Bitter, cynical police detective, Jim Wilson (Robert Ryan), is known for beating information out of suspects and witnesses. His violent tendencies are noticed by both his partners and the police chief. After Wilson ignores the chief's warnings, he is relegated to a case up-state so that he might cool off. He joins a manhunt for the murderer of a young girl—teaming up with the father of the victim, Walter Brent (Ward Bond), who is determined to exact deadly vengeance. During a chase, after the murderer is spotted, Wilson and Brent are separated from the others and eventually track the killer to a remote house.