CHAPTER 1
“THE WALKERS SECURE ANOTHER MULTIMILLION DEAL.”
The headline blared from the newspaper as Krystle stared at it, sipping her coffee. Two months had passed since her father disappeared, and yet the police had nothing—no suspects, no leads, not even a trail. But today, something about that headline made her stop.
The Walkers.
Her father had mentioned them weeks before he went missing, something about a case he was working on that involved them. At the time, she didn’t think much of it. Now, seeing their name everywhere again made her uneasy.
She put down the mug and rubbed her temples. Journalism had always been her strength, but lately, she was running on fumes. Ever since her exposé on child trafficking years ago, she hadn’t landed a real story. And now, instead of headlines, she was chasing ghosts—literally.
Krystle stood in front of the mirror, studying her reflection. Her long, wavy brown hair framed her face, her tired eyes carrying the weight of sleepless nights. She tied her hair, gathered herself, and left for the office.
The newsroom buzzed with activity, phones ringing, keyboards clattering. Krystle sat at her desk, scrolling through online reports, her mind still on the Walkers. That’s when Naomi appeared from behind, dropping a newspaper on her table.
“Did you read this?” Naomi asked with a grin.
“What?” Krystle replied without looking up.
“The Walkers. Another deal, another headline. You think they ever sleep?”
Krystle sighed. “I don’t care how many deals they sign, Nae. There’s nothing new there.”
Naomi sat on the edge of the desk. “Maybe not for others. But for someone like you? I mean, it’s funny how your dad vanished right after he mentioned them.”
Krystle froze for a moment. “What do you mean?”
Naomi shrugged. “I heard from someone at The Chronicle—your dad was seen near one of the Walkers’ warehouses before he disappeared.”
Krystle’s stomach dropped. “Who told you that?”
“An old source of mine. Said a security guy spotted him near their property in Luton.”
Krystle immediately opened a new tab on her laptop, searching the Walkers’ name, properties, business expansions. “They run transportation and logistics… warehouses in Luton and Manchester.”
Naomi leaned closer. “You think they had something to do with it?”
Krystle kept typing. “I don’t know. But I’m not letting this go.”
Hours later, she was buried in records—contracts, permits, old articles. Nothing illegal, nothing solid. Just a clean public image and too much money for a family that came out of nowhere.
“There’s got to be more,” she whispered to herself.
Naomi crossed her arms. “You’re seriously going after them, aren’t you?”
“I tried getting something in Luton,” Krystle replied. “No one’s talking. Every door is shut. But Manchester—that’s where their main office is.”
Naomi sighed. “You sure about this? You’re already neck-deep in your father’s disappearance.”
“That’s exactly why I have to do this,” Krystle said, shutting her laptop. “If he was last seen on their property, then the Walkers know something. I’m going to Manchester.”
Naomi looked at her, concerned but proud. “You really think this will bring answers?”
Krystle picked up her bag. “If it doesn’t, at least I’ll know I tried.”
Later that night, Krystle sat in her apartment, staring at the glowing city outside her window. She typed one last message to Naomi before shutting her laptop.
I’m heading to Manchester tomorrow. If the Walkers had anything to do with Dad’s disappearance, I’ll find out.
She hit send, took a deep breath, and whispered,
“Whatever secrets they’re hiding—I’m coming for them.”
