Out of the Past plot
"A MAN - Trying to run away from his past... A WOMAN - Trying to escape her future..."
Former private detective Jeff Bailey thinks he has left his criminal past as a garage owner in a small town, but his then client, the wealthy professional gambler Whit Sterling, manages to track him down. Whit wants to hire Jeff's detective skills to track down his irresistible girlfriend Kathie Moffat, who has run off with his $40,000 cash. Whit wants both Kathie, despite shooting him, and the stolen money back. Jeff reluctantly agrees, but it soon becomes apparent that he has incurred a lot and there seems to be no turning back.