After a death in the salon, scandal threatens and a paranoid power struggle begins: drugs, vice and corruption, conspiracy to murder - what happens next?
When a customer dies on the premises, Howard becomes fearful of bad publicity. He sees the dead woman's husband, Stretford, as a threat to his very existence. He desperately seeks compromising evidence, embarrassing details, in Stretford's background.
As the inquest approaches, Howard employs the salacious Mattie as an agent. Will Stretford fall for her blandishments? Or will Howard become a victim of his own strategy? Dora, Howard's upright, devoted and long-suffering wife is drawn to another innocent, while Grenadier, as unscrupulous as Howard, joins forces with him - or does he?
Suspicion, blackmail, drug abuse and seduction combine in a final conspiracy of murderous intent.