A to Z Challenge: Investigation

Ok, I'll just apologize right off the bat. I am completely going off course with this post. I was getting a little bored with my theme and needed a breather, so this is a bit of flash fiction. Completely unrelated to my other posts. Just call it an Interlude. Or call me Insane. Whatever makes you happy. I may go back to my regular theme tomorrow. Or I may not. Depending on my mood and any feedback.

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That was odd. Her cell phone was ringing. He never called her. Something must be up. “It’s starting! I told you it would happen! I told you,” Stan began.

“Wait a minute. Slow down. What’s starting? What happened?” Marge asked.

 “I’m under investigation.” His voice was serious.

 “ Investigation? What for?” Marge couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“They claim I’m dealing drugs.”

 “ What?! You-you’re not, are you? I mean, what evidence do they have?” Marge stumbled for words.

 “Of course I’m innocent. This is no coincidence. They’re after me. This is their way of warning me. They want me to back off. I’m reaching too many people.”

 “But – I’m. Confused. How can they possibly make such an accusation?” Marge tried to wrap her head around what Stan was saying.

“They must’ve planted something at the store. In my office. They had to. Marge, it’s an inside job. This isn’t an insignificant accusation. I’m a small business owner. I have a reputation in this town. I’ve staked my livelihood on my integrity. This is all I have. My business is all I have and they’re going to take it away from me. Do you believe me now? Do you finally believe me? Do you still think I’m insane?” Stan was talking so quickly, Marge could barely keep up.

“I-I didn’t want to believe you. But I don’t know what to think anymore. What are you gonna do?”

“It’s time. I’m going incognito. I’m going into hiding.”

Marge gasped. “This is what you’ve been planning for all along. You said you thought you’d have to leave everything behind and go. Is this it?” she almost whispered.

“This is it. It’s begun. Here we go. You need to contact Darrell and the others. We have to start to work on The Plan immediately.”

Marge was silent. This wasn’t a dream; it was real. She was shaking. “Are you sure this is the only way? Don’t we have any other options? Are you sure?” she pleaded.

“We are out of options. It’s time for action,” he ordered.

Marge dropped the phone and sobbed into her hands.