bar.”
Oh, for the love of… What have I gotten myself into?
The sheriff looked out of the window over her shoulder. “We’ll go there later. But first, take us to the biggest businesses around here. We’ll work our way back here.”
Katie wasn’t sure why they needed to meet everyone. She thought turning up at church or throwing a council meeting might have been a better way to introduce themselves than interrupting them on their work day, but still. What did she know? “Okay. I’m afraid Miller isn’t known for ‘big business,’ but there are some great little shops and a couple of very productive farms. Yes, here in Miller you can stock up your shelves with wholesome food, get your hair cut just dandy, get your old shoes heeled and polished, and flesh out your wardrobe, no problem.” She added a sunny attitude to her words, trying to beef up Miller’s limited commercial viability. Like one parent might inflate their child’s talents to another parent.
“What about something a little less…” The sheriff wasn’t impressed. “Or maybe a little more like a car dealership or auto-repair shop, or insurance offices?”
She didn’t want to mention the auto-repair shop, and his attitude became annoying, “You want to buy a car, Sheriff Clancy?” Do you need insurance?”
He huffed. “Not exactly, but…”
“Then I’m unsure why the lack of those options on your doorstop would cause you concern.” Deflection mean she didn’t deny the existence of an auto-repair shop, but didn’t reveal one either.
“Are there any big families around here then, or… a lawyer’s office? A drug store? That sort of thing?”
What’s his game? “The drug store is located in Grace Hospital. Everything one needs of a medical nature can be found there. We’re very proud that Miller has the only hospital for miles in all directions. It’s nothing fancy, but my family built it many years ago and it now has one of the highest-achieving graduates in the country working there.” She was of course referring to herself, whether they realized it or not. “So, no, Miller doesn’t offer insurance or have law firm established, but people who need them find those services out of town or online.” She couldn’t help herself. “Are you familiar with the internet, Sheriff? Miller is connected.”
The three deputies looked silently at the sheriff, who grew red in the face. Her first meeting with her lawmen was officially a disaster.
“I’m sorry about my little joke, Sheriff. It’s been a very stressful day and I’m sure we’re all tired after our journey.” She doubted they’d even care that she travelled the same distance as they had, hours before them. “Shall we go?”
If for no other reason than to save face in front of his brainless deputies, the sheriff laughed lazily. “Of course Sweetheart, time to go.”
Katie, Sheriff Clancy, and his three deputies, all fortunately plain-clothed, moved from one house to another, visiting all of the wealthiest families and businesses in and around town. There was only a handful—not including Katie, who was the wealthiest of all of them. But she had no reason to mention that, and they hadn’t asked.
Besides, they had already met.
They also visited those farmers who still earned a good living from their produce, but left those who just got by. The sheriff clearly only cared about Miller’s income and those who were responsible for it. She steered them away from the auto-repair shop, which fortunately did not have bold shop front position in the town. Indeed, you needed to know where it was to find it. Katie had also avoided town, and the burger bar—so far, so good. But as she took them back to their station, things would change drastically.
***
The sun seemed to die quickly that evening, leaving the bluish hues of a clear nighttime sky to replace the day’s sunshine, and several families
Oh, for the love of… What have I gotten myself into?
The sheriff looked out of the window over her shoulder. “We’ll go there later. But first, take us to the biggest businesses around here. We’ll work our way back here.”
Katie wasn’t sure why they needed to meet everyone. She thought turning up at church or throwing a council meeting might have been a better way to introduce themselves than interrupting them on their work day, but still. What did she know? “Okay. I’m afraid Miller isn’t known for ‘big business,’ but there are some great little shops and a couple of very productive farms. Yes, here in Miller you can stock up your shelves with wholesome food, get your hair cut just dandy, get your old shoes heeled and polished, and flesh out your wardrobe, no problem.” She added a sunny attitude to her words, trying to beef up Miller’s limited commercial viability. Like one parent might inflate their child’s talents to another parent.
“What about something a little less…” The sheriff wasn’t impressed. “Or maybe a little more like a car dealership or auto-repair shop, or insurance offices?”
She didn’t want to mention the auto-repair shop, and his attitude became annoying, “You want to buy a car, Sheriff Clancy?” Do you need insurance?”
He huffed. “Not exactly, but…”
“Then I’m unsure why the lack of those options on your doorstop would cause you concern.” Deflection mean she didn’t deny the existence of an auto-repair shop, but didn’t reveal one either.
“Are there any big families around here then, or… a lawyer’s office? A drug store? That sort of thing?”
What’s his game? “The drug store is located in Grace Hospital. Everything one needs of a medical nature can be found there. We’re very proud that Miller has the only hospital for miles in all directions. It’s nothing fancy, but my family built it many years ago and it now has one of the highest-achieving graduates in the country working there.” She was of course referring to herself, whether they realized it or not. “So, no, Miller doesn’t offer insurance or have law firm established, but people who need them find those services out of town or online.” She couldn’t help herself. “Are you familiar with the internet, Sheriff? Miller is connected.”
The three deputies looked silently at the sheriff, who grew red in the face. Her first meeting with her lawmen was officially a disaster.
“I’m sorry about my little joke, Sheriff. It’s been a very stressful day and I’m sure we’re all tired after our journey.” She doubted they’d even care that she travelled the same distance as they had, hours before them. “Shall we go?”
If for no other reason than to save face in front of his brainless deputies, the sheriff laughed lazily. “Of course Sweetheart, time to go.”
Katie, Sheriff Clancy, and his three deputies, all fortunately plain-clothed, moved from one house to another, visiting all of the wealthiest families and businesses in and around town. There was only a handful—not including Katie, who was the wealthiest of all of them. But she had no reason to mention that, and they hadn’t asked.
Besides, they had already met.
They also visited those farmers who still earned a good living from their produce, but left those who just got by. The sheriff clearly only cared about Miller’s income and those who were responsible for it. She steered them away from the auto-repair shop, which fortunately did not have bold shop front position in the town. Indeed, you needed to know where it was to find it. Katie had also avoided town, and the burger bar—so far, so good. But as she took them back to their station, things would change drastically.
***
The sun seemed to die quickly that evening, leaving the bluish hues of a clear nighttime sky to replace the day’s sunshine, and several families
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