Melinda Markowitz is a Messenger, a go-between for paranormal forces and supernatural creatures. Problem is, when a girl's a go-between, it's hard not to get caught in the middle. When ninjas steal an envelope from Melinda, her search leads her to a Taoist temple in Old Sacramento, where the priests seem to practice Zen and the art of Mayhem. Melinda must enlist the help of anti-gang cop Ted Goodnight to battle something he doesn't even believe in - without blowing her cover.