Webb Garwood, a single and disgruntled cop, is called to investigate a report of a
peeping tom by Susan Gilvray, whose husband works nights as a radio personality. Webb falls in love and becomes obsessed with Susan, and they begin an
adulterous affair. After Webb discovers that Susan's husband has a life insurance policy, he concocts a murderous scheme. One night, he makes noise outside Susan's house to suggest that a prowler is nearby. He returns to the house in his official capacity as a police officer and again makes noise indicating a prowler. When Susan's husband comes outside armed, Webb, hiding in the bushes, kills him with his service revolver. Webb wounds himself with the dead man's pistol to create the appearance that they had exchanged gunfire. Webb's ruse fools a
coroner's jury, partly because he and Susan testify that they did not know each other before her husband's death, although Webb's police partner knows otherwise. At first, Susan suspects Webb of foul play, but he convinces her of his innocence and later marries her. Shortly after the wedding, Susan informs Webb that she is four months pregnant. Since her husband was
infertile, she knows that Webb is the baby's father. The date of the baby's conception would prove that they lied in their testimonies to hide their previous relationship and suggest that Webb's killing of Susan's husband was intentional. Webb and Susan flee to
Calico, a
ghost town, for the baby to be born without the knowledge of anyone back home. They enjoy a happy life until Susan enters premature labor. Webb drives to a nearby town and forces Dr. William James to come to Calico to help with the birth. Susan realizes that Webb intends to kill Dr. James to preserve their secret, so she warns the doctor, who escapes with the newborn and Webb's
Cadillac keys. Susan tells Webb that she knows that he intended to kill the doctor and that he intentionally murdered her husband. Realizing that the doctor will send the police after him, Webb drives away, leaving Susan alone in Calico. Webb finds the narrow track out of town blocked by his former police partner. While desperately trying to push his friend's reversing car with his own car's front bumper, Webb sees two police cars approaching, so he flees on foot. After he refuses orders to surrender, a sheriff's deputy shoots him from afar. ==Cast==