Jake Dutton is the leader of a disparate and experienced group of intelligence gatherers. They are tasked with tracking down a notorious criminal believed to be in the UK intent on perpetrating an outrage. The group soon comes under attack and as some are killed off the survivors are driven into hiding until they can discover the source of their betrayal. As events unfold Jake is forced to revisit his past of both fond and unpleasant memory. Former friends, lovers and comrades turn up unexpectedly. The projected outrage proves to be other than expected. Jake finds himself questioning the motives and values of his previous actions amid a snow of misleading images and misappropriated words. At the same time he has to contend with increasing psychoneurotic episodes that could compromise his efficiency and judgement. After the resolution of the original assignment Jake reassesses his role in the secret service and as the narrative moves slightly forward into a putative future with a temptation to dystopia he has to decide where his loyalties lie.