Morsefindshimselfthesubjectofamurderinvestigationwhenhisfriend,BerylNewsome,ismurderedatarehearsaloftheMagicFluteandhefoolishlytouchesthemurderweaponMorseissuspendedandDCIBottomley,withDSLewisassistinghim,isputinchargeofthecaseMorsefeelsthathewassetupandlookstohispasttoseewho,amongthemanycriminalshearrested,mightnowbesettingaboutseekingrevengeWhensomeonescratchesmasonicsymbolsalloverhiscarandheisreportedforerraticdriving,MorsewondersifMasonsmaysomehowbeinvolvedWhenalargenumberofhispersonalitemsarefoundinBeryl'sapartment,Morseisplacedunderarrest