MontrealpoliceofficerRenardisshotintheheadandseriouslywoundedwhileonduty.Afragmentofthebulletremainsinhisheadandcannotberemoved.Asaresultoftheaccident,heremainspartiallyhearingimpairedandhastolearntoreadlips.Severalmonthslaterheisbackonduty,buthischiefisquitewaryofhim,andreluctantlyassignshimthecaseofaveryattractivewomanwhopicksthepocketsofmenluredbyherthroughnewspaperads.Hetriestomakecontactwiththeprettythiefbyansweringanadsheplaced,butatthemeetingpointsheaddressesanotherman.ThatgivesRenardthechancetoseeheratwork,andtofindherwhereabouts.Butinsteadofarrestingher,heisintriguedbyheractions.HernameisMariaandshestealsmoneytofinanceaplay("MissJulia"byAugustStrindberg)tobestagedinacitytheaterwhere,twentyyearsbefore,hermotherwaskilledbeforeherowneyeswhilerehearsingthemaincharacterofthesameplay.