Raised by her grandparents, Jennifer grew to dread when her grandfather took out the mysterious timepiece and handed to a potential friend; it often meant an admonition later to not associate with that person. On her twenty-fifth birthday she's given the timepiece and written documents from her deceased grandfather, and the woman who befriended her parents in Africa. The discovery of the history behind her gift is over-shadowed by work-related problems--a co-worker who thinks someone tried to kill him, a boss that is insufferable, possible illegal activities by the company she works for. Also in the mix an influential aunt, a CIA uncle, and a handsome boyfriend.