CSI: Vegas (2021) s01e06 Episode Script
Funhouse
Previously on CSI: Vegas
There's an assault on the truth.
Not your truth, not
my truth but the truth.
Only one of our suspects
has the skills to do what I saw.
You believe this guy
framed David Hodges.
I'm Martin Kline.
They know.
It's Kline's watch.
His shoes.
Probably not his grenade.
Kline was working for someone else
when he framed Hodges. He had to be.
You didn't process
this hallway, did you?
This was actually someone cleaning up.
I think they finally made a mistake.
You a Stephen King fan?
Hmm-mm.
Well, forget
It.
Hmm.
"Have a funny Funhouse day".
Mm.
Wonder where everybody is.
You the cavalry?
Uh, wouldn't say that.
I'm Josh Folsom.
This is Allie Rajan. We're
from the Las Vegas Crime Lab.
Welcome to nowhere.
Bernice Stubb. State Police.
I'm the one that called ya.
Come on if you want to
see something terrible.
You're right, Bernice.
This is pretty horrific.
Female, looks early 20s.
Any ID or witnesses?
Nope, she just popped up like that.
Guy who works the front desk
came back here to restock
the vending machine,
found her.
Marks on her makeup.
Look like tear tracks.
Suggests they made her up
before they cut her throat.
There's no blood on her clothes.
There-there would have been
a lot of arterial spray.
They must've re-dressed her.
They wanted her to look
just so.
A killer with a theme.
Great.
So, your suspect, this guy
Martin Kline, he's dead.
And any evidence he framed
David Hodges was destroyed.
But we're all fired up
because luminol shows
nothing on his wall?
Sometimes the absence of evidence
can be as revealing
as the evidence itself.
Neither of us sprayed that luminol.
We think the killer
cleaned up with bleach
and used luminol to make
sure he didn't miss any.
So, theory is
Kline was working for someone.
Boom. They make sure he never talks.
Why clean this one spot?
We think that whoever did this
took cover here during the blast,
but shrapnel tore
right through the wall.
So our new suspect got hit.
They had to clean their
own blood to make sure
we didn't find their DNA.
Police are checking local hospitals.
But we think the luminol
might be an even better lead.
The great poet Ovid said,
"When a rose dies
a thorn is left behind".
HPLC will give us the chemical
composition of the luminol.
But how is that helpful?
Only so many places you
can find luminol, Penny.
So if we can match
it to a commercial brand,
we can track sales.
Gil, this can't be right, can it?
Ironic, isn't it?
8,000 criminals getting out of prison
and one innocent man going in.
That's not ironic.
- That's a tragedy.
- I meant
that if you'd just been straight
with me from the beginning,
- I could've helped you.
- You would not have.
You had your orders.
We had a hypothesis.
We didn't even have a case yet.
Reasonable doubt in the
Hodges case is a long way off.
I can see a theory, but
I don't see evidence.
You could help us find some.
You may be IAB,
but you're a detective first.
Right?
Max, we need to, um
She knows.
Whatever it is, you can just say it.
The luminol that we
found in Kline's house,
it came from this lab.
Are you saying one of
your people did this?
We checked it and we rechecked it.
Check it again.
It's this lab's standard.
There's no question. Gil
came up with the formula.
0.3% hydrogen peroxide
for longer luminescence.
If you still want my help,
there's only one way to play this.
All CSI personnel,
report to the main lobby stairwell.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me.
- Yes.
- Boss
Um, Folsom and Rajan are in the field,
but everyone else is accounted for.
All three shifts.
Okay. Listen up, people.
This is not a mandatory safety meeting.
I need you to surrender
all your sidearms and kits
at the front desk.
Go to your stations and wait
- till we come see you.
- What's going on, boss?
We have had a breach.
We will now have a lockdown
and an investigation.
This lab, CSI,
is a crime scene.
I'm really not sure what
I should do with you two.
Why don't you listen to us?
Made that mistake before.
You lied to my face and gamed me
for access to confidential files.
I can't help but take that personally.
Okay, don't listen to us.
Do you like to read?
Uh, th-this is the chemical composition
of the luminol that the killer used.
- Your formula.
- Yes.
But with traces of ninhydrin.
A chemical reagent used to
find latent prints, not blood.
There's no reason it should
be mixed in with the luminol.
Somebody, probably topping
off their supplies,
capped a luminol bottle with
a ninhydrin nozzle by mistake.
If there's a rogue CSI with
the reverse in their kit,
a ninhydrin bottle
with a luminol nozzle,
there's a very good chance
they're behind all of this
Brass, Hodges, Kline, everything.
Then I suggest you find them.
Maybe then I won't recommend
the D.A. throw the book
at all the rogue CSIs I've met.
Hey.
Okay, got all my techs
packed in like sardines.
Anyone else I'm missing?
Our ME, Dr. Ramirez.
But he hasn't been on
this floor in years.
Too many living people.
So he didn't have access to luminol?
No.
- Uh, boss? Sorry.
- Yeah.
What is it, Penny?
We have a big problem.
Okay.
So all the grenades are missing?
You had seven grenades in here? Why?
We cross-reference, test
and store seized weapons.
How long have they been gone?
I don't know.
I came in here to secure everyone's
sidearms, like you asked.
And that's when I realized
nobody signed them out.
You wouldn't.
If you were gonna use
one on Martin Kline.
Until we know more,
this stays between us.
We don't want a panic out there.
This is a nightmare.
Yeah.
But it's also a lead.
- We find out who took these, we find our man.
- Sure.
Unless they blow us up first.
Hold up.
- All right. Thanks.
- Sure.
Let's, uh, get her out of
the sun until Hugo shows up.
Okay. Catch you later.
All right, see you.
- Hey.
- Folsom.
- Yeah.
- This dust on her collar,
what do you think it is?
I don't know. And we
can't have it processed.
At least not right now.
'Cause Chris said the
lab is on lockdown.
What? What's going on?
- He said he couldn't say.
- Hey, Filbin and Rajiv.
This here's Mr. Finch, owner
I told you about who found her.
Tell 'em what you saw, Seymour.
Not much, really. When
I saw her there, I
I ran like hell.
I'm not sure with all that makeup,
but thought she might be this girl
who checked in Tuesday.
