Charlie Quentin, a CPA (certified public accountant), is released from jail on $200,000 bail after being charged with murder. The insurance company discovers that, to have the charge reduced to a bailable offense, Charlie identified a string of layoff books across the country belonging to the crime cartel known as the Syndicate. Fearing he will be killed before his scheduled court appearance, the company hires Robin Scott to keep him alive and deliver him to court on the trial date, thereby exonerating the bond. Robin visits Charlie's mother, Carmen, at her place of business, where he encounters Syndicate representative Vic Shultey and one of his henchmen. After a tussle, Robin enlists the help of Carmen and her daughter, Ruth, who direct him to Charlie in California. As Robin tries to persuade the gentle Charlie to abandon his search for the man who framed him, two hoods arrive and take them all to Syndicate boss Martin Turk.