"Well, well well. If it isn't my run away daughter," one of the bad men says pinching Tes's cheek.
"Really? I'm just a abandoned, abused, girl with no parents, for my liking," she says giving him a death glare.
"You think I can't identify my own daughter?"
"Yes, actually. You didn't even name me," Tes bounces back. She pulls on her restrains but can't break free.
"I did name you," he yells.
"Oh really? Then what's my name?" Tes says and his eyes widen.
"Uhh, I have no time for silly game. As your name is not Rumpelstiltskin," Tes smirks.
"Ha!" a laugh escapes from Tes.
The man slaps her and pushes a button that injects a mysterious serum into her arm, "Ha ha!"
He turns to walk out of the room but a certain boy crashes into him.
"I guess we all get to laugh," he rushes over to Tes and carefully removes the syringe that suck out of her arm. "Ha ha ha!"
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
***
Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.