Publisher's Synopsis
WHEN New Mexico Detective Miitrai 'Bird' Riley is told by her pueblo's Keeper of Secrets that she had a European ancestor named Bogatar, she starts searching for clues. She commits to finding this mysterious relative's origins and why he ended up in 'her People's' Pueblo in the year 1600. But the hunt is quickly interrupted by a hang-over from a recently closed international case. A kidnapper wants the detective dead but at the last second, she is saved by an unknown 'angel'. Shaken but not broken, Miitrai heads for the mesa-pueblo where she uncovers clues in the old mission church, in a cave and in Grand Mama's stash, all hinting of a great religious treasure. Unethical dealers of religious antiquities and other predators get word of her discoveries and try drastic measures to beat her to the 'prize'. Miitrai soon learns Bogatar wore several 'hats' and that he had multiple reasons to be with the Spanish Conquistador Don Juan de Oñate when he came to New Mexico. In 1598. New clues direct her to Spain where she trades information with Saul the Slug, a dealer in things, including information. He leads her to an ancient Spanish cathedral in Santiago de Compostela where a retired priest risks his life to help her. Father Jo refers her to an old Rabbi-translator in Portugal who translates what might be the journal left by Bogatar. Alas, the words were arranged in ancient code-jibberish. American politics enter the chase, including a US President-Elect with a dark secret who demands help from Miitrai's friend, the Governor of New Mexico. Threats, violence and death follow the young detective in her search into her family's past. And along the way, she discovers a priceless religious relic and finally the answer to where Bogatar came from, what he was seeking, but most importantly, why she has honey blond hair, blue eyes, and cream-colored skin.
