"Beware the creature that lurks in the night, the creature that's afraid of light. The Gape family used to shine so bright, and only it can make this right."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
In 2012, a symmetrical manor was built on a deserted island on the North Ocean. The manor was built for Oliver Gape and his wife, Amelia. When the couple first moved into the house with dreams of starting a family, everything was normal. After they had children in 2015, Amelia was found dead with no traces of how, who, or when. The two suspects were Clive and a mysterious entity called Morse. Eventually, the police gave up looking for Morse, as they believed that the paranormal didn't exist, and Clive was sentenced to jail. With no next-to kin to take care of the kids, a friend of the family named Emmet.
Now, unsuspecting CSI Matthew Golfree, who put his heart and soul into the 2015 murder investigation of Amelia Gape, is tasked with babysitting this completely 'normal' family..but his detective skills come in more than handy.
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.