 Convict Lester Sprode and his girlfriend, Audine Higgs, rob and kill store owner Miss Elnora. The crime is witnessed by Elnora s young grandson Scooter. Chief Gillespie and Detective Virgil Tibbs investigate as Althea Tibbs attends the boy. Lester and Audine go on a crime spree, robbing and killing shop owner Mr. Randall, shooting a customer at the store, and murdering a car owner when they switch cars. Lester and Audine hole up in a remote cabin. At the lake, Althea counsels Scooter as Lester and Audine take them hostage and steal Althea s car. Police road blocks force everyone back to the cabin. At Althea s urging, Audine and Scooter escape but Althea is recaptured by Lester. Gillespie and Tibbs search for clues, and Bubba Skinner steps up to the plate.