LUKAS STOLZ, an ex-East German maths guru is murdered outside the Hotel Napoli in Milan. Lifelong criminal, PETE SALTERTON believes the bullet was really meant for him and he sets off a chain of events that will lead the police in the wrong direction. STOLZ's murder is investigated by CAPTAIN BROCELLI, a gruff, lazy individual who clashes with his counterpart LIEUTENANT RAPHAEL CONZA; a detail orientated high-flyer with little respect for his uniformed colleague. LUKAS STOLZ's murderer escapes on a Vespa, but is recognised by fifteen-year-old, NYALA ABEBE (daughter of an Ethiopian emigre). Both the police and SALTERTON's gang pursue the killer and the witness - and whoever set up the contract. The assassin escapes and makes a discovery about criminal activities that blows the case wide open. With the help of a British barrister, RAPHAEL CONZA is drawn into the world of treason, espionage and sabotage and his journey takes him to Berlin, where he learns why LUKAS STOLZ was killed and the man behind it.