Page 7 of Wild Card
“I’m no such thing!”
“You belong with your own kind!”
More shoving ensued. I hurriedly climbed up between them, holding out a hand to each. “Neither of you is sitting here! Someone’s likely to take a header off the bleachers if you don’t cut it out.”
“But it’s my place,” Russ protested, sounding like a whiny kid. “I always sit here. This old fool is ruining?—”
“I’m going to stop you there, sir. Because I know you want to set a good example for the children behind you.”
Russ cast a look over his shoulder, where an adorable little girl of about five years old watched with big eyes. Beside her, a boy not much older snickered and singsonged, “You’re in troubbble.”
Russ’s smile was sheepish. “I guess I got a little carried away. I was just so excited.”
“Me too,” the Granville man said. “My grandson started playing for Riverton this year. I just wanted him to see I support him, not any school.”
Russ’s whole demeanor changed. “Well, why didn’t you say so? Anyone who’s supporting a Riverton player is okay by me. Let me buy you a beer, and we’ll find better seating with room for us both.”
“Yeah? Well, all right.”
The two shuffled down the row, and I turned back toward the field. My sister was gone, but I had a different audience.
Mayor Prince and Jim Gold, with Gold Community Bank, watched me make my way down to the ground.
“Nicely done,” Jim said, sounding genuine.
“Yes!” Mayor Prince clapped my arm. “I knew you were our guy.”
He sounded like a politician.
I raised an eyebrow. “Your guy?”
“For sheriff,” he said with a megawatt smile. “Please tell me you’ve given some thought to our suggestion that you toss your badge in the ring?”
“I think everyone’s heard your suggestion,” I said. “Including Sheriff Hale.”
Jim winced. “Are you having trouble at work?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
“See?” the mayor said. “This is the kind of capable attitude we need in a new sheriff.”
“I’ve only been with the department two years,” I hedged.
“And you’ve done a damn fine job.”
Pretty sure the mayor didn’t even know my name before the campaign to replace Hale. The sheriff had fucked up when he arrested Emory Gold, son of our local banking royalty, for a bar fight. Not to mention,neglectingto arrest his own son, who’d spent weeks harassing Emory.
“This isn’t just about Emory,” Jim said, as if he could read my thoughts. “It’s about everyone in the county relying on fair and just enforcement of the law.”
I nodded. “I understand your concerns.”
“What happened with Emory shined a light on the corruption in our own house,” Mayor Prince said. “We don’t take that lightly.”
“You should really talk to Deputy Sing. He’s been here longer…”
“He’s on his way out the door,” the mayor said dismissively. “We need someone younger, someone who will bring new energy and enthusiasm to the job. Your ideals?—”
“Let me stop you there,” I said. “I’m far too jaded to be what you’re looking for. I’m sorry, but I’ve got to keep moving. I’ve got a job to do.”
