Jerome Klee is a powerful and much disliked businessman. He's made his fortune in the oil industry and his sole goal in life seems to be make as much money as he possibly can. He's contracted with Allen Winford to drill a test well on ranch land owned by Jason Rohan. Oil is found there but he decides not to exercise his option having just signed a lucrative deal with the Prince of a Middle East country. That's bad news for Winford, whose small company would have finally made the big time, and for Rohan, who has been spending money he's not yet been paid. At home, Klee has dropped his long-time mistress in favor of a young French actress. An attempt is made on Klee's life when someone shoots at him. Winford, who is with him, sees the shooter and knocks Klee down, saving his life. Besides Winford, Klee has taken advantage of the others who work for him. All in all, it's no surprise when Klee is found murdered with Winford's monkey wrench and his truck is seen leaving the scene. When Winford is charged with the crime, he hires Perry Mason to defend him.
—garykmcd