When the laptop of a terrorist mastermind falls into the possession of the Office, Gabriel Allon suspects an imminent attack upon the Pope.

Gabriel and his team tail Sarah with the hope that she'll be able to identify Ahmed bin Shafiq, the man who orchestrates the many terrorist activities that Zizi funds.

On the night that Gabriel plans to assassinate bin Shafiq, Zizi's party preempts his move and takes Sarah hostage.

This shred of information sends Gabriel rushing back to Rome on the very day that the President of the United States is scheduled for a historic visit with the Pope.

Luigi Donati later recovers from the shooting, Ari Shamron survives the bombing and returns to the Office, Julian Isherwood retires, Sarah Bancroft receives a new life and identity from the CIA, Uzi Navot takes over the directorship of the Office's special operations, and Gabriel Allon rekindles his romance with Chiara Zolli.

Although the elaborate art plot failed, the book ends with two briefly recounted successes: Allon and his team locate and kill both Ahmed bin Shafiq and Zizi.