Ms. Dexter seems to have been no better than she should be, and the detectives have a difficult time eliminating suspects, because she was associated with a number of shady characters. All of these individuals are less than truthful with the police and most of them are guilty of something: it's just not clear if that thing is murder- or at least, this particular murder. Her parents, who arrive to identify the body, are no help, as their daughter had left their rural home years before for the bright lights of NYC, and had had little to do with them since.
Through hard work and determination, the police gradually build a case and narrow the list of suspects. The revelation of the guilty party results in a chase scene through the streets of New York as the detectives attempt to nab the murderer.