The perfect job offer comes from the mob — and quitting means dying.
Who drives the story
A poor Kentucky kid turned Harvard Law star who takes the job offer of a lifetime — from a mob front. Trapped between the FBI and the firm, he out-schemes both and vanishes with the money.
Mitch's wife and high-school sweetheart, and his only true confidante. She helps decide to cooperate just long enough — then run.
Mitch's older brother, imprisoned for manslaughter. Freed as part of Mitch's deal, he joins the escape.
A private investigator and Ray's ex-cellmate, hired to look into the dead attorneys. His findings confirm Mitch's fears — and get him murdered.
The firm's menacing security chief, who bugs his own lawyers and hunts any sign of disloyalty.
Lomax's secretary and lover, who helps Mitch copy and smuggle the 10,000 incriminating documents.
Also in the story
The persistent FBI agent who first confronts Mitch and stays his main contact through the investigation.
The FBI Director who personally takes charge after two informants inside the firm are killed.
A Caymanian dive boat operator whose son died in the accident that killed Kozinski and Hodge. He ferries the McDeeres to freedom.
How they are connected
Mitch's wife and high-school sweetheart, and his only true confidante.
Mitch's older brother, imprisoned for manslaughter.
A private investigator and Ray's ex-cellmate, hired to look into the dead attorneys.
His findings confirm Mitch's fears — and get him murdered.
The persistent FBI agent who first confronts Mitch and stays his main contact through the investigation.
Lomax's secretary and lover, who helps Mitch copy and smuggle the 10,000 incriminating documents.
Lomax's secretary and lover, who helps Mitch copy and smuggle the 10,000 incriminating documents.
Go deeper
The golden handcuffs · Surveillance and paranoia · Loyalty as a trap · Outsmarting both masters
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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