by: Tara

Ale Brighton was startled to find Jesse Duke, Levi Haggard and Maze Hammersmith seated at an editing table. “Jesse,” he said. Cursing himself silently for not following the figure that had gone into the theatre. “Mornin’,” Jesse paused. “Maze was just straightenin’ some facts out.”

“Hello Whisk,” Maze’s deep accent drawled out a polite greeting of the man who had once been on his side. Blue green hazel eyes stared at the form back stepping toward the entrance. “Join us.” He gestured to an empty chair across from him. Jesse on the east, Levi on the west of the round table.

“I was just looking for a phone,” Ale replied.

Levi shook his head. “Sit.” He snarled. He had been willing to try this for Jesse’s sake. Not just Jesse but Grant, Kaleb, his own brothers.

“Alright,” Ale gulped hard and moved slowly to the table. “What were you discussin’?”

“Business,” Maze answered.

“Thought you had an agreement with the government,” Ale inquired.

Jesse nodded. “I do but you don’t…” He stared hard at the man he had been led to believe was behind his whole life being changed, and the rest of his family. “Wouldn’t bother me to turn you in.”

“Think they’d do much after all this time?” Ale glanced around the table.

“Possible,” Maze shrugged. “I think we should stick together on this.” He took a deep breath. “It’d be a mistake to drag it all out again.”

“Would change things too much,” Levi added. “What did you need the phone for?”

“Call Rosco.” Ale watched the three men’s expressions turn from casual to pensive. “How’s come?” Jesse asked.

“A gun was pointed at me.” Ale started to tell the others of the incident. He was interrupted by a female voice. “You mean like this?” Charity stood in the doorway.

Ale turned toward his niece. “Uh,” He gasped. “Put that down, someone could get hurt.”

The young woman smiled and stepped quickly toward her uncle. “I know just the person.” She laughed, the gun’s barrel aimed at the floor. Jesse and Levi burst into a chuckle as Ale realized that the weapon was missing an essential mechanism.

* * *

There are seemed to be four versions to a story, the two participants, folks assumptions and what really happened. And while it was considerate of Payne’s sisters, the Duke boys to try and protect folks. Truth was somewhere in the middle. Rosco rubbed his right index finger along his forehead.

“What about the gun?” Ale asked.

Daney silently placed a gun permit on Rosco’s desk.

Ale snatched the paper. “Outdated,” he smirked.

Rosco took the paper and handed it over to Hope. “Expired today.” He exchanged a nervous glance with Enos.

“Valid at time of incident,” Hope said matter of factly. She looked at her brother. “You really want to punish someone?” She paused. Legally, she was obliged to only include evidence presented. “Then the envelope found on your dash needs to be dusted for prints.”

“I don’t think that is necessary,” Ale replied quickly.

“I do,” Hope challenged. She looked at Enos. “Could you please bring me the cards for everyone in this room?”

Enos looked to Rosco, who nodded. “Yes, Ma’am. Be alright if the Sheriff goes with me?” He asked.

“Of course,” She smiled. Green eyes glanced to Jesse, Bo, Luke, Payne, Daisy, Cooter, Boss, Charity, Grace and Levi. “Anyone not have their finger prints on file?”

“No,” it took a few seconds for each voice to be recognized as having answered. The room was silent while Enos and Rosco accomplished the task of getting the records and dusting kit. The envelope would be destroyed in the process but it had to be done.

Rosco observed a variety of expression upon taking the seat behind the desk again. Nervousness. Anger. Empathy. Mirth. Heartbreak. No two faces held the exact same emotion. He wasn’t sure whose prints would be on the decades old paper. The possibilities were endless. “Payne, how are far would things have gone?”

Payne gulped as everyone turned to him. “Honestly, Sheriff. Whatever it took.”

“Includin’ murder?” Rosco queried with a stern look.

“Sheriff, my nephew isn’t on trial!” Ale interrupted.

Payne walked over to the desk. He stared at the man he’d known his whole life. Someone he had trusted and confided in when he couldn’t talk to his mother. “I was all for burnin’ down your establishment-” He paused. “but your truck was more assessable.”

“And easier to pay restitution on,” Boss added. The county commissioner was quite amused. Jesse and Levi Haggard had tried to find Daney and Payne before they took off but they had arrived too late. Dark eyes looked at the people around the desk. “So where did you go?”

Daney assumed the question was for her and Payne. She glanced toward the dark blue eyed blond before speaking. “Horseback ridin’ near the mountains.” She smiled. “By the time we made it into town, we were exhausted.”

“Oh,” Daisy exclaimed. “Did you get some pictures?”

“Yeah,” Daney looked at the Haggard sisters. “Found the camera in the glove compartment?”

“Sure did,” the younger one replied. “Dependin’ on how the pictures come out, I might just enter one in a magazine contest.”

