Anarrogantdetective,CharlesCourtney,prideshimselfonneverhavingcommittedasinglemistakeinhislonganddistinguishedcareer.Hekeepsashelfoflabeledmementosfromeachofhiscases.OntheshelfthereisanopenspaceandablanktagforwhatCourtneycalls"ThePerfectCrime".OnedayadefenselawyerstunsCourtneywhenheconfrontshimwithevidencethatthedetectivehelpedconvictaninnocentmanwhohassincebeenexecuted.Courtneykillsthelawyer,bakeshiminapotterykiln,andplacesthevaseintheopenspaceonhisshelfasamementotohisperfectcrime.