The Mysteries of Laura Episode 2.16 The Mystery of The End of Watch

In the aftermath of the shooting, Laura (Debra Messing) must inform Santiani's son, Justin, of his mother's death. At the precinct, Jake (Josh Lucas) and the team watch footage of the shooting, looking for clues. Jen (guest star Jenna Fischer) stops by to tell Jake that hearing the news about Santiani has made her realize how important he is to her, even though they've only been dating a short time. Jake echoes her feelings, and Laura, who witnesses them talking, is devastated to see Jake moving on.

At Santiani's wake, Laura and Santiani's mother (guest star Mercedes Ruehl) discover that Justin has disappeared - and it looks as if he's been kidnapped. Prints confirm that Justin was taken by his deadbeat dad, Vince (guest star Scott Cohen). Laura remembers Santiani telling her how she tracked her son using a phone app, and this information leads them to the house where Vince is hiding out with Justin. But upon being rescued, Justin insists his father didn't kidnap him. In fact, his dad is trying to protect him.

In questioning, Vince admits he owes money to a pair of thugs, brothers who learned about police death benefits and killed Santiani for the money. When Justin stood to inherit the payout instead of Vince, the brothers threatened to take him out next if Vince didn't make a down payment. Laura and the team set up a sting, and while wearing a wire, Vince gets the brothers to admit to killing Santiani. With the case closed, the team returns to the precinct for Santiani's end of watch broadcast, which is heard by police all over New York.

Santiani's death has inspired Jake to seize the moment, and he has bought a ring with which to propose to Jen. He shares this plan with Billy (Laz Alonso), who makes a tough decision: even though he's breaking every rule of bro code, he tells Laura what Jake is planning. Distraught, Laura cries at home, until her sister Lucy (guest star Debby Ryan) encourages her to seize the moment herself and stop him. Laura rushes to the rooftop restaurant where Jake and Jen are dining and bursts in. Taking Jake aside, Laura confesses she is still in love with him, and they fall into a soulful kiss. They break apart, but before Jake can say anything, Jen appears, innocent of what has just transpired, asking if everything is all right. That's when Laura notices the diamond ring on Jen's finger. She's too late. Laura looks at Jake. Or is she?