Conway ""Connie"" Walker is the first black mayor of a large unnamed city. In addition to suffering the slings and arrows of racism, Walker is the target of accusations that he has been accepting kickbacks. Crime magazine reporter Jeff Dillon (TF) investigates when a city accountant is murdered.

Photographer Peter Max had once saved Jeff Dillon's life when the two were on assignment in Vietnam. Now Max is accused of murder, and he's counting on Dillon's help in clearing his name.

Jeff Dillon is investigating the fire-bombing death of a black newspaper editor who advocated nonviolence. The chief suspect is Joe X. Lee, a leading black militant.