The film kicks off with Interpol agent Louis Salinger braving the heavy rain in Berlin, Germany. He observes his partner, Thomas Schumer (portrayed by Ian Burfield), who is having a clandestine meeting with André Clement (played by Georges Bigot) inside a parked car. Clement shares grim news regarding the International Bank of Business & Credit (IBBC) planning to procure missiles through a deal with China. Despite the tension, the two men indulge in cigarettes, with Clement insisting on keeping the car windows shut for privacy. Schumer, eager to turn Clement into an informant, assures him protection if he helps expose the bank's corrupt dealings. Clement promises to think it over, but then abruptly drives away.
Suddenly, as Schumer attempts to signal Salinger from across the busy street, he is struck down, collapsing after an unexpected bout of sickness. Salinger rushes to his side, only to be knocked out cold by a passing van. When he regains his senses at the hospital, he learns from the physician that he should stay overnight for observation, but he stubbornly insists on seeing Schumer's body. At the morgue, he suspects foul play—the initial report suggests a heart attack, but his instincts kick in when he discovers a lesion on Schumer's body that warrants a full autopsy.
Meanwhile, in New York, District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (played by Naomi Watts) attempts to reach Schumer for an update, only to find him unreachable. Salinger contacts her, delivering the shocking news of Schumer's death and insisting that she travels to Berlin for a crucial meeting. Together with local police officials, they struggle to convince them of their theory that Schumer was murdered. The autopsy reveals traces of prussic acid and cyanide, an ominous indicator that the poison was administered shortly before Schumer fell ill.
As the story unfolds, it's revealed that Whitman is involved due to the IBBC's notorious reputation for laundering money and other heinous crimes, including murder and arms smuggling. Their quest to uncover the truth about the IBBC is fraught with danger; every witness willing to testify against the bank has mysteriously vanished or met a deadly fate. Though determined, the police remain skeptical of their claims and rudely dismiss them, advising them to drop the case.
Salinger's relentless pursuit of justice drives him back to his home in Lyon, where he recalls specific events linked to Schumer's death. His investigation leads him to a newspaper article about Clement's untimely demise, paralleling Schumer’s. His pursuit aligns with the involvement of Jonas Skarssen (played by Ulrich Thomsen), head of the IBBC, who is suspected of orchestrating a cover-up.
Amidst the chaos, Salinger encounters the assassin (played by Brian F. O'Byrne), who is deeply entrenched in his own web of crime, alongside his handler Wilhelm Wexler (depicted by Armin Mueller-Stahl). The film intricately weaves their narratives, exposing the labyrinth of deceit involving the IBBC, showcasing how the bank fuels global conflicts while eliminating those who dare oppose it.
As Salinger's investigation spans continents from Milan to Istanbul, the looming danger intensifies alongside his desperation for truth. He faces numerous assassins as he maneuvers through various plots, all leading to a dramatic showdown at the Guggenheim Museum, where loyalties are tested, alliances shift, and blood is spilt. One significant moment features Salinger realizing the tangled threads of deceit leading back to the IBBC, where he uncovers a crucial clue embedded within a footprint that connects back to earlier cases.
In a gripping climax, a series of events culminate as Salinger attempts to confront the mastermind behind the IBBC's nefarious dealings, only to find himself entangled in a web of gunfire and treachery. The film concludes in a heart-pounding sequence, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats as Salinger seeks to dismantle the corrupt system that has perpetuated murder and injustice.
As the credits roll, the story hints at lingering implications of the IBBC's operations, suggesting that while Skarssen's reign has ended, the insatiable appetite for power and corruption remains. Whitman, now promoted, is set to lead another investigation into the IBBC, ensuring that the fight for justice continues.
