A stolen gem with a tragic history, a curse and a million
dollar ransom is McKenzie’s latest case.
Several years ago, Rushmore McKenzie became an unexpected
millionaire and set about doing not much of anything. Now,
showing up at his doorstep is the insurance company that
paid the settlement that made him rich—and they want a
favor. Someone has stolen a very expensive gem from a
local art museum and is willing to ransom it back. The
only condition is that McKenzie has to be the go between.
And this is no ordinary gem—it is a jade with a history
going back to the Qing Dynasty and a reputed curse that
stories claim has ruined or killed everyone who has ever
owned it. McKenzie agrees to help but what starts out as a
simple ransom quickly becomes complicated.
Suddenly other parties—including the State Department and
a mysterious woman named Heavenly—start showing up,
wanting McKenzie to turn over the gem to them. When the
murdered body of on of the thieves turns up in a snow
drift, it looks like the cursed Jade Lily has claimed its
latest victim. And there may well be more to follow…