On Lake George's historic Bass Island, Matt O'Malley awakens in his tent to the sounds of moaning. Investigating, he finds a nearly drowned woman has floated ashore. His entanglement with the beautiful and manipulative Heather Grant over the ensuing fourteen Desperate Hours will forever change his life and alter the future of the nation; as he uncovers, and attempts to prevent, a major terrorist attack on a leading presidential candidate. -- cover.