Aging historian Gerald Middleton is taciturn and methodical, a creature of habit who prefers his daily routine undisturbed. Separated from his wife and disapproving of his youngest son’s job, Middleton's life and career are beginning to lose meaning. Keenly aware of his faults and the void he's created around himself, Middleton is forced back into society once more as his past catches up with him.

The London branch of Whitney Paine, a major American investment bank, is in the midst of a crisis; after the loss of $100 million, one of their leading traders, Tony Eisner commits suicide by putting a slug through his head while seated at his place in the board room. Despite the high stakes, many of the firm's staff are eager to step into Tony's now-vacated shoes and get credit for saving the company. Daniel Pascoe, the leading trader at the firm, is convinced that he's first in line for the assignment, but the firm imports a new trader from America, Anna Schuman. Daniel is enraged and makes a point of trying to dig up as much dirt on Anna as he can, but things are going to take another turn.