Ironworker Wayne Colson has come to the real estate office where his wife, Carmen, works-at the worst possible time for both of them. Armand Degas, an Ojibway Indian hit man, and loose cannon Richie Nix are here to shake down Carmen's boss. And Wayne steps in the way.

He sends the two off bleeding, and now the shooter for hire and Richie the ex-con have sworn to get the Colsons. There's little the state police and local law enforcement can do to help them, and the best the Feds can offer is the Witness Security Program. It comes down to Wayne and Carmen-and finally Carmen on her surprising own-to deal with the rough-trade misfits.