The Internecine Project

Robert Elliot hatches a plan to shield himself from exposure by arranging for his four operatives to kill each other. He enlists E.J. Farnsworth, a businessman who helped secure his appointment, to carry out the murders. The scheme is designed so that Elliot remains outside any direct involvement and the killings occur on the same night.

On the night of the planned murders, Elliot keeps track of each operative's progress by listening for a sequence of telephone rings that indicate their current locations. The rings act as a covert countdown, letting him know who is where as the plan unfolds. The tension sustains as the night advances toward the planned killings.

David Baker travels to Alex Hellman's apartment, intending to substitute Alex's diabetic insulin with a stronger lethal dose. The move is meant to ensure a fatal outcome if the plan proceeds. The stakes rise as the clock ticks toward midnight.

Despite delays, David makes it back home in time to trigger his own sonic weapon. The device, placed by Christine on a timer, destroys him and foils his own plans. Elliot's scheme progresses even as one assassin falls.

Christine Larsson returns home to her apartment, unaware that her killer awaits. Bert enters with a key from Elliot and strangles Christine to death in the shower, then tries to mislead investigators by planting a fragment of skin from a corpse under her nails.

Alex Hellman retrieves items from a locker at London Marylebone station, including a hammer. He then waits outside the massage parlour where Bert works for his target to arrive, preparing to act.

Alex calls Elliot and admits he has doubts about killing Bert, but Elliot threatens him until he reluctantly agrees to continue. The plan advances as Alex steels himself for the confrontation.

Alex lies in wait for Bert in a back passage and strikes him dead with the hammer. He then hurries home, hoping to avoid signaling Elliot that the murder has taken place.

Elliot travels to Alex's home and confirms that Bert has been killed. In a cruel twist, Alex collapses and dies in front of Elliot from the lethal insulin dose planted by David.

The following day, before Elliot leaves for Washington, he receives a package containing a notebook written by David. The pages are saturated with poison and promise to implicate Elliot if he dies.

While en route to take up his new job in Washington, D.C., Elliot opens the poisonous notebook and dies within minutes. The con that was built to protect him collapses as the same plot seals his fate.