SHORTS FROM THE SHELF features short serialized fiction by author Shannon Muir, administrator of SHANNON MUIR’S THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF, that may be later released as part of e-book or print collections. The story line featured currently is “Give Me Another LaChance,” which will run over the next eight consecutive days. This is Part One.

Rowan LaChance lived a life of lies.

He was the same age as his brother’s son, Edmond, who’d done just about everything under the sun to ruin the family name. More than once he rejoiced in his decision to walk away from a life of old money and build his career as a federal agent.

Now, the team he worked with had their first big break, and he’d been the key. Using a false identity, he’d applied for and gotten a job as a bodyguard working for his a powerful man who failed to recognize him despite Rowan’s LaChance family connections.  He and his team now amassed enough evidence to put his this man away a long time, an effort which took them nearly a couple years.

However, there’d been an unexpected complication. Rowan fell for the target’s daughter, one of those things a good agent should never do. The poor gal didn’t even know she was one of the target’s offspring until some unfortunate events put her in the national spotlight.

Also, unfortunately for him, she turned out to be the ex-wife of his nephew.

The sound of clanking shoes on tiled floor brought his thoughts back to the here and now.

“Agent LaChance?” a junior agent called his name while running up alongside him.

“What’s so urgent? We finally took down the guy we’ve been after.”

“Sir, well, it’s his daughter. We really think you ought to meet her.”

“Daughter?” he replied, trying to feign being puzzled. He couldn’t let them know he’d fraternize with the family of the target. That would compromise the case 

“Yes, sir. It appears she came into his life a couple months ago. You’ve been requested to assist in helping to question her. She’s not very forthcoming to us.”

“Not sure what difference I would make.”

Rowan knew he needed to talk them out of letting her see him. He wasn’t prepared to explain.

“No can do. That’s an order “

Rowan didn’t dare fight it further, or he might jeopardize everyone further.

Rowan followed the agent to the stark room where she waited. Fortunately as they entered, she still looked down. He feared meeting her gaze, and what she would say.

“I’m Agent LaChance,” he introduced himself. We need to ask a few questions, starting with your name.”

That got her to look up suddenly.

“Rowan!” she gasped. “They told me you were dead!”