I woke up in a closed room. It reminded me of jail. It was cold, I could taste blood in my mouth, and my whole body ached. *What happened?* I thought. I looked down. My clothes were partly ripped. Looking around the room, it even looked like a jail cell. I got up, and walked around the claustrophobic room and began getting flashes from last nights party. In my vision I saw me and a few friends at the park drinking my 5th beer. I was obviously drunk, and could not walk straight. I told my friends I was going to the bathroom alone.. In the dark. I even snuck out that night to go to the party even when my parents had said no.. I was careless. Getting back to the vision I did not know where I was. I had gone to the restroom and I was so drunk. I lost my way back to my friends. So I just walked in a random direction. As I was walking I kept hearing footsteps behind me. But, I was careless, and I kept walking. After that. All I remembered was someone saying my name, putting me in a headlock, me fighting to get away, and them knocking me out. Why am I so careless?
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.
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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.