The story describes a conflict that arises after Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood), a master jewel thief, witnesses Secret Service agents killing Christy (Melora Hardin), the beautiful young wife of elderly billionaire Walter Sullivan (E.G. Marshall), during her drunken rendezvous with Alan Richmond (Gene Hackman), the President of the United States. Sullivan is Richmond's friend and financial supporter, and Richmond is a known philanderer. Luther has a daughter, Kate (Laura Linney), who works as a prosecutor and has been estranged from him for years.