Serpico gathers evidence against Nagel, who owns a cargo shipping business that smuggles Serbians into the United States for a price. Serpico tries to help an illegal immigrant Serbian brother and sister, who know about the smuggling operation, from being deported.

Magda is a Soviet gymnast who wants to defect. After nearly being kidnapped by a serial killer, she finds sanctuary in a synagogue where Rabbi Shotness promises to help. Magda explains that her parents, who are in the Soviet Union, will be in Vienna in two days where they will seek political asylum; Magda doesn't want news of her defection made public until her parents are safe. However, Serpico desperately wants Magda because she can identify the serial killer who kidnaps women, rapes them, then kills them with an ice pick to the heart. Meanwhile, the Soviet secret police are also looking for Magda.