Detective Murdoch and his colleagues face an entirely new dilemma when they find a local industrialist, Richard Welch, tied down at the top of a telephone pole with a noise-activated bomb strapped to his chest. Mayor Clarkson orders all industries in the area shut down and the police do their best to keep the noise pollution to a minimum. Under pressure, the mayor eventually relents and work resumes, but not until after the bomb is detonated by a loud car horn. The next victim turns out to be the mayor himself and Murdoch has only 3 hours to find the culprit and deactivate the device. Meanwhile, Julia is increasingly frustrated as Murdoch has yet to ask her the big question.

Murdoch's investigation of a constable's murder is hampered by interference from Brackenreid's over-zealous replacement.