Even burglars fall in love, and in this case, it's Bernie doing the
falling, with the lovely and alluring Ilona. Night after night, sharing
popcorn in the flickering shadow of a Bogie movie, Bernie finds himself
tongue-tied - sometimes literally. It would appear Ilona's now doing all
the stealing. Well, not really. Bernie's been approached by the oddly
named Hugo Candlemas to pilfer a posh East Side apartment, make off with
a portfolio and collect a fast, easy sum. A reasonable enough request
for a trained burglar, sure, but just when things are going well, things
turn bad. Bernie's nocturnal visit is interrupted, and he ends up going
home empty-handed. If this wasn't bad enough, Hugo Candlemas turns up
missing, and Ray Kirschmann, New York City detective-extraordinaire,
comes looking for answers. A body has been found at Candlemas's
residence, and there's evidence linking Bernie to the crime. For once,
though, Kirschmann doesn't think Bernie's the guilty party. But he does
want his help.