“She’s wrong,” I growled. “Who is this clerk? She shouldn’t be sharing details of an ongoing case.”
“TheTown Tattleris quoting her as an anonymous source.”
“That’s bull-you-know-what. How can they slam my reputation but protect hers?”
Penelope sighed. “Freedom of the press?”
“For goodness’ sake, Penelope, that’s all just nonsense. I’mfuriouswith River. If I didn’t think he was sick in the head, I’d have loved to throw his ass in prison. I’m actually going against my desires by being fair with him. You don’t think I want revenge against him for what he did to Max?”
She blinked at me, looking a little taken aback at my anger. “Well, the problem for me is appearances. TheTown Tattleris running that story, and everyone is going to be looking at me to see how I respond.”
“Are you serious?”
She slumped, scowling. “I tried really hard to block them, Royce, but I’m afraid it’s out of my hands now.”
“Unbelievable,” I rasped, feeling dazed. “I didn’t do a damn thing wrong, Penelope. You said you had my back. What happened to that, huh?”
Her face was pink again. “That’s not fair. I… I do have your back. It’s not like I’m going to support anyone but you for sheriff.”
Won’t you though?
I stared at her, anger simmering inside of me like a teapot. “I’m a damn good sheriff. All I’ve ever done was what was best for Rainy Dale.”
She sighed. “I know that, Royce. The people of Rainy Dale love you. You’re not going anywhere. We’ll have the stupid little election, and you’ll win by a landslide, and we can all go back to how things were.”
“What a damn waste of money. This is ridiculous. Just because the Raidens got their panties in a bunch, Rainy Dale has to spend money to pacify them? What a crock of cow manure.”
“You’re preaching to the choir. But I’m between a rock and a hard place. The Raidens aren’t people I want coming against me. They could take me down too.”
It was obvious she’d given up fighting the Raidens. All I could do was stare at her in disgust, knowing my fate was sealed. “I expect you’re all going to do whatever it is you’re going to do. I’ll just be over here doing my damn job.”
She stuffed her handkerchief back in her purse, closing it with a snap. “You’re acting like I’m enjoying this. I’ve barely slept trying to figure out what to do. I think the Raidens are the bullies in this scenario, butlike it or not, they hold influence in town. I have to watch out for my own political future too.”
“Of that, I have little doubt.”
She pushed her lower lip out. “You’re being so mean, Royce.”
I grimaced. “I’m just sick of hearing about the Raidens. They’re everything I thought they were: rich bullies. They truly think we should all just bend to their will because they have money and loud voices.”
“Money talks in politics, Royce. You know that.”
“It sure as hell shouldn’t have any influence on police work.” I shook my head. “Whatever, you go ahead and hold your special election. Hopefully, the people of Rainy Dale know I try my best for them.”
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You’ll beat everyone hands down, I’m sure.” She stood, clutching her pink purse to her bosom.
I scowled. “Is Michael Raiden running against me? He has no law enforcement experience, right?”
She grimaced. “No, Michael can’t run, but he’s planning on backing a man who works as a deputy in Dallas but lives in Rainy Dale. Liam James is his name. I’m not sure who else might plan on running against you.”
“Liam James? Never heard of him.”
“He’s a pal of Michael’s. I don’t know him well, but I’ve seen them having lunch together a lot lately.”
“Unbelievable,” I mumbled.
She moved to the door. “Just don’t do anything that the Raidens can latch onto, Royce. Remember, they’re watching everything you do. They’ll take anything they can and use it against you. This River business is bad enough. Don’t go easy on anyone else.”
“As I told you, Penelope, I didn’t go easy on River because he’s my pal. I don’t do that. That’s just made-up drama. The charges I suggested to the DA concerning River were what I thought fit the situation. I’d do it again the same way. I don’t let personal feelings get in the way of my job. I never have.”
