Creased Covers. Intact. 812pp. The American embassy in Oman is seized by terrorists who threaten to execute their hostages. Evan Kendrick, a Colorado congressman who had made a fortune as a builder in that part of the world, offers to help free the captive s, but asks that his role be kept secret. His mission to Masqat alone would have been a thrilling novel for another writer, but for Ludlum it is only the start of this long, intricate, exciting story of conspiracies within conspiracies. A year after the rescue, Kendrick finds himself famous as the hero of Masqat. The secret group Inver Brass (from Ludlums The Chancellor Manuscript ) has determined to propel him into the highest offices. Is Inver Brass behind the murders of people close to Kendrick? Are the terrorists, assisted by top government figures, seeking revenge?