CSI: LA Season 3, Episode 15: "Gallery of a Private Murder"

Chapter 5: Investigating the Last Known Whereabouts

Melissa, Ann, & Adam arrive at the J.W. Marriott Hotel Los Angeles and go up to room 416. They enter the room with a search warrant, take out their kits, and begin to investigate:

"We got a receipt for artwork that was supposed to be delivered the next morning. It was ordered by our victim and was supposed to be dropped off by a Patrick Mills." Ann stated. "What was the order for?" Melissa asked. "A self-portrait painting of our victim, a ceramic pottery vase, and a hawk statuette; They were all ordered by her fiancé Mark Stevens." Ann replied. "Got a ticket to see a production of The Phantom of the Opera at the Pantages Theater last night." Adam stated. "Where's the other one?" Melissa asked. "Not sure. Searched the whole place, didn't find it." Adam stated. "We got a men's shirt on the bed here." Ann stated. She then used her luminol spray to find two interesting substances. "We got blood and a yellowish substance on this shirt as well; Looks like semen." She stated. "Bag it in evidence and get it over to trace." Melissa instructed. "Will do." Ann replied. "Not much to go on from the evidence we collected here." Adam stated. "We need to have a chat with the art director. Maybe he can fill in some blanks." Melissa stated. "Hang on, we got two phone messages on the machine here." Adam stated. "What do they say?" Melissa asked.

Message#1: "Ms. Maddox, this is Nathan Adams. I just spoke with Mr. Mills. Your painting and ceramic vase are scheduled to be delivered first thing in the morning. I hope this will satisfy your need for special wedding gifts."

"Looks like she and her fiancé were getting married soon." Ann stated. "What's the second message say?"

Message#2: "Rachel, this is Gary Melvin. I may have found something critical to supporting your lawsuit against Nathan Adams. Please call me back a.s.a.p."

"Wait a minute. Did they message just say it was from Gary Melvin?" Melissa exclaimed. "Yeah, why?" Adam asked. "Gary Melvin is the name of whose murder Jack and the others are investigating!" Melissa gasped. "You think there's a connection between his murder and our victim's murder?" Ann asked. "More or less; Get all this stuff back to the lab; I need to talk to Jack when we get back." Melissa stated.

Meanwhile, at the Golden Shore RV Resort, Jack, Jake, & George take out their kits and begin to investigate:

"Looks like this guy was a P.I. alright, there's numerous video recording materials." Jack stated.   "We'll see what T.A.R.U. can find out from that." Jack replied. "We got a Digital SLR Camera here. Two photos were taken on it." Adam replied. "Bag that in evidence and have our lab techs analyze it." Jack instructed. "Got it." Jake replied. "Fingerprints on the desk." George stated. "Get a sample and get it over to trace." Jack instructed. George nodded in agreement. "Looks like his computer was still on and unlocked. He's got a file here called bank records." Jake stated. "Open it up." Jack instructed. "Shows a wired check transfer of $85,000 in the name of Nathan Adams from Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery." Jake stated. "That's where Melissa's victim was found dead!" Jack exclaimed. "Get this, there's another transaction: A check of $50,000 in the name of....oh my god, Rachel Maddox, your wife's victim!" Jake exclaimed. "That confirms it then; These two cases are connected." Jack confirmed. "Get all this stuff back to the lab, and tell the others to gather with you in the briefing room. I have to have a chat with my wife." Jack stated.

Twenty minutes later, both teams meet back at the lab. Jack & Melissa see each other in the hallway:

"We need to talk." Jack said. "I know. I got something to tell you as well." Melissa replied. "You go first." Jack said. "Our two cases are connected." Melissa stated. "That's exactly what I was going to say." Jack replied. "Group meeting in the briefing room with both teams?" Melissa asked.  "You read my mind. Let's go!" Jack instructed.

So the C.S.I.'s have finally established a connection to both cases.

Time to combine resources in the next chapter.