“Mom!” Payne quipped. “Is that legal?”

“Ahem,” Rosco cleared his throat. “Y’all mind hushing for a moment. Enos might have a match.” He had been working while the idle chatter had taken place.

The deputy’s cheeks turned almost the same shade as the elderly Duke man’s red cap that was clutched in weathered hands. “Boss, will you be filin’ charges for trespassing?” He blinked nervously.

“Am I the county commissioner?” Boss pursed his lips. Pudgy hands rubbed together, out of habit not nervousness.

“Enos,” Rosco said quietly. He glanced at the card. “You checked ‘em all?”

Enos shook his head. “No, there is still a few more in the file.”

“Bet the only one that matches is him,” Bo gestured to Ale. If someone had been taking bets, the blond Duke would’ve placed one. His dark haired cousin looked less certain of that. Luke was debating between there being no matching prints to present day citizens, or half the room’s occupants getting implicated. “Jesse,” he whispered over his shoulder.

“Not now,” Jesse hissed, watching Enos place another finger print record next to the one that had already been laid aside. He had been hoping that only Ale’s prints were found. Wasn’t looking that way, the pile grew with two more cards.

“Is it alright if I am excused?” Grace asked. She smiled as the Sheriff turned in her direction. “I have to go to work.”

“Sure.” Rosco replied. “Anyone else wanna leave?”

“I should probably get back to the garage,” Cooter surmised.

“Thanks for bein’ here,” Daisy waved goodbye to Grace and Cooter.

* * *

“Partial matches,” Boss exclaimed. “No two sets are alike.”

“That good or bad?” Bo asked.

“Both,” Enos said. “Means their prints,” he pointed toward Daney and Payne. “weren’t found. Others were lost.”

“So it didn’t help?” Luke guessed.

“Yep,” Hope answered the young man. “Didn’t hinder anything either.” She paused. “Ale, there’s a detail that doesn’t fit.”

Ale’s bushy eyebrows rose. “What?”

Hope smiled. “You’d have seen the sidewalk figure get in the vehicle.”

“Uh,” Ale retorted. “It all happened so fast.”

“Made a big deal of nothing,” Daisy said.

“I don’t know about that,” A raspy older male voice sounded from in back of the group around the desk. Everyone peered toward the figure.

“Mr. Hammersmith,” Payne greeted. “What are you doin’ here?”

“In the area,” Maze replied. Hazel eyes darted from one person to the next.

“Well,” Rosco cleared his throat. “I was just about to send Enos out for ya.” He paused. “The only set of viable prints were yours.”

“How’s that?” Hope asked, echoing gasps in her ears. She hadn’t realized that Maze’s record was among the pile. “And why would you check his?” She noticed the glances being exchanged between various people.

“Was in the stack,” Enos offered. He had only done what he had been asked… to check each card. Jesse reached a hand up and patted the younger man’s blue clad shoulder. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I know,” Enos replied quietly. “Mr. Hammersmith, did you have something to do with the boys’ parents untimely passing?” He fidgeted with a file on the desk.

Maze blinked in surprised. Not having been here until a few moments ago, he didn’t know how much anyone had told anyone. “I was at the theatre that evening.”

“Which evening?” Rosco asked. The answer was too vague.

“Night Elle died,” He whispered. “About the same moment she looked up to the balcony, the catwalk came down.”

* * *

Did I kiss all the cowboys? Did I shoot out the lights? Did I dance on the bar? Did I start any fights? Daisy smiled as the song finished playing on the jukebox. It had been a slow night at the Boar’s Nest with the boys only stopping to drop a post card off. Las Vegas nightlife. The Haggards had moved across the country. The brunette waitress still found it peculiar that Ale and Maze died of natural causes while being transported to the state prison.

Her thoughts drifted to the theatre experience, connecting with previous time in the same place. Witnessed the ordeal as if it was a movie playing on a drive in screen. Daisy wondered if that would ever happen to her again. It had been a little scary but Jesse assured there was nothing to worry about. If it did, would it be a present or future event? Her head tilted down to left shoulder, hazel eyes studied the post card again.

She shook her head and placed the postcard in a purse on the shelf below the register, then went to the phone. She lifted the receiver to an ear with her right hand. Her left index finger pressed a button. “Mabel, could you connect me to 555 – 0409, collect please.” She tapped a foot patiently on the floor waiting to a voice on the other end, and the telephone operator to find out if the charge would be accepted by the other party. “Hi Charity, is Payne there?” She paused, lips pressed together for a moment. “Alright, y’all take it easy.”

* * *

“Would you mind repeating that?” Bo said with a bewildered expression.

“What did you think he did, cousin?” Luke asked mischievously. “Expectin’ something more tantalizing?”

