Chapter 1 starts out with the main character Joel Backman in jail. Most authors write a introduction that leads up to an event or turning point but John Grisham jumps right to a sudden event in the book. Although it was a bit confusing, because it doesn't clearly state he's in jail in the first couple of pages. I just had to envision the story just like a film in my head where you listen to the characters and watch for clues so you can finally put all the pieces together. Joel Backman has been sentenced to twenty years in jail for treason. He worked in the White House with the president Author Morgan but was sentenced to jail after discovering this universal satellite system. He doesn't realize that Author Morgan's term is about to be up after a calamitous (i hoped i used that word correctly) loss for votes in the presidential election. So President Morgan begans to feel pressured from the CIA to free Joel Backman "the broker". To allow Backman to go under cover and live in Italy with a whole new identity, but there's a twist, the president and the CIA know he will be killed. " It's not a matter of if he will be killed, but who kills him." The CIA is looking for a country that wants access to Backman's discovery of this incredibly powerful satellite system and they're looking to see who makes the kill. Russia, China, or Israel. When a detective comes to talk to Backman about the presidents deal to pardon him he doesn't really understand whats going on so through the chapter I' m on pens and needles because I feel just as confused as the main character. The detective isn't answering most of the questions he asks. "And we don't have time to explain, it's a quick deal, Mr. Backman. Unfortunately, you dont have time to contemplate things. A snap decision is required. Yes or no. You want to stay here, or you want to live on the other side of the world?" " Where?", says Backman. "We don't know where but we'll figure it out." " Will I be safe?" "Only you can answer that Mr. Backman." So Backman is thrown into this CIA project that is extremely questionable but seems to be a great ticket out of jail for someone who's been rotting away in the big house for six years. Once again I love mysteries and suspense because it doesn't give a reader answers right away, you have to continue reading the text.