Respectable dentist Colin Howell meets and falls in love with Hazel Buchanan at his local Baptist church. The two begin an adulterous affair that will lead them to enter into a deadly pact.
After inheriting money from her father, Lesley threatens to leave Colin - prompting him to put in motion his plan to murder her and Hazel's husband, Trevor, and make it look like a suicide pact.
The coroner's verdict finally ends the speculation surrounding Colin and Hazel, but she feels so guilty she ends their relationship. After the death of his son, Colin becomes convinced God is punishing him.
Colin convinces himself that, having already been punished, God will now allow him to prosper. When he loses all his money to a scam and his second wife threatens to leave him Colin makes a full confession.