The narrative takes a pivotal turn as Hancock discovers that Ewes’s death was not a suicide, prompting a murder investigation. They examine the evidence, notably the rope’s indentation pattern, which reminds Devine of a fellow soldier, Lieutenant Roy Blankenship, who served in the Army with him in Afghanistan. Campbell can pinpoint the time of Ewes’s death, and while Devine claims that the building’s security footage can vouch for his absence, Hancock confronts him about his presence at Cowl and Comely the night before and insinuates that the end of Devine’s relationship with Ewes might make him a suspect. The interrogation intensifies, leading Devine to contemplate retaining legal counsel.

Valentine is obsessed with tracing the origin of an email sent to Devine regarding the discovery of Ewes’s body, intrigued by the obscure email address. Meanwhile, Devine’s alibi is uncertain, as none of his housemates can confirm his whereabouts. Speers, after observing Hancock, proposes a criminal defense lawyer. Devine’s conversation with Tapshaw, an MIT alumnus with a tendency to neglect her nutrition, is interrupted when she hastily consumes a slice of Valentine’s pizza upon realizing the late hour.