T.C. makes a late-night flight to land on a tanker and is arrested on the journey back for transporting a Marine deserter. Magnum and Rick and certain of their friend's innocence and are shocked when he is willing to accept the charges. Determined to clear T.C.'s name, they soon discover that his secret flight brought back more than he had bargained for.

A woman hires Magnum to protect "Norman", who is facing kidnap unless she pays a ransom, but the case has some unexpected turns when Magnum finds that her uncle is an old Vietnam comrade who is against him being hired, and that Norman is none other than a prized racehorse.