 Ranch owner Burt Farwell and Rita Conover are getting married soon, which prompts Jill Farwell, Burt s ex-wife, to consult Perry Mason about the welfare of their daughter Ann, who is away at a private boarding school. Joe Dixon, the ranch foreman, is also concerned about Ann. Unknown to Burt, Rita and ranch hand Rennie Foster seem to be an item. Perry calls Burt to discuss Ann s emotional health. Insecure in her own future, Rita urges Burt to fly with her to Las Vegas to be married immediately. At school, Ann has problems related to her parents and gives a new pair of red cowboy boots, a gift from her mother, to her best friend, Kathy Jergens. Joe has a flat on the road and in opening the trunk to change the tire he discovers Rita s body. A police officer stops to ask him about a recent car wreck, sees Rita s body and takes Joe into custody. Perry defends Joe in a case where there are more than enough suspects to go around.