[psschmied]

Update --- Unusual Fix.

The car was towed to the dealer. They say they found that the starter connector was disconnected: apparently, when they replaced the starter last spring, the electrical connector to the starter was not plugged in properly & it came out, so they reconnected it & checked over the car & apologized for the inconvenience. no charge --- that's a first.
I guess this is a plausible explanation. ???

Sure is. My mother had the same exact problem on a 3 year old Ford Focus that has had NO engine work. There are bad and or tired mechanics everywhere.