Dr. Paul Sloan, a brilliant academic botanist, has developed a technology that will eradicate the coca plant. Supported by several US Government agencies, he naively believes that the only obstacles to his success lay in the nuances of biotechnology. He could not be more wrong. Dr. Sloan's harrowing journey begins in Washington DC and continues in Chicago where he, his family and staff are in mortal danger. Sloan has the support of an admiral in Washington DC but his true protector is Michael Franco, a career Navy officer, who has been placed in Chicago, unbeknownst to Sloan. Although Franco is motivated by an unfailing dedication to duty, he begins to question his commitment and his ability to handle the assignment. He soon realizes that he is facing both an unknown spy and the drug lord Don Ricardo, whose ruthless thugs are waiting to destroy Sloan and all his work. In this mortal game of cat and mouse, Franco is up against a clock. Don Ricardo is set to strike before Franco can expose the traitor and get much needed backup. As this thriller concludes, all of Franco's courage and skill are put to a final test at the hands of Don Ricardo. The unexpected conclusion will surprise even the most veteran of "thriller " readers.