The Case of the Dodging Domino

Phil Schuyler likes to have a good time but he's a songwriter and always seems to be in debt. His sister's husband pays him a visit after Phil forged his signature on a check and wants his $3000 back by the end of the day or he will go to the police. That shouldn't be a problem for Phil since he's also a blackmailer, planning to get the money from Damion White. Damion's wife Mona is approached by Jerry Janda who wants to use a new song - Pearls and Jade - he says was written by Alex Chase. However, Mona recognizes it as a song she thinks was written by Damion so she confronts Alex. Phil contacts Damion ultimately wanting $50,000 but Damion refuses to pay. When Phil is found dead and White is charged with the crime, Perry Mason defends him. He finds that several people had motives including a spurned girlfriend and another songwriter whose most recent hit may not have been his own. The fact that Phil was killed on Halloween is the vital clue that leads to a solution. —garykmcd