Hammer's friend, Asst DA Dave Hunter, is shot during a custody escape by Matt Rainey. Rainey is killed but Hammer tries to find the organiser of the escape bid and he must work with the three women that were involved with Rainey.

Hammer goes on the warpath when a lovely friend of his is wounded and a multi-million dollar oil deal sets Indian against Indian and murder is the payoff.

Hammer is on the sidelines at a football game when the quarterback is killed. Hammer investigates and finds that there were plenty of reasons because man was into gambling and throwing games. However, finding the killer is more difficult.

A friend of Hammer's is killed in an airport terminal carrying 3 million dollars in diamonds to repay a gambling debt. When it turns out that the diamonds were fake Hammer needs to find out who stole them, as the bodies mount up.

Velda's brother returns from Europe with a jade necklace as a present for Velda. However, he is murdered later that night. Hammer's tracks the clues, which point to smuggling and Chinatown.

Hammer witnesses the murder of a mobster and, in the shooting, the owner of the café is seriously injured. Hammer is determined to avenge her shooting and is out to find the killers, which will also stop a potential mob war.

A reporter friend of Hammer's is murdered she found some information about a crime gang. Hammer witnesses the killing but there are attempts on his life to stop him testifying. He has to work hard to find the leader of a criminal gang.

A small shopkeep is murdered and a customer is severely injured in his shop. There doesn't seem to be a motive but the clues point to his connections with the mob. The federal authorities are also interested in what is happening.

It is New Year's Eve and the patrons are waiting for Hammer. While they are waiting for him to arrive, Pat relates the story of how Hammer had helped a freedom movement establish a democratic government in Altos.

An old friend, the lead singer for a rock group called FIrestorm, gives Hammer a package to mind just before he goes on a fishing holiday. When she is electrocuted during rehearsal, his holiday is cut short as he investigates her death.

An old school friend comes to Hammer with an invitation to a retirement dinner for one of their old teachers. The friend, who works for a congressman, is found murdered, as is another alumni. Hammer sets to work to find out why.