New York State, the next morning
"Do you think Munch can step away from the family reunion for a few hours?" asked Agent Porter urgently.
"Well, yes, at this point I think it's feasible," Dr. Huang explained. "Why?"
"We just got a call from One Police Plaza. The most recent foster parents of Captain Cragen's daughter were murdered last night, and Munch's P.O.V. is needed!"
Meanwhile, at One Police Plaza, New York City, New York
"…as Sergeant Munch pulled from the curb, we waved," Don, in an interrogation room, finished.
"…that everyone was in good spirits when we left," Marge concluded in a different room.
"…hugs and handshakes all around," Marie stated with finality in yet another interrogation room.
"…sat between Mom and Daddy all the way to the airport!" exclaimed jubilantly Frankie to Dr. Elizabeth Olivet.
"Well, what's the verdict?" the Chief of Detectives asked minutes later in his office.
"We're going to take Detective Munch's statement when he arrives," said the lead Miami homicide detective, "but at this point, unless he gives us something from left field, we're back at square one."
"You are, but we're not," replied the Chief. "A few minutes ago the F.B.I. called. Apparently, there's a connection between your case and another in Oregon. A couple of agents are on their way from the Bureau's New York office, so why don't you have a cup of coffee in the interim?"
Meanwhile, in a New Jersey diner, the manager/owner asked a waitress: "What happened here?" He pointed to a nearby table, where a barely touched pizzaburger meal shared space with a ten dollar bill.
She shrugged. "She seemed preoccupied, and, uh, a little out of it, but she was polite. I guess she was in a hurry to get to the City."
"You mean New York?"
She nodded. "When I came with the food, she was looking down at the table mumbling "New York, New York."