“Well,” Bo shrugged. “Thought maybe he was a private investigator.”

Luke chuckled. “Nope. And I really didn’t think about it until seeing the For Sale in the window.”

“Ain’t nothing wrong with a fella owning a raiment boutique,” Jesse stepped onto the porch and looked at his nephews. “It’s good honest work.”

“Didn’t mean-” the boys started to say. Jesse smiled at them. “I know. Maybe it’ll inspire you to reach for something different.” He winked, turned around. “Ya’ll be home by chore time in the morning.” Jesse heard the musical clock in the living room chime, as Bo and Luke strolled to Dixie, whatever the night had in store for them.

Started: November 2002
Completed: February -March 2005

by: Tara

“Oh Lord, them good boys are badddd…” Bo finished singing. Charity laid her head against the General’s passenger seat. “Just think if you and Luke had gone to Nashville instead of distributin’ moonshine, y’all wouldn’t be on probation.”

Bo wasn’t sure whether to take offense or not at the young woman’s comments. He studied her expression. Charity had always been the most outspoken of the Haggard children. When her brother or sister had a problem, she was the one who took care of it even though she was the youngest. And tonight, instead of him distracting her while Daisy tried to gather evidence, Charity had kept him occupied. And if she had been suspicious about anything, she had never let on about it.

“Here I was gonna ask if you wanted to go skinny dippin’ again,” He said mischievously.

“Maybe we should see if Luke and Grace want to join us,” Charity teased.

“And ruin all our fun,” Bo exclaimed.

“So you were havin’ fun!” Charity playfully accused.

Bo chuckled. “Yeah…” He glanced at his watch. “Did you?”

“Wouldn’t change anythin’,” Charity smiled mirthfully. “I’ll never forget it.”

“Me either,” Bo smiled. This was usually about the time he’d take his date home but he found himself wanting to watch the sunrise with his companion. And that was still several hours away. “Uh, you know a lot about stars?”

“Not too much,” Charity paused. “Just they’re pretty to look at.”

“That’s another thing we got in common,” Bo answered. He tapped his fingers on the dashboard. “Did you need to be home at a certain time…”

“No, have tomorrow off.” Charity stared at him. “You’re cousins are getting help from Payne.”

Bo’s jaw dropped. How could she know that? He thought to himself, trying not to let any hint show in his face that he understood what she meant. His head tilted, wavy blond ends touched the yellow shirted shoulder.

Charity smiled. “The way I see it, if we don’t all work together, this ain’t never gonna end.” Her left hand reached out and touched his cheek. “And that’s what we all want. Maybe we’re all not on the same page, but it’s possible we could be.”

“You really think so?”

“Of course- I see both sides ya know.”

“And we’re just sittin’ here while others are out doin’ the work.”

“There is nothing wrong with that. We each have a role and sometimes its hard to accept when changes occur.”

Bo nodded. He was use to taking care of the investigative part with Luke. This was the first time in awhile that they were not together. But he oddly didn’t feel left out. “Sometimes you get put in something you don’t want…”

Charity changed the subject. She was in no mood to ruin the wonderful experience by talking about sad things. “Does the moon look like it’s golden hued?”

* * *

The salt and pepper haired man dressed in a red shirt and jeans blinked in surprise at the woman who walked onto his porch. “Hope Brighton?” He whispered. He sat a little straighter in the swing, the wooden floor creaking more under his boots than her pump flats.

“Rosco P. Coltrane, you know it’s Haggard.” She smiled at him. “Tho’ I have consisted many times to change it back.”

“And you just ain’t got to the courthouse before closing time in twenty five years?” He grinned mischievously. He dreaded what that comment might bring up. But the sooner they got it over, the better. Him and Hope had never really had a problem before. Not even when the event had happened. It had helped a lot with other town folks that she accepted and even defended Rosco’s version.

“Couldn’t just run away from the problem,” She paused and took a seat on the railing after seeing Rosco gesture toward it. That she was a welcome guest on his property. “I was just on my way home when I noticed some lights on at the tannery.”

“You want the department to go and investigate, I ain’t on duty for another hour. But I’d be happy to do that for ya.”

“I saw Payne’s truck parked along the building. There was another car, Plymouth.”

“Was the license plate… FCH-630?”

“WLH 940.”

“That’s Hunter.”

“Who?”

“Daney’s Duster.”

“Danielle Duke?”

Rosco nodded. “Yeah, she’s a private investigator.”

“I know that,” Hope sighed. “Those kids are all on the wrong track.”

“How’s that?”

“They won’t find anything at the tannery.”

“Why not?”

“Because my brother…”

“Why didn’t you stop him?” Rosco interrupted.

Hope looked at him. “He didn’t tell me until afterwards. Did you ever expect this to all come about again?”

