Con Sampler

Chapter 5 - The City Club-2

“Gentlemen and ladies,” Noland flashed his bright white smile around the room, I thank you for graciously allowing me to speak with you today. It is truly an honor and a privilege. I don’t plan to be long winded up here...” he paused for a brief moment, as the listening crowd laughed. “I know full well that many of you need to get back to your practices and your businesses. It’s those practices and businesses that I want to talk with you about.”

“Muskingum County is under attack. It’s under attack by moonshiners, and methamphetamine dealers and a whole host of other drug dealers and unsavory characters that don’t have any qualms about turning Zanesville and the surrounding villages – the surrounding countryside – into a war zone where gangs and drugs rule. The illegal products they’re growing and manufacturing out here are being pushed into Ohio’s cities, to be sure, but not all of them. A lot of the stuff they’re pushing is staying right here and it’s getting into the hands of your loved ones, your children, the workforce...” He paused for effect. “They’ll all pay a horrible price for their addictions and so will you, the leaders of this county in your businesses and in your professional practices if these drugs are allowed to continue spreading.”

Troutman pointed to the District Attorney, “Mr. Whitesell just nailed two of these guys and got them charged. Oh, but if they were the only ones!” He shook his head dramatically.

“The flow of intoxicants out of this county and the surrounding counties into Columbus and beyond hardly blipped when those two guys were taken off the street last week. It will be my mission, as your next Sheriff, to continue the work your former Sheriff, Caden Carter started to root allof the dealers out of their dens and see them behind bars.”

He looked around from face to face for several seconds, “Now, I know what you’re thinking; How does this young, wet behind the ears kid think that he’s going to do that? Let me tell you something; my youth is on my side here. Coming out of a big city department in this time and in this place, I’ve seen more and been exposed to more than my opponent has in her 12-year career as a county cop. I’ve had access to the latest technology, the biggest databases, you name it. I’ve built connections and established sources Melissa Crane can only dream of.” Troutman looked at Aiden Quinn and took note of the cold, hard look in his eyes.

He adlibbed a little, “Don’t get me wrong, Crane is a good cop. Her record...as a Deputy...is exemplary. Her record as your stand-in Sheriff, until this very latest incident, is rather unremarkable.” Troutman threw her a small bone and then quickly yanked it back. Aiden Quinn, he noted, continued to look unimpressed. As he glanced around at some of the other faces in the room though he noticed some interest brewing. It’s time to reel them in, he thought.

“My fiancé, Kelly Rice, has served as a Sheriff’s Deputy here in the county for the last several years. She recently stepped down to dispel any semblance of a conflict of interest as I campaign for the office of Sheriff.” He smiled outwardly while he thought inwardly about telling the little white lie that possibly only the DA knew about at this point. He trusted that the attorney he hired for Kelly would take care of her sloppiness and her transgression would be a non-issue in the campaign.

Troutman continued, “Kelly lives in the county. She knows and loves this county. I spent most of my growing up years here. I love this county too. When we’re married this fall, whether I’m your new Sheriff or not, we plan to make Muskingum County our home. A vote for me in August is a vote to protect Muskingum County, a vote to protect your livelihoods and a vote to bring a Sheriff with real family values back to Muskingum County.”

“I promised I’d be brief. I thank you all very much for lunch and I thank you for your time.”

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* * * *

“What did you mean by that last bit, ‘real family values’?”

Noland Troutman stepped closer to Stanley Chappell and another older, white haired gentleman that joined them after the speech and lowered his voice, “You mean you don’t know?”

“Know what?” Chappell asked while the white-haired man stood by looking puzzled.

“Melissa Troutman is gay. She’s brought her female lover to live with her and her sister in their grandparent’s house with her sister’s kids living right there in the house.” He arranged his face in what he hoped was a look of disapproval.

“Gay?” the older gentleman intoned loudly. Several people glanced in their direction. Troutman simply nodded. He’d accomplished exactly what he’d intended.