The Spanish Prisoner

Corporate engineer Joe Ross encounters affluent stranger Julian 'Jimmy' Dell during a company retreat on the island of St. Estèphe. Their meeting sparks curiosity in a new secretary, Susan Ricci, hinting at future deceptions.

Jimmy offers Joe a seemingly innocent request to deliver a package to his sister, an Olympic-class tennis player in New York. The opportunity presents itself as a chance for Joe to make a connection, but it sets the stage for deception.

On their flight back to New York, Joe opens the package he was asked to deliver, worried it might contain something illicit. Instead, he finds a damaged 1939 edition of *Budge on Tennis*, which raises his concern and guilt.

Joe and Jimmy's friendship grows, and Jimmy suggests that Joe's boss, Mr. Klein, might be undercompensating him. This subtle manipulation begins Joe's journey into trusting Jimmy despite the underlying threats.

Jimmy opens a Swiss bank account for Joe with a paltry sum, representing a false sense of success and trust. He invites Joe to an exclusive dinner, which further entangles Joe in a web of deception.

Joe uncovers that Jimmy's sister doesn't exist, revealing Jimmy to be a con artist with plans to steal his valuable 'process.' This realization sends Joe into a desperately paranoid state as he contemplates his next moves.

With nowhere to turn, Joe contacts Pat McCune, who he believes is an FBI agent, to seek help. This leads to him being enlisted in a sting operation to catch Jimmy, exposing him to even greater risks.

As Joe is briefed for the sting operation, he learns more about the Spanish Prisoner con. However, when Jimmy doesn't show up, he begins to suspect that McCune might also be part of the con against him.

Joe finds out that Jimmy has made it appear as though he sold the process to a Japanese firm, leading to him being framed for murder. The situation spirals out of control, making Joe flee for his life.

In his darkest moments, Joe reconnects with Susan, who believes in his innocence. This encounter gives him a sliver of hope as he recalls that the hotel might have video evidence that could exonerate him.

Susan cleverly navigates Joe through a police checkpoint while they head to the airport, opting instead for Boston. This redirect is a crucial moment that highlights Susan's deeper involvement in the unfolding conspiracy.

At the airport, Susan gifts Joe a plane ticket and a camera bag, unaware that it contains a firearm. This gesture, while supportive, adds to Joe's growing sense of entrapment as he unravels his situation.

On the ferry ride back home, Joe is confronted by Jimmy, who reveals the entire manipulative scheme in a shocking twist. Susan's betrayal emerges, as she reveals plans to frame Joe's demise as a suicide.

As tensions peak, Jimmy's manipulations are cut short when U.S. Marshals disguised as tourists apprehend him. They reveal they have been monitoring Jimmy, and Joe learns that Mr. Klein orchestrated the entire con.

In the concluding moment, Joe faces Susan, who pleads for forgiveness, but he coldly responds that she must face justice for her betrayal. This encapsulates Joe's transformation from a victim to a survivor claiming his power back.