While the US navy is distracted by hostile activity in the South China Sea, a nuclear weapon has been planted in the harbour of Norfolk, Virginia - the world's largest naval base. Jake Grafton, promoted to director of the CIA following the murder of his predecessor, is unaware of the insidious plot. Though he has received intelligence informing him that an attack is imminent; he does not know where; he does not know when. But he does know who to turn to in a time of crisis.