A released prisoner, a smashed window and a terrified wife lead Detective Sergeant John Ho to discover that past crimes breed present strife and future violence.
Jack Balfe, a well known East End fence, wants distinguished Tenor Robert Tear to sing at his daughter's birthday party - but no one, least of all Ho, is going to stop him.
Ho deals with a fatal shooting, but discovers there is no corpse. The only witness is an old lady and her budgies, but soon other parties begin to show interest in the case.