A male body is discovered in the whirlpool in a thermal spa hotel. The dead are Jan Stickler, the power-hungry conductor of the Salzburg Alt Orchestra. Forensic Guardian finds out the cause of death: Stickler died from two strong blows on the head. In the old manner, both executive groups, the Bavarian and the Austrian side, are again interested in solving the case quickly. Palfinger and Russmeyer interrogate the entire orchestra. The first suspect is the percussionist: violent past, an impending termination, then he also flees – a suitable suspect.
But then the investigators have to find out over several detours that Stickler has sexually forced and blackmailed a Bulgarian transverse flautist, and that everything is not as clear as it seems. Mur informs the widow of the murdered man. Ursula Stickler is a lawyer and proves to be extremely uncooperative. Daughter Estelle confirms Ursulas Alibi for the murder night. Mur, rightly suspicious, discovers that the two are lying. He also finds out that Ursula Stickler has an affair with a photographer who was also at the Thermen Hotel on Murder Night. Mur is now doing everything possible to prove, that the widow and her lover are behind the murder.
Russmeyer and Palfinger take the first violin to their breasts after new evidence: Effie Salz wanted to prevent Stickler from getting the conductor's post at all with a petition. His call had rushed ahead of him. But the management of the Alt Orchestra ignored any rumors – that it was only interested in Stickler bringing a breath of fresh air and high sales with its star doors. It gets really exciting when Russmeyer finds out that the charming choir director had also applied for the conductor's post, but had flown out of the race because of a plagiarism charge. Investigators look into a bottomless barrel full of orchestral envy, resentment and intrigue.