Elena Palomares' perfect summer archaeological project in Copan, Honduras turns into a nightmare when she discovers someone has been stealing stones from the Hieroglyphic Staircase. Then she finds a stranger dead at her work site, and she’s a suspect. She meets Dominic Harte, an ex-priest haunted by his own past, who offers to help clear her good name. In the course of their investigation, they discover that a local homeless boy is the key to solving the mystery. But there is a price to pay for disturbing the ghosts of the ancient Mayans, and Elena must decide if she is willing to pay it. ( )