ConfectionerymagnateJohnBriggs,headofanailingempireandatoddswithunionleaderKennyBarber,isfounddeadofanapparentheartattackinahotelbedroom.HewasabouttosellhiscompanytomillionaireEmmettSchwartzman.HissoleheirislongestrangeddaughterGeraldine,tothechagrinofhisbrotherPhillip,whomGeraldineappointsascompanydirector.YoungpolicepathologistJackHodgsonclaimsBriggswasmurdered,believinghehadbeenwithaprostitute,andissufficientlypersuasivethatLeorecruitshimtoreplaceHarry,nowworkinginNewYork.BriggsrighthandmanTrenterpaysoffescortDeannaCollier,whoisactuallyGeraldinesdaughterandhadjusttrackedBriggsdown.GeraldinegivesDeannaacharmbraceletbutsoonafterwardsthegirlismurdered.