Edward is the only witness to his father's suicide and is a member of the Skull and Bones Society while a student at Yale; a morally upright young man who values honor and discretion. These are the qualities that help him become recruited for a career in the newly founded Office of Strategic Services (CIA). While working there, his ideals gradually turn to suspicion influenced by the Cold War paranoia present within the office. Eventually, he becomes an influential veteran operative, while his distrust of everyone around him increases. His dedication to his work does not come without a price, leading him to sacrifice his ideals and eventually his family.