There was a time when America, in fact the world, was gripped in fear by an extremely contagious virus. No scientists had ever heard of it, and there was no known treatment or antidote. Worse, the carriers of this death sentence were the most beloved of creatures: pet birds that innocently chirped away in millions of homes throughout the nation. These carriers of death challenged researchers who relentlessly sought an antidote and lost their lives in the process. But some observers suspected biological warfare might be at the root of this pandemic and set out on a path to find the truth. Without the aid of science or technology, they could only rely on their wits.