 Tom Thornton is released after serving a 13-year sentence for the murder of his business partner Harold Sylvester and the theft of $500,000 in cash and securities. When some of the stolen securities are cashed, Thornton again comes under suspicion and continues to protest his innocence of the original crime. Investigation by Dan Mathews and Center City Lieutenant Piersall result in the conclusion that Sylvester is still alive and is cashing the securities. Thornton uses his knowledge of Sylvester s habits to find his home and confront him. Thornton is determined to murder Sylvester, figuring he will escape further prosecution because of the old conviction. Dan must use a series of diversions to try to prevent the killing.