Strangle Hold

Richter Hardcastles Partner, der ehemalige Rennfahrer McCormick, wird von einer Freundin angerufen. Kate tritt als Catcherin in einer Damen-Catch-Show auf. Sie erzählt McCormick, dass ihre beste Freundin seit einer Gastvorstellung in Rom spurlos verschwunden ist. Wenig später stirbt die kerngesunde Kate während eines Kampfes, angeblich an Herzversagen. Hardcastle und McCormick untersuchen die Angelegenheit - und kommen einem skrupellosen Mädchenhändler auf die Spur.

Shortly after contacting her friend Mark for help, wrestler Kate Murphy dies during a match. Recognizing that Kate's death was no accident, Mark decides to follow-up on his friend's suspicions that wrestling promoter Marty Torrance is behind the disappearance of a number of young woman. Upon assembling a plan of action, Hardcastle asks friends Lucy and Denise to go undercover as wrestlers. Posing as a wrestling promoter, Hardcastle has Denise, using the alias of "White Lighting" challenge Nancy Mack, one of Marty's wrestlers. Impressed with Denise's ability, Marty agrees to a match and allows Hardcastle's team to train in his gym. Furthermore, Marty, seeing potential in Lucy, asks the "wrestler" out on the date. Although Lucy only goes on the date to get evidence against Marty, the promoter has his own plans. Before Lucy is able to contact the judge, however, Marty prepares to sell her to a white slavery ring. Worried about Lucy, Hardcastle confronts Nancy. Having suffered a falling out with Marty, Nancy comes clean and tells the judge about Marty's plans. Searching the promoter's house, Hardcastle and McCormick come across the location of Marty's meeting with the slavers. Thanks to Mark's driving expertise, Hardcastle arrives at the meeting site in time to rescue Lucy and stop the slavers.