WHEN HIGH-RISK COURIER SIMON LEONIDOVICH IS DRAWN INTO A GAME OF INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE IN THE NEW GAMING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, THE ODDS ARE STACKED AGAINST HIM LIKE NEVER BEFORE. While overseeing the frenzied but suspiciously troubled construction of his new Macau mega resort, The Pacific Pearl, Big Jake Rynerson is secretly working with the president of the United States to frame a new international trade agreement -- the Pacific Rim Alliance -- between China, Taiwan, and America. To help forge this partnership, Simon Leonidovich, the man who can deliver anything, anywhere, is called upon to return a priceless artifact -- the Crest of Ch'in -- to the People's Republic of China. But there are many shadow forces who view a Sino-American alliance as a threat to their interests. With the opening of the Pacific Pearl just weeks away, a violent attack leaves Big Jake fighting for his life . . . and the man who can save the Alliance struggling to save himself.