Dr. Jim Roberts, an overweight, lifelong bookworm, is struggling as a newly hired Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases at University Hospital. Unable to secure research funds, Jim's career is stalled below the first rung of the academic ladder. Jim sees an opportunity for a career-making publication as he investigates a series of patients' deaths that appear to be caused by a rare pulmonary condition. He turns for help to his former medical school classmate, Dr. Rita Moore, a wiry, aggressive, pulmonary specalist. Their investigation is interrupted by Dr. Edward King, Jim's ambitious boss, who wants to publish the findings for himself. When Jim is attacked and their data stolen, Jim and Rita suspect that Edward may somehow be involved. Now, not only their careers, but their very lives are in danger.