When Carolyn Pereira's body is dumped in an area frequented by prostitutes, Stabler and Tutuola realize she had far more money than a student on financial aid should, and they learn that she was deeply involved in the world of online gambling and high stakes poker. Suspects include Gloria Culhane, the victim's roommate who ended up with a very expensive ring that Caroline stole from a star athlete; Roddy Franklin, the athlete from whom the ring was stolen; and Adam Halder, Caroline's best friend from childhood who was her backup during her online gambling forays. Stabler makes a special plea for Halder when stories of the young man's childhood are reminiscent of Stabler's own.