"I know that this is very painful. She was very close to me in a way... I've known her since before I could remember. Were we friends? No. Best friends? No. In fact, not to sound insensitive, this girl right here," Angelica gestured at the white casket with the red roses placed perfectly in the center on the top, "was my enemy. My rival. This day back then couldn't have come sooner." Everyone's face in the crowd turned hostile, Angelica continued, "But now that this day has come... It's not the same. It's not what I thought it would be. I'm not throwing a party and dancing around saying 'Finally! The competition is gone, and everything will get handed to me!!' I'm actually. Well...," Angelica managed to find some sympathy in her blackened heart and cough up some tears, "I'm mourning. I'm actually saddened to see her go. Rest in Peace Danica Carina Bianchi."
Angelica wiped away her faux tears and walked back to her seat.
Andrei watched her every move, he was nothing but suspicious, but then again,
everyone at the funeral was.
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.