A Dandy in Aspic

Krasnevin, a KGB assassin, successfully infiltrates London society and the British Intelligence community by posing as wealthy businessman Alexander Eberlin. He embeds himself in elite circles and begins removing agents who threaten to reveal his true identity. His ability to blend in sets the stage for a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with the British authorities.

British Intelligence Chief Fraser orders Eberlin to eliminate Krasnevin, unaware that Eberlin himself is Krasnevin. The directive intensifies the pressure on the double life and accelerates the deception game. The command shows Fraser's willingness to sacrifice others to protect the system.

Krasnevin decides to sacrifice his KGB contact Pavel, who is already suspected of treachery. Before Pavel can be killed, the Russians intervene and do the job themselves, removing the loose end without Krasnevin's direct hand. The move demonstrates Krasnevin's ruthlessness and tightens his control over his cover.

Despite Pavel's downfall, British Intelligence realizes that Krasnevin remains at large and a considerable threat. They tighten their net and re-evaluate who can be trusted within their own ranks. The knowledge escalates the pursuit and distrust among the agencies.

Eberlin is paired with rival British agent Gatiss, who distrusts Eberlin and suspects loyalty questions. The unlikely alliance kicks off a high-stakes pursuit of Krasnevin as they chase a lead to dismantle his network. Their collaboration foreshadows tension and shifting loyalties.

The pair is sent to West Berlin to apprehend Henderson, a double agent now suspected as Krasnevin. The assignment drags them into a tense cross-border hunt where identities blur and misdirection runs deep. The chase takes them into a volatile spy ecosystem behind the Iron Curtain's edge.

They arrive in West Berlin with Caroline Hetherington, Eberlin's lover and photographer, amplifying the personal stakes of the mission. Krasnevin's paranoia grows as Gatiss begins to suspect they are after the wrong man. The fragile personal ties complicate the professional dynamics.

Krasnevin locates Henderson and kills him swiftly to prevent revelation of his identity. London handlers later reveal that Henderson was not Krasnevin, exposing a painful misdirection and the high cost of misidentification. The hunt takes a costly and unexpected turn.

Gatiss negotiates with KGB Bureau Chief Sobakevich for the identity of Krasnevin, offering $100,000. Sobakevich, well aware of Krasnevin's true value, sacrifices another British agent by feeding the information forward and turning the hunt into a costly trap. The deal drains trust between allies and raises the stakes.

Angered because he wanted Krasnevin taken alive, Gatiss shoots Sobakevich, ending the bargaining power of the people who created the trap. The act deepens the rift between the British and their KGB counterparts and reveals how far the agents will go for advantage. This moment marks a pivotal betrayal within the espionage ranks.

Their handlers in London recall Eberlin and Gatiss to London, pulling them away from the Berlin hunt as the net tightens. The reunification underscores how fragile the operation has become and how quickly things can unravel when trust dissolves. The pursuit now centers on the broader network Krasnevin built.

Krasnevin briefly contacts his KGB handler and learns that Fraser has known Krasnevin's identity all along, having manipulated him and Gatiss to eliminate Krasnevin's entire network. The revelation reframes the mission and exposes Fraser's duplicity. With the balance of power reversed, Krasnevin loses his escape options.

With nowhere to run, Krasnevin forces a confrontation with Gatiss at the West Berlin airport. The two agents exchange wary moves before their conflict culminates in their mutual destruction. The airport becomes the stage for a grim ending, as both life-and-death rivals kill each other.