Mitch Heller is the test astronaut in the Human Factors division for the Moonstone project. He's recently suffered from disorientation and the head of the division, Matthew Owen, has requested a delay in finalizing their test results. In fact, the entire Moonstone project is now several months behind schedule, something that displeases the new program head, retired General Addison Brand. In fact, Brand and Heller have a history together and it's no surprise when Brand fires him. Mitch hires Paul Drake to look for missing plans to a new valve he had worked on earlier. He can't find the plans which are in a manila envelope with his name on it. During their first meeting, Paul notices Mitch is given an injection of distilled water. Mitch reacts as if it was a drug which makes Paul question the reliability of Mitch. Mitch is subsequently asked to meet Brand at his home and, when the police find the general dead, Mitch is charged with murder and Perry Mason defends him at the request of Paul.
—garykmcd