 Compulsive gambler Sylvia Oxman meets with shady casino man Danny Barker to repay IOUs. Her husband Frank also wishes to acquire them as evidence in a suit for custody of their young son, Peter. Sylvia s grandmother, Matilda Benson, consults with Perry Mason about covering the debts herself. Perry and Paul Drake run an unsuccessful scam to recoup the IOUs. Barker is killed with Sylvia s gun, and Sylvia is charged with murder. Perry must play his cards well to defend his client.