Third Man Out

Third Man Out is a 2005 gaythemed mystery film. It is the first film adaptation of a Richard Stevenson novel featuring fictional detective Donald Strachey.

Rutka shows Strachey his files on outing targets, one of which is Bruno Slinger, a prominent state politician who has voted against gay rights. When a fire breaks out at Rutkas house, Strachey puts it out. As he investigates, Strachey becomes convinced Rutka and Santin are staging the various attacks, quits the case, and returns the unused portion of the retainer. The next morning, a news program reports Rutkas death. When Santin indignantly calls him, Strachey apologizes, returns with Santin to retrieve Rutkas files for safekeeping, and retakes the case. Santin identifies three upcoming targets Slinger, childrens show host Ronnie Linklater, and an unidentified man.Strachey finds a tornoff mudflap and initials for three persons Rutkin paid off. Strachey tracks the first two to local hotel owners who spied on their guests for Rutka. They reveal that Slinger was sexually connected to Linklater and that Linklater had weekly sex with another man who possibly accidentally died. Strachey traces a license plate to Art Murphy, a used car dealer, who refuses to cooperate. The man who visited Rutkas hospital room attacks Callahan at their home. Strachey arrives in time to drive him away, but Callahan is hospitalized. The experience shakes Strachey enough to consider abandoning the case until Callahan, who has had a change of heart about Rutka, convinces him to continue. ........

Source: Wikipedia