After Velda's disappearance, Mike Hammer has fallen into a hard, lonely life of heavy drinking and homelessness, having avoided taking a case for seven years. When an old police friend, Pat Chambers, reaches out to enlist his help on a case tied to a murdered senator, Hammer finds himself drawn back into the dangerous world he thought he left behind. The request carries a personal sting: Chambers and Hammer were both in love with Velda, and that long-ago heartbreak still lingers between them as they set out to uncover the truth.
The case hinges on a chain of fragile leads. Hammer must speak with Richie Cole, a dying sailor who refuses to talk to anyone else, in order to piece together what happened. According to federal agent Art Rickerby, Richie was shot by the same gun used in the killing of a politician, and he is more than just a witness—he operates undercover within a broader web of espionage. As Hammer wades through conflicting testimonies and fading memories, the investigation deepens into a wartime network of spies that spilled into the present.
Soon Hammer's inquiries point toward Laura Knapp, the late senator's widow who captivates with beauty while keeping her motives closely guarded. The tension intensifies as Hammer discovers that the fallout from the World War II spy operation has rekindled danger and turned informants and suspects into moving targets. A killer known as the Dragon emerges, determined to silence anyone who knows too much, and Hammer finds himself in a relentless pursuit that blends grit, suspicion, and a wary sense of justice.
As the hunt progresses, Hammer closes in on the Dragon and confronts Laura with his growing suspicions about her possible involvement. The confrontation escalates to a dramatic test of loyalty when Laura fires a shotgun—one Hammer had rigged to backfire—to see whether she truly shares his instincts or if she can outmaneuver him. The layers of deceit unravel, leaving the fate of Velda uncertain and the truth about the signs of danger hanging in the balance.
In the end, Hammer's resolve and streetwise sense of betrayal help him navigate a maze of postwar secrets and present-day peril. The case resolves against a backdrop of smoky rooms, wary alliances, and a persistent question: who can be trusted when loyalties have shifted through time and tragedy?
