Rollerskates, muscle cars, and pocket change for soda. The year was 1986. Wayne and Mikey had been best friends for years, hanging out at arcades, listening to their favorite tapes on loop, and spending every quarter they had on "just one more game". Life was unpredictable, but it was good. At least, it was, until Mikey went missing at the biggest arcade in California. Denying evidence that Mikey even existed, the arcade claimed he was never there in the first place.
Something was wrong, and only Wayne could put together the right team to crack the case. Soon Wayne and his friends would discover what lurked in the shadows, and why some things stay hidden forever.
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.