The policeman, Andrei Mikhailovich Valnikov, is a product of his Russian heritage although he was born and bred in Los Angeles. He drinks Russian vodka, listens to Russian music, and dreams of Russian scenery. He is also an absentminded alcoholic whose former partner, Charlie Lightfoot, committed suicide and whose present partner, Natalie Zimmerman, thinks he is insane. He is, however, a very capable detective who sympathizes with the lonely losers of this world because he recognizes a bond with them.

Madeline Dills Whitfield is one of those unfortunates. She was born rich but her divorce and her mother's illness have used up her trust fund. She is now middle aged, and alone. Her only friend is her Schnauzer, Vicki.

When Vicki is stolen and held for a ransom she does not have the money to pay, her only hope is Valnikov.

He does help her, but he falls...