In a dimly lit room, the air heavy with anticipation, your eyes adjust to the sparse furnishings: a solitary chair, a table, and an array of manila folders strewn about like scattered pieces of a puzzle waiting to be solved. Intrigued by the possibilities they hold, you settle into the chair, drawn by an irresistible curiosity to explore their secrets. Among the sea of beige, one folder stands out, its cover adorned with a stark red "redacted" stamp, a silent promise of concealed truths. As your fingers trace the edges of the folder, you sense the weight of untold stories, each one a tantalizing enigma begging to be unraveled. With a sense of both excitement and trepidation, you hesitate before taking the first step into a labyrinth of mysteries waiting to be discovered...
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.