“Yeah,” Rosco admitted. The Dukes rarely ever left anything to curiosity. And this matter dealt with all they had ever known and been told. “Did he say why he did it?”

“Frustrated. He felt if only he told Abrielle how he felt…”

“Then maybe Luke would be red haired, freckled face and green eyed?” Rosco described Hope’s brother.

“Maybe.” She slumped back against the porch. “Thirty years and- I should’ve stopped and told ‘em.”

“You’re lookin’ at the storm not the sunshine,” Rosco said gently.

“What else is there to do?” Hope wrinkled her nose. “In opening one thing, it can snowball.”

“Doesn’t have too- Do you really believe that Levi and his brothers committed a horrendous act?”

“You mean did let Abrielle and Becky become innocent victims in a war they couldn’t win.”

“Yes.” Rosco was glad that at least Hope was talking about what she didn’t want to face. Sure, she had tried to hide it all these years. But long before Levi came into her life, Abrielle and Becky had been a big part of her life.

“They did. I’ve never disputed that for a second. And I’ve thanked God every night that at least the kids were spared. Jesse was able to provide some kind of live for all of them.”

“Do you want to see Levi back behind bars?”

“I’d like the kids to have some time with their father, he’s not a spring chicken anymore.” Hope said matter of factly.

“Your girls are just like ya.”

“What do you mean?”

“Seein’ both sides of the topic.”

“It’s not always a bad thing.”

“Didn’t say it was.” Rosco yawned. He had been about to head inside for coffee when Hope had arrived. “Care to join me for a drink?” He froze for a second. It wasn’t exactly what Grant had said to him, but the two had gotten coffee before what had happened. He had always known from the coroner’s report that him and Grant would not have been able to save Becky from what happened to her that day. It was the details like that helped him sleep at night. Thinking about this case would assist him in staying awake for his patrol.

“Sure, that’d be nice.” Hope replied. She waited until Rosco got to the door before getting off the porch railing. “How’s things at the department.” That should’ve been the first thing she asked.

“Not too bad at the moment,” Rosco opened the front door. “Did you talk to Abrielle that night?”

Hope closed the door. “Yeah.” She kept her answer simple for now.

“Me and Kaleb never got along much,” Rosco said almost in a whisper.

“I respected Kaleb for everyone else’s sake,” Hope paused. “Him and Levi were way too much alike.”

“Really?”

“At least when no one else was around they were.” Hope continued speaking while following Rosco to the kitchen. “Kaleb Duke was – You gonna swing by the tannery?”

“It’s on the way to speed trap four,” Rosco reached into a cupboard and got cups out. “They’ll probably be gone by that time.” Quietly he got the pot and poured the coffee. After putting the pot back, he repeated a question. “Did you talk to Abrielle that night?”

“I helped her get ready.” Hope took one of the cups without adding sugar or creamer. “Maybe the answer is at the theatre.”

* * *

Boss laid his cigar in the glass ashtray on the desk. It was 11pm and he was still going over the theatre books. The smoke carried toward the open window. Sleepily he rubbed his eyes. The venue was the only business he owned that didn’t need his constant attention. The manager and staff had never been a problem. Fact, there hadn’t been any peculiar incidents in the last twenty five years. Not since the service for Becky and Grant Duke had been held at the establishment, due to the church basement being flooded. And book work didn’t usually take more than an hour. Which was good, he had a mandatory commissioner meeting at 8am in Eureka County.

He looked over his shoulder and saw a lingering white cloud. He scowled. There had been a nice breeze coming through earlier. His eyebrows rose at the sight of the “smoke” taking on a shape. The Hazzard theatre is not and never will be haunted, he said to himself. “Albert Duke?”

A gruff voice stated. “Jefferson, been a long time.”

Boss shook his head. “Why are you here?” He got right to the point.

“They’re not gonna find it.” The figure replied. “Please help them.”

“Who is them?” Boss demanded. Still not letting any sign of fear show in his face.

“The girls. They’re with Payne searching the auditorium.”

“How come?”

“Because.” Albert spoke one word.

Boss pursed his lips. “This got something to do with Haggard?”

Albert nodded. “Of course.”

Boss folded his arms. “I don’t have time for this.”

“If you don’t do it now, it’ll be worse.” Albert warned.

“Oh, what this place gonna be crawlin’ with more like yourself?” Boss pressed his fingers into the white jacket.

“Maybe.” Albert shrugged. “Well, go on.”

“My book work…” Boss started to say.

“Is done, all you have to do is sign it.” Albert replied.

“What if they don’t want my help-” Boss inhaled the smoke scented air.

Albert smiled. “They will.”

Boss exhaled. “I’ll try but only onconna I don’t want no more surprises like you just pulled…”

“Deal.” Albert waved.

