Ep 16. Lucky Strike

In season 3 episode 16 of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation titled "Lucky Strike," the team investigates a robbery at a bowling alley that turns deadly. The episode begins with a man named Paulie, who is part of a bowling team called The Rack Pack, walking out of the bathrooms to find his teammate, Eddie, shot dead in their private room. The cash register is also missing, leading the team to believe it was a robbery gone wrong.

The investigation begins with the team processing the scene. They find a discarded gun casing and a bullet that ricocheted off the walls. After analyzing the blood spatter, they determine that the killer used the outside door to enter and exit the room. They also find an odd piece of evidence on Eddie's hand – a black ink stamp with the letter C on it. The team soon discovers that the bowling alley was hosting a party that night called "Cosmic Bowling," which explains the blacklight and the stamps.

The team interviews the employees and customers at the bowling alley, including the owner, his son, and a disgruntled ex-employee. They also learn that Eddie had recently won a scratch-off lottery ticket worth $50,000. This quickly becomes a potential motive for the robbery and murder.

As the investigation continues, the team finds more evidence and clues. They analyze the security footage and find a possible suspect who matches the description given by witnesses. The suspect, a teenage boy named Roscoe, is caught and brought to the station for questioning.

In the meantime, the team discovers that Eddie's winning lottery ticket has gone missing. They believe that the killer took it as part of the robbery. However, when they search the suspect's home, they find the ticket. This creates confusion and leads the team to believe that there may be more than one person involved in the crime.

As the team interviews Roscoe, they soon realize that he is not the killer. He claims to have found the lottery ticket and was attempting to cash it in at the bowling alley before being caught. He also points the team in the direction of the real killer – a man named Tony.

Tony, who was once a bowling champion, had fallen on hard times and was in debt. He heard about Eddie's winning ticket and went to the bowling alley to rob him. When Eddie fought back, Tony panicked and shot him. Tony is ultimately caught and brought to justice.

One of the interesting aspects of this episode is the way it portrays the bowling alley and its regulars as a tight-knit community. The team talks to many of the patrons who express their sadness and frustration over the loss of Eddie, who was well-liked and respected. The episode also highlights the struggles of those who participate in bowling leagues, such as the pressure to perform and the financial strain that can come with it.

Overall, "Lucky Strike" is a classic CSI episode that keeps the audience engaged with a compelling mystery and an interesting community of characters. The twists and turns of the investigation keep the viewer guessing until the very end.