As Nick sets out to help the county buy part of a cemetery to widen a road, Burton thanks Mary Gressler for helping keep his son from being charged in the death of her daughter, Mandy. After enlisting Alvin to assist Mary in having the funeral she wants for Mandy, Burton learns that Senator Nathan Caldwell committed suicide just as he about to be indicted for accepting a bribe. And when Caldwell's aide, Mitchell Lichtman, suspects that the government will come after him next, he threatens to implicate Burton. Meanwhile, with Lulu's help, Mary gains access to Mandy's body for burial in a nearby family plot. But, sensing a relationship in the offing, young Shannon Gressler warns Burton to steer clear of her emotionally fragile grandmother, Mary.

In an effort to keep Judith Davis's sister's body from being exhumed, Alvin gets a restraining order to stop work on the road, only to discover he's taking on Nick in court. But when Alvin and Judith arrive for the hearing, Nick learns that the woman who they want to remain buried died fifty years ago following an abortion paid for by his dad, Burton. Meanwhile, Lichtman's deal with the government leads the FBI to suspect that Burton made the late Senator Caldwell a partner in exchange for his help in keeping Nick out of jail. And as Nick complains that their relationship extends no further than the sex, Kim McPherson agrees to a dinner date – one that leads to an uncomfortable encounter with Lulu and her husband, Brian.

As a tape recording of him and Caldwell forces Burton to reconsider his judicial appointment, news that Judith has surfaced with the story of her sister's botched abortion makes the situation even stickier. Though Judith wants him to stop the exhumations, Burton says it would constitute an abuse of his power. So, despite Alvin's efforts, Nick prevails in helping the county buy a portion of the cemetery. Finally, as they struggle with their feelings for each other, Mary asks Burton to join her and Shannon for Mandy's funeral. And when the story of his relationship and the botched abortion fifty years ago surfaces, Burton resigns his appointment in order to return to practicing law with his son.