December 1987, as the Reagan Administration enters its final year in office the Iran-Contra scandal has burst upon the country. Reporting on the scandal journalist Scott Keyes is trying to find something interesting to write about when a chance encounter in a bar leads him to believe that Vice-president George Bush is deeply involved in the scandal. Until now, George Bush, also running for President in the upcoming election, has distanced himself from the scandal. Bush's claims about having no knowledge of the administration's dealings with Iran have been generally accepted. Scott's efforts to uncover the truth sets off a whirlwind of activity to stop him. If he succeeds he could sully the reputation of the President and change the outcome of the upcoming election. Not knowing who to trust and in fear of his life Scott embarks on a quest that takes him from Washington to Paris and Iran, ending in a climatic showdown in the Persian Gulf. Throughout, he is buffeted by his doubts about his own motives and the consequences of uncovering truths that many want to see concealed. Drawing on actual events that occurred during the time, the story brings the reader into a high-stakes world of power where little is as it seems.