Motive: Raw Deal

SYNOPSIS

The killer: Ian, a photographer, who just got engaged to his girlfriend, who he had been dating for three years, their relationship which began following the suicide death of her former boyfriend, the biological father of her now six year old son. The victim: Kevin Carpenter, a former art school student, who had just returned to Vancouver following a three year traveling stint in India, Nepal and Thailand. His dead body is found in his motel room bathtub, his wrists slashed. Despite there being a suicide note on the scene - "I never had the courage until now" - which is later identified as being in his handwriting, Betty is able to determine that he was not the one to inflict the fatal wounds. Items on the scene also indicate that he was Buddhist. With no cell phone, Kevin made three calls from his motel room telephone - to his sister Shelly Carpenter who seemingly is the person closest to him, to a convenience store, and to directory assistance, in which he was looking for a Robin Keaton. Shelly is able to shed little light on the situation, while neither Robin Keaton for which he was provided numbers knew Kevin, one with who he didn't even get in contact. The reason for Kevin wanting to find a Robin Keaton, and what happened in the time-line of Kevin's expulsion from art school to his departure on his three year trip two days later provide the biggest clues to finding the killer. This case ends up being the first in the department for new team leader, Sergeant Mark Cross, a former undercover cop who replaces the now promoted Superintendent Bloom. Angie has problems with Cross' appointment because she believes someone else should have gotten the job, as well as the fact that she and Cross have a ten year history of an undisclosed nature. Angie refuses to let Cross' presence push her out from the department.