 During a robbery Lester Rutman kills a guard, stows the body in his car trunk, and disposes of the corpse on farmer Martin Jensen s property. Jansen witnesses the act and notifies the Highway Patrol. Dan Mathews and his officers set up a series of roadblocks, and Rutman and his partner Collins narrowly escape capture by turning onto a dirt road. Rutman concludes that a witness saw him dispose of the body and he sets out to eliminate that person. Posing as newspapermen, Rutman and Collins learn Martin Jensen s identity and whereabouts from his wife Jane and they are able to trap them in a barn. The two felons fire shots at the barn and a pitched gun battle ensues when Dan and his officers hear the shots and investigate.