Deedee Hall, 22.
Newport Beach, California.
So this your place?
The whole clown theme, that
- that's your idea?
- When we opened in '88,
it brought in families
on the way to Vegas.
Then everyone decided clowns were scary.
I don't have the money
to renovate, so
I'm kind of stuck.
- Did you talk to Deedee?
- She wasn't loving this place.
You could tell her boyfriend
picked it. He's one of these
with eye makeup, black hair, tattoos.
What, this guy?
This Goth here?
- Name's Dane Bash.
- Mm.
What room were they in?
You two not checking out?
What, and miss the show?
That poor girl.
Come on, Mr. Finch.
These people have a job to do.
If you could get us the contact
info for those two out
by the pool, we'd appreciate that.
Blood pooled after the body was moved,
and a lot's been absorbed
into the mattress,
but you can still tell.
Perp must've knelt right over her.
- Imagine that being the last thing you see.
- Mm.
- Mm. Vidushaka.
- Huh.
In Sanskrit, vidushaka clowns
they were often heroes' companions.
In my childhood nightmares,
they were terrifying.
Hmm.
Dane's missing his shoelaces.
Think we know where those ended up.
But he sure did love his killer clowns.
- What was she doing with this guy?
- Hey.
Everyone goes through phases.
Yeah? You date any Juggalos?
No, no. All I'm saying is
it's sad she won't get to grow up and
figure herself out.
Learn to make better choices.
Like
don't let your boyfriend
stop taking his divalproex.
Judging by the date, I'd say
this guy was off his medication.
Oh, my God.
Hello?
Oh.
Great.
Thanks.
Seymour, the manager, calling
with the methheads's names
and room number.
Would you believe she's a Marjory?
Think that name goes way below
"Dane Bash" on our list of suspects.
I'll have Trooper Stubb
put out a BOLO.
There's more of this dust.
I'm gonna follow this
trail of breadcrumbs.
Can I leave you alone?
Leave your radio on.
What are you thinking about?
Being trapped in here with a killer
or our future in prison?
I've been around plenty of murderers.
Getting threatened
with jail is different.
You'd look good in a jumpsuit.
Besides, we live in
international waters.
I don't think they could extradite us.
Oh, we might not have to go
on the run just yet.
Ninhydrin bottle with a luminol cap.
Bottle number nine.
It was in the supply room? Number nine.
Martin Kline's killer
must have handled this.
The station remains in lockdown.
Here. That's Penny after she
realized they were missing.
This is the best you've got?
There's no surveillance
in the ballistics lab?
There's only one camera in the hallway,
but I blew it up to focus on Ballistics.
When we put a bunch of cameras
in labs, all we end up doing
is digging up footage
for discovery requests.
I'm no fan of Big Brother,
but sometimes you do miss him.
Hold on.
That's the grenade bin.
The reflection.
The ballistics lab is right over here.
And he's walking it back empty.
This image is garbage.
I don't think we ever see his face.
You see that time stamp?
That's only five minutes
before you locked us down.
Whoever took those grenades,
they're still in the building.
Excuse me. Sir.
It's Tom.
This guy was a guest.
He had a room a few doors down
from where that girl was found.
Have you seen him?
You're a detective?
Work for Las Vegas Crime Lab.
Y'all are just as dirty
as us Desert rats.
I did time for assault.
One of you people said
my DNA was at a bar where some woman
was stabbed.
And was it?
Okay, uh, how 'bout this?
Know what it is?
I do.
That's dirt.
Great.
Have a funny Funhouse day, Tom.
Folsom.
I need you down here.
Now.
Another one?
Where the hell did it come from?
You're asking me?
Weren't you guarding the scene?
There was a 911 call on the highway.
I was gone an hour.
Sorry. I didn't know
I was guarding a portal
to clown hell or whatever.
Wait a minute.
Same nose, same ears.
It's Dane Bash.
We're gonna need another suspect.
No defensive wounds,
no abrasions from bindings.
And all that blood up near the pillows.
I'd guess they were
killed in their sleep.
You might be right.
The teardrops don't quite
start from the tear ducts.
It's almost like something
was dripped on them.
Condensation from the ice machine?
Liver temperature says they died
about 40 hours ago.
Dual lividity
suggests the bodies were
moved shortly after.
Someplace dark and cool.
So he took 'em someplace to dress them
before he started
presenting his work.
Must have a stash spot.
A room with a window, I'd bet.
Zigzag lines are sunburn.
And we've got these mosquito bites here.
- Think that's all postmortem?
- We see it when hikers
get lost in the Desert.
Can't reach for your sunscreen
or bug spray when you're toast.
- Oh.
- I, uh,
should get back on the road.
I'll call you once the
autopsies are done.
I'm gonna take these for prints.
They're pretty cool, huh?
The origami, I mean.
I'm not saying I'm a
fan of his other work.
Yeah.
Think I owe an apology to Dane Bash.
Mm. I'm sure he'd forgive you
if you solved his murder.
He was probably just
going through a phase, too.
Okay.
This theory of yours
everybody goes through phases
I'm having a hard time picturing yours.
Nice try.
Ah.
There's that ice cream truck again.
Pretty good place to store bodies.
Mm.
Hmm.
Oh.
Trying to guess who did it?
It's always the last person you suspect.
That would be you, sweetheart.
Uh, I think you overshot the mark.
We're looking for one print,
not a dozen on top of each other.
Well, that's why they
invented 3D comparators.
You've been on the boat too long.
Okay
It's new. It's not magic.
Give me a second.
I checked with security.
They say nobody's
tried to get in or out.
Is that how you enhance it?
You've watched too many movies.
I might not be able to
make his face appear,
but the way this thieving traitor moves
might give him away.
You're pissed.
At myself.
We got a bad seed, and I missed it.
Some people, when
they're honest to a fault,
they just assume the people
they care about are, too.
That's it.
Did you see him slip right there?
Yeah.
'Cause he's not wearing any shoes.
You know who it is.
Yeah.
Mr. Degeneres, may we come in?
This about those dead clowns?
Good guess.
Hey, Folsom.
There's more of that dust here.
Where's your girlfriend?
We need to talk to both of you.
Yeah, maybe we don't
want to talk to you.
Hey! Your hands!
- Put your hands where I can see 'em.
