Dear Friend,
I see you, bloody and drained, weary and empty. You say you've got nothing left, but I hope, one day, you can see the strength I know you've got in you. Do not forget your fire, do not forget your survival. Friend, you've come so far, and I don't want to see you loose this. And, don't worry about me. Everything is normal, everything is fine. I worry about nothing, because everything is fine.
Your Friend,
ANONYMOUS
That's always what we'd hope we'd see, or at least something like that. But no. It never came. No one cared about us, solely because we were different. 'You're so close, but I hope that you stop searching. I don't want you to foresee what I've become, so please stop looking.'
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.