Aborting an officially-sanctioned assassination attempt at the Houses of Parliament when he realises who the target is, Secret Intelligence Service 'deniable operator' Nick Stone is given a chilling ultimatum by his bosses: fly to Panama and complete the task, or he and Kelly, the 11-year-old girl in his guardianship, will be killed.

In Central America, Stone prepares for his mission. But he has made powerful enemies, and as the hunter turns into the hunted, Nick gradually uncovers a far-reaching conspiracy involving Colombian rebels, the US government, and Chinese big business. In an explosive denouement at the Panama Canal, with everyone's true colours ultimately revealed, Nick Stone faces the toughest decision of his life.