Criminal defense attorney Mike Ratigan reached the pinnacle of success in his early thirties, winning "Not Guilty" verdicts in several murder and other major felony cases. But Mike leads a risky lifestyle, and his superactive libido led him astray, indirectly resulting in a two-year suspension of his law license. Following this suspension, Mike defends professional burglar Frank Maguire from charges of murder committed during a burglary. Forewarned by instinct, the victim leaves clues to the identity of her killer. But only one of those clues survives the murderer's removal and destruction of evidence. That sole clue is discovered only by close observation of photographs of the victim's beloved cat. Mike's diligence provides the springboard for confrontation with the killer while he is on the witness stand. Maguire finds it necessary to fund his defense by converting an extremely valuable stolen stamp collection into cash. Mike negotiates with the collection's insurer, obtaining $700,000 for return of the stamps-plus $35,000 for his fee to negotiate the deal. Emblematic of his errant excursions, Mike keeps a gynecological examination table in his conference room. The table is well used.