Ep 3. The Ties That Bind

Jordan Cavanaugh and Detective Woody Hoyt team up again to solve the murder case of a woman found dead in a deserted house. The woman, identified as Barbara, is initially thought to be a victim of suicide, but further investigation reveals that the she was, in fact, strangled and left to die.

Barbara, who was adopted at a young age, had been searching for her biological parents but never managed to find them. Upon digging deeper into the woman's background, the team discovers a web of lies and deceit within the family she grew up in. Her adoptive mother, Jennifer, was overprotective and manipulative, controlling all aspects of Barbara's life. Furthermore, it is revealed that Barbara's sister, who had been deemed mentally unstable and was kept locked up for years, was in fact sane and had information that could help in solving the murder case.

Meanwhile, Jordan deals with personal issues of her own. Her father, Max Cavanaugh, who owns a bar, is struggling with alcoholism and an ongoing dispute with his neighbor. Furthermore, Jordan finds out that her late mother, who died when Jordan was a child, had an affair with another man. All of these issues lead Jordan to examine her own relationships and how they are influencing her life choices.

As the investigation heats up, it becomes clear that the family Barbara was adopted into harbored deep secrets and had a complicated past. The team discovers more dark truths about her past, including a connection to a cult and a sick, twisted form of "family love". As Jordan and Woody work together to uncover the truth behind Barbara's murder, they begin to question the motives and truth behind the adoptive family's actions.

As the episode comes to a close, the team uncovers the true identity of Barbara's biological mother and father, which plays a pivotal role in the solving of the case. The Ties That Bind explores themes of family, identity, and the lengths people will go to protect their own secrets. Will the truth set Barbara's adoptive family free, or will it bring them to justice? Tune in to find out.