The Closer

When Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson arrives in Los Angeles from Atlanta, Georgia, she immediately finds herself thrust into a very different way of life. She struggles to get over her past problems while dealing with co-workers who resent the fact that she leapfrogged over many veteran cops to the elevated position of deputy police chief. Her quirky personality and hard-nosed approach to her job immediately irritate her colleagues, as does the fact that she is a tough-minded Southern woman in a department dominated by men. Although focused on her career, she's also trying (somewhat unsuccessfully) to overcome her love of doughnuts, chocolate bars and other snacks and to reignite a personal life that has fallen by the wayside.

Brenda investigates the unusual murder of Heather Treman (HELEN TUCKER), a high-profile model and the wife of movie star Dean Treman (BRAD ROWE). Despite having a bad sense of direction, Brenda navigates the streets of Los Angeles to track down leads, all of which, at first glance, seem to point to Dean as the culprit. Meanwhile, Brenda meets with her ex-boyfriend Fritz for a friendly dinner and gets the name of the Priority Murder Squad (PMS) changed to the Priority Homicide Division (PHD), trading in one set of initials for a set considerably more desirable.

Brenda investigates the death of a high-priced Russian call girl whose client list reveals the name of Danny Booth (DON McMANUS), an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer and close friend of Brenda's boss, Pope. During the investigation, Brenda questions Nick Kozlov (SETH GABEL), who was the deceased woman's boyfriend and is the illegitimate son of a Russian mob boss. Although Brenda suspects either Kozlov or Booth, she halts her investigation into the former when the FBI provides an alibi for where he was on the night of the murder. She later discovers that Kozlov is a pawn in a larger FBI investigation into the Russian mob. However, instead of being thwarted, Brenda vows to probe deeper and outsmart everyone to solve the murder. Meanwhile, Brenda leaves a message for Fritz after their dinner together. She is still unsure if they are merely friends or if their relationship could be romantic.

Brenda follows the trail of a suspected sniper who is assassinating members of the East Side Catorces, one of the city's most notorious gangs. When a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel comes forward at the first crime scene and offers detailed information about the murders, Brenda agrees to work with him secretly to avoid scaring off the suspect. But as the case unravels, she begins to think there is more to the colonel's story than he has revealed. After more killings happen, Brenda asks Fritz to help her catch the sniper.

Brenda investigates the murder of a psychiatrist who has been involved in a controversial clinical trial for a new drug to treat teen depression and anxiety. The trail leads to several possible suspects, from the psychiatrist's partner in the clinical trial to the doctors working for the research company developing the new drug, which has already caused the death of one child. As Brenda continues her investigation, she uncovers a startling connection that ultimately leads her to the murderer. Meanwhile, Brenda's squad learns that she had been charged with sexual misconduct at her last job in Atlanta. And her tentative relationship with Fritz gets complicated when they find themselves in an awkward situation involving a hidden microphone.

Brenda investigates the murder of a U.S. Congresswoman's daughter, who may have been targeted because of an online personal ad involving role-playing in a fantasy "rape" scene. As the investigation unfolds, Brenda becomes a target in a frightening incident that leaves her emotionally and physically shaken.

A date between Brenda and Fritz is interrupted by a call that a prominent judge has been shot and killed. Upon arrival at the crime scene, Brenda learns that the judge's autistic son has disappeared and that the judge's ex-wife is now heading to Los Angeles from Phoenix. Brenda and her team study the judge's case files, hoping to find some clue as to who would murder him. The victim's car is eventually found at the airport, with his son alive and unharmed in the trunk. The boy repeats a series of numbers over and over, puzzling the detectives as to the meaning. But Brenda soon figures out what the numbers are, giving her a crucial lead in her investigation. Meanwhile, Brenda and Fritz continue trying to define their relationship, unsure if they are just friends or if they are indeed dating.

Brenda delves into a case involving an attack on a gay man. The man, who had just been at a bar with his partner, was beaten to death with a baseball bat. After Captain Taylor receives a tip, the team thinks they have found their killer until his alibi clears, forcing Brenda to start her investigation all over to find the real murderer. Meanwhile, the case stirs up passions among the squad members, with Taylor frequently undermining Brenda's authority. Also, Brenda receives some much-needed help from Fritz in dealing with a situation concerning her cat.

A young Mexican girl, whose mother and cousin are illegal immigrants working for a wealthy American family, is found murdered. After an extensive investigation, marred by false leads and a tragic suicide, Brenda heads south of the border to track down and trap the killer by using a key stipulation in Mexican law.

A wealthy octogenarian dies just months after marrying a young stripper. After his widow then dies of an overdose, attention turns towards the butler as a possible suspect. But Brenda, who continues to have problems being accepted by her colleagues, has her sights set on the dead man's three grown children.

Brenda and her team are assigned to investigate the murder of an Iranian businessman and his driver in a medical center parking deck. Complications ensue between the LAPD and the FBI concerning which has jurisdiction over the case because the businessman's name appears on the FBI's terrorist watch list. The FBI agrees to allow the LAPD to investigate but only if an FBI liaison serves on the team. That agent is Fritz, whose relationship with Brenda may become strained as a result of the issues raised in the case.

Faulty evidence from a botched murder investigation three years ago is revealed after the body of woman believed to have been the original murder victim of a death-row killer shows up in the morgue. Now Brenda and her squad must scramble to keep the killer, who has a penchant for burning women alive, behind bars when the court mandates his release in light of the new evidence. Meanwhile, Taylor continues his political assault on Brenda's rank.

The conflict between Brenda and Taylor reaches the boiling point when Brenda is charged with "conduct unbecoming." Meanwhile, Brenda's team must investigate the murder of a high-profile Hollywood producer. Signs indicate the murder may have been committed by someone in the victim's family.