In February 1861, America is about to be torn apart by the Civil War. The North, under President Lincoln, forms a Secret Service headed by Allen Pinkerton (Christopher Reeve), whose first target is the Southern society belle Rose Greenhow (Madolyn Smith Osborne). But no one believes this refined young lady is a spy, and Pinkerton's warnings are ignored - until too late. One senator's indiscretion in leaking military secrets to Rose results in the slaughter of hundreds of Union troops, and Pinkerton imprisons Rose. He threatens, pleads, bullies her for a confession, but she is immovable. The passion of their conflict becomes a love neither can succumb to. Both are driven by their sense of duty, and neither will accept defeat. Pinkerton knows there is only one way. Rose is to be put on trial in a military court and, if found guilty, executed. As they play out the closing moves in their deadly game of passion and betrayal, there will always be two victims, but there can only be one victor.