XIII and his friends, still in hiding from the NSA, now have the riddle from all three silver watches and Maximilian's gold is within their reach. But the treasure is well hidden. Not to mention that £15 million is enough to attract a lot of unwanted attention. Meanwhile, in Washington, an increasingly desperate Frank Giordino can feel the noose tightening around his neck - and men are at their most dangerous when desperate. All he needs is someone to bring him the right information.