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Kendall, Logan, and the rest of the owners didn’t feel it was anyone’s business what they did on their own property when the public wasn’t around, but others in the local community outside of the amusement park apparently disagreed. They groused occasionally about the bad influences of the afterhours activities behind the compound walls of their private homes reflecting poorly on the township. Then Reggie would get an “anonymous” call filled with false tidbits they’d heard, and swearing on the gospel that the rumors they’d made up were true.
Glancing at his old-timey pocket watch, Kendall realized he only had about fifteen minutes to get into place for the first morning bank robbery and shootout. He exited the high-tech room, locking it on his way out, passed the completely low-tech office of the sheriff, and nodded once to the deputy on duty, Zane Washburn.
“Keep an eye out for that annoying blogger when you do rounds later.”
Zane nodded. “Will do, Sheriff. Want me to arrest him and throw him in jail?”
“Not unless he breaks a town law like jaywalking or something.”
“Jaywalking is against the law here? I must have missed that during deputy training.”
“Sorry. Did I say that out loud? I was just dreaming of a better world without bullshit investigative journalists masquerading as amusing bloggers trying to make us look like we’re peddling debauchery and sin to unsuspecting tourists.”
Zane, who was already kicked back in the desk chair with his long legs crossed and heels resting on the corner of the desk, laughed, almost toppling backward. He dropped his feet to the floor and stood up behind the desk.
“Hey, Kendall, I meant to ask, what happened at the stagecoach robbery earlier? I heard it was a memorable event, but not any of the details.”
Kendall stopped in midstep and turned to Zane. “Memorable?” That’s the truth. He lowered his tone even though the two of them were alone. “What did you hear?”
Zane squinted as if he hadn’t expected a question in response to his question. He lowered his body into the chair behind the desk again, but didn’t put his feet back up. An amused expression on his face, he said, “Well, Cooper mentioned something about Logan going slightly off script with one of the passengers.” He folded his arms and leaned forward on the desk as if not wanting to miss a single detail of whatever gossip Kendall would share. “So what happened?”
Kendall tilted his head back and stared at the wooden ceiling of the sheriff’s office, wondering when this joyful day would end. “No comment.”
“Aw, come on, Kendall. It can’t be that bad.” The chair squeaked when Zane leaned back in it.
“Sure it can. I still have no comment. Besides, I’m certain Cooper will fill you in on all the gory details later on anyway.” He looked away from Zane’s inquisitive stare and noticed the grandfather clock against the nearby wall. “I’ve got to go. I’m already running late to shoot the morning bank robber.”
“Right,” Zane said with a grin. “Try to have a little fun with that for a change.”
Kendall only grunted. Fun? Whatever. Everyone in town knew he didn’t like to participate in the shootouts. He liked riding horses around and the general look and feel of working in this Old Western town, but most days he preferred to be simply in charge of running things from a background perspective and not pretending to be town sheriff and in the forefront of the action. Strong, silent, and completely in charge was his preferred position.
“You have the rest of the bank robbery shows today, right?” Kendall asked.
Zane nodded, but the lingering question in his expression regarding Logan’s off-script performance this morning would eventually have to be addressed.
Kendall left his horse tied up in front of the sheriff’s office, figuring it would be faster just to walk—or better yet sprint—to the bank and shoot the robbers rather than ride there. He put some speed in his step jogging along a quiet part of the raised wooden sidewalk. Up ahead there were some tourists lingering outside of the dry goods store. The bank in the building next door was about to be robbed.
Confident he’d make it in plenty of time to deliver justice to the bad guys, Kendall slowed his pace to a fast walk. Before he’d made it two more steps, he noticed his current nemesis, Reggie the annoying blogger, disappearing down a narrow alley on the right. What the fuck is he doing now?
