By chance, Carl Henderson's seat gets taken by Willard Russell, and because of this, he's able to meet his future wife Sandy Bodecker. The pair marry and soon start a spree of killings, with Carl being nicknamed "The Shooter," Sandy being called "The Bait," and their victims being called "The Models." They pick up Roy Laferty, who's on the run for killing his wife Helen Hatton, and he becomes one of their first victims. By killing Roy, they effectively leave Lenora Laferty an orphan, which leads to her being raised as Arvin Russell's step-sister.
Sandy becomes disenchanted with their life and wants to leave Carl, but ends up staying and continuing their killing spree. The Hendersons pick up Arvin, who's on the run for killing Reverend Preston Teagardin, which ultimately becomes their doom. Carl tries to make Arvin another victim, but Arvin shoots Carl before he gets the chance. Sandy then pulls out her own gun, however, Carl empties it before their trip and fills it with blanks, so Arvin shoots her as well.
Because Sandy's older brother, Lee Bodecker, is sheriff, he's the one that's called to the scene of their murder. Still thinking of his reelection, he heads to Henderson's home to burn any evidence of their prior kills, which he learns of via a polaroid he finds on the ground.