Morse's friend Beryl Newsome was murdered in the rehearsal of Magic Flute. He foolishly touched the murder weapon. Morse found himself the subject of the murder investigation. Morse was suspended, and DCI Bottomley was responsible for the case with the assistance of DS Lewis. Morse felt that he was framed, and looked back at his past to see who of the many criminals he arrested might now seek revenge. When someone scratched the Freemason sign on his car and was reported to be unstable, Morse suspected whether the Freemason might be involved. Morse was arrested when a large number of his personal belongings were found in Beryl's apartment.
