Blues man Ches Collins has a history with the grande dame of Sparta, Cordelia Woodlin. When Cordelia is at his nightclub, Ches sings autobiographical ballads that have special meaning for the great lady. Because the relationship is an open secret, Ches has received death threats from "The Goblin." Cordelia has two directly opposite nephews. One, Lonnie Jamison, is a straight arrow police officer. The second, Raoul Woodlin, is a scoundrel who would be glad to see his aunt dead.