Bummer. I've found that there are fairly regular file issues with the CC version of InDesign 6, as much as I like the program overall. Periodic "InDesign is shutting down" alerts, files that can't be recovered, things like that. I don't do a lot of complex work, just straightahead design firm kinds of things (annual reports and the like), but I've learned to just keep saving and roll with it and we get by. Never used to happen with previous versions, though.
Anyway, Peter, I will go ahead and rebuild the file per your suggestion and hope that cleans things up (and thanks for opinion re: in-paragraph character styles, too).
Thanks again – I appreciate your assistance!