En los oscuros años de la Gran Depresión, Michael Sullivan es un asesino a sueldo que profesa una lealtad inquebrantable a su jefe, el señor Rooney, y, al mismo tiempo, un buen padre de familia. Son tiempos duros en Rock Island, donde domina la mafia irlandesa, la Ley Seca sigue vigente y los gángsteres, especialmente Al Capone en Chicago, están en la cima del poder. Pero, un día, inesperadamente, el hijo de doce años de este asesino a sueldo, Michael Jr., decide seguir a su padre para ver en qué consiste exactamente su trabajo.
            
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