Someone is trying to kill the archivist Quentin Smith. He can not really be sure for Quentin can't remember anything since shortly before moving to an obscure coastal college town to begin his somber work in the university library.
An episodic amnesiac who has no past Quentin cannot recall much more than brief instances of his existence before becoming the university archivist. It has led to a belief that he probably was once CIA or a member of another clandestine intelligence organization. He is also under the suspicion that he may be killed because of it. No matter what insignificant task he finds himself doing he takes solace that "At least I used to go around overthrowing third world dictators."
The archivist has been called on to help the new University chancellor who attempts to establish an old tradition at the school by having the student's build the Freedom Bridge, a structure that links the campus to the town off of the bay. Its collapse brings on the school's current crisis.
Meanwhile the archivist thinks he has found the love of his life. Becky Rodgers becomes the object of Quentin's fascination as he goes undercover; stake out style, to follow her as he might have done with 'The Organization' and prays the assassin does not come to end his days.
