Shep pulled into Town Square and put the Buick into park. The windshield wipers flapping back and forth in the rain lent an artificial rhythm to the scene spread across the square before him. The masses of people he had expected to find nestled in their tents were crowded under the bandstand, huddled around trees or crouching beneath shared umbrellas. Shep was surprised when he recognized a few familiar faces among them. Two quick siren beeps and a flash of red drew Shep"s attention to the sheriff"s cruiser in his rearview. A poncho-clad Tolar slithered out of the cruiser. Shep reached for his umbrella but saw the drenched people in the square and returned the umbrella to the back seat. The rain was coming down pretty much sideways anyway.
“Evening, Mayor,” the Sheriff said. “Sorry to bug
