In 1946, the New York police officer Max McLaughlin traveled to the divided city of Berlin to help set up a civilian police force based on the American model.

While searching for the murderers of two American GIs, Max and Elsie come across an eyewitness - but she is murdered soon after.

Max gets pressure from his superior Franklin to solve the GIs murder as soon as possible. He himself is driven by the search for his brother Moritz.

After her escape from Max, waitress Karin seeks protection from "Engelmacher" Dr. Gladow and offers him her services.

The two brothers' game of cat and mouse is becoming increasingly popular. Max doesn’t find Moritz himself, but at least he can find his shelter. He is holed up in a boathouse.

"Engelmacher" Dr. Gladow and his women's army plan an attack on the police station that nobody should survive.

Moritz finds evidence that Max's boss Franklin is helping old Nazis by getting them forged papers.

There is a showdown between the two brothers Max and Moritz.