In a seemingly tranquil restroom at the White House in Washington D.C., a janitor stumbles upon the lifeless body of secretary Carla Town (Mary Moore). Harlan Regis (Wesley Snipes), a determined homicide detective facing the prospect of his apartment block being demolished for a parking lot, is called in to investigate this chilling case.
Upon arriving at the White House, Regis meets various key figures, including Nick Spikings (Daniel Benzali), the secret service chief, Alvin Jordan (Alan Alda), the national security advisor, and Nina Chance (Diane Lane), a secret service agent tasked with keeping an eye on him. The next day, as they explore the premises, Nina reveals her extraordinary past as a sharpshooter who won a gold medal in the 1988 Olympics. Together, they uncover that Carla had arranged an appointment in New York City, paired with a flight to the Virgin Islands, suggesting she had no plans to return to the U.S.
As the investigation deepens, Coroner Jimmy Foley (Richard Blackburn) informs them that the perpetrator left no DNA evidence which points to a sinister cover-up. They discover Cory Allen Luchessi (Tony Nappo), a White House janitor, unaccounted for during the crucial time of the murder. Cory's statements lead Regis to suspect involvement from inside the secret service, escalating the tension when an assailant breaks into his apartment, attempting to kill him.
Regis involves himself further, uncovering connections to Kyle Neil (Tate Donovan), the son of President Jack Neil (Ronny Cox) and First Lady Kitty Neil (Diane Baker), amidst a crisis regarding hostages in North Korea. As Regis links Kyle to Carla's murder, he faces barriers imposed by Spikings, who forbids Nina from further contact with him. While navigating this treacherous landscape, Regis learns that the political landscape is fraught with conspiracy and danger.
At a dance club, Regis hears rumors about how Kyle once boasted about sharing Carla with his father, raising doubts about the integrity of the people surrounding him. Carla's ties to Brookline Associates, which is a leading fundraiser for Jack, add another layer of complexity, and further insights reveal Nina's past connections to Kyle that she has kept secret.
After orchestrated attacks and evading capture by the secret service, Regis and Nina uncover that Carla's meeting with Craig Nisker & Associates could have been a motive for murder. As suspicions grow, they rush to prove that not only was Jack in the White House at the time of the murder, but he may also have a stake in the sinister plot orchestrated by Alvin Jordan who seeks revenge for the unresolved hostages' situation.
In a gripping climax within the White House tunnels, Regis, Nina, and Regis's partner Stengel (Dennis Miller) confront the urgency of their mission while facing deadly threats from Jordan's hired sniper. When their paths collide with President Jack, Regis unveils the shocking truths about Jordan's machinations just in time to thwart a catastrophic outcome.
In the aftermath, as the dust settles, Nina and Stengel recover in the hospital, and President Jack expresses his gratitude towards Regis, promising to investigate the commission behind his building's impending destruction. This intertwining of personal and political interest highlights the fragility of power within the nation's institutions and leaves a bittersweet note of resolution amidst chaos.
