Maelstrom, a thief who was caught by Carmen during her time as ACME-detective, escapes from prison, swearing revenge on her. At first, it is reported to the detectives that he died during his escape. The detectives are curious about him and The Chief tells them about his adventure with detective Carmen. During that adventure, Carmen and a robot version of the Chief stop Maelstrom from stealing the wreck of the Titanic. At the conclusion of the story, Ivy and Zack find out that Maelstrom is alive and see the opportunity to catch both Carmen and Maelstrom. However, when the detectives sneak aboard Maelstrom's ship, he captures them.

Zack and Ivy escape Maelstrom's ship and find out that Carmen still believes that Maelstrom died in his try to escape from the prison. Carmen wants to give him a worthy Viking-like funeral in Norway. Zack and Ivy find her beginning to give him such a funeral and are about to tell her that Maelstrom is alive when Maelstrom appears in a ship beside Carmen. He challenges her to come after him or die, and then speeds off. Carmen manages to get Zack and Ivy aboard her ship and they make an agreement to join forces to capture Maelstrom. Carmen remembered a clue he left, so she and the detectives follow it to Williamsburg Virginia where Maelstrom captures them and publicly humilates them in the stocks of the town square. Zack and Ivy escape and help Carmen do so as well. They get separated and the local police arrest the detectives for freeing Carmen!

The Chief manages to convince the local sheriff to free Zack and Ivy. They meet up with Carmen again and persue Maelstrom. Malestrom begins to steal items and frames Carmen for their thefts! He wants to ruin her reputation as thief with a conscience.