Carl Bascom returns to Burgess, California after several years' absence. He visits Reba Burgess, showing her a signed agreement with her husband giving him half interest in the mine she operates. Reba takes it to Perry, who does not have good news, but she prefers to handle the problem herself. Perry sends Paul in to investigate the situation, anyway. Prior to Bascom's departure, he had closed down the Burgess mine, putting many of the locals out of work. Bascom had become a partner in the mine but claimed to have found irregularities in the books. Today, the mine is still being operated on a small scale by Reba Burgess, widow of the man who founded the business. With the help of two long-time employees, Kelly and Reelin' Pete, she's kept the place going thanks to a kindly banker, Mr. Malone, and loans using a million-dollars worth of diamonds as collateral. Bascom was viewed as a crook by many and frequently visited the bank, leading employee Mr. Kinder to wonder just what he's up to. When Bascom is found murdered at the mine, Reba Burgess is arrested and Perry Mason defends her in court.
—garykmcd / edited by Rob