Forever And Always

Chapter 62

Callie ended up going and fighting with Serpents against the Ghoulies. Even it was against her boyfriend's, brother's, dad's, and FP's wishes. But in the end, there was just too many of them. Sunnyside Trailer park burned, only a few remained standing. after the rumble, some of the serpents joined the Ghoulies, left town or went into hiding. Callie was now at home with Archie, Veronica, and her dad. She had a couple of cuts and bruises from the rumble. Her dad hasn't really let her leave the house since the rumble.

" Here's your schedule for the next three days, Mr. Andrews," Veronica announced. " My mom's going an Eva Peron-like rainbow tour. Shaking the trees one last time before election night. I took the liberty of booking you right behind her so that people know they have a choice."

" Well, I...I appreciate that Veronica, for what it's worth, but...Everybody's already saying that your parents saved Riverdale after the riot," their dad explained. " That it was their guy, Minetta, who put out the fires and rounded up guilty parties."

" We know the truth, Dad," Archie said. " That Mr. Lodge doesn't want to save the town, he wants to take it over."

" Luckily, I won't rest until you're elected mayor, Mr. Andrews," Veronica added. " Even if it means I have to put my own political missions aside."

" In what respect?" Callie asked.

" I'm no longer running for student council with Archie," Veronica announced. " Conspiring against my parents is proving to be a full-time job." Then Archie's phone rang, Jughead was awake.

" We will keep an eye on her," Archie assured their dad. The three kids soon found themselves in Jughead's hospital room.

" I'll be out of here first thing tomorrow," Jughead told them.

" That's good, Jug," Archie said as Jughead put his beanie back on.

" Because we still need your brain," Callie added. " There's another mystery to solve."

" Mr. Cooper was at the town hall when some other Black Hood took shots at the candidates," Archie explained. " And he was at home with Betty and Mrs. Cooper when another Black Hood, probably the same as the one at the town hall, came after my dad. So..."

" Well, a second Black Hood's attacks at the town hall and on your dad seem to indicate a political motive. Which to me suggests--"

" That my father's behind them?" Veronica questioned as she stood up. " I don't disagree. With Fred out of the way, my mother's path to victory is that much more assured."

" So, if we're gonna stop Hiram, we've got to fo it now," Callie stated.

" Once the Lodges are in control of the mayor's office they'll be untouchable," Archie added.

" Yeah, but do you really think Hiram would really put on a black hood and start shooting at people for a mayorship?" Jughead asked. 

" No. But he would hire someone to do it," Veronica answered. 

" We were thinking it could be a Serpent, Jug," Archie implied. " Or a Ghoulie."

" Or, even more insidiously, the man that Hiram put in charge of restoring peace and harmony," Jughead insisted.

" Sheriff Minetta," Archie said.

" He was supposedly guarding the town hall, but no one saw him," Veronica stated.

" And he was MIA most of the riot night," Callie added.

" Let's start there," Jughead suggested.

" Will do," said Archie. " I have to go down to the sheriff's station tomorrow anyway."

"Why, Arch?" Betty asked.