Peter Sutherland, an expert in over-the-head surveillance, is the only person who can stop the Russians from putting a mole in the White House after all of their interference with American affairs.
He finally receives such a call from Rose Larkin, a panicked young woman who has just escaped her aunt and uncle's bullet-ridden home after nearly a year of phone sitting. They were believed by the Russians to be counterintelligence agents and to possess a red ledger that was being closely followed.
Peter's caring nature draws Rose to him. As the people he thought he could trust turn out to be untrustworthy, he is becoming increasingly dedicated to assisting her, even if it means lying to his superiors.