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Jarod "Barker" Pretends to be an ex-con to expose Jack Brevins, a crooked parole officer in San Diego. With the aid of Pat Rush, another ex-con, Brevins forces the ex-cons who report to him to commit house robberies. Jarod inserts himself into the loop after Brevins kills Bobby Harmon, an ex-con who planned to turn state's evidence against him. Harmon's death leaves his widow, Lupe, alone to care for their twin sons. By making Brevins think that he is shooting his beloved dogs, Jarod gets him to confess to murdering Bobby Harmon and using the parolees that were assigned to him to rob houses.

Jarod learns about topless bars by attending Brevins' meetings in one. In addition, Brevins gives him Sandi, an exotic dancer, as a "house-warming" gift.

Jarod alerts Sydney to the fact that Michelle's husband, George Stamatis, is dying. While Sydney stays close to Michelle at St. Mary's Medical Center in order to offer her comfort and support, George persuades him to promise to take care of Michelle and their son, Nicholas, after he is gone. Nicholas overhears the conversation and thus learns that it is Sydney who is his real father. While explaining to Nicholas why it is that George is still his father (in spite of the fact that Sydney is his biological father), Sydney subtly admits to himself and to Jarod that their relationship has long been one of "father and son." The closing scene between Jarod and Sydney is one of the most touching the series has presented.