Thanks to the Kendricks, the problems of Washington's elite disappear... but some secrets cannot be buried forever. For Tess Kendrick, a student at the elite Hardwick Academy in Washington, solving problems runs in the family. But Tess has another legacy. It involves power and the creation of political dynasties. When Tess's classmate asks her to help her with her student council campaign, she agrees. But when the candidates running for office are the children of politicians, even school elections could contain startling secrets. Meanwhile, Tess's guardian takes on an impossible task. A terrorist attack casts doubt on who in Congress can and cannot be trusted. Tess knows better than anyone that Washington's only currency is power. But very soon she will realize that power has its price.