Duet for Two Wind Instruments

Weil er seine Freundin schwer misshandelt hatte, wurde Randy Hopke von Richter Hardcastle verurteilt. Doch dann musste das Urteil wegen eines Verfahrensfehlers aufgehoben werden; Randy Hopke wird bis zu seinem neuen Prozess auf freien Fuß gesetzt. Richter Hardcastles Partner McCormick, der mit Hopke in der Vergangenheit einmal eine Zelle geteilt hatte, glaubt nicht an Hopkes Unschuld. McCormick beginnt nachzuforschen - und macht eine überraschende Entdeckung.

When the courts discover that a convicted felon named Randy Hopke had been defended by an incompetent lawyer, the original ruling is overturned and all charges are dropped. Hopke's release quickly prompts an argument between the judge and Mark. Hardcastle, having presided over the case, insists that, as originally determined, Hopke is guilty of assaulting his girlfriend Val Mickaelian. On the other hand, Mark, having known Hopke from when he was in prison, insists that the judge made a mistake. The two men, each hoping to prove they are right, set out to prove their respective positions. In the process of their investigations, both Hardcastle and McCormick realize that they are both wrong: While they learn that Hopke did not actually assault Val, they also discover that the released prisoner had planned the assault and was willing to serve a limited prison sentence to cover-up the fact that he had committed a murder during a diamond store heist. Theorizing that Val is probably working with Hopke, Hardcastle and McCormick follow her. As expected, she leads them to Hopke as well as the stolen merchandise. After an unusual "bus" chase, Hopke is captured and the case is finally resolved.