Sky Murder

Old friend Cortland Grand summons Nick Carter and Beeswax to Washington to meet Senator Monrose, who heads a committee investigating subversive groups. The Senator asks Nick to assist the committee, but Nick declines the request. Cortland's invitation and the political request foreshadow the looming threat.

Nick declines to help and boards Cortland's private aircraft to return to New York with six models, their chaperone Christine Cross, and Andrew Hendon, a polo star suspected of being a spy. The tense flight hints at the danger creeping into the surface of the mission. The mood shifts from political intrigue to direct peril.

Upon landing in New York, Hendon is murdered, and a nail file belonging to Pat Evens is found in his throat, suggesting Pat's involvement or manipulation by the spies. Three spies waiting on the landing strip attempt to silence Pat and, once inside the cockpit, strangle the pilot. Nick seizes control of the situation and begins protecting the remaining passengers.

Nick brings the passengers to Cortland's country house and interrogates Pat about the suspected spies. The house comes under machine gun fire, forcing a dangerous, high-stakes escape. The assault confirms the pervasive threat of fifth-column operatives.

Bartholomew dons Pat's robes to fool the killers, enabling Nick and Pat to slip away from danger. The trio makes a tense exit, leveraging the disguise to build a new plan. The escape marks a turning point as the chase continues.

Nick and Pat are arrested as they flee in a sheriff's car. While locked up, the spies plant a bomb, turning their confinement into a near-lethal trap. The threat intensifies as they narrowly escape another attempt on their lives.

The fugitives take refuge in Cortland's New York apartment, where Pat explains that spies have threatened her father, who is being held captive in Europe. The revelation deepens the sense of international stakes and personal danger. Tension mounts as the investigation resumes.

Bartholomew and Christine trace the spies to a hideout behind a printer's shop, but are themselves captured by the conspirators. Their capture leaves Nick with fewer allies and heightens the risk to Pat's father. The pursuit tightens as Cortland's plans remain hidden.

Pat is sent to stay in a small hotel for protection while Nick contacts Senator Monrose. Through the continuing inquiry, Nick concludes that Cortland is likely the leader of the fifth-column operation. The stakes extend beyond a single incident to a broader conspiracy.

Nick locates Bartholomew by following his bees and moves to rescue him and Christine. During the attempt, Kathe, a spy loyal to Cortland, kidnaps Pat, escalating the crisis. The rescue operation becomes a race against time.

Nick rescues Bartholomew and Christine, then alerts the police. The authorities arrest the remaining spies and free Pat, restoring a measure of safety for the group. The momentum shifts toward a final confrontation with Cortland.

Nick and Senator Monrose set a trap for Cortland by boarding his aircraft. Nick tricks Cortland into confessing, leading to a shootout in which Cortland dies. The operation ends with the espionage threat neutralized and Pat's safety secured.