The bunny-masked kidnapper
Directed by Richard J Lewis
Written by Anthony E. Zuiker, Danny Cannon, & Carol Mendelsohn
Roy Logan, real estate developer, is brought in for questioning after making a suspiciously large bank withdrawal and driving erratically. While trying to return his sunglasses after a failed interrogation, Catherine learns that Roy's mistress was kidnapped, and is forced by the kidnapper to be an active participant in the ransom drop-off.
- Blame the Paramour: A husband whose mistress actually told the wife about the affair murders his mistress and then frames his wife for the murder, attempting to invoke this trope. It even results in Catherine being kidnapped as she investigates, a ploy the killer arranged with his lawyer, who played the role of kidnapper, to try and convincce Catherine of his innocence.
- Chekhov's Gunman: While speeding in order to leave behind tire treads the CSI team can track, Catherine passes by a state trooper that doesn't stop her. That same trooper, recognizing the car, catches Roy Logan in the end.
- The Con: A man murders his mistress, then sets up a fake kidnapping to make it look like someone else did it, and deliberately orchestrates Catherine's involvement in the hopes of steering the investigation in his favor.
- A Deadly Affair: The kidnapping victim is a woman Roy is cheating on his wife with.
- The Dog Was the Mastermind: The episode's events are all set up by Roy himself.
- Finger in the Mail: Roy has his mistress' finger as proof that the kidnapper means business.
- Frame-Up: Roy is purposely setting up his wife and lawyer as the murderer and kidnapper, taking attention away from himself while also getting a chance to flee with the ransom money.
- Trail of Bread Crumbs: Catherine is instructed by the kidnapper to not directly contact anyone, but is still able to leave behind various clues, such as interrupting a colleague's date to drop off the victim's finger.
