Renewed Plans

With both of Darren Gilbert’s tales, Wanderer and Successor, finished, I turned my attention to the last story of the month, a Ghost Story. While I enjoyed exploring the note tales, I wanted to return to the world of Benjamin and Marcus. Despite having a base understanding of their last tale, I had nothing more than rough guidelines as to the shape of the narrative. In the end, I knew I needed to flesh out the results of the ghost’s surveillance, but that still gave me a lot to think through. In the end, I could complete the story in a way that I’m very happy with.

So fall into your favorite chair and get ready to witness the latest conversation between Benjamin and Marcus.

While Marcus is at home recovering from his trip through the Crucible, Benjamin insists on discussing the results of his surveillance…

Renewed Plans

Benjamin’s body swelled until it popped like an overfilled balloon. Yet instead of whipping about the confines of the cramped office, he splintered into millions of swirling lights, providing a soft verdant illumination. Quickly, the dense cloud of light swirled into a windless vortex over Marcus’s desk. “Were you suspended?”

Marcus’s head fell back, and he stared through the swirling lights, focusing on the ceiling. “The chief didn’t suspend me.”

“Then why haven’t you reported to the precinct during the last few days?”

“Ben, after the Crucible, the chief ordered me to relax for a few days at home. Don’t forget they had assumed I was dead.” Marcus inched forward onto his chair as he rubbed his brow and hunched to stare at the clutter covering his desk. “Can you stop swirling about like that?”

The millions of little motes collided together, recreating Benjamin’s body sitting on Marcus’s desk. “When did that start bothering you?”

The detective sat up and rubbed his mouth. “On its own, the lights don’t trouble me.” Marcus rose and rolled his shoulders before shoving an arm through his partner’s chest to search the cluttered mess.

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