From a 3e FR sourcebook:
The lich has cast an epic-level spell so his phylactery is actually in many pieces spread all over everywhere. (For instance, some dead guy's skeleton, the bones spread all over the world in other BBEGs' lairs on purpose. The other BBEGs think they have a hook into the lich / his plans because "they have his phylactery" but do not know just how many pieces there are.)
The PCs have to bring all the pieces together and then destroy every one to finally destroy the lich.