"If you want to get to your friend, you'll have to listen very closely to this call."
"And if we don't?"
"Well, i'm sure the news will tell you before I do."
⁂
Hallie Miller never really fits in. That is, until, she moves to Rockston High school in her senior year. She becomes quick friends with Alexa Wynn, Zane Abioye, Gino Lorenzo and Rynn Morris.
The five friends all come from extremely different crowds, people you'd never expect to get along well. But they do, and hardly ever leave each other's sides.
That is, until, Rynn stops showing up to school. And anywhere else, for that matter.
The missing persons report brings in a strange call, leading the rest of the friends on what seems like a never ending journey.
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.