Nightfall

During the night, James 'Jim' Vanning wanders a busy Los Angeles sidewalk, avoiding bright lights and police cars while an insurance investigator, Ben Fraser, watches him from a distance. Their brief exchange on a street corner reveals Vanning's war past and hints at a criminal pursuit behind him.

Fraser approaches and asks Vanning for a light; their conversation turns to business as Fraser probes Vanning about the murder charge. Vanning admits to being a veteran who fought on Okinawa, deepening the tension while the scene cuts to Fraser's hidden investigation.

At a Los Angeles bar, Vanning sits with Marie Gardner, whom he pays for her drink and shares a quiet dinner. Marie reveals she is a model, while Vanning describes himself as a traveling commercial artist with a murky past. The moment blends romance with the mounting mystery around the $350,000 stolen money.

Two thugs named John and Red confront Vanning, threatening him and forcing him to reveal what he knows about the money. They discover a slip of paper bearing Marie's name and contact information, suggesting she may know where the cash is.

In intermittent flashbacks, Vanning and his friend Doc Gurston are camping near Moose, Wyoming when a bank robbery occurs and a guard is killed. John and Red plan to steal Doc's car, setting up a murder that could frame Vanning for Doc's murder.

Red shoots Doc using a rifle disguised by a rock-throwing ruse, while a pistol is used to make it look like a murder-suicide by Vanning. The plan seems to work as the criminals believe Vanning is dead, but a ricochet reveals he survived. They grab Doc's medical bag by mistake, realizing their error when they return.

Vanning escapes with the money through the snowy wilderness to a deserted shack. He hides from pursuit and maintains his innocence while the real crime remains unresolved in the past.

Back in Los Angeles, Vanning confronts Marie at her apartment, accusing her of setting him up. She defends herself, insisting she was an innocent bystander, and he maintains his claim of innocence regarding Doc's murder.

Marie agrees to accompany Vanning to Wyoming to recover the money and prove his innocence. Vanning goes to the city bus station to buy tickets to Moose, and Fraser follows, purchasing a seat on the same bus.

Marie completes a fashion show, displaying outfits while John and Red spy from the audience. Fraser tails them, following on the same bus to Moose as the trio begins their unlikely joint journey.

Arriving in Moose, Fraser reveals his role as an investigator and agrees to help Vanning and Marie search for the hidden money. They rent a car and head toward the campsite, intent on reaching the shack first.

John and Red reach the campsite first and locate the money bag, triggering a tense standoff. Red shoots John to take control of the cash and escapes toward a nearby snowplow.

Vanning knocks Red from the snowplow cab and manages to steer the vehicle away, but it crashes directly into Red. The violent finale leaves Vanning and Marie in peril as the fate of the money and his innocence hang in the balance.