Peacock Johnson's got an idea that's guaranteed to make him rich, and a friend who's willing to invest in the idea – just as soon as the friend's ex-wife remarries and frees him of his alimony obligations. But Peacock's having some difficulty laying the groundwork for his less-than-legal enterprise. Local homicide detective Duncan McFadgen is convinced that Peacock is responsible for the recent murder of a police informer, and is constantly on Peacock's tail, badgering him with questions and trying to break his alibi for the night of the murder. His path to riches seems to be vanishing into the ether and then things begin to seriously unravel...