Chapters 1 - 12 Summary

In the opening chapter of Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben, sports agent Myron Bolitar meets with Otto Burke and Larry Hanson. Burke is the owner of the Titans, an NFL team. Hanson is the team's general manager. Bolitar has come to discuss the signing of his newest client, quarterback Christian Steele. Negotiations are not going well. Burke and Hanson are unwilling to give Steele the starting salary that Bolitar is requesting.

Five months ago, a young woman named Kathy Culver mysteriously disappeared. Kathy Culver was Christian Steele's fiancée. Otto Burke hints that Steele may have been involved in Kathy's disappearance. Adam Culver, her father, was murdered three nights prior to Bolitar meeting with Burke and Hanson.

During the negotiations, Myron receives a call from Christian Steele. Myron agrees to meet Christian in his dorm room at Reston University. When Myron...