On 31 December in New York City, muggers attack a woman, but discover “she” is Deke DaSilva, a male police officer. His partner, Matthew Fox, hits one mugger while DaSilva chases another to a subway platform, knocks him out and takes him to jail. Meanwhile, in London, England, a terrorist, Wulfgar, bombs a department store and telephones the United Press to claim credit for the explosion. On 4 January, DaSilva and Fox arrest drug dealers, then visit DaSilva’s ex-wife, Irene, at work. DaSilva asks her for a date, but she is not ready to get back together. In London, on 6 January, when Wulfgar’s contact, Kenna, inadvertently leads police to their meeting, Wulfgar shoots the officers, then kills Kenna. Later, at the crime scene, terrorist expert Peter Hartman suggests that Wulfgar may have gone too far by killing one of his own. In Paris, France, on 6 January, Wulfgar meets with fellow terrorist, Shakka, who reveals that Kenna had been carrying Wulfgar’s passport and the police now have his picture. Shakka accompanies Wulfgar to a plastic surgeon’s office to have his face altered. Meanwhile, in New York City, DaSilva and Fox are upset at their reassignment to a counter-terrorism unit led by Hartman. They doubt Wulfgar is in New York, but Hartman claims the city offers the world-wide press coverage Wulfgar needs to re-establish his credibility with terrorist organizations. As Hartman shares news of the plastic surgeon’s murder, DaSilva studies the photograph of the brunette, bearded terrorist. During the briefing, Hartman also displays photographs of Shakka, disparaging her as a heartless killer. Hartman indoctrinates his team in counter-terrorism techniques and reveals that Wulfgar enjoys night life and always finds a woman to provide a safe haven. With a surgically-altered face, blond hair and blue contact lenses, Wulfgar arrives in New York and studies various city locations. He flirts with a stewardess, Pam, at a discotheque, moves into her apartment, and hides a suitcase filled with weapons in her closet. Later, he bombs buildings in the financial district and calls the press to claim credit. DaSilva becomes exasperated that Hartman lectures them in a classroom, instead of allowing the officers to work the streets. Hartman insists that police techniques are not sufficient against terrorists, and warns there might be just one brief opportunity to kill Wulfgar. DaSilva argues that he did not join the police force to become an assassin and that innocent people could get killed in the cross-fire. Hartman attacks DaSilva’s “beat cop” mentality, claiming it destroyed his relationship with Irene. As DaSilva storms out in anger, Hartman tells him that Wulfgar will also know any personal information that can be used as a weapon. Fox convinces his partner to stay on the team, but DaSilva warns Hartman that he cannot shoot Wulfgar if a hostage might be killed. Hartman cites DaSilva’s exemplary military service record and feels he will do what is necessary. At Pam’s apartment, she finds Wulfgar’s suitcase of weapons and he murders her. Later, Wulfgar connects with new contacts at a small shop. When the police discover Pam’s body, they find evidence of Wulfgar’s presence. DaSilva and Fox go to several nightclubs looking for someone who might have seen Pam or Wulfgar. A bouncer recognizes their pictures from a previous visit and the officers check inside the club. Despite Wulfgar’s plastic surgery, DaSilva recognizes him across the room. DaSilva approaches and the men stare at each other. Wulfgar turns to leave but DaSilva yells his name and Wulfgar pulls a gun. DaSilva and Fox duck as Wulfgar shoots into the crowd, then runs away. A chase ensues. Wulfgar reaches a subway station platform, grabs a woman at knife-point and hides behind a pillar until a train arrives. Using the woman as a shield, Wulfgar steps forward to board the train. Fox yells at DaSilva to take the shot but DaSilva, fearful of hitting the woman, does not fire. DaSilva and Fox jump on the train as it speeds off and run through the cars toward Wulfgar. The terrorist lets the woman go, rushes off the train at the next station and heads up a staircase. The officers split up during their pursuit, and Wulfgar slices Fox’s jaw with a knife. As DaSilva runs to his partner’s aid, Wulfgar escapes. At the hospital, Fox chides DaSilva for not shooting Wulfgar when he had the opportunity. Later, Wulfgar meets with Shakka and orders her to get information on United Nations delegates and on police working with Hartman, particularly DaSilva. Meanwhile, DaSilva telephones Irene and asks her to take extra safety precautions. In return, she asks him for a dinner date. At a United Nations gala, Hartman, DaSilva, Fox and their team provide security, but Hartman is shot and killed by Shakka. As police secure the building, DaSilva posits that the gala is not Wulfgar’s target. Elsewhere, several UN delegates board the Roosevelt Island tram. When the tram reaches its midway point, high above the water, Wulfgar and Shakka pull out their weapons and take everyone hostage. As DaSilva’s helicopter arrives at the site, Wulfgar shoots a woman and tosses her body off the tram. Wulfgar offers to release an infant, but demands that DaSilva come onboard to get it. Unarmed, DaSilva harnesses himself to a cable and raises onto the tram. Wulfgar promises to kill DaSilva in due time, but allows him to leave with the child and a written statement for the press. He demands the release of several imprisoned terrorists, wants a jet ready at ten p.m. and demands that DaSilva drive the bus to the airport. DaSilva rushes to police headquarters, grabs a tape recorder with a tape of Hartman’s lecture berating Shakka and straps it to his body. When DaSilva drives the bus to the site, Wulfgar ties the hostages together in a circle surrounding him and Shakka. Fox positions himself on a nearby roof and aims his rifle. At the bus, Wulfgar frisks DaSilva, then steps onto the bus and orders the hostages to follow. At that moment, DaSilva plays the audio tape and Hartman’s words infuriate Shakka. As she rushes to kill DaSilva, Fox shoots her in the head. While DaSilva pushes the hostages to safety, Wulfgar drives off and crashes the bus into the water. The bus sinks, but there is no sign of Wulfgar. An address found on Shakka’s body leads them to the store where DaSilva discovers Wulfgar’s files contain Irene’s address. He telephones her, but there is no answer. Wulfgar watches as Irene enters her home. Looking through the front door glass, Wulfgar sees Irene, dressed in her bathrobe, cooking in the kitchen. He breaks in and sneaks behind the unsuspecting woman. As Wulfgar raises his knife, “she” turns around and Wulfgar is shocked to see DaSilva beneath a blonde wig. Wulfgar moves to stab him and DaSilva shoots. When Wulfgar raises his knife again, DaSilva’s second shot sends the terrorist flying through the front door. DaSilva walks outside and sits next to Wulfgar’s dead body.