Experiment in Terror

Lynch begins a campaign of terror to force Kelly Sherwood to steal $100,000 from her San Francisco bank. He threatens to kill her or her teenage sister Toby if she goes to the police, creating a climate of fear around Kelly. The pressure mounts as Lynch's plan takes shape and puts Toby at immediate risk.

Feeling trapped, Kelly reaches out to the FBI's San Francisco office for help without directly defying Lynch. Agent John Ripley takes charge of the case and begins coordinating the investigation. This marks the moment the case moves from intimidation to federal involvement.

During the early investigation, Ripley interviews another woman who hints at involvement in a broader crime network. Before she can reveal details, Lynch murders her, cutting off a potential lead. The killer's ruthlessness raises the stakes for everyone involved.

Meanwhile, Kelly is subjected to a relentless stream of threatening phone calls, with Lynch's voice intensified by his asthma. The calls haunt her home and threaten Toby's safety, pushing Kelly toward decisive action. The suspense grows as the harassment continues.

The FBI identifies Lynch's long record, noting convictions for statutory rape, forgery, criminal assault, armed robbery, and murder. The documented past confirms the danger he represents and shapes the investigation strategy. Authorities intensify their pursuit in light of this history.

Agents locate Lynch's girlfriend, Lisa Soong, whose six-year-old son has just had a hip replacement. Lynch is paying all hospital bills, a detail that makes Lisa doubt his criminal nature. Ripley uses this relationship to gather more information about Lynch's finances and habits.

Ripley manages to obtain some information about 'Uncle Red' from the boy, adding a crucial clue to the case. The nickname links a street-level thread to Lynch's identity. The information keeps the investigation moving despite the danger.

Lynch confirms a time and date for the planned theft and, to ensure compliance, kidnaps Kelly Sherwood's sister Toby. The abduction raises the stakes dramatically and forces Kelly to choose between helping the robber or risking Toby's life. The clock is now ticking toward a deadly confrontation.

The climax unfolds with a nighttime chase through Candlestick Park after a San Francisco Giants vs Dodgers game. The sequence includes brief moments of Don Drysdale, heightening the film's noir texture. Police track Lynch across the field, narrowing his options.

Ripley and his men corner Lynch on the infield as the chase reaches its peak. They surround him, cutting off his escape and increasing the tension of the final showdown. The city watches as the confrontation spirals toward its violent conclusion.

Lynch fires at a police helicopter in a last desperate move, hoping to scatter the pursuit. Ripley returns fire, bringing Lynch down in a dramatic end to the pursuit. The confrontation culminates in a fatal strike on the field.

Ripley shoots Lynch during the exchange, and he dies on the pitcher's mound. The immediate danger to Kelly and Toby is resolved, and the city begins to recover from the tense ordeal. The film closes on the aftermath of a violent confrontation in a public venue.