The Naked Runner

Slattery, a British civil servant, is summoned to meet a minister. He is tasked with preventing the escaped spy Frenzel from passing information to the Soviets. The urgency sets the mission in motion.

Frenzel has been arrested but escapes from prison. He is being transported overland toward Moscow, heightening the authorities' need to stop him from sharing intelligence.

Slattery identifies Sam Laker, a former American spy, as the man with the skills needed. He believes Laker could be persuaded to kill Frenzel. With no usual contacts, he sets the plan to involve Laker.

Slattery persuades Laker to contact Karen while he is to visit the Leipzig trade fair. The plan hinges on Karen's connection to Laker during the trip. This sets up the Leipzig leg of the mission.

Laker journeys to Leipzig with his son and meets Karen at the trade fair. They begin the uneasy alliance that could lead to an assassination. Laker learns the stakes and the pressure to act.

Hartmann abducts Laker in Leipzig and orders him to Copenhagen to kill Frenzel, or his son will be killed. Laker is coerced into accepting the mission under threat.

Laker flies to Copenhagen, meets Anna, a British agent, and takes a sniper rifle intended for the hit. He returns to the hotel only to be arrested after Anna tips off the police. Jackson, another British agent, later arranges his release.

Jackson arranges Laker's release; Laker remains determined to locate Frenzel, but Frenzel's planned arrival in Copenhagen never happens. The mission hits a snag as the target is elusive.

The Copenhagen episode is revealed as a ruse designed to push Laker to the edge. A telegram arrives claiming his son has been killed, though the truth is the boy is alive.

Laker returns to Leipzig determined to kill Hartmann and travels with the rifle on board as hand luggage. The personal stakes sharpen as he prepares for a direct confrontation.

Laker contacts Ruth, another British agent, who agrees to help him kill Hartmann. The plan gains a new ally and a coordinated approach begins to form.

Slattery provides Ruth with details of Frenzel's anticipated movements, pretending they are Hartmann's. The deception binds the operation to Hartmann's supposed route and keeps Frenzel in sight for the trap.

The Russians transport Frenzel to the airport along a disused motorway, making him extremely vulnerable to an ambush. The setup is designed to maximize the chances of a clean capture.

In the ambush, Laker shoots Frenzel as planned. Slattery and Hartmann drive Laker away, revealing that his son is alive after all, closing the circle on the twisted setup.