You can thank my husband for talking me through the next stage of the construction mystery, though. There was one plot point that was holding me up, and now I think I've gotten it under control. :)
betty brant (my partner-in-crime beta) said in her reply to my outline: "So I take it that this will be a fairly 'plotty' chapter? No time for fluff or characterization? (Too bad -- although it is necessary, of course)."
And I had to agree, on the fluff part, at least. I just don't put much characterization into my outlines... it just seems to flow as the chapter is being written. Some time I should show you all a comparison of outline to finished product.
So anyone who was looking forward to a furthering of the sub-plot... you're up next!! Fluff-lovers... your time is coming again. But believe me, it's all still close to the surface. :)