Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Claire hires Dennis to purchase a saxophone case at a yacht-party auction. Larry attacks Dennis and steals the case.

Claire Hires O'Brien — Claire hires Dennis to purchase a saxophone case at an auction. Characters: Claire Underwood, Dennis O'Brien Location: San Francisco
Yacht-Party Auction — The planned purchase is set at a yacht-party auction. Characters: Claire Underwood, Dennis O'Brien Location: Yacht-party auction
O'Brien Seeks the Case — Dennis attempts to obtain the case on Claire's behalf. Characters: Dennis O'Brien Location: Yacht-party auction
Dunlap Attacks O'Brien — Larry Dunlap slugs Dennis during the auction. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Larry Dunlap Location: Yacht-party auction
Case Is Stolen — Larry steals the saxophone case after attacking Dennis. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Larry Dunlap Location: Yacht-party auction

Dennis discovers that Claire and Larry are rivals in a smuggling racket. The case is connected to stolen jewels, raising the stakes.

Case Is Stolen — Larry steals the saxophone case after attacking Dennis. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Larry Dunlap Location: Yacht-party auction
Rival Smuggling Operation — Dennis learns that Claire and Larry are rivals in smuggling. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Claire Underwood, Larry Dunlap Location: San Francisco
Jewels Inside the Case — The stolen case is connected to jewels sought by the smugglers. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Claire Underwood, Larry Dunlap Location: Unspecified location
Claire Prepares Departure — Claire prepares to leave the country with the case and jewels. Characters: Claire Underwood Location: Country departure point
O'Brien Tracks Claire — Dennis follows Claire as she attempts to leave the country. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Claire Underwood Location: Country departure point

Dennis intercepts Claire before her departure with the case and jewels. He is then framed for the murder of Vicki Jason's husband.

Claire Is Seized — Dennis seizes Claire before she can leave with the contraband. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Claire Underwood Location: Country departure point
Murder Accusation Emerges — Dennis becomes implicated in the murder of Vicki's husband. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Vicki Jason Location: Unspecified location
O'Brien Is Framed — Dennis is framed for the murder of Vicki Jason's husband. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Vicki Jason Location: Unspecified location
Spadely Joins the Case — Edgar is identified as another private detective connected to the conspiracy. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Edgar Spadely Location: Unspecified location
Vicki and Edgar Conspire — Vicki and Edgar are revealed as coconspirators. Characters: Vicki Jason, Edgar Spadely Location: Unspecified location

Dennis seeks to establish his innocence while Vicki and Edgar's conspiracy is exposed. Vicki pulls a gun on Edgar and admits her guilt.

O'Brien Seeks Proof — Dennis works to prove his innocence after being framed. Characters: Dennis O'Brien Location: Unspecified location
Evidence Challenges the Frame — The conspiracy surrounding the murder begins to expose the frame against Dennis. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Vicki Jason, Edgar Spadely Location: Unspecified location
Vicki Draws Her Gun — Vicki pulls a gun on her coconspirator and lover Edgar. Characters: Vicki Jason, Edgar Spadely Location: Unspecified location
Vicki Admits Guilt — Vicki admits her own guilt in her husband's murder. Characters: Vicki Jason, Edgar Spadely, Dennis O'Brien Location: Unspecified location
The Frame Is Disproved — Vicki's admission proves that Dennis was wrongly framed. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Vicki Jason, Edgar Spadely Location: Unspecified location
O'Brien Proves Innocence — Dennis proves his innocence as the murder conspiracy is exposed. Characters: Dennis O'Brien, Vicki Jason, Edgar Spadely Location: Unspecified location

Story Breakdown

Claire's Commission — Claire hires Dennis to obtain a saxophone case at a yacht-party auction.
- Hiring Assignment — Claire engages Dennis as the investigator for the purchase.
- Auction Target — The requested object is a saxophone case at a yacht-party auction.
Auction Ambush — The planned purchase becomes a physical confrontation when Larry attacks Dennis.
- Dunlap Attacks — Larry Dunlap slugs Dennis during the auction.
- Case Stolen — Larry takes the saxophone case after the assault.
Smuggling Rivalry — Dennis learns that Claire and Larry are competing in a smuggling racket.
- Competing Smugglers — Claire and Larry are identified as rivals in the racket.
- Jewels in Transit — The case is associated with stolen jewels.
Claire's Escape — Claire attempts to leave the country with the case and its jewels.
- Departure Attempt — Claire prepares to leave the country with the stolen goods.
- O'Brien Intercepts — Dennis seizes Claire before her departure.
Murder Frame — Dennis is falsely connected to the murder of Vicki Jason's husband.
- False Accusation — Dennis is framed for the murder.
- Search for Proof — Dennis works to establish his innocence.
Conspiracy Exposed — Vicki and Edgar's relationship and conspiracy collapse in a final armed confrontation.
- Lovers and Coconspirators — Vicki and Edgar are revealed as lovers and coconspirators.
- Gunpoint Confession — Vicki pulls a gun on Edgar and admits guilt in the murder.