President Tyler Forrester was undeniably one of the more popular modern US leaders - both widely trusted and deeply believed in. His loss is a grievous blow to a country so used to mediocrity and corruption at the highest level. Then, on the eve of his funeral, his personal quarters are robbed by a burglar who is so flushed with pride after his successful raid that he blows himself up and a man known to have urgently contacted Tyler before his death is himself found dead in a rocky gorge. Now the First Lady, Elizabeth Forrester, must conquer her grief and find out what is really going on - what her 'incorruptible' husband knew and when he knew it. As the vultures gather to squabble over the vacant throne, she must take on his fight herself even if it means taking on his job...