Gloria Angel, the lovely aide to the governor is found dead on the rotunda floor in Montana's State capitol. An autopsy proves that death occurred before she fell from the balcony, above. When Senator Audrey Welter, Democrat from Missoula, is charged with the woman's murder, she chooses her Senate colleague, Republican Stretch Bruce, an attorney from Round up to represent her. Incriminating evidence, a scarf with Ms. Angel's blood on it, is found in Welter's office. Later a heavy flashlight that also has traces of the victim's blood is found in Ms. Welter's car. Audrey claims that the items are not hers and that she never saw them before.

Stretch Bruce's task would be easier if the real killer could be found, and he follows several leads that get him nowhere. It is not until near the end of Audrey's trial, that a witness to the murder comes forward.