Secrets from Rachel's past resurface, and the hunt for the double agent accelerates. The assassination plotted by the Shammarian secret service is carried out, and all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. Irene gets her revenge.

In the remote Ghanim region of the Maghreb, two Quebec engineers are taken hostage. Rachel oversees—on orders from Ottawa—a failed attempt to capture Robin Denard, a French mercenary passing through Montreal.

The hunt for Denard escalates, but he foils it and taunts the SSC. Thomassin, who is investigating the hostage situation, consults Philip Miller, who has fallen from grace.