Washington, D.C., 1972

Matt Thomas, an idealistic freshman at American University, arrives in the seat of American power during the country's most divisive time since the Civil War. The Watergate scandal is coming to a boil, as are the protests against the highly unpopular conflict in Vietnam. It is a far cry from Matt's close-knit hometown in Michigan and his military high school, where he was known for eerily accurate impressions of Hollywood actors, an obsession with spy novels, and an "aw shucks" naivete. But he soon finds his tribe in a fraternity that includes the mysterious Walter and Grossman, whose unkempt appearance has nothing to do with the hippie counterculture.

When, through a fortuitous turn of events, Matt is hired as a messenger and all-around grunt at the White House, he thinks the most exciting thing about his job will be a glimpse of "Tricky Dick" Nixon. But he quickly becomes a trusted member of the staff, with access to top-secret documents. As he struggles to balance his job with classes and fraternity parties, his world is turned upside down by Anna, a stunning and mysterious immigrant from Minsk.

Shortly after their torrid affair begins, the FBI informs him that Anna is a Soviet spy who has targeted him for seduction and treason. Matt will now have to walk a perilous tightrope between his loyalty to his country and the woman who has captured his heart. Is Anna truly the enemy, or is she just trying to build a life in the U.S.? Does the FBI really need him, or is he an expendable pawn in some interagency powerplay?

As the pressure builds from both sides, Matt realizes two things: there is little glamour in espionage, and he may be the only one who can prevent damage to a nation already dangerously close to collapsing in on itself.