In this exciting thriller, Kimble works at a New Mexico gas station when two young thugs, Miles (actor Chris Robinson) and Vinnie (actor Lou Antonio) rob the place. Miles shoots and kills the owner, and the thieves take off with two hostages, Kimble and Joanne Spencer (actress Brenda Vaccaro), a customer at the station.
Miles is excited by killing and wants to kill Joanne. Kimble, desperate to save the young lady as well as make his own escape, poses as an experienced older criminal. Vinnie is impressed with Kimble's helpful advice and self-confident criminal leadership, which keeps Kimble alive and gives him to opportunity to advise on the need to keep the hostage alive. Miles, however, repeatedly comes into conflict with Kimble and wants to kill him as well as Joanne.
Upon learning the thieves are going to Hollywood, Kimble leads them on with false promises of sharing in a big score on a heist he had planned in Los Angeles. Joanne, who is devastated and frightened by what has happened to her, begins to trust Kimble, but her faith is shaken when the newspaper reveals who he is. Despite Joanne's distrust, Kimble must protect her from the increasingly homicidal urges of Miles. With the cops closing in, and the criminals ever more desperate, Kimble faces danger from all sides.