Boss’s ears filled with the sound of a deep, hacking cough. He lifted his head from the desk, his hat was crumpled. His dark eyes focused on the ashtray. The conversation had been a dream. He picked up the ledger in one hand, his hat in the other. His portly frame hurried out of the office. He was going to see Jesse.

* * *

“Payne, we should be able to retrace their steps from that moment and find somethin’.” Daisy thought out loud.

“Don’t you think that was done twenty five years ago?” Payne shouted from the balcony.

Daney refused to argue. “Unless you got a magic wand, amigo. It’s the only option at 1am.” The property had only gone through one minor cosmetic renovation in twenty five years. Show had ended about eleven. Theatre would have been vacant no later than midnight. She got out of a seat in the first row and ran up the stage stairs. “Throw the curtain toward me.”

Daisy glanced at the papers in her hands. “It says a pipe from the catwalk hit her.”

“What if it didn’t?” Daney paused. “Hearing a commotion in the balcony, wouldn’t you turn in that direction? In the darkness, go that way.”

“You’re assuming the lights weren’t on.” Payne commented. Peering down at the two women on the stage, he placed his hands on the wooden railing. “Official report says the catwalk came down first.”

“I know what it says,” Daney reminded him. “And that could’ve been staged. No one has ever admitted being here at that time. Kale was supposed to close up that night. Abrielle stayed because he was here.” She paused. “But what if she left and came back?”

“Where would she have gone?” Daisy asked.

“Are you implying Abrielle was in on the plan?” Payne’s voice echoed from above. He figured Daney was trying to put various versions together and have a scenario that would please everyone. Problem with that was, it was illogical.

Daney shook her head.

“She wasn’t.” An older feminine voice came from the back of the auditorium, near entrance/exit doors. Hope Brighton – Haggard walked the middle aisle in the same manner she had done so many times before the fateful night. This was the first time she had visited the establishment since. “You’re wasting time.
“Rosco did a through investigation-”

“Yes,” Daney agreed. She waited until the figure was close enough for her and Daisy to see the older woman’s features. Wavy shoulder length blonde hair, high cheek bones. The business suit and slacks covered a willowy frame. “We’re only here because there wasn’t anythin’ at the tannery or any other place we’ve looked.” Daney rambled. A pleading glance exchanged between hazel eyes and green eyes.

“Have you checked the costume department?” Hope asked. She turned and looked at her son in the balcony. “Payne.”

“Mother.” Payne acknowledged her. “Surprised to see you out this late.”

“Couldn’t sleep.” Hope half smiled. “What is it exactly you need?”

“Something that will show who wrote the paper at Miss Wilder’s office, ma’am.” Daisy answered. Hope glanced over her shoulder. “Haven’t found anything?”

“No, ma’am.” Daney motioned her cousin to follow her down the steps. Maybe they needed to regroup. Payne saw the girls come off the stage and down to where his mother stood in the aisle.

Hope’s attention darted from the stage to the balcony in time to watch Payne head back toward the staircase. “May I see the papers?”

“Of course,” Daney held them out. Hope took them. The first person on the scene was a Hazzard Gazette reporter. Next, coroner Winston Carney. Grant, Albert and Remington Duke arrived while the scene was being examined by Rosco. Jesse had been out on a run with his brother Cody and J.D. Hogg.

The evidence not in dispute was the catwalk had fallen thirty feet from the stage. The wooden planks and metal bars had ripped apart, sending the velvet curtain to the floor. Some pieces had scattered into the first rows of seats.

Manager’s Office, concession area, and ticket booth had been left untouched, dressing rooms too. Robbery had been ruled out as motive. It looked like an accident.

Rosco’s report mentioned Jesse’s speculation that Elle’s death hadn’t been planned. The responsible parties had switched gears after she was caught instead of Kale on the stage. And what they had learned in that experiment, had aided with plans for Grant.

* * *

“Levi?” Jesse inhaled a sharp breath. He was surprised to find the man sitting in the rocking chair that had been moved by the bookcase shelf wall window. “I-”

“Ain’t expectin’ you too,” The elderly Haggard paused. “Please don’t call Rosco. Just figured maybe we could talk without the kids around.”

“Well,” Jesse started to say and brought a hand up to his face. Fingers stroked over his beard. There was just something about Levi’s expression that the elderly farmer knew Haggard wasn’t here to hurt him. He wasn’t sure whether to ease what was on mind into a conversation or just let it out. “Water or coffee…”

“No thanks,” Haggard’s lips curled into a half smile. “Still as hospitable as always.” He complimented the white haired Duke. Jesse had always put family ahead of business and other matters. “Nice place ya got here.”

