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 Two.

The other agent turned to Rowan.

“I’m confused, Agent LaChance. We never said you were deceased.”

“I believe she means her father’s security detail. Am I correct, Ms. LaChance?”

Now this really confused the other agent.

“Wait a minute. Did you just call her LaChance?”

Agent LaChance scowled at the other agent.

“This is Rikah LaChance, my nephew’s ex-wife. You brought her in. What name did you have her under?”

“She’d only tell us her first name was Rikah. You’ve gotten more out of her than we did. That’s why I told you that we needed you here.”

“Is that why you’re here?” Rikah asked, disappointed. “Only because you were ordered? Would you have if you knew I was here and it wasn’t an order?”

Agent LaChance knew he could not answer that publicly. Rowan LaChance hoped Rikah would forgive him.

“Rowan, are you really Edmond’s uncle?” she asked, referring to her ex-husband, and pressing for more details than he was prepared to give. Yet, he would answer what he could.

Rowan nodded affirmatively, and saw Rikah look at him puzzled.

“So solve a mystery for me. Why did Edmond nor his parents never mention you the whole time I got to know them as Edmond’s wife?”