- It's just a pipe! It's meth.
Going somewhere, Marjory?
You weren't trying to
bust out the window,
were you?
I'm sorry.
So we're supposed to
believe you two lovebirds
are each other's alibi?
Is your name really Stubb?
If they did it,
they're too high to have
pulled it off alone.
Tell us about your friend
with the ice cream truck.
No, no, he's just a guy we buy
ice cream from.
Where did you get those bites?
Out by that empty pool.
It's mosquito lake in there.
What?
Think I know where Dane
got his jagged sunburn.
We called it Funland.
It was the room under the shallow end.
It was for kids.
Now it's just storage,
maintenance stuff.
Housekeeping's got the key.
Do you mean Tom?
The mean, angry guy?
Well, Tom's not real friendly,
but he's not a you know.
A killer?
He told me he was a violent felon.
Managed to bring that up right away.
- Mm.
- How 'bout
just telling us where
the entrance to this
Funland is?
Follow me.
I'll take you.
I found it like this this morning.
I'm having a hard time
picturing kids enjoying this.
Hey, Al.
Think I know where that dust came from.
Allie?
Allie?
Man, you got to believe me. I
had no idea this was down here.
Someone forgot to clean up.
Maybe it's because he's not finished.
You put me on the Kline case, remember?
The guy was blown up by a grenade.
I thought I better figure out what kind.
This is why we have reference materials.
These are all here.
- All safe-tied.
- Of course they are.
Chris, do you understand
you scared the hell out of all of us?
You know the rules.
- You always sign out weapons.
- Yeah, well, what if your boss
is on the intercom saying,
"Drop everything.
Report to the lobby"?
Does that include your shoes?
I sprained my ankle.
It's a little swollen.
This feels better.
Chris,
we have rules.
Then, fine, I'm guilty.
Of an OSHA violation. Come on, boss.
The, uh, mismatched bottle
is his.
What?
If we do get a decent print,
it'll be easy enough to match.
Tom's been in the system since '99,
when he stabbed his girlfriend.
"If we get a print"?
That hurts.
Hey, I'm impressed with
your little field trick. Okay?
But would just be nice
if we could use a lab.
Any word on what's going on there?
- Mm-mm.
- Mm.
Were you as scared as I was
down there with that creep?
No.
They programmed me at the
factory to have no fear.
This first batch is done.
Huh.
Hmm.
We're in business.
Jeremiah Dalt.
You know him?
Oh, he is familiar.
Where do I know him from?
In 2013, he slashed five women's
throats across rural Nevada.
Oh. Oh, I read about him last month.
He's one of the criminals set to
be released because of your lab.
One of the gnarly ones getting
out of supermax at High Desert.
For the moment, he's still in.
So it doesn't make a lot of sense
why his prints are at our scene.
If you want to spare us a trip,
why don't you explain
how that's possible?
How would I know?
Keep him close.
We're going to talk to his buddy Dalt.
Just why?
Just tell me that.
Tell me why on earth
I would blow up a guy
- I don't even know.
- Tell you what, Mr. Park,
I think this'll be more productive
if you focus on answering questions.
And you can start with the
one you just asked. Why?
- But I didn't
- Luminol was found
- at the scene.
- So I'm the only CSI that uses luminol now?
Is this the Twilight Zone?
But yours was laced with ninhydrin.
Because you switched the nozzles.
Your prints were on the bottle, Chris.
Okay.
All right, I get it now.
I-I lost a bottle of luminol at a scene.
Last month. Murder case.
What, you just let that slide?
There's no protocol
- for losing your materials?
- It
It's eight bucks' worth of materials.
It's not like we're talking
about dangerous chemicals.
I don't report when I
lose a pencil, either.
Which murder case?
Jaden Dudley.
The bailiff that they found
in the parking garage.
I was I was processing his car.
I went back to get some evidence tents
and when I came back, I-I
couldn't find my luminol.
Vanished. Just like that.
The scene wasn't well-controlled.
- I complained to the sergeant at CCAC.
- So, what,
you think a-a bystander took the bottle?
I mean
it had to be.
Right?
- Hey.
- We checked the grenades.
None of them were
tampered with or swapped.
It doesn't exonerate Chris,
but Kline wasn't killed
with one of ours.
I asked Nora to hold
off on alerting LVPD
until we give Chris's
story a closer look.
Here's the case that he was working.
Victim was a court bailiff.
Is Chris suggesting that
there could be a connection
to the David Hodges case?
Let us see the evidence.
That's the only story we want to read.
You were an avowed communist.
No. That's ridiculous.
Pulled the wings off of flies.
Oh. Yeah. Very close.
I was in a punk band at Harvard.
That's a phase, all right.
Can you let me focus, please?
I've never interviewed
a serial killer before.
Do you know much about Jeremiah Dalt?
Not really. I just had him
mentally filed as, you know,
Dahmer lite.
Says here he always
killed young couples.
Slashed their throats,
staged their bodies.
- Mm-hmm.
- It's familiar.
Dalt chose his victims based
on their location.
He researched them for months.
His kills tracked the
Gemini constellation,
the bipolar nebula.
Funhouse Motel fits perfectly.
Maybe Tom's a fan.
Wanted to help him complete the pattern?
There were six more flowers
ready to go into Funland.
It makes you wonder how many more stars
they were looking to add to his design.
Mm.
I love it.
A murder scene to go.
One large bailiff, one small car.
Chris said they didn't
make much headway.
- The case is still open.
- Good.
Maybe we'll solve it.
And maybe the guy
who killed this bailiff,
Jaden Dudley, is our man.
Chris wouldn't need luminol
to, uh, find blood in this car.
It's all over the place.
And yet
This wasn't sprayed. It
looks like it was leaked.
Quite a lot. I'd guess it rested
on its side for a while.
Maybe the kid's not lyin'.
So what do we think? The
killer came back to the scene
after Chris processed the car?
Could be that, uh, he was
looking for something
- to help frame Hodges.
- Killer would have had
to get into the car and dig
around to find that bottle.
May I?
The victim was bald,
and this looks like dandruff.
Maybe the killer left it
when he reached under
the seat for the bottle.
He's ours now.
the unbinding. I'm telling you,
there is a flood coming.
There is a force in this world, Mason,
and they can't stop it.
