8-year-old Billy Redmond awakens when sneak thief Marty Hudson breaks into his room. Hudson tries to quiet the boy, but his father confronts Hudson and the ensuing scuffle results in the stabbing death of Billy's father and serious injury to his mother. Dan Mathews and Sergeant Williams can get only one clue from the boy ("...he smelled like my electric train"). Hudson and his wife Blanche decide to flee the area, but they need cash. Hudson reluctantly decides to let Blanche try to sell a stolen diamond ring, and Dan sets up a meeting involving Policewoman Parker posing as a potential buyer. When Dan trails Blanche back to a brake repair shop, Billy's clue suddenly fits in. Hudson and Blanche spot Dan and attempt to flee, but their escape is cut off by Sergeant Williams. An armed confrontation ensues.
—Sam Spear