Jeffrey Tate, a well-regarded young business executive, is transferred to Belgium to head up a large American construction company's expansion efforts overseas. Tate is immediately faced with a decision that involves a large petrochemical plant in Iraq. A Belgian company needing chemical plant expertise brings the business to him. The Belgians convince Tate to involve his company in the project, violating U.S. law.
Tate then becomes entangled in a web of blackmail, conspiracy and murder, placing himself and his company in considerable legal trouble, while putting he and his family in great physical danger as well.