Oh.
Look at this pair.
Be nice, Mr. Dalt.
You get five minutes, tops.
He's already too excited.
Sorry about Mason.
The man is a dolt, but
he does bring me my lunch.
Mr. Dalt,
I'm Josh Folsom. This is Allie Rajan.
- We're from the Las
- Honey,
do you think I care what your job is?
How you earn a wage?
That's not what interests
me about people like you.
People like us?
Couples.
One of them was spooning when I
Found these at a murder scene.
They're beautiful, don't you think?
Origami is so calming.
Just let your mind go.
Picture anything,
anything, while you do it.
These have your prints on 'em.
How'd they end up at the
Funhouse Motel in Esmeralda?
Mm. Don't know. I've never been.
Bet I could find it on a map, though.
How do you know this guy?
I don't.
Well, Mr. Dalt,
um we think he's been copying you.
The way of lesser men, isn't it?
What has he done?
Uh, two victims.
Dressed as clowns.
Don't be so upset.
He made sure they didn't feel anything.
Didn't see it coming.
How did you know that?
How would you know that he
killed them in their sleep?
Mason.
I think I need to be alone now.
You can just tell us.
It's over.
It's really not.
Unlock the gate.
I did not care for that man.
I pressed too hard.
It's not my thing,
talking to psychotics.
I brought up Tom too quickly.
Hey, it's why we came.
Dalt knew how Tom did what he did,
and he and he seemed gratified.
I keep thinking maybe
they're both responsible.
I'm not following, exactly.
What if someone like Dalt
could really pull your strings
and you had to kill someone for him?
Okay. Come over here.
Kill me.
Come on, come on, come on.
The knife. Knife. Yeah.
Come on, kill me! Yeah. All right.
Okay. Right now, how do you feel?
Uh If someone made me
kill you, I'd feel horrified.
- I wouldn't do it.
- No, no, no, but you have to do it.
What would you do?
Okay, well, I'd-I'd be upset.
I-I'd be angry and I'd feel sad.
I don't know. I'd probably
cry like crazy!
The streaks.
The streaks. Is this the angle?
The marks on Deedee's face
were tears, but
just not hers.
Tears have DNA.
But we aren't gonna starve.
They're gonna let us out
as soon as lockdown is over.
Yeah, yeah. But if
Fine. If we were gonna starve,
I would eat Randy.
- Randy? Why?
- He's a snack.
I think I know who took the luminol.
How? Mitochondrial DNA
takes days to profile.
And killed Kline and
framed Hodges. All of it.
It was him.
Anson Wix.
Man really signed his name for us?
Left some dandruff, too, I assume.
We'll know in a couple of days.
We found the spot where it looks
like Chris lost his luminol.
Wix was there two days later.
Anson Wix is the attorney
for the class action
against the state.
Exactly. And he had access
to the luminol that Chris lost.
Not just any luminol. The one
that was used at Martin
Kline's crime scene.
Well, I was never
privy to your thinking.
But wasn't the theory that
there was a forensic expert
behind all this?
Wix has been trying criminal
cases for, like, 27 years.
He knows our playbook backwards.
He's been all over this from jump.
He represented everyone
that was associated
with the attack on Jim Brass.
I think he was calling all the shots.
And he had his expert witness,
Martin Kline, working for him.
He could handle all
the technical aspects.
When we got too close,
Wix killed Kline to
keep him from flipping.
You're talking about
a really involved conspiracy.
A-And a really brutal murder. Why?
Why go to all the trouble?
Money.
A whole lot of money.
You're right.
Wrongful imprisonment suits
pay out like a slot machine.
He's got thousands of them.
And lawyers take 40%.
That's a whole lot of motive.
'Course, we're gonna need more.
Yeah.
You're not gonna make a case
with two dandruff flakes
and a visit to an impound yard.
- No.
- Wix didn't kill that bailiff.
The family hired him
to represent them in
a wrongful death suit.
And Wix had a legal right to
inspect that car at impound.
We can't prove that
he stole the luminol.
Well
You'll find something else.
Carefully, I hope.
I have faith. You're pretty sneaky.
Aren't you gonna report us?
I didn't swear an oath to IAB.
I don't think the cause of justice
is advanced by letting
8,000 criminals out of jail
so this bastard can get rich.
Find me something.
I'll take it to the D.A. myself.
Long one?
- Worst of my life.
- Hmm.
I didn't love mine, either.
But I think we'll both pull through.
Uh, I'm-I'm really sorry, boss.
I'll, uh
be more careful with my gear and, uh
And you'll help me on that Kline murder.
'Cause I need my best people on it.
I'll be the first one in tomorrow.
Yes, you will.
And wear your damn shoes.
If you're looking for Tom, he, uh
he quit.
Two days ago.
We don't want to talk to Tom.
We want to talk
about the day you received
these in the mail.
Dalt put you up to it.
Didn't he?
Guard on his cell block
sent me his letter.
When Deedee and Dane checked in,
did they fit some
description he gave you?
Dressing them as clowns,
that wasn't your idea either, was it?
It's his MO.
His flowers.
I mean, we know you
felt terrible about it.
You left DNA on the bodies.
Your tears.
He knew everything about me.
My family.
He had it all planned out.
- What?
- The first letter said the Funhouse
was always supposed to be
part of his constellation.
Then he sent these instructions.
And you know he's getting out.
He's one of those people
they have to release.
He was gonna kill my family if I didn't.
I still can't believe I did.
What am I?
Do you still have the letters?
What a pleasant surprise.
Oh, we're not the surprise.
Hey! What the Get off me! Get off!
I had to send the letters!
He said he was gonna kill
my family if I said anything!
He's getting out and
he knows where I live!
He made me send 'em!
Now, that's funny.
How'd you like the rest of the circus?
It's nothing compared
to what happens next.
You really have no idea what's coming.
Uh, I know one thing.
You're gonna die in here.
Maybe.
But the beautiful thing is
nobody believes that anymore.
Would you please thank
David Hodges for me?
Before people knew I
was going to be released,
I think they just threw
my letters in the trash.
Open it, please.
This was just the beginning.
There's a flood coming.
I'm home.
A force in this world.
Unbinding us.
It's not righteous.
It's not justice.
