Ambitious John Keeler wanted a closeup of vice and political corruption. He got an eyeful and it nearly cost him his life. Keeler’s ambition launches him on a collision course with denizens of the underworld. An alluring prostitute. A reckless sociopath. A conflicted mobster. Also in the mix: Warped politicians. Reformers. Merciless gunmen. Good cops. Bad cops. A venal reporter.

At first John is a mere observer of corruption that has leeched into every societal level. That is, until he teams with an honest and moral newsman, Gray Graham.

One night a police radio call from the city’s worst dives electrifies Graham, his mentor. John follows him. They find a reform candidate in a staged set up with a prostitute. It is the incident that transforms a growing campaign into a major political change.

Vice lords react harshly. Rival gangs fight among themselves in a struggle for control. Outside gunmen are tapped to do very dirty deeds. Tragic episodes ensue. The prostitute is murdered. A supper club is blown up with innocent casualties. Murderers are on the loose.

The story gets personal for John. He has a fated attachment to the daughter of a gangland attorney. She links with the illegitimate son of a mobster. Their public escapade is big news, covered by John. He is promoted to reporter.

Mob rivalries end disastrously for some. Others moved to Las Vegas. The reporters survive.