Physically impaired, undaunted, cane in hand, Betsy McCormick jets off to visit her family, the Bells, who live in a former gardeneras cottage overlooking the lush Connecticut Valley. During her visit she meets a shy and appealing police detective, Mel Thomas. He quickly becomes abrown eyesa in her mind until he is forced to arrest her younger mentally impaired brother, Sweet William Bell, for murder. The Bell blood ties tested, poor Mel is now simply athat man.a Unwilling to accept Willas guilt, the Bells set out on a series of misadventures to avoid the hovering press and prove Willas innocence. Fourth of July evening, the gardeneras cottage stands empty. This night it harbors something sinister.