But it can't be stopped.
You people
are going to reap the whirlwind.
There's an assault on the truth.
Not your truth, not
my truth but the truth.
Only one of our suspects
has the skills to do what I saw.
You believe this guy
framed David Hodges.
I'm Martin Kline.
They know.
It's Kline's watch.
His shoes.
Probably not his grenade.
Kline was working for someone else
when he framed Hodges. He had to be.
You didn't process
this hallway, did you?
This was actually someone cleaning up.
I think they finally made a mistake.
You a Stephen King fan?
Hmm-mm.
Well, forget
It.
Hmm.
"Have a funny Funhouse day".
Mm.
Wonder where everybody is.
You the cavalry?
Uh, wouldn't say that.
I'm Josh Folsom.
This is Allie Rajan. We're
from the Las Vegas Crime Lab.
Welcome to nowhere.
Bernice Stubb. State Police.
I'm the one that called ya.
Come on if you want to
see something terrible.
You're right, Bernice.
This is pretty horrific.
Female, looks early 20s.
Any ID or witnesses?
Nope, she just popped up like that.
Guy who works the front desk
came back here to restock
the vending machine,
found her.
Marks on her makeup.
Look like tear tracks.
Suggests they made her up
before they cut her throat.
There's no blood on her clothes.
There-there would have been
a lot of arterial spray.
They must've re-dressed her.
They wanted her to look
just so.
A killer with a theme.
Great.
So, your suspect, this guy
Martin Kline, he's dead.
And any evidence he framed
David Hodges was destroyed.
But we're all fired up
because luminol shows
nothing on his wall?
Sometimes the absence of evidence
can be as revealing
as the evidence itself.
Neither of us sprayed that luminol.
We think the killer
cleaned up with bleach
and used luminol to make
sure he didn't miss any.
So, theory is
Kline was working for someone.
Boom. They make sure he never talks.
Why clean this one spot?
We think that whoever did this
took cover here during the blast,
but shrapnel tore
right through the wall.
So our new suspect got hit.
They had to clean their
own blood to make sure
we didn't find their DNA.
Police are checking local hospitals.
But we think the luminol
might be an even better lead.
The great poet Ovid said,
"When a rose dies
a thorn is left behind".
HPLC will give us the chemical
composition of the luminol.
But how is that helpful?
Only so many places you
can find luminol, Penny.
So if we can match
it to a commercial brand,
we can track sales.
Gil, this can't be right, can it?
Ironic, isn't it?
8,000 criminals getting out of prison
and one innocent man going in.
That's not ironic.
- That's a tragedy.
- I meant
that if you'd just been straight
with me from the beginning,
- I could've helped you.
- You would not have.
You had your orders.
We had a hypothesis.
We didn't even have a case yet.
Reasonable doubt in the
Hodges case is a long way off.
I can see a theory, but
I don't see evidence.
You could help us find some.
You may be IAB,
but you're a detective first.
Right?
Max, we need to, um
She knows.
Whatever it is, you can just say it.
The luminol that we
found in Kline's house,
it came from this lab.
Are you saying one of
your people did this?
We checked it and we rechecked it.
Check it again.
It's this lab's standard.
There's no question. Gil
came up with the formula.
0.3% hydrogen peroxide
for longer luminescence.
If you still want my help,
there's only one way to play this.
All CSI personnel,
report to the main lobby stairwell.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me.
- Yes.
- Boss
Um, Folsom and Rajan are in the field,
but everyone else is accounted for.
All three shifts.
Okay. Listen up, people.
This is not a mandatory safety meeting.
I need you to surrender
all your sidearms and kits
at the front desk.
Go to your stations and wait
- till we come see you.
- What's going on, boss?
We have had a breach.
We will now have a lockdown
and an investigation.
This lab, CSI,
is a crime scene.
I'm really not sure what
I should do with you two.
Why don't you listen to us?
Made that mistake before.
You lied to my face and gamed me
for access to confidential files.
I can't help but take that personally.
Okay, don't listen to us.
Do you like to read?
Uh, th-this is the chemical composition
of the luminol that the killer used.
- Your formula.
- Yes.
But with traces of ninhydrin.
A chemical reagent used to
find latent prints, not blood.
There's no reason it should
be mixed in with the luminol.
Somebody, probably topping
off their supplies,
capped a luminol bottle with
a ninhydrin nozzle by mistake.
If there's a rogue CSI with
the reverse in their kit,
a ninhydrin bottle
with a luminol nozzle,
there's a very good chance
they're behind all of this
Brass, Hodges, Kline, everything.
Then I suggest you find them.
Maybe then I won't recommend
the D.A. throw the book
at all the rogue CSIs I've met.
Hey.
Okay, got all my techs
packed in like sardines.
Anyone else I'm missing?
Our ME, Dr. Ramirez.
But he hasn't been on
this floor in years.
Too many living people.
So he didn't have access to luminol?
No.
- Uh, boss? Sorry.
- Yeah.
What is it, Penny?
We have a big problem.
Okay.
So all the grenades are missing?
You had seven grenades in here? Why?
We cross-reference, test
and store seized weapons.
How long have they been gone?
I don't know.
I came in here to secure everyone's
sidearms, like you asked.
And that's when I realized
nobody signed them out.
You wouldn't.
If you were gonna use
one on Martin Kline.
Until we know more,
this stays between us.
We don't want a panic out there.
This is a nightmare.
Yeah.
But it's also a lead.
- We find out who took these, we find our man.
- Sure.
Unless they blow us up first.
Hold up.
- All right. Thanks.
- Sure.
Let's, uh, get her out of
the sun until Hugo shows up.
Okay. Catch you later.
All right, see you.
- Hey.
- Folsom.
- Yeah.
- This dust on her collar,
what do you think it is?
I don't know. And we
can't have it processed.
At least not right now.
'Cause Chris said the
lab is on lockdown.
What? What's going on?
- He said he couldn't say.
- Hey, Filbin and Rajiv.
This here's Mr. Finch, owner
I told you about who found her.
Tell 'em what you saw, Seymour.
Not much, really. When
I saw her there, I
I ran like hell.
I'm not sure with all that makeup,
but thought she might be this girl
who checked in Tuesday.
Deedee Hall, 22.
Newport Beach, California.
