The von Wittelslebens are one of the wealthiest and influential families in Germany. But the men in the family are being murdered because of an artifact one of their distant ancestors uncovered a century earlier in Mesopotamia.
Wilhelm Graf von Wittelsleben, the leader of the family, recruits Chris Cadwalader to investigate an unknown World War II raid on an Egyptian monastery.
Von Wittelsleben believes the raid is connected to the murders. The raid was ordered by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, at the personal direction of Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler. It was led by a notorious SS Gruppenfuehrer and war criminal named Franz Frink. Himmler believed that if the raid was successful, Germany would win the war.
Chris Cadwalader, a West Point graduate, retired Army officer, and university professor recruits a team to conduct his investigation. But powerful forces oppose his every move. These mysterious forces are willing to do anything to prevent Chris from discovering the object of Franz Frink’s raid.
But Chris perseveres. Following clues laid out by the distant von Wittelsleben ancestor, Chris’ search takes him through the forests of central Germany to the deserts of Egypt.
Along the way, Chirs discovers a conspiracy that began in first century Judea and lasted for centuries. This conspiracy involved the most powerful people in Judea and several Roman emperors, including the infamous Nero, Constantine the Great, and Julian the Apostate.
And the Catholic Church is committed to preventing Chris from learning the truth. Despite the opposition from the church, Chris persists and his quest uncovers a secret that could rewrite history and upend the faith of billions of people.