Presented by SHANNON MUIR’S INFINITE HOUSE OF BOOKS
SPONTANEOUS CHOICES SHORTS features short serialized fiction by author Shannon Muir, that may be later released as part of e-book or print collections. In 2019, these serials will appear every second and fourth Thursday (and fifth Thursdays as they occur) beginning January 17, 2019. The story line featured over the next sixteen days is “A Spontaneous Kind of Mystery,” featuring the return of Marnie and Zane. This is part 13 of 16.
When Marnie woke up, she immediately checked her texts. No answer from Zane yet. She had breakfast, got dressed, and headed off to work as she normally did. She hoped Zane would answer and let her know something, even if it was that he couldn’t help.
Around lunchtime, Marnie got a text back from Zane.
FOUND SOMEONE HERE THAT RECOGNIZES THAT NAME. MIGHT BE A LARA CRALLE FROM AUBRYVILLE. THE PERSON I SPOKE TO WENT TO NURSING SCHOOL WITH HER YEARS AGO. SAYS SHE STILL LIVES THERE.
Marnie texted back.
I’LL HEAD OUT THAT WAY AFTER WORK.
Zane responded.
WAIT FOR ME TO PICK YOU UP. DON’T WANT YOU TO GO ALONE.
While Marnie didn’t feel she needed protecting, she definitely wouldn’t turn down the chance to be with Zane. She agreed to wait for him.
As promised, Zane pulled up after work.
“Figured it was easier if you left your car here and we went together, than you trying to park at the hospital. Get in.”
Marnie did.
“You have an address?” she asked.
Zane indicated the paper on a seat next to him.
“I’ve got the last known address anyway. As you know, Aubryville’s not all that big. Still can’t believe we’re going back to where we met Blake.”
“And where both my mother and Blake’s mother are from,” Marnie reminded him. “And also where this Colby went to high school. I’m just concerned the police could get on us for obstructing an investigation,” Marnie said. “But I just can’t let this go.”
“It’s only a problem if it’s the same Colby, and that’s a risk we’re taking. All we’re looking for right now is a Colby related to the Royales, and that one would be family to you no matter what. That’s a family history mission, and it happens to cross paths with the murder, that’s coincidence.”
Marnie winked at Zane.
“I like the way you think,” she told him. “Come on, then, let’s go.”