 At the Harkins Gallery, Sylvester Robey wishes to see Richard Harkins about a Matisse hanging in the gallery. Amelia Harkins, Richard s mother who owns the gallery, is incensed to see that the painting is a forgery and blames Richard s assistant, June Sinclair, and master copyist David Lambert of collusion. June and David are in love and ask Perry Mason to intercede with Amelia. David quarrels with his wife Lisa, who paints cherubs, over their impending divorce and whether he should also paint commercially viable cherubs. Lisa tries to extort money from Amelia in return for the genuine Matisse. Later, June confronts Lisa and they struggle until Lisa pulls a gun and forces June to retreat. As she leaves, June hears Lisa scream and shots fired. She finds Lisa dead, calls Perry Mason and flees the scene. Perry discovers Lisa s body, the police arrive, and Perry clams up until he can talk to his client. June is arrested and Perry has to go to work.