The Westland Case

Noted defense attorney Charlie Frazee receives an anonymous note suggesting that Robert Westland, a death row inmate, may be innocent of the wife-murder he was convicted for. Frazee becomes determined to uncover the truth and hires private detectives to re-investigate the case. The stakes are high as Westland has only six days left before his scheduled execution.

An anonymous informant who wrote the note is brutally shot to death in a crowded restaurant, indicating that someone is actively trying to hide the truth. This act heightens the tension and suggests that powerful interests are involved in covering up the real murderer. The detectives realize the case is more dangerous than they initially thought.

Westland's personal accountant, who planned to reveal evidence supporting Westland's innocence, is killed shortly after the informant. His death by a hit-and-run driver indicates efforts to suppress critical information. The detectives understand that they are racing against time to find the real killer and clear Westland's name.

The crime scene is contaminated when Westland's apartment is hastily rented out to blonde party girl Agatha Hogan, to whom the detectives take an immediate interest. The elderly aunt sharing the apartment shows hostility to Agatha, hinting at possible secrets or conflicting interests related to the case.

Crane searches for the murder weapon, a unique British-made Webley pistol. The original Webley is missing, but a different Webley is recovered from a diver in the river. Ballistics experts confirm that this second Webley, traced to a Joliet firm, is the murder weapon.

Ballistics expert Major Lee confirms that the unique slugs recovered from the Webley match the bullet used in the wife-murder. This evidence helps narrow down the investigation and leads to identifying the true killer from among the suspects associated with the Webley's purchase and testing history.

Detectives follow clues linking the Webley's purchaser to Richard Bolston, Westland's business partner, and Bentine, Westland's secretary and secret wife. The evidence points to Bolston as the murderer, motivated by fears of discovery related to counterfeit bonds and failed business ventures.

It is revealed that Bolston was involved in counterfeiting bonds to prop up his failing business and feared that the accountant's audit would expose him. This financial motive, coupled with the evidence, shifts the suspicion onto Bolston as the real killer.

With the evidence mounting against Bolston, Westland is officially cleared of the murder charges. He is released from prison and departs with Emily Lou, who remained loyal throughout the ordeal. The case is finally solved, and justice is served.

Surprisingly, defense attorney Charlie Frazee leaves with Agatha Hogan, the young woman who shared the apartment with Westland. Their departure hints at a romantic connection and provides a personal resolution amid the case's resolution.