The debriefing of Russian defector Colonel Petrov is nearly over, when suddenly he dries up. SIS agent James Lawler has to find out why, but Petrov will only say he is scared of being killed - like British double-agent George Blake.

But Blake had escaped to Russia, alive. Or had he? To uncover the deadly truth, Lawler has to delve into the murky, intricate past of a traitor and learn the explosive truth behind what could lead a man to betray his country.