Set in Los Alamos, Washington DC, Iraq, and Israel, Heroes Happen describes one event that could have caused the start of the war in Iraq. A young Army lieutenant engaged in highly technical research for the government is uprooted and placed in a situation involving an unscrupulous government plot to make a handful of private business friends rich to the detriment of several nations. In the process of serving his country, the lieutenant falls in love with a highly placed government official and both of their lives are endangered.