Delko and Alexx are nearly burned alive when they investigate the death of a hunter found shot near a supposedly controlled burn in the Everglades. The fire suddenly rages out of control and traps them, forcing them to take refuge under a tarpaulin. Later, a second body is discovered, and this time it is a young woman who looks to have been beaten to death. Horatio is led to believe a sex offender is behind the attack—and the fire.

When a former surf champion is murdered in his home, the CSIs are determined to find the killer. Ted Henderson is killed in his own home and his body is missing, while his wife and son are left beaten and bound. While searching the home, Horatio finds heroin in the son's room and learns that he is secretly a drug dealer.