SUFFOCATEDA vehicle crammed with dozens of dead Chinese immigrants is found in southern Texas. Forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell must put aside her horror and find out why. SUMMONEDDetective Li Yan--an even more unwelcome memory for Campbell--has arrived stateside to investigate a link in the case to a lucrative trade in illegal laborers. SNAKEHEADLi and Campbell will soon find that the crime scene hides another secret: a biological time bomb linking traffickers, politicians, and migrants in Beijing, Washington, and Texas--posing multiple countries one very singular threat.