The Racket

In a large American city, a national syndicate, led by an unknown someone coined "the old man", has infiltrated the crime scene, co-opting well known but little seen local crime boss Nick Scanlon, who still acts largely on his own accord as the muscle. A crime commission has been instituted to deal with the problem. What they see as an associated issue is that the syndicate has worked its way into everyday life of the city, sometimes known, sometimes unknown, but always still yet unproven. As the syndicate has been able to bribe many in high places, they are bothered by those who cannot be bought off, such as Police Captain Tom McQuigg. Still able to pull strings behind the scenes, the syndicate has been able to have McQuigg reassigned from one precinct to another where he may not be able to cause them as much problem. McQuigg, with the help of some of his officers he trusts such as Bob Johnson, is determined to do what he can to deal with the problem, meaning putting away the top of what would be his food chain, namely Scanlon. In this microcosm of the bigger problem, the battle between McQuigg and Scanlon becomes personal, Scanlon, looking out solely for his own hide, who may target anyone in McQuigg's vicinity, including his wife, Mary. What may be one of the tipping points is a dame, nightclub singer Irene Hayes who is targeted by both sides, Scanlon who will do whatever needed so that she won't talk to McQuigg.