DavidKier,oneofthethievesinasensationaljewelrobberyandsubsequenttrial,issetfreewhentheturnsKing'sEvidenceontheothermembers.KierrefusestogivereporterSimonDrakeaninterview,asSimonthinkshewillprobablybekilledbyothergangmembers,butSimonmakesnoteofhisaddress.Simonisfiredbyhiscityeditor,MacGregor,forfailingtocoveranotherassignmentandtheeditorsayshewouldnotbelieveKier'smurderifreportedbySimonevenifithappened.SimonreturnshomeandispersuadedbyhiswifePattohaveadrinkortwo.ThetipsySimon,asajoke,telephonesSimandtellshimthatKierhasjustbeenmurdered,andtheexcitedSimhangsupbeforeSimoncanexplainitisjustajoke.ButKierhasreallybeenmurderedandInspectorHollylearnsfromSimthatSimonhadtelephonedhimwiththenewsat3:10A.M.,butknowsthatKierwasnotmurdereduntil4:35A.M.TheInspectoralsofindsarecently-firedrevolverinSimon'sflat,andarrestshim.