Jesse smiled. “It ain’t much,” He said modestly. “I reckon you got somethin’ to say…”

Levi nodded. His hands gripped the sides of the seat. “Elle wasn’t suppose too…”

“I figured that.” Jesse interrupted. “What I want to know is how you could to this to them boys.” A lot of folks were just considering Bo in all of this. But Luke was just as affected. Daisy’s circumstances were a bit different.

“Wasn’t just me,” Levi pointed out. He couldn’t hold back anymore. “Grant and Ale had business they didn’t want anyone to know about. It went sour. Me and Kaleb tried to fix it before you or anyone else got wind of it.” He paused. “Ale thought Grant was supposed to be at the theatre that night not Kaleb…”

“They already had problems.” Jesse continued where the younger man left off. “Then he waited a long time for his real target is what you’re tellin’ me?”

“Yep,” Levi’s dark eyes held nothing but respect in his expression for the older man. “I didn’t know until it was too late.”

“You gave everythin’ up to try and fix things,” Jesse sighed. “How could you let the rumor go?”

“Things get taken outta context,” Levi shrugged. “Someone made a comment at the store one day and next thing I knew, I was credited with somethin’ I never said.”

Jesse understood that. It had happened to him before. One of the last shine runs him and J.D. had been partners on was a similar experience. “Who did Grant and Ale have business with?” Jesse figured he could show Levi some trust with what he had just confirmed. Running white lightening was a volatile environment. A drop of a handkerchief could turn enemies into friends, vice versa.

Levi gritted his teeth. “I told Ale to be careful.”

“Him bein’ older, he figured he knew better.” Jesse guessed. He looked sympathically at Levi. “And that two of the best families together could beat this fella.”

“Yeah,” Levi answered. He leaned back in the chair, crossed his arms over one another in a relaxed position. It began to rock slowly. “Might’ve worked too if we had had everyone in on it. But Ale and Grant waited until it was too late, they were in too deep.”

“How come that fella never approached me?” Jesse wondered out loud. His expression showed emotion of being slightly shocked at this news.

“He might’ve if he hadn’t been jailed in another county for a gambling operation,” Levi speculated. “Honestly, Jesse I don’t know. Maybe he figured since it was Grant and Kaleb, he only had an issue with them and no one else.”

“That it would be hard to carry on with part of the family gone,” Jesse took a deep breath. He eyed Levi suspiciously. “You weren’t there at the theatre.”

“I wasn’t,” Levi said. “But I did stop in right before Ale and Grant did to see if Hope was there.”

Jesse’s other hand came up and wiped his misty eyes. “She always did like helpin’ out.” Levi pursed his lips for a second, unsure if the older man was referring to Abrielle Duke or Hope. “Yeah, they did-”

* * *

Bo looked at his cousin in surprise. “Thought you were lookin’ for some evidence?”

“On break!” Daisy informed him. She fixed the blanket that covered her long legs. She was seated on the beige leather love seat. “Not use to stayin’ up so late.” She glanced over at Daney who was playing around with some device called a word processor. The aspiring journalist was mesmerized by it. “Havin’ fun?”

“What?” Daney replied without taking her eyes or hands off the machine.

“Are you enjoyin’ yourself?” Daisy shouted.

“Yeah,” Daney glanced over her shoulder. “Hey, didn’t hear y’all come in.” She acknowledged Bo, Luke, Grace and Charity. “Your mom went back to bed and Payne is in the kitchen.”

“Thanks,” Grace smiled. “Excuse us, please.” She motioned her sister to follow into the next room from where the Dukes were. The two young women found their brother sitting on a bar stool leaned against the counter. His eyes closed and head rested on his folded arms.

“Ice down the shirt or faucet drippings?” Charity whispered.

“Neither,” Grace shook her head. “Maybe we should just let him rest.”

“The rest of us are up, he can be too.” Charity spoke quietly, continuing to tip toe quietly across the floor. When she reached her brother, her left hand came up and tousled the hair that lay on his neck.

“Hmmm… not right now. My sisters might be home any second.” He mumbled.

Grace and Charity looked at each other. The older woman tapped his right shoulder. “Payne…”

“Huh,” His eyes opened and head turned to see his sisters. “Was I talkin’ in my sleep?”

“Not sure,” Charity grinned. She reached her hand over and flipped the switch on the radio that had been playing softly. “How’d you meet up with Bo and Luke’s cousins?”

Payne yawned. Trying to force himself to be more awake. “They went to Dad’s to see what they could find. And I offered to help them.”

Grace’s eyes widened in alarm. “They were at…”

Payne nodded. He moved the stool in order to sit more comfortable. The counter’s edge even with the space between his belt and back pockets. “Where else was there to start?”

“You got a point,” Charity agreed. “But why aren’t you still out lookin’?”

“Ran into mom at the theatre,” Payne paused. “Couldn’t reach the four of you, she recommended we come back here.”

