The CSIs are floored when Sheldon Hawkes is apprehended during an early morning run as the primary suspect in a bartender's murder. While he maintains his innocence, Mac and the team grow increasingly frustrated when they are removed from the investigation for fear they'll contaminate the evidence. With a mountain of evidence stacked against him, the team works tirelessly on their own to piece together the clues that will hopefully prove Hawkes' innocence. Meanwhile, Danny and Stella investigate what seems to be an overdose, but they realize their routine case may be connected to escaped serial killer Shane Casey.