Shield for Murder

In a secluded alley late at night, Lieutenant Barney Nolan shoots the bookmaker in the back and steals his $25,000. He later claims he was forced to kill to escape custody. The murder sets off rumors about Nolan's corruption and puts him on edge.

Brewster and Captain Gunnarson believe Barney's story and shield him as a reluctant killer. Meanwhile, reporter Cabot suspects foul play and digs into Nolan's alleged illicit activities. The case sours as rumors spread about Nolan's true character.

Barney takes Patty Winters to see a house for sale and hints at a life they could share there. He slips away to hide the money behind the house, planning a fresh start. The moment foreshadows the danger that will follow.

Packy Reed dispatches private investigators Fat Michaels and Laddie O'Neil to pressure Barney and recover the missing funds. Barney leaves to meet them, increasing the tension between his public life and his criminal one. The promise of trouble looms over the money case.

Michaels and O'Neil confront Patty, threatening her if Barney doesn't return the money. Patty warns Barney by phone, heightening the urgency of his plan. The net tightens around Nolan as the threat escalates.

Deaf-mute Ernst Sternmuller witnesses the bookmaker's murder and goes to the police with a note explaining what he saw. He unknowingly hands the note to Barney, not recognizing him as the killer. The note will later become a crucial clue to Nolan's guilt.

Barney visits the bookmaker's apartment to buy Sternmuller's silence. Sternmuller recognizes Barney's clothing and realizes he is the killer. He refuses the extortion and dies after Barney pushes him, an act Barney then tries to cover as an accident.

Mark Brewster investigates Sternmuller's death and finds Sternmuller's full account of the murder. He presents the narrative to Captain Gunnarson, triggering a formal manhunt. The evidence seems to point toward Nolan despite the official cover stories.

Barney spends time in a bar flirting with Beth and trying to reach Patty. Patty later reveals that Michaels and O'Neil had menaced her, confirming the danger surrounding Barney. The tension rises as the net closes in.

Barney arranges a meeting with Michaels and O'Neil to hand over the money, ostensibly to settle the debt. When they arrive, he pistol whips them into unconsciousness in front of panicked patrons. The brutal scene marks a turning point in his downfall.

Barney goes home to find Mark waiting to arrest him. The two men struggle, and Barney gains the upper hand, knocking Mark out. He escapes, continuing his plan to flee the city with the money.

Barney schemes to flee to Buenos Aires and heads to a crowded swimming pool to collect the getaway documents. He finds Michaels there, signaling a trap. He discovers the supposed 'money' is actually newspaper clippings, and a gunfight erupts.

Barney and Michaels shoot it out at the pool; Barney kills Michaels and then hurries to the new house to retrieve the money he hid there. The plan to escape now centers on the loot and avoiding capture.

Police converge on the new house as Barney arrives. He digs up the hidden $25,000 and prepares to flee, but he is cornered and shot dead by the officers as he emerges from the yard. The corrupt detective dies at the end of his own plan.