The Enemy (Bagley novel)

Plot introduction

Malcolm Jaggard calls himself an economist, but is really working for British Intelligence. He is engaged to Penelope Ashton and was spending a weekend at her parent's home when her sister was viciously attacked by a stranger who threw acid on her face. Malcolm uses his position to investigate the Ashtons and finds to his surprise that the identity of her father, George Ashton, is classified to the highest levels. He is also surprised when his superiors order him to guard the Ashton's again further attacks at all costs. George Ashton suddenly disappears. Unable to take any further action without knowing who George Ashton really is, Malcolm illegally circumvents security and discovers to his shock that George Ashton is really a ex-Soviet geneticist. Following a lead that Ashton had been spotted in Stockholm, Malcolm travels to Sweden. He finds Ashton, but so do the Russians, and Ashton is killed by his own butler, Benson. Returning to London, Malcolm is threatened with dismissal for incompetence. Soon afterwards, Penelope also disappears, and Malcolm traces her to a secret germ warfare laboratory on a remote island in Scotland run by the British government. She is sick with a new mutant bacteria and is being denied medical treatment as it would be a security risk. Malcolm escapes with her to the United States, where she recovers; however, Malcolm discovers that he was also infected with a new disease and has less than a year remaining to live.