Danny Roman je čikaški policist, ki odlično obvlada pogajanja z ugrabitelji, zaradi česar je priljubljen tako v javnosti kot med kolegi. Ko nekega dne nekdo umori njegovega partnerja, ki je imel dokaze o policijski korupciji, Danny postane glavni osumljenec. Ker mu nihče ne verjame, da je nedolžen, se Danny odloči za drastično akcijo. Vdre v prostore čikaške tajne službe, ugrabi nekaj tamkajšnjih zaposlenih in zahteva odgovore od inšpektorja Terenca Niebauma. Obenem pokliče pogajalca Chrisa Sabiana, edinega človeka, ki mu Terence zaupa, in ga prosi za pomoč.
In the midst of an elaborate conspiracy, an expert negotiator is driven to the edge when he's framed for the murder of his partner, as well as embezzling money from his department's pension fund. His only chance to prove his innocence is to take hostages himself, acquire the services of another expert negotiator, and find out who's running the conspiracy before it's too late.