See Also: 'Dead Zone' Episode Guide

Horatio Caine and the CSI: Miami team will have to deal with modern day pirates in the upcoming episode, "Dead Zone", sources told CSI Files today.

The murder victim of the week is Paul Jackson, who is found pinned by a harpoon spear onboard a boat used to hunt for sunken treasure off the Florida coast. The CSIs think his death could have been financially motivated, since a shipwreck was discovered in the boat's quadrant, but had not yet been reported to the Florida Marine Archaeology unit.

Eric Delko and Yelina Salas pay a visit to Dr. Christine Acheson, director of Marine Archaeology. She confirms that any treasure found should be reported to the State of Florida, which would then take 20 percent of the booty. Dr. Acheson is also familiar with Paul Jackson, and tells the CSIs that the boat belonged to his dive partner, Marty Jones, who sports a menacing hook on his right hand.

When questioned, Marty denies knowing anything about treasure being found in his quadrant, or Paul's death, for that matter. He says that he hadn't seen his partner in two days. But Horatio knows he's lying — the CSIs found the same brand of cigarettes that Marty smokes on their boat. This prompts a confession from the treasure hunter — he says it was his silent partner, Brian Betancourt, who killed Paul with the harpoon, but he didn't report it because he would lose his financial backing.

Wealthy Miami entrepreneur Brian Betancourt soon finds himself being interrogated by Yelina and Horatio at his plush mansion. He denies ever knowing Paul, adding that he conducted his business only through Marty, or "Captain Hook", as he calls him. Just like Marty, Betancourt reacts with surprise when asked about the possibility of sunken treasure being discovered in his quadrant.

As Yelina and Horatio are leaving the mansion, a delivery man arrives with a letter for Betancourt. Horatio spots something odd about the guy — he's wearing tennis shoes, clearly at odds with his regulation brown uniform. Horatio runs to warn Betancourt, but as the rich businessman opens his letter, there is a massive explosion...

Please note that the above plot details have not been confirmed by CBS, Alliance Atlantis or Bruckheimer Films, and until such time you should treat this information as you would any other rumour. The above information comes from an early draft of the script and details may change before the episode goes to air.

"Dead Zone" will likely air in early October, 2003.

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