A tornado sweeps through the town of Oliver, Indiana, catching Joan Spencer and a young girl named Laura Putnam in its wake. Joan saves the young girl's life and receives a hero's welcome from the members of the Putnam family, including Judge David Putnam. As both Joan and the town settle down to repairing the damage caused by the tornado, the director of the Civic Symphony convinces Joan to play viola for the local production of Ruddigore. Reluctantly - her house and her neighbor's are in near shambles - Joan agrees. Joan's decision means that she is witness to a murder when David Putnam dies onstage during opening night. Together with Lieutenant Fred Lundquist, Joan follows the clues which lead to a fateful confrontation with a man whose mind is set on nothing but revenge.