Homicide detective Seth Frank (ED HARRIS) is assigned to the case and quickly discovers that only a uniquely qualified thief could have entered the premises and cracked the Sullivan Vault. The list of suspects is very short and Luther Whitney is at the top. The only problem is that Whitney does not fit the profile of a killer. Without any evidence and only one lead Seth finds himself with many questions and few answers.




Luther Whitney, the sophisticated, solitary master thief whose careful plans for one last payday are interrupted when he witnesses a murder while burglarizing the home of Washington's premiere powerbroker. This unexpected turn of events leads Luther into a deadly game of cat and mouse, not only with the police, but with the perpetrators themselves, all of whom are tied to the White House.
United States President Alan Richmond, is a man who owes his election to the wealthy powerbroker Walter Sullivan, and who is having an affair with Sullivan's young wife Christy. The events which take place at the Sullivan mansion, witnessed by Luther Whitney while in the middle of a burglary, begin a chain reaction of deceit and cover-up emanating from the White House and driven by the President.


Secret Service Agent Bill Burton, is assigned to President Alan Richmond and becomes involved in the White House cover-up.
Secret Service Agent Tim Collin, who, like Agent Bill Burton is assigned directly to President Alan Richmond, is also drawn into the White House cover-up.


Gloria Russell, President Alan Richmond's (GENE HACKMAN) Chief of Staff, takes charge of the cover-up, not simply through loyalty to the President, but because she is personally attracted to him as well.
Walter Sullivan, the Washington powerbroker responsible for the election of Alan Richmond and the owner of the mansion being robbed by Luther Whitney.