Cole is conned into letting MICKEY FINCH, a convict, out of prison by STACY TAYLOR, an ex-girlfriend after the con's money. Stacy is an old flame of Cole's, who pretends to have leukemia. She claims to need a bone marrow transplant from Mickey-who turns out to actually be sitting on several million dollars he stole from KARL WARRICK, a hoodlum. Cole, Westlake, Frankie and Catlett all barely escape with their lives, and bring Stacy, Mickey and Karl to justice.

Catlett inadvertently reveals that he set up Cole -- with Stacy's help. Mickey stole a suitcase containing five million dollars in Karl Warrick's profits along with a manifest listing all his contraband. Catlett arranged the meeting between Cole and a "sick" Stacy and even set up the attempted "hit" at the gas station, hoping this would scare Mickey into leading them to the hidden suitcase. In return, Stacy would receive a suspended sentence on her prison term. Meanwhile, Westlake finds Stacy at the factory and takes her into custody while Mickey, hiding on the property, retrieves the suitcase. As he does, the floor gives way, sending him crashing to the room below.

When Westlake learns that Stacy lured Cole to the factory where Karl kidnapped him, she and Frankie check Stacy's phone records and discover that Catlett is somehow involved. When they are unable to locate Catlett, they realize they must find Cole before it's too late.

Meanwhile, Cole and Catlett assume that Stacy tipped off Karl and double-crossed Mickey, who must have gone to the factory for the suitcase. Catlett convinces Karl to take him along to help find the stolen money, and Cole is left to die. Luckily, Westlake arrives in time to free Cole, while back at the factory, Stacy knocks out Frankie and holds an injured Mickey at gunpoint.

Karl arrives -- with Cole and Westlake behind him in the Defender. They use the car to disable Karl and his henchman, then rush inside to find Stacy aiming her gun at Frankie. She prepares to shoot, but Westlake knocks the weapon from her hand with the Defender's probe. The day is saved, but not for the Viper team, who learns Catlett has a new position -- as their partner.

Copyright © 1997, 1998 Paramount Pictures.