Rollie Tyler, a highly skilled special effects artist, is approached by the Justice Department to stage the fake assassination of a mob informant, DeFranco, who is set to testify against high-ranking mafia members. Rollie's expertise is crucial for creating a convincing illusion that would allow DeFranco to enter witness protection under a new identity. Despite initial hesitations, Rollie takes the job, believing it to be a purely professional challenge. As he meticulously plans and executes the staged event, he pulls off the illusion flawlessly, making it appear as though DeFranco has been shot dead.

However, Rollie soon discovers that he has been double-crossed. The situation spirals out of control when he realizes that certain elements within the Justice Department have their own agenda, and he becomes the target of a deadly conspiracy. Fearing for his life and unsure of whom to trust, Rollie uses his extensive knowledge of special effects and survival instincts to evade pursuers and uncover the truth behind the scheme. Meanwhile, Leo McCarthy, a tough and determined police detective, starts his own investigation into the events surrounding DeFranco's supposed death. As Rollie and McCarthy's paths converge, they must navigate through deception and danger to reveal the real motives behind the elaborate plot.