A government scientist failing to report for work wouldn't usually give cause for alarm. But when the scientist in question holds the secret formula for a revolutionary type of fuel that could have massive implications for the world's oil producing countries and for the world generally, the alarm bells begin to ring. Anxious not to involve the government and in an attempt to hide their embarrassment the scientist's immediate employers decide to bring in Matt Deadman to track him down. There's nothing to go on, however, and Deadman has just twelve days to find him before the government has to be informed. The pursuit of the missing scientist will take Deadman across Eastern Europe, to Minsk, Moscow and finally to Crimea, encountering on his way crooks, corrupt officials, the Russian FSB, a beautiful Russian agent and the Moscow police who want him for murder. Twelve days, and the clock is ticking.....