DCI Isaac Cook had long believed that Chief Superintendent Caddick was an incompetent fool.

However, he had never thought him to be a criminal, not until ten persons had died in a terrorist attack in Whitehall, close to the Horse Guards Parade, not far from Downing Street.

Was Caddick involved? Had he organised the deaths of ten persons to save his mentor, Commissioner Davies of the London Metropolitan Police, who was close to censure and dismissal? Has Ibrahim Ali’s claim to the title of Lord Alsworthy been the reward for working with Caddick to protect Davies?

Isaac Cook senses a rat, but those he looks to for support aren’t responding. And then other people die, murdered in their homes.

A dead actress from a soap opera, is she the key? Cook believes she is, but the Secret Service is involved, and he cannot trust them, not even their femme fatale, Linda Harris.

Dark days for Isaac Cook, even darker days for the City of London. Crime has become a tradable commodity, and if it has, has it found its way to Scotland Yard and the commissioner’s office?