Backfire

Bob Corey, a seriously wounded American soldier at the end of World War II, is admitted to an army hospital and undergoes several operations on his spine. During his recovery he learns to love his nurse, Julie Benson, giving his ordeal a personal stake beyond physical healing.

Steve Connolly visits Bob in the hospital to discuss pooling their G.I. benefits toward a ranch in Scottsdale, totaling $40,000. Their reunion rekindles their friendship and crystallizes postwar ambitions that will drive the investigation later.

On Christmas Eve, a mysterious Swedish-speaking woman visits Bob and warns that Steve has been badly injured and wants to die, while she declines to help. Bob tells her to do nothing and wait, then slips back into unconsciousness as she vanishes.

After discharge, Captain Garcia questions Bob and reveals that Steve is wanted for the murder of gambler Solly Blayne. Bob denies Steve's involvement and agrees to help uncover the truth, stepping into the investigation despite his injuries.

Bob rents the hotel room Steve had used and meets Sybil, a gossipy maid who provides leads. He then visits Ben Arno, the funeral-home owner, who recalls Steve's boxing past and his evasiveness when asked about it.

Bob and Julie interview Solly Blayne's widow, who recalls the night of the murder and the late-arriving doctor. Her testimony adds nuance to the timeline and tempers Bob's certainty about Steve's guilt.

Bob learns that Steve had a girlfriend named Lysa Radoff, tying him to gambler Lou Walsh and Walsh's operation. He discovers that Steve and Lysa planned to elope, deepening the motive and danger surrounding both of them.

Bonnie Willis, Lysa's roommate, explains Steve and Lysa's involvement with Walsh's den and that Steve did not mistreat the women. Moments after, Bonnie is murdered by an unseen assailant firing through her window, heightening the threat to everyone connected.

Captain Garcia learns that a man named Lee Quong has information on Steve, and the trio races to the hospital to question him. Quong reveals that Walsh overheard Steve and Lysa's plans and later arranged events; he dies before revealing Walsh's address.

Julie goes to Dr. Herbert Anstead's office in uniform to retrieve Steve's medical file and confronts him after discovering that Steve was injured rather than killed. Anstead traps Julie in a locked room and calls Bob to reveal Steve's location, but Walsh bursts in and shoots Anstead.

In Steve's address, Ben Arno reveals himself as Walsh and explains that he engineered Steve's accident to cover up his own crimes. He admits killing Bonnie and plans to silence anyone who could expose Lysa. Steve, though wounded, moves to confront Arno, intensifying the danger.

Steve, braced and recovering, confronts Arno in a stairwell as the police arrive on Julie's call. Arno tries to flee and shoots at the officers, but he is killed in the exchange, ending the immediate threat to Steve and those around him.

Many months pass and Steve leaves the hospital with his injuries repaired. Bob and his new wife Julie take Steve to their ranch in Arizona, fulfilling their long-cherished postwar dream and beginning a new life together.