When MACKIN, a professional thief for hire, meets with mobster, FRANK RILES, he is offered a simple job: break into a printing plant in Detroit and steal a quarter of a million dollars in food stamps.

Mackin has no problem getting past the security guard and steel doors that separate him and the goods.  He makes the exchange with Mackin's ghetto connection, POINTY WILLIAMS for his $20K fee and a get away car.  Done deal!  On the way to the airport, Mackin narrowly escapes an attempt on his life by two crooked plain·clothes cops who were tipped off by Pointy, who's plan was to make Mackin's murder look like a drug deal gone sour and use the money to pay them off. 

Meanwhile, Pointy is stuck with the food stamps.  Because of the foul up, Riles and the Mob no longer want the stamps.  Not only do Pointy and his right·hand man DINK WILLIAMS have to deal with the police investigating the crooked cops, but they also have to make peace with the mob for the mistake. 

For his betrayal of the both of them, Riles offers to kill Pointy for Mackin, "I'll take care of him," replies Mackin, "It's something I'd like to deal with personally."  A business transaction turns into a personal vendetta, and Riles respects Mackin enough to allow for this.  Riles explains to SAL CAPETTI, the Don of the Chicago mob, the delicate political balance that has just been upset.  On one hand is Pointy, their connection to the Detroit ghetto who has apparently tried to cut
corners on them.  On the other is Mackin, a very good and valuable asset; very skilled and efficient, and until now, rational.  Capetti instructs Riles to assist Mackin as a gesture of thanks for his assistance and loyalty and also demand a "gesture" from Pointy for the stamps. "Just a token, for our pride," says Capetti. 

Mackin is determined to get back at Pointy, With the help of his friends BO and RODNEY, they hit the Black Hole Club, Pointy's illegal bar and casino and get away with at least $20,000.  Next, they torch Pointy's warehouse of stolen cars.  Riles expresses Sal's concern over the escalating events and its effect on the Riles-Pointy "business" relationship.  Mackin replies that he has no desire to sour the relationship and that this is strictly a matter between him and Pointy. 

When Pointy's thugs kill Mackin's beloved dog, FRANNIE, on a botched attempt at Mackin, he tracks Pointy to his restaurant.  Unsuccessful in killing Pointy in a massive gun battle, Mackin escapes.  When news of the violence is linked in the papers to Sal and the Chicago mob, Riles is ordered to take action.  A "gesture" of $10,000 cash from Pointy and the obligation to Mackin notwithstanding, Riles calls for a sit-down between Pointy and Mackin "to work this out."  Riles wants to make peace between the two warring factions.  The startling results of this sit-down meeting demonstrate that there is indeed honor among thieves.