Since the historic 1994 elections brought in the New South Africa, Jack Harker, a former operative for South African military intelligence, has created a new identity for himself as a publisher in New York, and a new life with writer and activist Josephine Valentine, who knows nothing of his undercover past. But his world is suddenly thrown into turmoil when he hears about the new Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which offers amnesty to those who confess to crimes committed during the dark days of Apartheid, and prosecution of those who do not.
If Jack tells the truth about everything he was ordered to do in the service of his country, will Josephine ever be able to forgive him? If he keeps quiet, will former colleagues betray him? And will he even be given the choice? His confession would implicate a lot of powerful people, and it soon becomes clear that they will go to any lengths to ensure he will never be able to testify.