A career criminal named Junior Frenger arrives in Miami hoping to start anew. Almost immediately, his violent tendencies surface as he accidentally kills a Hare Krishna at the airport. Unphased, he quickly settles into his new life, assuming various identities. He meets a naive young woman named Susie and convinces her to move in with him. Susie, charmed by Junior's attention, dreams of starting a family and leaving her past as a call girl behind. Unbeknownst to her, Junior engages in a series of petty crimes, enjoying the thrill as he outsmarts law enforcement.

Sergeant Hoke Moseley, a seasoned detective with a knack for uncovering criminals, soon becomes entangled in the aftermath of Junior's exploits. Assigned to the Hare Krishna murder case, Hoke's attention turns toward this recent arrival in Miami. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he becomes convinced of Junior's culpability. A game of cat and mouse ensues with Hoke determined to corner his suspect. Junior, meanwhile, becomes increasingly reckless, his criminal behavior escalating as he evades capture. As the tension mounts, both men are driven by their own relentless pursuits—one seeking justice and the other chasing freedom from his chaotic world.