Writing as John Underwood:

When San Francisco-based investigative journalist Jake Fleming gets a call from an old acquaintance in London he is too busy to talk. What his friend wanted to discuss was his new book promising 'explosive revelations' regarding one of England's most cherished icons, and he is on his way to Berkeley to deliver a lecture on his findings. But he wanted to meet with Jake beforehand for some advice and feedback. Jake feels torn because while he likes this man and owes him a favor, reviewing books is way out of his league. Plus, what with further disruption in the Middle East and other pressing business on his mind Jake has little time for such distractions. As a result Jake forgets the meeting, only to get a call at one a.m. that his friend never arrived, and has gone missing. The book, like its author, has gone missing as well, it's subject matter unknown even to his publisher. Out of a sense of guilt and also obligation to a man who had once saved his life, Jake travels to London find him, fearing the worst as to what may have happened to the missing man, and what he might have gotten himself into.