Number One with a Bullet

Nick Barzack and Frank Hazeltine are narcotics detectives in Los Angeles with a long history of wild behavior and effective work. They share a common obsession to crack the drug trade and move through a city thick with danger and temptation. The case centers on a new narcotic, 'black tar', that threatens the community as they start their investigation.

Following Nick's hunch, they trace the drug to its source starting at a church fair. The operation culminates in Nick entering drag and a tense armed standoff with the suspect. The scene highlights the oddball mix of humor and danger that defines their method.

The partners are dispatched to retrieve the snitch Boudreau, a move meant to pull the thread of the case. En route, Boudreau is killed, undermining the operation but still pushing him to name his boss. The sudden violence shifts the investigation toward the larger drug operation.

Nick uses a brutal confrontation to vent his stress on a street pusher, illustrating his volatile approach to policing. The clash underscores his unpredictable temper and willingness to break rules. The encounter contrasts with Frank's more controlled demeanor.

After the altercation, Nick ends up in his ex-wife's arms, seeking comfort or distraction. She makes it clear she wants nothing to do with him, deepening his personal struggles. The moment underscores the personal costs of Nick's relentless drive.

Nick's mother nags him, reminding him why he is driven and persistent. This family friction becomes a catalyst for his relentless pursuit of the drug operation. The dynamic adds emotional weight to the case as he keeps pushing forward.

Hazeltine tries to find calm through Zen practices and flirts with various women, but his personal distractions never fully pull him away from the case. Nick's dark humor and drive interrupt these moments, pulling him back into work. The tension highlights their complementary but conflicting styles.

They follow a new lead supplied by a fence and bring in an addict to locate the hit-man who killed Boudreau. The effort intensifies the hunt and tightens the net around the inner circle. Yet this breakthrough is fragile, as danger looms from unforeseen quarters.

Before they can tie the loose ends, another hit-man interrupts the investigation by eliminating their key informant. The setback forces them to reassess their strategy and pushes the case into higher stakes. The loss underscores the mole's reach and the uncertainty surrounding the operation.

On forced vacation, they pin down the pusher they previously encountered and interrogate him, who points toward a major deal going down soon. The tension rises as the clock ticks on the looming event. This moment pivots the investigation toward a larger scheme.

Surveillance is disrupted and the kingpins nearly escape, with both Nick and his ex targeted in the crossfire. As the pressure mounts, they realize there is a mole within their own department working for the drug lord. The revelation reframes every prior lead as compromised.

Nick reaches a breaking point and openly threatens the suspected drug lord, even without solid evidence. Captain Ferris warns of suspension, illustrating the high-stakes risk of his approach. The confrontation demonstrates Nick's relentless pursuit of justice at any cost.

With help from Nick's mother and the fence, they set a plan in motion to expose both the mole and the real ringleader behind the drug operation. The final act shows strategic cooperation and a push toward accountability. It sets up the climactic exposure and accountability in the department.