Keller and Beecher's renewed relationship does not last in the face of Vern Schillinger's machinations. In the season premiere, Keller was shot in the shoulder and Beecher pulls him to safety and his shooter kills two inmates and one guard, setting the alarm; the shooter then kills himself. Sister Pete, upon hearing that Keller desires to see Beecher after his discharge from the hospital ward, tells Beecher that Keller is "a manipulative, sociopathic liar." Unbeknownst to Beecher, Schillinger pays his son, Hank, to kidnap Beecher's children, Gary and Holly. Schillinger then orders Hank to murder Gary, Beecher's son. Mad with fear and grief, Beecher believes false rumors claiming that Keller is responsible for the kidnappings and the murder of his son. An attempt on Keller's life in retaliation ends their brief reunion, and the two spend the rest of the season attempting ways to hurt one another. Beecher delves into promiscuity, and Keller kills Beecher's hookups, including inmate Mondo Browne and Nate Shemin, to discredit the new manager of Em City, Martin Querns.