In 1996, nine-year-old Jayla Bennett disappeared while walking home from school in Chicago. She was never seen or heard from again. It was a case that baffled the authorities, and an incident that haunted Lucien "Luc" Moreau throughout his life.
13 years later, Luc, now a private investigator, is hard at work to find out what happened to his childhood friend all those years ago. He catches his first big break with the arrival of South Korean Inspector Joon-Ho Lee, who initially came to Chicago to find answers on a case that could affect the relationship between America and South Korea, but instead, finds himself drawn to the mystery of a missing girl, and the man who will stop at nothing to find her.
As the two detectives work to unravel the mysteries surrounding the case, they become embroiled in a world where evil knows no bounds, and everything they know is called into question.
Meanwhile, someone is watching... waiting... planning...
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.
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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.