An unexpected encounter in an airport parking garage leads John Beaton on a journey of intrigue, adventure, and personal resolution. A botched assassination attempt takes him to Russia and Bulgaria, as he unravels the secret of a two hundred year story of stolen French gold.

Washington State has a new congressional seat up for grabs, and national interest is focused on District 12. John Beaton has been a citizen for ten years, but still cannot understand the US political system. When a couple of old friends ask for his help supporting a political campaign he decides this is his chance to find out more. After all his vote counts - doesn't it? And his decisions are objective and rational - aren't they? Well, maybe, but the prolonged primary and general election process is long and tedious. Just when he thinks it's almost over, and he can get back to his life, he...