Chief Ironside (Raymond Burr) is kidnapped by mobster Bruno Roman (Barry Sullivan), but not for the usual reasons of ransom or revenge. Roman orders Ironside to conduct an investigation that will prove that the son of his chief rival (John Vernon) was the murderer of Roman's niece. This puts Ironside between the proverbial rock and hard place: If he doesn't prove that the boy was guilty, his life may be forfeit: If he does prove the boy's guilt, a bloody gangland war will tear San Francisco apart. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi