Lieutenant RC Frane and Sergeant Greta Rogers struggle in the search for the murder of Quincy May. When Peg Wilson, a member of their police team is murdered the investigation takes on heavy personal efforts. Killing a cop affects the entire police force. A prime suspect disappears only to find a bad ending after a flight to London. Scotland Yard links up with Frane as they try to piece together the motive for the killings. Even a member of the peerage becomes involved. Every inquiry leads to more confusion. Fortunately the philosophic meanderings of Leonides Andros, owner of the Sand Box restaurant and the street smarts of John Pentram add to their fund of knowledge. As Frane resounds from his feelings of guilt over the loss of a team member, all the evidence falls into place.