So this your place?
The whole clown theme, that
- that's your idea?
- When we opened in '88,
it brought in families
on the way to Vegas.
Then everyone decided clowns were scary.
I don't have the money
to renovate, so
I'm kind of stuck.
- Did you talk to Deedee?
- She wasn't loving this place.
You could tell her boyfriend
picked it. He's one of these
with eye makeup, black hair, tattoos.
What, this guy?
This Goth here?
- Name's Dane Bash.
- Mm.
What room were they in?
You two not checking out?
What, and miss the show?
That poor girl.
Come on, Mr. Finch.
These people have a job to do.
If you could get us the contact
info for those two out
by the pool, we'd appreciate that.
Blood pooled after the body was moved,
and a lot's been absorbed
into the mattress,
but you can still tell.
Perp must've knelt right over her.
- Imagine that being the last thing you see.
- Mm.
- Mm. Vidushaka.
- Huh.
In Sanskrit, vidushaka clowns
they were often heroes' companions.
In my childhood nightmares,
they were terrifying.
Hmm.
Dane's missing his shoelaces.
Think we know where those ended up.
But he sure did love his killer clowns.
- What was she doing with this guy?
- Hey.
Everyone goes through phases.
Yeah? You date any Juggalos?
No, no. All I'm saying is
it's sad she won't get to grow up and
figure herself out.
Learn to make better choices.
Like
don't let your boyfriend
stop taking his divalproex.
Judging by the date, I'd say
this guy was off his medication.
Oh, my God.
Hello?
Oh.
Great.
Thanks.
Seymour, the manager, calling
with the methheads's names
and room number.
Would you believe she's a Marjory?
Think that name goes way below
"Dane Bash" on our list of suspects.
I'll have Trooper Stubb
put out a BOLO.
There's more of this dust.
I'm gonna follow this
trail of breadcrumbs.
Can I leave you alone?
Leave your radio on.
What are you thinking about?
Being trapped in here with a killer
or our future in prison?
I've been around plenty of murderers.
Getting threatened
with jail is different.
You'd look good in a jumpsuit.
Besides, we live in
international waters.
I don't think they could extradite us.
Oh, we might not have to go
on the run just yet.
Ninhydrin bottle with a luminol cap.
Bottle number nine.
It was in the supply room? Number nine.
Martin Kline's killer
must have handled this.
The station remains in lockdown.
Here. That's Penny after she
realized they were missing.
This is the best you've got?
There's no surveillance
in the ballistics lab?
There's only one camera in the hallway,
but I blew it up to focus on Ballistics.
When we put a bunch of cameras
in labs, all we end up doing
is digging up footage
for discovery requests.
I'm no fan of Big Brother,
but sometimes you do miss him.
Hold on.
That's the grenade bin.
The reflection.
The ballistics lab is right over here.
And he's walking it back empty.
This image is garbage.
I don't think we ever see his face.
You see that time stamp?
That's only five minutes
before you locked us down.
Whoever took those grenades,
they're still in the building.
Excuse me. Sir.
It's Tom.
This guy was a guest.
He had a room a few doors down
from where that girl was found.
Have you seen him?
You're a detective?
Work for Las Vegas Crime Lab.
Y'all are just as dirty
as us Desert rats.
I did time for assault.
One of you people said
my DNA was at a bar where some woman
was stabbed.
And was it?
Okay, uh, how 'bout this?
Know what it is?
I do.
That's dirt.
Great.
Have a funny Funhouse day, Tom.
Folsom.
I need you down here.
Now.
Another one?
Where the hell did it come from?
You're asking me?
Weren't you guarding the scene?
There was a 911 call on the highway.
I was gone an hour.
Sorry. I didn't know
I was guarding a portal
to clown hell or whatever.
Wait a minute.
Same nose, same ears.
It's Dane Bash.
We're gonna need another suspect.
No defensive wounds,
no abrasions from bindings.
And all that blood up near the pillows.
I'd guess they were
killed in their sleep.
You might be right.
The teardrops don't quite
start from the tear ducts.
It's almost like something
was dripped on them.
Condensation from the ice machine?
Liver temperature says they died
about 40 hours ago.
Dual lividity
suggests the bodies were
moved shortly after.
Someplace dark and cool.
So he took 'em someplace to dress them
before he started
presenting his work.
Must have a stash spot.
A room with a window, I'd bet.
Zigzag lines are sunburn.
And we've got these mosquito bites here.
- Think that's all postmortem?
- We see it when hikers
get lost in the Desert.
Can't reach for your sunscreen
or bug spray when you're toast.
- Oh.
- I, uh,
should get back on the road.
I'll call you once the
autopsies are done.
I'm gonna take these for prints.
They're pretty cool, huh?
The origami, I mean.
I'm not saying I'm a
fan of his other work.
Yeah.
Think I owe an apology to Dane Bash.
Mm. I'm sure he'd forgive you
if you solved his murder.
He was probably just
going through a phase, too.
Okay.
This theory of yours
everybody goes through phases
I'm having a hard time picturing yours.
Nice try.
Ah.
There's that ice cream truck again.
Pretty good place to store bodies.
Mm.
Hmm.
Oh.
Trying to guess who did it?
It's always the last person you suspect.
That would be you, sweetheart.
Uh, I think you overshot the mark.
We're looking for one print,
not a dozen on top of each other.
Well, that's why they
invented 3D comparators.
You've been on the boat too long.
Okay
It's new. It's not magic.
Give me a second.
I checked with security.
They say nobody's
tried to get in or out.
Is that how you enhance it?
You've watched too many movies.
I might not be able to
make his face appear,
but the way this thieving traitor moves
might give him away.
You're pissed.
At myself.
We got a bad seed, and I missed it.
Some people, when
they're honest to a fault,
they just assume the people
they care about are, too.
That's it.
Did you see him slip right there?
Yeah.
'Cause he's not wearing any shoes.
You know who it is.
Yeah.
Mr. Degeneres, may we come in?
This about those dead clowns?
Good guess.
Hey, Folsom.
There's more of that dust here.
Where's your girlfriend?
We need to talk to both of you.
Yeah, maybe we don't
want to talk to you.
Hey! Your hands!
- Put your hands where I can see 'em.
- It's just a pipe! It's meth.