“Did she have any other advice?” Grace asked.

“Yeah- she strongly recommended we tell Rosco everything before anyone goes to Miss Wilder’s.” He replied.

“If we ain’t got nothing to give her, then no one will be.” Charity shook her head.

“Did I say we didn’t find anythin’?” Payne frowned.

“Well, no. But I doubt that place held any clues.” Grace said.

“In it’s own way it did,” He smiled. “Not sure how it’s gonna pan out…” He honestly didn’t want to explain the experience that he, Daisy and Daney had gone through.

“Ok,” Charity cleared her throat. She knew her brother’s expression was the one of he wasn’t gonna tell them anything he didn’t want to. “So what do we all do next?”

“Wait.” Payne yawned again. “The less folks know, the better. I’m willin’ to take the chance needed, but I can’t let the two of you.”

“Payne,” Grace started to say something about how her and Charity wouldn’t mind. Payne reached his hands out. One touched the Grace’s left cheek, the other brushed Charity’s right cheek. They both looked away knowing no further discussion would take place until the gamble had been taken.

In the living room, Daney was having the same discussion with Bo and Luke. Daisy as reinforcement that things had to be done a certain way or it would change the whole game. And that was what it was. It didn’t involve a shuck and jive.

“You at least gonna talk this over with Jesse?” Luke asked.

“Already did,” Daisy replied.

“Why you and Payne?” Bo wondered out loud. He understood what had been explained. But seemed like anyone could carry out the plan.

“You’d never believe us,” Daney spoke quietly. “Trust me.”

The boys nodded. “Shouldn’t we get home?”

“Y’all can if you want. Miss Hope said we were welcome to stay,” Daisy paused. Her eyes glanced at the blinking light of a box shaped object on top of the television set. It flashed… 5:00am. Only three hours before things would change history again. Only this time, the record would be set straight if all went well. The boys seemed to be taking the news good. And it wasn’t entirely up to Daney and Payne. They would only have what the person who had started this gave them to work with. She didn’t really like the idea but faith and patience were what was needed now.

* * *

“Boss?” Rosco’s gaze was on the double doors, the white suited commissioner coming through the booking room entrance. “Ain’t ya got a meeting?”

“Yeah,” Boss nodded. “Just thought I’d take you and Enos with me.”

Rosco blinked. “Who’ll watch over the county if we go with you?”

“I don’t think anything’ll happen.” Boss replied matter of factly. “C’mon, get your hat and let’s get movin’.”

The Sheriff’s lanky uniformed frame leaned back in his seat at the desk. “Boss…” He started to say and gestured a hand toward some papers.

Boss stalked over to the filing cabinet and tapped his fingers on the cb box. “Got one of these in my vehicle, it’ll be fine.”

Rosco pursed his lips. “I-” He paused and stared at Boss. “can’t leave them Dukes alone. What if…”

“It’ll be alright, suppose something does go wrong? You want them blamin’ it on you?” Boss demanded.

“They wouldn’t!” Rosco shook his head.

“Sure, they might’ve said that yesterday but they change their minds faster than Cooter can fill a tank of gas.” Boss smirked.

“Not this time,” Rosco crossed his arms over his chest. He gulped as Boss stepped over to him. “Not this time.” He repeated.

“You wanna bet the next patrol cruiser repair bill on it?” Boss’s eyes flashed darkly.

Rosco sighed. “Did you enjoy learnin’ those disco steps?”

“Thought you’d see things my way,” Boss grabbed the black Stetson off the desk and laid it on Rosco’s head. “C’mon, Enos is waitin’ outside.” He proceeded to the door. Rosco hesitantly followed. He had a sneaking suspicion that his brother in law knew something that he didn’t. He glanced over his shoulder at the manila folder that stuck out of an open metal file cabinet drawer.

Enos waved from where he stood by Boss’s caddy. “Mornin’, Sheriff. Mr. Hogg said I could drive if you want.”

“Alright,” Rosco agreed. It didn’t really make a difference to him. If anything happened, Boss would be sure to place the blame equally on both him and deputy Strate.
Enos opened the door and lent Boss a hand getting into the backseat. “You sure you want the top down?”

“Yes,” Boss said and pulled a cigar from his suit pocket after getting adjusted into the seat.

“Hmm, Boss…” Rosco cleared his throat. “You’re takin’ up both seats.”

Boss looked at him. “Sit in front,” He replied. The sun was beginning to rise higher as Enos drove the caddy away under watchful eyes stationed in the alleyway between the garage and General Store.

* * *

Ale Brighton stared blankly at the item in his hands. It had been hidden years earlier behind an art print in the dressing room of the Hazzard theatre. The envelope had contained an index card. The written account of the original contract between himself, Grant Duke and “Scout” Hammersmith.

