Allotment Wives

Colonel Pete Martin is tasked with investigating a series of incorrect dependency benefit claims at the ODB. He begins monitoring suspicious activity on the West Coast and focuses on potential fraud involving women who married for money. His mission is to uncover the truth and bring the culprits to justice.

Pete observes Helen Keefe handing cash to a suspicious man, George Shields, signaling an ongoing scheme. He notes that Helen is introduced to another young man shortly after, indicating a broader network. Pete orders their arrest to prevent further fraud.

In the restaurant, businesswoman Sheila Seymour introduces herself and claims to run a beauty salon and a canteen for servicemen. Pete remains unaware that she is the head of the racketeering operation. Sheila’s associates, including Moranto, are introduced and tensions in the racket begin to surface.

Pete adopts his prewar role as a newspaper reporter and continues the undercover investigation. He visits Sheila's canteen and plans an interview to gather background for a potential article. Sheila remains unaware of his true purpose.

Sheila spots her daughter Connie at a bar with two soldiers and admonishes her to stay in school. She reveals a plan to escape to South America with Whitey once the operation shifts away. The scene establishes Sheila's dual role as mother and racketeer.

Spike Malone and Gladys Smith attempt to join the racketeering business, following Sheila to her home. Gladys recognizes Sheila from reform school, revealing a shared past and deeper ties. Pete begins to sense the extent of the operation as the duo enters the scene.

Gladys starts sending blackmail letters to Sheila, exposing a vulnerability in the operation. Sheila assigns Whitey to capture the blackmailer and hand her over to the police, attempting to contain the threat. Pete suspects illicit activity when visiting the canteen and warns Sheila about the ongoing fraud.

Gladys is jailed after the failed blackmail plot and meets Helen in jail, where Helen realizes Sheila runs the whole allotment racket. Helen commits suicide in custody, sealing the extent of Sheila’s control. The incident exposes the network and escalates the danger for Sheila.

Gladys is released from jail and plots revenge against Sheila through Connie. She and Spike arrange a spree of wild parties to lure Connie and weaken Sheila's defenses. The plan culminates in a kidnapping attempt, heightening the film’s tension.

Connie is taken into custody by Pete, who is unaware of Sheila's familial connection to the girl. Sheila again uses Whitey and sends him off to break Connie out from captivity. He manages the rescue, but is wounded in the process, leaving Connie safely removed from immediate danger.

Pete tracks Spike and uncovers his ties to Sheila's operation as the plot threads converge on Mexico. Sheila moves to confront Pete and the authorities, intent on finishing her scheme. In the ensuing confrontation, Sheila is killed by one of Pete's men, ending her racketeering run.

With the danger ended, Pete decides to let Connie run free and protects her from the past. He submits the final report to the OBD, recommending that Connie's background be forgotten to safeguard her future. The film closes on a note of cautious justice and ambiguous mercy.