I realized she was the woman we’d run into on the boardwalk, the one who’d scowled. No scowl now. Maybe something unrelated to us had upset her.
“Billy’s been asking about the jail experience sincewe got here,” the woman said. “I promised him he could get arrested before we leave.”
“I want to see the real jail,” Billy said, ducking under his grandmother’s hand to race toward the cell where Riley still sat on the bunk. “Is she a prisoner? Did you arrest her? What did she do?”
“Billy, mind your manners,” the older woman said, but she smiled as she approached. “Sorry, Sheriff. He’s been obsessed with cowboys and outlaws since we got here.”
“No problem at all.” I crouched down to Billy’s eye level. “I’m Sheriff Dungar, and this is Deputy Riley, our newest law enforcement officer. She’s learning how the jail works.”
“A real deputy?” Billy’s eyes went even wider. “That’s so cool.” His head tilted. “Are you going to arrest me or aren’t you?”
Riley rose and stepped out of the cell. “I think that depends. Have you committed any crimes while you’ve been in Lonesome Creek?”
“I didn’t eat all my vegetables at lunch,” Billy said with the expression of someone confessing to grand larceny.
“That’s a serious offense.” I played along while the youngling’s grandmother beamed. “I think that definitely qualifies for our special tourist arrest experience.”
What followed was fifteen minutes of the most entertaining law enforcement theater I’d ever participated in, my favorite part about being the sheriff of Lonesome creek.
Billy threw himself into the role of a captured outlaw with the enthusiasm only a five-year-old could come up with, while his grandmother documented every moment with her phone. Riley proved to be a natural, playing the stern but fair deputy with the right touch of humor to keep Billy both excited and comfortable.
“And this,” I said, gesturing grandly toward the cell, “is where notorious vegetable-avoiders serve their time.”
“It’s so small.” Billy peered through the bars. “How do you fit in there, Sheriff?”
“Very carefully. Would you like to try it out?”
Billy nodded, and I let him explore inside. His grandmother stepped closer to get pictures of her budding outlaw behind bars. She eased inside and took pictures of the bunk.
That’s when Billy grabbed the cell door and tugged it shut. The distinctive click of the lock engaging echoed through the office.
“Billy.” His grandmother laughed as she tried the handle and couldn’t open it. “Oh no, we’re trapped.”
I unlocked the door and they filed out.
His grandmother started toward the door. “Come along, Billy. We’ve had our fun. Don’t forget, we have a reservation at the restaurant for dinner soon.”
“Do I have to go?” he whined, his shoulders drooping. “I don’t want to leave.”
“Would you like to arrest me and the sheriff?” Riley asked.
“Yeah,” Billy breathed. “Can I?”
His grandmother sighed and shook her head. “Hurry up then. I’ll be waiting outside, and I’m counting to one hundred. You’d better be outside by ninety-nine.” She stepped out onto the boardwalk, leaving the door open.
“Oh no, I’m being arrested?” I hid my grin, but the sparkle in Riley’s pretty eyes told me she’d seen it anyway.
“Come along, partner.” Billy deepened his voice. “Ma’am. Inside the cell with you both. You’ve done a crime of…flower theft, and you will pay.”
“Children,” Riley said with a laugh, easing inside the cell with me following.
Billy swung the door shut and turned the key, locking the door. He tugged out the key and examined it on his palm.
“Come on, Billy,” his grandmother called out. “Hurry up in there!”
“Gotta go,” he said, racing toward the door. “Thank you, Sheriff. Thanks, Deputy Riley!”
The outer door banged shut.
