From the pages of Michael Connelly’s novels, Maggie Q is Ballard, a determined detective leading the LAPD’s newly formed cold case division. Episdoe 2 finds her small but mighty task force taking on the murder case of Yulia Kravetz. And later, we learn pieces of Ballard’s past as a homicide detective and the trauma she endured.

Renee takes it upon herself to circumvent the assigned LAPD officer and investigate the murder of Sumbeam Motel housekeeper, Yulia Kravetz. While the crime is initially labeled a robbery gone wrong, Renee learns this Ukrainian immigrant was murdered while doing her job, meaning the suspect targeted her. Camera footage captures an unknown man at the motel minutes before the murder. This man is later identified as Sean Wright, a mentally unwell drug addict who was used as a tool by someone else.

His mental illness makes him an unreliable witness, as he tells Parker and Ballard he “planted” the murder weapon in a “garden of roses.” Luckily, Parker and Bawles find a mural of roses. Parker’s ingenuity finds the gun in a box beneath the mural.

Later, Renee’s case against Brian Richmond endures a setback. It’s revealed he was deployed in 2008, the year Wilson was murdered. He is ruled out as a suspect in both cold-case murders, meaning the killer is still out there.

Starting back at one, Renee meets with Harry Bosch for an assist. They trade information with Bosch learning that DNA was pulled for the Wilson case. Bosch shares two suspects who had alibis, but he never quite trusted them. One was a drama student named Adam Lennox. The other was his drama teacher, Harmon Harris. They both shared the same story when questioned.

While piecing these puzzles together, Ballard has her routine therapy session with an LAPD-appointed counselor. Her therapist believes Renee’s work in the cold case division is a trauma response to the hurt and betrayal she experienced from her peers. Renee dismisses this theory.

The episode ends with Ballard’s team receiving a shocking revelation: the ballistics in the “John Doe” case were never analyzed. Another sign that someone inside the department doesn’t want this case solved.

Another strong episode carried by  Maggie Q and Courtney Taylor’s performances. And Titus Welliver’s cameo gives the episode a little boost. The comedic moments fall a bit flat, and — while realistic — the toxicity displayed toward Ballard from her male colleagues can be heavy-handed. However, the mystery is paced evenly with an exciting cliffhanger.

Rating: 7.5