Etta Pryce, vinyl tracker, is hired to find a legendary rare record: the Lytton Lacquer, which supposedly kills anyone who hears it and drives its owners mad. At home, Etta's girlfriend questions a mission to chase a record that may not even exist. Len Perry, a crime scene evidence handler, works a case involving a mysterious death involving a strange record found spinning on the victim's turntable.

Perry is questioned by Detective Rhodes about a horrifying incident. On the hunt for the Lytton Lacquer, Etta visits her mentor, audiophile repairman / beetle farmer Ian Ullman, and learns some of the strange history behind this mysterious and deadly record. Lana scares up a lead. The police try to make sense of impossible evidence.

Etta searches the crime scene, hoping to find a clue to the whereabouts of the Lytton Lacquer. Lana tells Etta she is worried about the investigation. Perry, suffering from strange symptoms, has a visit from a very unexpected guest. A shocking event changes everything Etta thought she knew about the case.

A college radio DJ, Tuck Weston, spins records and takes calls the night before his radio station gets rid of their vinyl archive. He tells stories about his adventures in record collecting, including an encounter he once had with the Lytton Lacquer. A very strange phone call leads to a bizarre meeting that changes the course of his life.

Rhodes confronts his suspects and makes it clear he's watching their movements. Etta decides to help Perry, who confides to her his experience with the Lytton Lacquer. A trip is made to Big Bear, where Etta and Perry interview a very cagey subject. Things go sideways. Everyone ends up in the woods, and nothing good ever happens in the woods.

A mess is cleaned up. A suitcase is opened. New leads emerge while old ones disappear. Perry tries to make sense of what is happening to him, and why. Etta makes a grisly discovery and questions both her dedication to the case and whether or not helping Perry is worth sacrificing her relationship with Lana. Connections are missed. All hope seems to be lost...

Etta and Perry meet Lily Child, who shares what she believes is the true purpose of the Lytton Lacquer. Lily Child offers a way to help Perry, but Etta isn't so sure it's a good idea. A risk is taken. A balance of three. The piercing of a veil reveals another veil.

Etta bears witness to a gruesome transference of harmonic energy. She meets her captors and learns of her role in their plan. An unexpected ally helps mount a difficult escape. Questions are answered, intentions are revealed, and Etta is faced with a terrible choice that pits her obsession against her humanity. A rain falls in the garden.