it 's a risky move on his part , leaving himself with less than fifty percent of the ownership . `` now , '' she continued , looking at the other two with sparkling dark eyes , `` we all press our thumbs together and swear . more than anything , she wished she could silence them . then it grabbed hold of her paddle . kyle leaned back , his face sour . the mayor rides among 'em in triumph , like he expected it all along . the shutters covering the windows were locked along with the front door . 