The Watchmaker's Secret: Hidden History, #1

By Maggie Crook

A storm brews in London, but a fiercer one rages inside tenacious journalist Maya Davies. When a chance encounter with a secretive watchmaker sparks her curiosity, she stumbles upon a locked shop and a hidden microchip.

 

This gripping short story mystery is perfect for fans of suspenseful adventures and hidden histories.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maggie Crook
• Release date: Jun 2, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227964977

Book preview

Chapter 1

Rain lashed against London's cobblestone streets, the wind whipped Maya's auburn braid around her face. A seasoned journalist with a nose for trouble, she was used to the unpredictable weather and the even more unpredictable city. The chill gnawed deeper tonight, fueled by a growing unease.

It had all started innocently enough. A chance encounter with a quiet, unassuming watchmaker named Elias. His tiny shop, tucked away in a forgotten alley, was a haven of ticking clocks and delicate gears. Fascinated by the intricate craftsmanship, Maya brought a vintage pocket watch for repair. With his gentle demeanor and twinkling blue eyes, Elias had fixed it in a day, refusing any payment beyond a cup of strong, dark coffee.

Guilt gnawed at Maya. Such a small gesture shouldn't have triggered such a relentless curiosity. Yet, there was something about Elias that defied categorization. He spoke of faraway lands in a way that suggested a past he wasn't sharing, and his knowledge of rare clocks extended beyond mere mechanics. It was a knowledge steeped in history, a secret waiting to be unraveled.

Determined to quell her unease, Maya returned to the shop the next day. It was locked. A handwritten note on the door informed her Elias had been called away on a family emergency. Disappointment warred with a flicker of suspicion. Was it a coincidence, or was he avoiding her questions?

Driven by a journalist's tenacity, Maya started digging. Elias's name yielded nothing in public records. According to a local historian, his shop had been there for generations, passed down through an obscure family lineage. Intrigued, Maya visited the city archives, spending hours deciphering genealogy charts and faded documents.

The trail led her to a name – Anna Petrova, a famed clockmaker who fled Russia during the Revolution, carrying a secret. The details were sketchy, shrouded in political intrigue and whispers of hidden