Whenever Felix, the light-fingered husband from whom Virginia Freer was semi-detached, reappeared in her life, it seemed murder did too. Holly, orphaned daughter of a famous actress had come to Rome to stay with Virginia's friends, the Brightwells. Holly disappeared, believed kidnapped & distraught Ann Brightwell was prepared to sell her valuables to meet the ransom demand. Felix thought there was something odd about the kidnapping & was convinced the ransom shouldn't be paid.