When a business card belonging to history professor Hank Rule is found on the body of a murder victim near Baldpate Inn, Estes Park, Colorado the new sheriff wants to know why. But as the investigation progresses discovering why becomes more convoluted and treacherous for everyone connected to the case than any of the seasoned detectives had ever experienced before. Chasing clues across the country - and from another century - and a sly killer across Europe they discover a stunning motive more ancient than written history...