Shoot Out

Lomax is released after serving seven years for a bank robbery. He sets out to find his former partner Sam Foley, the man who betrayed him at the time of the arrest and left him to serve the sentence.

Foley learns of Lomax's release and hires three young thugs, Pepe, Skeeter, and Bobby Jay Jones, to track his movements. He aims to prevent Lomax from resurfacing with the money and to safeguard their past thefts.

Lomax locates Trooper, a wheelchair-bound former cavalry soldier who runs a town saloon. Lomax offers him money in exchange for information about Foley and the man who betrayed him.

The trio catch up to Lomax at Trooper's saloon and hotel, force Alma the prostitute to spend the night with them, and cause a disturbance. Lomax is awakened by the racket and is confronted in the corridor with his old girlfriend Emma in the next room.

At the whistle stop, a conductor brings Decky Ortega, a seven-year-old orphan who has accompanied a former companion. Lomax learns she has been left in his care and is surprised by the responsibility now placed on him.

The money from the companion is intended to support the child if Lomax does not take her in. Lomax struggles to find anyone to take Decky, but ultimately decides to assume responsibility while the search for Foley continues.

The thugs assault Alma and vandalize the saloon as they follow Lomax. Trooper is fatally shot during the ensuing chaos, and he mutters a clue about Gun Hill as his last words.

On the road toward Gun Hill, Lomax and Decky bond as Lomax protects and cares for the child. He washes her in a stream and warms her by a campfire, and Decky asks if he might be her father, a question he recognizes but answers with ambiguity.

A rainstorm drives them to shelter at Juliana Farrell's ranch. The lonely widow offers to watch over Decky, and Lomax cautiously accepts the help while remaining focused on his mission.

The gang catches up to the trio at the ranch and takes everyone prisoner. Bobby Jay grows drunk, threatens Juliana and her son, and uses Decky as a target while Pepe watches for the ranch hands returning from town.

During the chaos, Lomax wakes to gunfire and watches as Bobby Jay accidentally shoots Skeeter while aiming at Lomax. Bobby Jay then pulls Decky away and escapes on horseback.

Decky uses the distraction to slip away into the night. Juliana and her son follow, eventually locating Decky and bringing her safely back toward Lomax.

Bobby Jay rides ahead to Foley's house to claim the promised money. When Foley reaches for a gun, Bobby Jay shoots him dead in a tense confrontation.

Lomax arrives and corners Bobby Jay. He forces Bobby Jay's fate by placing a cartridge on his head and demanding Decky's location. Bobby Jay cannot outdraw Lomax and is killed, leaving Lomax to reclaim the money and leave the bodies behind.

With the criminals dead and the money secured, Lomax departs to find Decky at Juliana's house, signaling the beginning of a fragile guardianship as he prepares to face the future with her.