In Dante, Arizona, a centuries-old feud between the families of Mortiss and Worse is coming to a head. Out in the desert beyond town limits, Walter Reckles emerges unscathed from an air crash in a classified zone. His story about hitting a drone is disbelieved, and his reputation discredited. But Richard Worse is on the case and getting closer to the truth that could save Reckles and destroy the Mortiss empire. Meanwhile, in a cave in the Ferendes, Edvard TØssentern has discovered a wall of ancient hieroglyphs and is endeavouring to crack an uncrackable code.

Could it be that the answer to both mysteries lies in the casino of a cruise ship on the Indian Ocean? Things will go from bad to worse before you find out.