Going somewhere, Marjory?
You weren't trying to
bust out the window,
were you?
I'm sorry.
So we're supposed to
believe you two lovebirds
are each other's alibi?
Is your name really Stubb?
If they did it,
they're too high to have
pulled it off alone.
Tell us about your friend
with the ice cream truck.
No, no, he's just a guy we buy
ice cream from.
Where did you get those bites?
Out by that empty pool.
It's mosquito lake in there.
What?
Think I know where Dane
got his jagged sunburn.
We called it Funland.
It was the room under the shallow end.
It was for kids.
Now it's just storage,
maintenance stuff.
Housekeeping's got the key.
Do you mean Tom?
The mean, angry guy?
Well, Tom's not real friendly,
but he's not a you know.
A killer?
He told me he was a violent felon.
Managed to bring that up right away.
- Mm.
- How 'bout
just telling us where
the entrance to this
Funland is?
Follow me.
I'll take you.
I found it like this this morning.
I'm having a hard time
picturing kids enjoying this.
Hey, Al.
Think I know where that dust came from.
Allie?
Allie?
Man, you got to believe me. I
had no idea this was down here.
Someone forgot to clean up.
Maybe it's because he's not finished.
You put me on the Kline case, remember?
The guy was blown up by a grenade.
I thought I better figure out what kind.
This is why we have reference materials.
These are all here.
- All safe-tied.
- Of course they are.
Chris, do you understand
you scared the hell out of all of us?
You know the rules.
- You always sign out weapons.
- Yeah, well, what if your boss
is on the intercom saying,
"Drop everything.
Report to the lobby"?
Does that include your shoes?
I sprained my ankle.
It's a little swollen.
This feels better.
Chris,
we have rules.
Then, fine, I'm guilty.
Of an OSHA violation. Come on, boss.
The, uh, mismatched bottle
is his.
What?
If we do get a decent print,
it'll be easy enough to match.
Tom's been in the system since '99,
when he stabbed his girlfriend.
"If we get a print"?
That hurts.
Hey, I'm impressed with
your little field trick. Okay?
But would just be nice
if we could use a lab.
Any word on what's going on there?
- Mm-mm.
- Mm.
Were you as scared as I was
down there with that creep?
No.
They programmed me at the
factory to have no fear.
This first batch is done.
Huh.
Hmm.
We're in business.
Jeremiah Dalt.
You know him?
Oh, he is familiar.
Where do I know him from?
In 2013, he slashed five women's
throats across rural Nevada.
Oh. Oh, I read about him last month.
He's one of the criminals set to
be released because of your lab.
One of the gnarly ones getting
out of supermax at High Desert.
For the moment, he's still in.
So it doesn't make a lot of sense
why his prints are at our scene.
If you want to spare us a trip,
why don't you explain
how that's possible?
How would I know?
Keep him close.
We're going to talk to his buddy Dalt.
Just why?
Just tell me that.
Tell me why on earth
I would blow up a guy
- I don't even know.
- Tell you what, Mr. Park,
I think this'll be more productive
if you focus on answering questions.
And you can start with the
one you just asked. Why?
- But I didn't
- Luminol was found
- at the scene.
- So I'm the only CSI that uses luminol now?
Is this the Twilight Zone?
But yours was laced with ninhydrin.
Because you switched the nozzles.
Your prints were on the bottle, Chris.
Okay.
All right, I get it now.
I-I lost a bottle of luminol at a scene.
Last month. Murder case.
What, you just let that slide?
There's no protocol
- for losing your materials?
- It
It's eight bucks' worth of materials.
It's not like we're talking
about dangerous chemicals.
I don't report when I
lose a pencil, either.
Which murder case?
Jaden Dudley.
The bailiff that they found
in the parking garage.
I was I was processing his car.
I went back to get some evidence tents
and when I came back, I-I
couldn't find my luminol.
Vanished. Just like that.
The scene wasn't well-controlled.
- I complained to the sergeant at CCAC.
- So, what,
you think a-a bystander took the bottle?
I mean
it had to be.
Right?
- Hey.
- We checked the grenades.
None of them were
tampered with or swapped.
It doesn't exonerate Chris,
but Kline wasn't killed
with one of ours.
I asked Nora to hold
off on alerting LVPD
until we give Chris's
story a closer look.
Here's the case that he was working.
Victim was a court bailiff.
Is Chris suggesting that
there could be a connection
to the David Hodges case?
Let us see the evidence.
That's the only story we want to read.
You were an avowed communist.
No. That's ridiculous.
Pulled the wings off of flies.
Oh. Yeah. Very close.
I was in a punk band at Harvard.
That's a phase, all right.
Can you let me focus, please?
I've never interviewed
a serial killer before.
Do you know much about Jeremiah Dalt?
Not really. I just had him
mentally filed as, you know,
Dahmer lite.
Says here he always
killed young couples.
Slashed their throats,
staged their bodies.
- Mm-hmm.
- It's familiar.
Dalt chose his victims based
on their location.
He researched them for months.
His kills tracked the
Gemini constellation,
the bipolar nebula.
Funhouse Motel fits perfectly.
Maybe Tom's a fan.
Wanted to help him complete the pattern?
There were six more flowers
ready to go into Funland.
It makes you wonder how many more stars
they were looking to add to his design.
Mm.
I love it.
A murder scene to go.
One large bailiff, one small car.
Chris said they didn't
make much headway.
- The case is still open.
- Good.
Maybe we'll solve it.
And maybe the guy
who killed this bailiff,
Jaden Dudley, is our man.
Chris wouldn't need luminol
to, uh, find blood in this car.
It's all over the place.
And yet
This wasn't sprayed. It
looks like it was leaked.
Quite a lot. I'd guess it rested
on its side for a while.
Maybe the kid's not lyin'.
So what do we think? The
killer came back to the scene
after Chris processed the car?
Could be that, uh, he was
looking for something
- to help frame Hodges.
- Killer would have had
to get into the car and dig
around to find that bottle.
May I?
The victim was bald,
and this looks like dandruff.
Maybe the killer left it
when he reached under
the seat for the bottle.
He's ours now.
the unbinding. I'm telling you,
there is a flood coming.
There is a force in this world, Mason,
and they can't stop it.
Oh.
Look at this pair.
