John Baran learns that David Chernov, his closest friend and coworker has died from a bizarre, massive stroke he suffered in Moscow under mysterious conditions. Given that David was a covert CIA collaborator and managed a highly sensitive joint U.S. and Russian cellular network venture, John suspects foul play. He promises David’s father that he’ll go to Moscow and uncover the true cause of his friend’s death.
Based on KGB intelligence, the Russian venture partner believes that John, as David’s replacement, will be a difficult American to manipulate. The partner enlists the help of the KGB and the venture ‘s sultry female marketing manager to keep tabs on John and make sure he doesn’t pick up where David left off — by any means necessary.
Meanwhile, the CIA discovers the KGB hardliners’ plot to overthrow Gorbachev’s government and stop the democratic reforms. But the only way for the plot to succeed is to ensure the support of Russian people by making them believe they are about to be attacked by the U.S. That means Russian terrorists are already at work on a plan to use biological weapon as instigation. Desperate, the Moscow CIA station chief seeks John’s help in using the venture’s network in a dangerous scheme to eavesdrop on the Kremlin, hoping to find out the terrorists’ plan before it’s too late.
The quest to avenge his friend’s death hurls John into the whirlwind of corrupt politics, espionage, bio terrorism, and the struggle for his very own survival.
