Once upon a time, in a world not so far away, Detective Ben Asher found himself at the center of a vast conspiracy that would shake the foundations of a nation. After stopping a diner shooting with his characteristic calm precision, Ben begins to uncover threads of a plot far more sinister than mere street crime.
Through his estranged sister Diane, wife of powerful arms manufacturer Pye Charles, Ben gains access to documents revealing plans for what would become Bordania's darkest day - a coordinated attack on the Trade Towers that would serve as pretext for war and profit. As Ben investigates, he finds allies in unexpected places: Sarah Chen and Marcus Reeves from the BSA's Financial Crimes Division, who discover suspicious stock trades pointing to foreknowledge of the attacks; Larry Kosowsky, a determined journalist piecing together the conspiracy on his "crazy wall"; and Natasha Ruth, a Mossad agent who reveals how her organization was used to create perfect patsies for the plot.
At the heart of the conspiracy lies the Phoenix Group, led by the manipulative Gregor Tree Sr., and ultimately controlled by the Van Leaden family's vast financial empire. They orchestrated every detail - from demolition expert Tyler Case's precise planning of the towers' collapse, to Lt. Bowan's military "exercise" providing cover for the attacks, to the careful manipulation of media narratives that would follow.
The story weaves together multiple perspectives: Juanita Rosales, a Mexican maid turned spy in the Charles household; Rosetta, Diane's trusted housekeeper who becomes a key ally; and even the seemingly innocent British tourists Len and Shirley Watson, who capture crucial footage of the attacks.
As the truth emerges, Ben and his allies race against time to expose the conspiracy before it can achieve its ultimate goal - pushing Bordania into an endless cycle of war and revenge. The final confrontation takes place at Santa Catalina Island, where the Phoenix Group's celebration of their apparent victory turns to ashes as justice finally catches up with them.
The tale concludes with hope, as the exposure of the conspiracy leads not to Bordania's collapse but to its renewal. Ben accepts a position with the BSA to continue fighting corruption, while Diane uses her inherited wealth to help victims' families. A final gift from the Sultan of Brunei - the legendary Red Diamond of Bourbon - serves as a reminder that even the most carefully buried secrets eventually come to light.
This story of power, betrayal, and redemption reminds us that the greatest threats to democracy often come not from outside enemies, but from those who would manipulate crisis for profit and control. Yet it also shows that truth, when pursued with courage and determination, remains our strongest defense against corruption.
