The Vicious Circle

Howard Latimer agrees to a favor by collecting the German actress at London Airport. He is accompanied by journalist Geoffrey Windsor, who trails along after failing to secure an interview about Latimer's medical research. Because Latimer is late for a date with his fiancée at the Royal Festival Hall, he hands the actress over to Windsor to take to Claridges Hotel.

Windsor drives the actress to Claridge's Hotel while Latimer hurries toward his date at the Royal Festival Hall. The scene emphasizes Latimer's divided priorities and the fragility of professional and personal commitments. The early misalignment plants the suspicion that things may go wrong.

Later that day, the German actress's body is found in Latimer's flat. There is no trace of Windsor, whose whereabouts are unknown. The police begin to question Latimer, making him the prime suspect due to proximity and circumstances.

DI Dane arrives to question Latimer; at first sympathetic, he grows skeptical as evidence piles up against Latimer. Windsor remains missing, deepening the mystery and hinting at his possible involvement. Latimer's situation tightens as the police push for answers.

To avoid surveillance, Latimer goes to stay at his friend Kenneth Palmer's house. The quiet setting provides temporary respite but also places him closer to Palmer's circle and their intrigues. The move marks a shift from flight to ongoing involvement.

During his stay, Latimer encounters the mysterious 'Robert Brady' who shows unusual interest in a matchbook given to him by the actress. The encounter hints at a wider conspiracy and foreshadows connections with Major Harrington. Latimer begins to sense he is being watched.

Mrs Ambler, a patient Latimer has treated, is found dead, reigniting suspicion against him. DI Dane continues to defend Latimer's innocence while the evidence grows more complex. Latimer's reputation suffers as the case tightens.

Windsor confronts Latimer with a demand for £4,000 in blackmail. The money is not requested from Latimer but from Doctor Kimber, revealing a misdirection in the case. The revelation rearranges the alliances and raises questions about who is manipulating whom.

Police reveal that they know more about the case than they've let on. Latimer is drawn deeper into the investigation and starts cooperating with authorities. A sense of strategic policing emerges as the real mastermind remains hidden.

Latimer meets the man he believed Brady; the man turns out to be Major Harrington of Intelligence. Harrington's true identity reframes the case as part of an intelligence operation. Latimer realizes he is entangled with powerful people and a passport-forgery scheme.

Harrington explains that the case revolves around a passport-forging ring led by an Englishman. The mastermind sits at the head of the network and Latimer's circle contains the people involved. Latimer agrees to work with the police to uncover the mastermind.

With police support, Latimer helps unmask the criminal amongst his acquaintances. The plan culminates as the network's head is exposed and the truth about the case resolves. Latimer moves toward closure, having navigated a web of deception.