This is the 9th Aikido Mystery.Parker is invited to a special event in Washington D.C. complete with congressmen and old Aikido friends, and of course there will be a seminar. When isn't there a seminar? The purpose of the gathering is to repatriate an old katana - a Japanese sword - lost in WWII and now residing in the Smithsonian Institute. It will be returned to an Aikido Sensei who lives and teaches in Japan, the heir of the man who lost it. The congressman who donated the katana to the Smithsonian wants to give it back, and to present it himself. And why not? What harm could it do? Who could object? And there will most likely be a great deal of free publicity. It's a win-win.While driving to Washington D.C. Erik and Curtis learn of Opie Taylor's damaged and violent past and how he developed his chameleon-like abilities. Strange revelations, indeed Parker kicks back, relaxes, and visits with old friends and Aikido buddies. Meanwhile an old lover appears while the teachers and students gather. She takes Parker on a stroll down memory lane and we discover a great deal about his early years in Wyoming and Florida. It all goes south pretty fast, though. Parker finds himself fighting for his life as he tries to stop the theft of the sword, only to see one of his closest friends die while protecting him. Now he is the only eyewitness... and he has to deal with D.C Metro Police, DCIS, and the FBI, and somehow figure out who the thieves and killers are. It seems like every obstacle is in his path, but then he receives a telephone call from an old friend living in Montana. There is nothing like an old friend, especially this friend. But along with the friend comes allegations that the killer may be far more than just a killer. It's up to Parker to do the impossible and to find evidence that even the FBI can't gather. Does the conspiracy go back a generation? Is the theft and murder part of a plot that could involve the most famous of all Japanese authors? How far does it go? Will Congress be involved? In a tremendous do-or-die fight Parker throws his Aikido skills and philosophy to the wind and brings fury and rage to the battleground and leaves the carnage to the black helicopters and denizens of the Department of Justice....But even then, all is not as it seems...