Back at the precinct, Dexter and Doakes share a rare "dude nod," where they both non-verbally acknowledge the fucked-up situation they're in. Doakes is taking Cervantes's name down from the Guerrero crime family tree, and Dexter is examining the fingertips. Deb comes in, and Dex shows her that the fingers were hacked off post-mortem. "But why the nail polish? What's he thinking?" VO: "He's thinking, 'Tag, Dexter. You're it.'" Live Dexter says, "I don't know." Deb has info that the hand belongs to Sherry Taylor, "another hooker." "At least he's consistent." Deb is visibly shaken. She's upset that someone is killing these prostitutes, who have to "sell their bodies to survive, or feed their kids." VO: "My sister puts up a front so the world won't see how vulnerable she really is. Me, I put up a front so the world won't see how vulnerable I'm not." Deep, man. Some chick comes in and summons Deb to the Captain's office.

In Astor's office (no, not Rita's daughter), the Captain makes LaGuerta not only commend Debra on her police work initiative, but also promote her from Vice to Homicide. Deb is, naturally, totally happy, and as she hugs the Captain, LaGuerta looks on, visibly irritated that she had to do what she just did. After ending their embrace, Deb says, "I won't let you down, sir," and leaves. "I hope you know what you're doing," says LaGuerta. "I promoted you, didn't I? Now find me this ice truck son of a bitch." Heh, nice one, Cap'n. He's out.

LaGuerta and Angel have a conversation, todo en español, about his kid and his wife (I think?). Clearly we're being introduced to some Angel drama down the line, but let's not worry about that just now, shall we?

Over with Doakes now, LaGuerta wants to know why Doakes is obsessing over the Ricky and Kara Simmons thing. Doakes says that when people come after one cop, they come after all cops. LaGuerta tells him that Kara died about an hour previous, and Doakes sits down, disturbed. "Was Kara sleeping with someone other than Ricky?" LaGuerta probes. "Was it you?" His silence is enough of an answer, and she asks what the fuck he could have been thinking. He explains that Kara was going to ask for a divorce once Ricky came off undercover, but she didn't want to hurt him while he was still working Guerrero. "If I go by the book, I take you off the case." "Fuck the book!" Apparently, that's enough for her, and she lets Doakes take point on the Guerrero family. Could be a big mistake, if he's looking for retaliation...