Joan Priest is awakened one morning by an urgent telephone call from her boss' secretary, asking her to cover for Donald Hamister who is overdue for a meeting with the Chairman of the Board of Andax Corporation, Oskar Christoffersen.

Christoffersen orders Priest to immediately fly to Brazil and rescue an acquisition being pursued by the Sousa Wind division, an acquisition that Hamister has put at risk through inattention. Hardly in a position to argue, Priest heads to the airport and catches the first flight to Sao Paulo .

On the way there, she is joined by young, irritating MBA, Lance Fitters. Once in Brazil, it becomes apparent to both of them that something has gone terribly wrong back in Detroit. Certain there is nothing she can accomplish by flying home, Priest, the consummate professional deal-maker, drives ahead with an intense, day-long negotiation with the target company.

As the day draws to a close, however, Sousa Wind analyst Doug Pinto whispers to her that the police are awaiting her at the Sousa Wind offices, where she will be arrested and extradited to the United States.

Having little idea what is going on, Priest is faced with a tough choice: Go on the run in a country where she doesn't speak the language, has virtually no resources or friends, and is unclear about what she's even accused. Or give up and take her chances with the authorities, putting fortune and freedom in the hands of others.

And she soon discovers the police aren't the only ones looking for her.