Allen Atkins, a NASA scientist stung by lies and false accusations during his divorce trial, has developed an almost foolproof lie detector. His tranquil life is suddenly turned upside down when he is asked by a friend to use it to help solve a high-profile murder case. The defense team immediately becomes under surveillance and the target of several murder attempts by seemingly unrelated criminal elements. Even as the case is resolved, and the lie detector system helps identify the true murderer, a top-secret branch of the CIA virtually kidnaps Allen to enlist his aid in several matters of "national security". He quickly enters the realm of "black ops" espionage, defectors, mercenaries, "safe houses" and terrorism...and somehow survives.