I heard her footsteps. Death approached, creeping closer and closer.
"Emilane..." she cooed, kissing my neck as her left hand caressed my waist. My stomach did cartwheels. Her other hand pointed a gun at my head. She pressed the tip of it to my left temple. I stood perfectly still. Again, I looked at the wall in front of my eyes. The blood. So much blood. From her other victims. Were they all girls? Or had there been boys, too? She stoped kissing me and spun me around, throwing me against that grotesque surface.
"You're number 21..." she whispered huskily in my ear, her hands exploring me. She giggled.
"When I turned 21, last year, I had the best time of my life! Lots of alcohol, got drunk, wasted, fucked some random college guy.. Sex was nice." She winked. "But don't get jealous baby, you're way hotter."
I tried not to puke.
"So, we're gonna get drunk babe. In honor of you being my future 21st murder!" She squealed excitedly, her eyes bright. She picked up a bottle of Everclear I hadn't realized she brought. My eyes opened wide in alarm.
Oh my god... Bitch crazy.
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.