The third story in the House of Cards trilogy. Stephen Collins is an ambitious politician. Cal McAffrey is a well-respected journalist and Stephen's ex-campaign manager. En route to work one morning, Stephen's research assistant mysteriously falls to her death on the London Underground. It's not long before revelations of their affair hit the headlines. Meanwhile a suspected teenage drug dealer is found shot dead. These (apparently unconnected) events expose a dangerous habit within modern government of dancing too closely with the corporate devil. Friendships are tested and lives are put on the line as an intricate web of lies unfolds.
Urquhart is determined to leave his mark on the world before retiring. He is in the middle of brokering a historic peace settlement between Greek and Turkish Cyprus when a Turkish buisnessman makes him an attractive offer.
Urquhart promises to help a young Greek Cypriot girl locate the war graves of her murdered uncles. After announcing her affair with Tom, Claire becomes Urquhart's Parliamentary Private Secretary. The arbitration judge makes a bold decision.
Ditched by Makepeace, Claire tells Maria that Urquhart cannot help her trace her uncles' graves and suggests that she go to Makepeace for help. Meanwhile, Makepeace attacks Urquhart in the House about the cover-up on the Cyprus war graves.
The Cyprus oil find causes civil unrest in Greek Cyprus, leading to the capture of the High Commissioner and the Greek Cypriot President. The strong-arm tactics Urquhart orders during the rescue result in the loss of innocent lives and his career.
