When a student from the wrong side of the tracks is kidnapped off a bus, it becomes apparent to Ironside and the team that the wrong kid was snatched. The race to rescue the hostage leads to a ransom payment of rare comic books and a teenage computer whiz. Meanwhile, through flashbacks, Ironside rekindles unpleasant memories from the past involving his father.

A car bombing leaves two people dead and the FBI singles out a problematic Columbia student as the suspect. However, Ironside's suspicions fall elsewhere and a deadly game of cat and mouse lands himself and the team at risk when the bomber strikes again.