Kelly O'Neill, a lovely, young, and accomplished flautist, overcomes her

blindness, determined to live life to the fullest and obtain her heart's

desire: playing with the New York Philharmonic. She gets by with the help of

her close friend and fellow musician, Marta, her loyal canine companion

Beau, and Curtis, her favorite 12 year-old crippled music student. All she

wants now is that special someone in her life, but she learned very early

that having a handicap can make romance elusive.

For the first in a series of events celebrating ancient music from around

the world, Professor Erik Grossman travels to the U.S. from Germany with his

country's newest archeological treasure, a flute as old as it is unique,

which he will play during the event. Marta is determined to see Kelly make a

romantic connection with the handsome and worldly professor, but catastrophe

strikes during Erik's performance. The ancient flute is stolen that night,

and new york detectives investigate the theft while impossibly horrific

events lead the professor to entertain an unimagined possibility.

Professor Grossman's theories are met with disbelief by the detectives, but

Kelly remains understanding and supportive though her mind reels from the

frightening tale it tells her. In an unfortunate turn of events involving

her student, Kelly is forced to become more involved than the professor

would wish, and soon they all will come to know exactly what it means to pay

The Piper.