Two murders, a century apart, and rumors of a lost silver cross create modern problems for Millie Whitehall.

Botanist Millie Whitehall is making good progress surveying an old homestead until discovering the body of a missing university professor in the root cellar. Millie learns why the homestead was abandoned shortly after it was built; another horrific murder occurred inside the cabin in 1913. Rumors of a lost silver cross, a pearl in a pack rat's nest, and an old man's dying story lead Millie to uncover the link between the professor's murder and the century-old murder. But her work at the site draws unwanted attention and jeopardizes the property of being declared a National Historic Site. Millie is determined to complete her survey, even though the professor's murderer could still be around and her own life endangered.