David Del Valle, still angry with Andy Omart for re-writing his story, (see pilot episode) is about to leave the 'Crime Side' beat. He spends his last night riding patrol in a police cruiser that happens on an ugly murder. Del Velle is convinced there is a growing gang problem and a story, but no one listens. As his frustration grows he also meets Cash Conover, who promises David exclusive rights to the 'real story'-for a price. Conover offers David a story from inside a crack house in the neighborhood, and promises David will learn the truth about the gangs that are ruling the inner city, a fact which is denied by the mayor's publicity campaign on the eve of re-election. Andy and Blake pursue stories, but they are also drawing closer together. In a steamy scene, they climb into bed, only to be interrupted by the return of Stevie, Blake's boyfriend. After a night in the crack house, David finds Cash is the dealer, hemmed in by the gangs on one side and a wife that is snorting all the crack that Cash doesn't sell. While the story won't play at David's current paper, David freelances it to American Beat, a Rolling Stone-style youth culture paper). This has major consequences - David is at odds with the Chronicle; American Beat decides there's an important story to cover on the Crime beat, and sends E. Miller Savage to the station house; and Cash is beaten and wounded by gang bangers for talking. Del Valle tries to help him get out of the city, but with unintended results. Andy, still looking out for Del Valle, despite Del Valle's anger over Andy's actions in re-writing 'his story' helps David get hired by the Record Messager - who stations him at the Crime side station house. But David hasn't heard the last of Cash Conover. David Del Valle - Dean Devlin Andy Omart - Michael Murphy Blake Callisher - Wendy Crewson Cash Conover - Grand L. Bush
—Anonymous