Be nice, Mr. Dalt.
You get five minutes, tops.
He's already too excited.
Sorry about Mason.
The man is a dolt, but
he does bring me my lunch.
Mr. Dalt,
I'm Josh Folsom. This is Allie Rajan.
- We're from the Las
- Honey,
do you think I care what your job is?
How you earn a wage?
That's not what interests
me about people like you.
People like us?
Couples.
One of them was spooning when I
Found these at a murder scene.
They're beautiful, don't you think?
Origami is so calming.
Just let your mind go.
Picture anything,
anything, while you do it.
These have your prints on 'em.
How'd they end up at the
Funhouse Motel in Esmeralda?
Mm. Don't know. I've never been.
Bet I could find it on a map, though.
How do you know this guy?
I don't.
Well, Mr. Dalt,
um we think he's been copying you.
The way of lesser men, isn't it?
What has he done?
Uh, two victims.
Dressed as clowns.
Don't be so upset.
He made sure they didn't feel anything.
Didn't see it coming.
How did you know that?
How would you know that he
killed them in their sleep?
Mason.
I think I need to be alone now.
You can just tell us.
It's over.
It's really not.
Unlock the gate.
I did not care for that man.
I pressed too hard.
It's not my thing,
talking to psychotics.
I brought up Tom too quickly.
Hey, it's why we came.
Dalt knew how Tom did what he did,
and he and he seemed gratified.
I keep thinking maybe
they're both responsible.
I'm not following, exactly.
What if someone like Dalt
could really pull your strings
and you had to kill someone for him?
Okay. Come over here.
Kill me.
Come on, come on, come on.
The knife. Knife. Yeah.
Come on, kill me! Yeah. All right.
Okay. Right now, how do you feel?
Uh If someone made me
kill you, I'd feel horrified.
- I wouldn't do it.
- No, no, no, but you have to do it.
What would you do?
Okay, well, I'd-I'd be upset.
I-I'd be angry and I'd feel sad.
I don't know. I'd probably
cry like crazy!
The streaks.
The streaks. Is this the angle?
The marks on Deedee's face
were tears, but
just not hers.
Tears have DNA.
But we aren't gonna starve.
They're gonna let us out
as soon as lockdown is over.
Yeah, yeah. But if
Fine. If we were gonna starve,
I would eat Randy.
- Randy? Why?
- He's a snack.
I think I know who took the luminol.
How? Mitochondrial DNA
takes days to profile.
And killed Kline and
framed Hodges. All of it.
It was him.
Anson Wix.
Man really signed his name for us?
Left some dandruff, too, I assume.
We'll know in a couple of days.
We found the spot where it looks
like Chris lost his luminol.
Wix was there two days later.
Anson Wix is the attorney
for the class action
against the state.
Exactly. And he had access
to the luminol that Chris lost.
Not just any luminol. The one
that was used at Martin
Kline's crime scene.
Well, I was never
privy to your thinking.
But wasn't the theory that
there was a forensic expert
behind all this?
Wix has been trying criminal
cases for, like, 27 years.
He knows our playbook backwards.
He's been all over this from jump.
He represented everyone
that was associated
with the attack on Jim Brass.
I think he was calling all the shots.
And he had his expert witness,
Martin Kline, working for him.
He could handle all
the technical aspects.
When we got too close,
Wix killed Kline to
keep him from flipping.
You're talking about
a really involved conspiracy.
A-And a really brutal murder. Why?
Why go to all the trouble?
Money.
A whole lot of money.
You're right.
Wrongful imprisonment suits
pay out like a slot machine.
He's got thousands of them.
And lawyers take 40%.
That's a whole lot of motive.
'Course, we're gonna need more.
Yeah.
You're not gonna make a case
with two dandruff flakes
and a visit to an impound yard.
- No.
- Wix didn't kill that bailiff.
The family hired him
to represent them in
a wrongful death suit.
And Wix had a legal right to
inspect that car at impound.
We can't prove that
he stole the luminol.
Well
You'll find something else.
Carefully, I hope.
I have faith. You're pretty sneaky.
Aren't you gonna report us?
I didn't swear an oath to IAB.
I don't think the cause of justice
is advanced by letting
8,000 criminals out of jail
so this bastard can get rich.
Find me something.
I'll take it to the D.A. myself.
Long one?
- Worst of my life.
- Hmm.
I didn't love mine, either.
But I think we'll both pull through.
Uh, I'm-I'm really sorry, boss.
I'll, uh
be more careful with my gear and, uh
And you'll help me on that Kline murder.
'Cause I need my best people on it.
I'll be the first one in tomorrow.
Yes, you will.
And wear your damn shoes.
If you're looking for Tom, he, uh
he quit.
Two days ago.
We don't want to talk to Tom.
We want to talk
about the day you received
these in the mail.
Dalt put you up to it.
Didn't he?
Guard on his cell block
sent me his letter.
When Deedee and Dane checked in,
did they fit some
description he gave you?
Dressing them as clowns,
that wasn't your idea either, was it?
It's his MO.
His flowers.
I mean, we know you
felt terrible about it.
You left DNA on the bodies.
Your tears.
He knew everything about me.
My family.
He had it all planned out.
- What?
- The first letter said the Funhouse
was always supposed to be
part of his constellation.
Then he sent these instructions.
And you know he's getting out.
He's one of those people
they have to release.
He was gonna kill my family if I didn't.
I still can't believe I did.
What am I?
Do you still have the letters?
What a pleasant surprise.
Oh, we're not the surprise.
Hey! What the Get off me! Get off!
I had to send the letters!
He said he was gonna kill
my family if I said anything!
He's getting out and
he knows where I live!
He made me send 'em!
Now, that's funny.
How'd you like the rest of the circus?
It's nothing compared
to what happens next.
You really have no idea what's coming.
Uh, I know one thing.
You're gonna die in here.
Maybe.
But the beautiful thing is
nobody believes that anymore.
Would you please thank
David Hodges for me?
Before people knew I
was going to be released,
I think they just threw
my letters in the trash.
Open it, please.
This was just the beginning.
There's a flood coming.
I'm home.
A force in this world.
Unbinding us.
It's not righteous.
It's not justice.
But it can't be stopped.
You people
are going to reap the whirlwind.