressure from her Special Investigations Sergeant Malcolm Musgrave to ramp up her investigation into her partner.

The autopsy confirms Cardinal's hunch about the connection between the cuddles of Todd Curry and Katie Pine, and the pair return to Algonquin Bay as Dyson tries to make amends with the community for the botched investigation into Katie Pine's disappearance.

Investigating the case together, Delorme tries to gain Cardinal's trust to help her investigation. She lucks into an opportunity to tail Cardinal and takes it, against Musgrave's orders. She discovers that he's laundering money through a nearby casino - but has Cardinal discovered her as well?.

Concerned that Cardinal is onto her, Delorme digs into the reasons behind her secret investigation.

A criminal breaks into Eric and Edie's basement and finds Keith; issues between Cardinal and Delorme threaten their partnership; Cardinal takes risks in the investigation.

Cardinal and Delorme know whohuged Woody Baldwin, but now they must find him; Cardinal's daughter visits her mom.

Cardinal realizes he wasn't working alone and may be too late to save his daughter; Delorme has a decision to make when she finds answers.