"Hey, could ya turn up the volume on the tv for us?"
The bartender lazily looks at the men, before grunting and pointing the remote to the yellowed TV suspended in the corner above the bar.
'-At approximately 3AM yesterday morning, the Daegu Police Department discovered a third mutilated corpse. This one different from the other two found, but the same M.O. from what we are gathering. The police chief is declaring a state of emergency, urging the community to stay home, citing concerns of the return of a serial murderer known to the public as "The Artist".'
The shorter of the three men places his pool stick down, the other stares at the screen motionless hanging on to every word from the reporter's lips.
Taehyung polishes off his bourbon, placing the glass on the bar. He places on hand on his hip, the other covering both of his eyes as he tried to steady his breathing. Feeling his heart beat at a million miles per hour Taehyung muttered:
"He's back. He's killing again."
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.