Kyle cleared his throat. “A lot of your faces are familiar, but a lot aren’t. Seeing as I want your vote, I… I should probably tell you folks a little about myself. I worked as a corrections officer in Dallas for a few years. But I soon discovered that I don’t love babysitting people once they’re in jail. I want to have a part inpreventingcrime. That’s why I decided to run for sheriff of Rainy Dale.”
Some people nodded agreeably.
Glancing at me from the stage, Kyle smiled weakly. “I have nothing against Sheriff Callum. In fact, I personally have always liked him. He’s a good man. The reason I’m running for sheriff is because I think it never hurts to have new blood. There have been a lot more murders lately, although I don’t really blame thesheriff for that. Still, I think that a new take on things could only help Rainy Dale get even better.”
Pervis clapped loudly. “That’s right,” he called out, face pink, looking self-conscious. “Go, Kyle.”
Kyle laughed gruffly. “So, my plans for Rainy Dale would be similar to what Sheriff Callum has always done.”
The crowd clapped, and a few people gave me a thumbs-up sign.
“Then who needs you if you’re just doing the same thing as Sheriff Callum?” Liam heckled, laughing.
Wheezing a bit, Kyle frowned and again spoke into the microphone. “Well, I’m not saying that’s all I’d do.”
“Then tell us your plans,” Liam shouted, looking smug. “If you have any.”
Feeling annoyed at Liam’s mocking tone, I called out, “Let him talk. Stop interrupting him.”
“Yeah,” an older guy in the crowd yelled. “Stop interrupting the kid.”
Liam shrugged. “Fine. Fine.”
Angela Raiden leaned over and whispered something to Liam. He grinned and whispered something back. When they sniggered loudly, Michael Raiden glanced at them but said nothing.
Scowling, Kyle stammered, “I’m happy to tell you some of my ideas. I… I think to control cr… crime, Rainy Dale should have an earlier curfew. If the bars closed down sooner in the night, there would be less drunken brawling.”
“Boo,” a guy from the crowd yelled. “No way. I like staying out late drinking.”
Kyle said, “Sure, but when people are out late, that’s when they get inebriated and in trouble.”
“I don’t care,” the guy said loudly. “I still don’t want a curfew.”
“Making the bars close early could hurt the bar’s business,” a woman shouted. “Is that what you want?”
“No… of course not.” Kyle grimaced and gave a hoarse cough. “Sorry… uh… where was I?”
“You were talking about ruining all the businesses in town,” Liam called out snidely.
Kyle shot him a scowl, and he seemed to be leaning heavily on the mic stand. “That isn’t t… true.”
“Just ignore him, Kyle,” Pervis shouted. “He’s a bully.”
“Pfft.” Liam waved a dismissive hand toward Pervis.
“Tell the people what your plans are.” Pervis’s tone was encouraging.
“Right.” Straightening slightly, Kyle coughed a few more times. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “My throat feels weird.”
Maxwell frowned. “Is he sick?”
I grimaced, watching Kyle. He definitely seemed to be struggling for breath. He’d been breathless with nerves at first, but this seemed different. “You all right, Kyle?” I called out.
“I… I…” Clutching at his throat, Kyle dropped the mic on the ground and stumbled slightly. Pervis watched from the side of the stage, eyes wide, as his brother fell to his knees.
“Kyle?” Pervis yelled, looking worried. “You okay?”
Maxwell took a few steps forward, face tense. “Royce, maybe we should call 911. He might be having a heart attack.”
