The Big Steal

Fiske robs the payroll of $300,000, triggering a pursuit by Halliday into Mexico. Halliday is under suspicion by his superior, Captain Blake, who believes Halliday may be involved in the theft. The chase drives Halliday farther south as he works to clear his name and capture Fiske.

Along the road, Halliday encounters Joan Graham, who is also chasing Fiske for reasons of her own. The two skeptically form an uneasy alliance, unsure if they can trust each other. Their partnership becomes the core of the pursuit as they press on together.

After Halliday is knocked down while trying to stop Fiske, Inspector General Ortega takes a close interest in his case. Halliday claims to be Captain Blake, using identification he took from a brawl. Ortega decides to release him but keeps a wary watch on Halliday.

The real Captain Blake appears at Ortega's office, confirming Ortega's suspicions that Halliday isn't Blake. His arrival escalates the stakes and makes the investigation personal for Ortega.

Fiske stays one step ahead, leading Halliday and Graham from Veracruz deeper into Tehuacán and Puebla as the chase continues. The distance and terrain test their resolve and trust.

Halliday and Graham track Fiske to a desert safehouse where a fence named Seton offers him $150,000 in untraceable bills in exchange for the payroll. The deal promises a quick payoff but tightens the trap around the two hunters. Tension rises as loyalties are tested.

A shootout erupts at the safehouse and Halliday and Graham are captured by Seton's henchmen. The danger deepens as Blake remains hidden and the pact between criminals tightens its grip.

Blake arrives, and instead of rescuing them, he reveals that he is the brains behind the crime. His admission redefines the entire pursuit and confirms that Halliday and Graham were merely pawns in a larger plan.

Fiske attempts to leave with Graham, but Blake shoots him in the back, eliminating a loose end. He then explains his plan to pin the missing payroll on a late ex-partner, preserving his own cover story. The moment showcases how ruthless Blake can be when his scheme is challenged.

Under pressure, Halliday hints to Seton that if Blake eliminates him too, he can return the money to the army and keep the $150,000 for himself. The remark sows doubt and increases Seton's zeal to control the situation.

Seton pulls a gun on everyone and disarms Blake, while Graham creates a distraction so Halliday can strike Blake in a bruising fistfight. Graham wounds Seton during the struggle over his gun, and Ortega is called to the scene to make the arrests. The confrontation ends with Blake's downfall and the outsiders regaining control.

Cleared by Ortega of all wrongdoing, Halliday is free to return to the army. The authorities accept his version of events and the case closes on his name.

With the case resolved and plans for a future ahead, Halliday and Graham consider a life beyond the chase. She points to a passing Mexican couple with seven children, a playful cue that hints at a possible romance and new beginnings.