A Lethal Attack

Chief superintendant Tomsa is listening to music on the radio with his earphones on. His device, however, suddenly goes silent. The disturbed Tomsa tries to find the cause and discovers a bullet hole in his window glass. Police commissioner Keller finds a bullet lodged in the jamb. He inquires from the superintendant who might have been the culprit. But Tomsa is an elderly and reclusive bachelor and is totally unaware of any potential enemy. As soon as the policeman leaves, he begins contemplating himself and his hitherto life and behaviour, recalling that his recent rude public comment might have offended the clerk Roubal. He also stopped using the service of the very poor tailor Kolínský, thus worsening his lousy social situation. Outraged, he moreover offended several subordinates who did not work according to his ideas. The maid Marie, a pretty young woman, immediately handed in her notice due to his clumsy wooing. And he unfairly blamed a waiter in a restaurant for stealing from the guests. Chief superintendant Tomsa realizes during a sleepless night how easily one can harm others. He goes to the police headquarters the next morning and demands that the investigation be halted. The superintendant, however, refuses – the culprit must be found and punished.