The crisis becomes even more serious when the U.S. Consul in Iran is murdered by the Baron’s henchmen. The killing is not merely an isolated act of violence. It is part of the Baron’s larger plan to eliminate anyone who might interfere with his operation and to create confusion among the authorities. The murder also leaves the American diplomatic mission in Iran without its consul at a critical moment.
Washington responds by sending Alec Franklin, an experienced U.S. intelligence agent, to Iran. Franklin is ordered to assume the identity and position of the murdered consul. His official role provides him with a degree of diplomatic access, while his real mission is to investigate the killing and determine who is responsible.
Alec’s assignment immediately places him in danger. He understands that the murder of the consul was probably connected to something much larger, but he does not initially know the full extent of the conspiracy. Before he can establish himself in Tehran, he becomes the target of two of the Baron’s henchmen. They have been instructed to eliminate him before he can begin investigating the murder.
