CSI: CRIME scene investigation

Season 7 - Episode 1 - Built to Kill - Part 1

Teleplay by David Rambo & Naren Shankar
Story by Sarah Goldfinger
Directed by Kenneth Fink
Special Music Performance by John Mayer

On center stage of Cirque Du Soliel’s new show “Ka,” a female corpse in a deflated crash bag is dropped from the rafters and onto the stage. As one of the show’s dancers discovers the death mid-production, the team is called out to investigate the scene. However, upon arrival they find that the body has been moved outside; a legal measure taken by the company to alleviate worry and bad press. Catherine and Grissom find no identification on the body, and according to the show’s manager she’s foreign to the production. Grissom notes green streaks on the victim’s dress and takes the surveillance camera tape. Dr. Robbins confirms that the victim was killed after being struck in the head and was then crushed by the stage. Catherine discovers calluses on her hands and feet; denoting that she might be a dancer. Hodges confirms that the green trace is from floral foam; Grissom remembers that the show manager said a girl with flowers was let in. After reviewing the video footage, Grissom notices that the victim snuck backstage and dropped her purse. Nick finds it and identifies the victim as Celia Noel. He also finds tickets to all other Cirque shows. After scanning her credit card bills he finds that an Arnie Clifton took her to the “Zumanity”show. When questioned he says he never went to “Ka” with her, but the sand-like remnants on his shoe (also on the stage) prove that he did. The team tries to tie Arnie to the scene.

 Across town, Sam Braun is hosting a raging rooftop party for his new business partners; one of which is a Robert O’Brien who soon commits suicide - or so it seems - hours into the soiree. Warrick and Sara head to the scene to investigate; strangely, the corpse still has his fingers around the gun. Brass interrogates Sam Braun and realizes that a lot of money will be made off of his new casino: Eureka. Sam says his partner Joe Hirschoff was with him right before the death. When questioned he tells Brass that he had went to get Robert a margarita, and then heard the shot. Brass notices that he takes anti-stress pills. In the morgue, Robbins detects sesame seeds in the victim’s mouth, but not in his stomach contents. Meanwhile, Warrick confirms that the gun belongs to Joe. He also confirms that Joe and Robert were joint partners meaning that if one were to die the other would get his money. However, when Warrick finds out that Joe is in the hole financially- the suicide could have been staged by Joe. The team tries to solve the mystery given the new evidence.

After hours, Catherine and Nick head out to a bar for a quick drink. When a sly guy tells the bartender to send a drink Catherine’s way she denies his offer. However, the next morning she finds herself in an empty motel room, in bed, and almost naked. After processing the scene, which is against CSI policy, she takes a shower to try and wash away the night she cannot recall.

Back at the lab, Grissom receives a miniature replica of the real life crime seen he is about to process.