Chemistry grad student Kevin Hamilton is sure his advisor Michael Ward's death in a suspicious fire was no accident. The young Ph.D. candidate received a cryptic message from Ward just before the fatal blaze--a warning that their recent collaboration on a supposedly failed experiment had actually brought about one of the most important discoveries of the century: Adamas, a chemical process worth billions, and one with the potential to topple entire industries. Now on the run with his girlfriend, Erica, Kevin must elude relentless assassins long enough to protect the top-secret information, thwart a global conspiracy, and save their lives before time runs out.