"After several long seonds it was apparent that fear, not anger, had manifested itself so stubbornly in the face of the auctioneer. He didn't speak, nor did he shake, but his eyes screamed in such agony, as if to try and convey what they had seen. They both shot Clarence in the soul, whilst also retreating far into the auctioneer's head, it was an effect akin to a perverse dolly zoom, played out in the mind of a truly tormented man, who finally mustered up the strength to speak."
A hideous painting, a deal with the Devil and an ancient book capable of summoning the foulest of demons, all residing on one simple question: is your soul safe?
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.