“I doubt it.I think he’s still down at the fire trying to collect any evidence.This is a real mess and smells like a setup to me.”
Shelby knew exactly what May was implying—someone was trying to discredit Wes, but she found it hard to believe her own brother could be behind this.It was dangerous to be starting fires.Someone could get hurt.They’d never really gotten along, but was he really capable of this?Once she finished her matcha and had a small bite to eat she made her way to the city hall building where the town hall meeting was going to be held.It was already crowded, and she was lucky to find one seat in the back behind a few older men complaining loudly about the recent fires.
“I never thought I would see the day where a townie could get beat by a snobby beach clubber,” one man said.
It was clear they didn’t recognize her and that was fine by her.Before she could worry about it, her brother was walking up to the stage to sit in a few seats set aside for anyone running for sheriff.Her parents were ushered in like royalty to sit along with dozens of their friends seated in the front.And on the other side of the aisle, the Hart family sat in the front row with matching T-shirts that read:Hart for Sheriff.As mayor, her father kicked off the event and it was unclear if Wes was even going to make the event.
“As you all know the bylaws for Sandy Point say anyone running for public office must announce their bid thirty days prior to the election.Today is the last night to do so in the race for sheriff, which is a five-year term with the option to run again indefinitely.”Her father’s voice boomed over the microphone through the large room, where the local city council held monthly meetings and heard the townsfolk speak about different issues impacting the town.
“Alright, without further ado, we’ll go ahead and announce this year’s candidates for sheriff.Each man previously filled out the requisite paperwork and will give you their pitch for why they believe they’ll make a great next Sheriff of Sandy Point.”
As of now only her brother Sam stood on the stage, while the crowd grumbled.Several people called out: “Where is Sheriff Hart?”
“He’s working that fire, and needs more time.We should wait.”
But then Sam started to speak.
“You know the real measure of a man is not if he can get the job, but if he can do the job.The one thing the sheriff of this town really needs to do is keep us all safe.Safe from criminals, hoodlums, and fires.But it would seem that it’s too big of a job for my alleged opponent, so much so that he couldn’t even be bothered to show up tonight.In fact, I would argue that Deputy Sheriff Hart better think about a new line of work.He hasn’t created a force of law enforcement officers that he can trust to manage any crisis long enough for him to even make his bid for sheriff.”
Next the video screens, which hadShepherd for Sheriffon them, cut to a video of Wes.He wasn’t dressed in uniform and was seen talking to Miles Banks.In his unmistakable deep southern drawl Wes said, “I don’t know if I can commit to being sheriff of this town.I never planned on staying here the rest of my life.”Then it cut off and it was so quiet in the room you could have heard a pin drop in the crowded hall.
Sam grinned.“So I ask you all this, do you want someone who is playing at being the law, or someone really ready to be the law?When I’m elected sheriff, I will not only lead the men and women of the sheriff’s department but I will also let them lead.We will expel all crime, and keep the people of Sandy Point safe from fires, criminals, and phony politicians.You have my word.”
Several people shouted, “Hear, hear.”And then her father had the mic again.“Is there anyone else who would like to officially declare their bid for sheriff?”
Wes was nowhere in sight and then Miles walked onto stage with a piece of paper in his hand.He leaned down to the podium.“While I think Wes has likely been caught up in this latest crisis, I can’t in good conscience not throw my own name in, if it means we could get stuck with this corrupt, spoiled…”
But before Miles could finish his sentence Wes walked on stage with several of his deputies, and Shelby felt a huge wave of relief wash over her.He was there and he looked pissed.
“Thank goodness,” Miles said and stepped away from the mic as Wes took his rightful place.
“I’m here to formally announce my commitment to run for Sheriff of Sandy Point,” Wes said, and the crowd boomed with whoops and applause.“Right after I read you your rights, Samuel Shepherd.”
“What?”her dad said, and Sam stood with his arms crossed over his chest defiantly.
“Nice try, Hart.You can’t just get rid of your competition by making a false arrest.”
“Oh, believe me this is a very real arrest.You see after I got an emergency warrant to search your truck, your home, and your family estate.”
Sam stiffened.“That’s not possible.”
Wes held up a large evidence bag with fire-starting logs, a gasoline can, and what looked like a lighter.
“Recognize these?I have to say I don’t think you’d make a very good sheriff if you didn’t know evidence of a crime can almost always be found still in a criminal’s possession.The less sophisticated criminals are always so cocky to think they can hide in plain sight.
“Samuel Shepherd, you are under arrest for starting the fire at the marina, the pier, the Banks’ barn, the Hart residence, and the Sandy Point welcome sign,” Wes said and nodded to his large deputies to cuff Sam.
Her brother was so stunned he didn’t react until his wrists were already enclosed in the silver cuffs.
“This is a blatant lie, and an attempt to smear my son so he won’t run against you for public office,” her father said.
“No, Mr.Mayor, I’m afraid it’s not.And we’ll be looking into your culpability as well.If I find one shred of evidence against you, I won’t hesitate to arrest you too.”
Everyone was standing to see what would happen next, but the room grew loud with calls for his arrest as Sam tried to deny his involvement in the fires.Wes and the deputies ushered Sam off stage to exit the side door, near where Shelby stood hoping to get his attention.But when he spotted her he just grimaced and mouthed: “I’m sorry.”Then he exited the building, and the crowded hall grew even noisier as everyone processed what they’d just witnessed.It took Shelby ten minutes to get out of the hall and then another twenty to get through the traffic and drive out of town.
Her own brother had set fire to two of Pops’s prize sailboats, which he’d gifted the town for tourism and boat rides.And it sounded like he’d set several other fires.But Wes had never said he suspected her brother.Didn’t he trust her?Had he just been trying to make sure she wasn’t involved?She realized instead of heading back to Pops’s place she’d driven out to the Hart estate.She needed to speak to someone and figured Wes wasn’t going to be available to talk to her anytime soon.But when she knocked on the door, she realized how strange it may have seemed to Wes’s family that she’d show up there.
Levi answered the door.“Well if it isn’t the other Shepherd.Looks like your brother is the real troublemaker in your family,” he said with a big smile.
