The Big Heat

Homicide detective Dave Bannion investigates the supposed suicide of a fellow officer, Tom Duncan. By speaking to the dead man's widow Bertha and his mistress Lucy, Bannion begins to piece together the truth about Duncan's death. The trail of evidence leads to ruthless mob boss Mike Lagana and his second-in-command Vince Stone, who will do anything to protect their criminal empire. They attempt to warn off Bannion by targeting the detective's young daughter, Joyce.