The empty envelope was crumbled into a ball. He held it tight and walked outside. He went to his truck parked across the street. He frowned seeing a flat tire. Driver and passenger windows rolled down. He opened the door and sat in the driver’s seat. The envelope tossed on the dashboard. He reached for the cb mike. He looked down and found the cord had been replaced with a long piece of braided suede. Kind of material used to decorate clothing and footwear. His other hand grabbed the door handle to close it, and slipped. He got a whiff of burned motor oil as the door slammed.

“What in boot hill?” He muttered. The pudgy man’s attention was distracted by a figure on the sidewalk. He squinted at the glistening item in white gloved hands. He gulped hard, recognizing the outline of a small caliber handgun… like the one he kept in a holster attached to the underneath of his seat. The hand that had been on the cb box moved under the seat and found his own peace maker still in its place.

“Lookin’ for this?” A white gloved hand belonging to someone else waved a note card in front of his face. As he turned to address the person, they took the card and ran toward the theatre. Ale gritted his teeth. He tried to open the door but it wouldn’t budge, and he wasn’t small enough to crawl out the window like a stock car driver.
He noticed wavy blonde hair sticking out from under the hat, near the jacket collar on the fleeing form.

He wiped the greasy hand on his left jean pant leg. He glanced to see the other figure had disappeared. He scooted over and looked out at the sidewalk to see if he could find anything that would let him know who one or both of the people were. His eyes widened at the message scrawled in chalk…

Murder has no statue of limitations.

He straightened in the seat and leaned back. Twenty five years, there hadn’t been a day he had forgotten. He guessed it was time to go see Rosco and get this matter over with once and for all. Who ever had the index card now had control. The backfire of an engine stopped him from reliving the memory. He watched the green Plymouth pull away from the corner.

It was the same vehicle he had seen outside his sister’s place this morning. Parked next to his nephew’s car. He heard the faint jingle of the bell that announced people coming in and out of the pharmacy. He got out of his truck via the passenger door and smudged the scribbling with his boots. Then, he started toward the newspaper office to use the phone.

by: Tara

The police officer dumped the hot liquid from the cup out the window and crumpled it, then dropped the cup onto the floorboard on the passenger side of the vehicle. Blue eyes watched the sedan continue on its way. Rosco knew the occupant was aware of his presence. He could tell from how the sedan slowed down until his patrol car had caught up before it began to speed again.

He grabbed the cb mic from the box and pushed the talk button after bringing it close enough to speak into the receiver without yelling. “Alright, Grant Duke you better have a good explanation or I’m gonna run ya in.”

A thick southern drawl answered. “Rosco, I’m just on my way to see Becky. It’s her first day back at work and being away from the baby for more than a few hours. Thought maybe lunch would help her some.”

“Yeah, it probably will. Shame she can’t stay home with ’em.”

“We all gotta do what we have to try to get that farm back. Between the drought and storms the year before that, Jesse had to borrow more on that mortgage.”

“Been almost twenty five years since your folks took that out when the Depression hit.”

“Yeah, probably be another fifty before it’s all paid off at the rate things are going- Thanks for dropping that package off. Becky adored that blanket your mama crocheted for Bo and he favors it over the one that Martha made for ’em.”

“Khee, it was nothing. I was over that way on official business.”

“Seeing you lost a good cup of coffee, let me buy ya one?”

“You tryin’ to bribe me?”

“Just a chance to catch up is all.” Grant saw the sign for the town limit on Route 36 coming up. It was the road that went ran past the County Courthouse and bank. It ran by just about everything in the small business section of Hazzard. Ninety five percent of the area was farms, creeks and swamp land.

“Ok,” Rosco agreed as the patrol car came to a stop a block from the bank in back of the sedan. He put the cb mic down and got out of his vehicle. Grant met him on the sidewalk and the two tall dark haired gentlemen conversed for a few minutes under the watchful blue eyes of a young dishwater blonde dressed in a blouse and skirt, who stood at the bank window that over looked the street.

She reckoned they were discussing Grant’s run with his brothers this evening. What time were they leaving and all that. Becky knew Jesse didn’t like it, but Rosco was a good friend and he watched out for the Duke family like they were his own. He was favored to win the Sheriff election coming up and that was something for only being a year into his chosen career. Everyone in Hazzard respected the twenty six old law officer.

“Excuse me miss, I have an appointment with J.D. Hogg.” A pleasant voice called from behind her.

Becky turned and blue eyes narrowed at the shaggy blond haired man standing on the other side of the counter. “You know he’s over at the county building this time of day. He’s probably going to be leaving for lunch in a few minutes.”

He reached a hand up and touched her cheek. “Maybe I’d like to have dessert first.”

Becky shoved his hand away. “Rosco and Grant will be coming in here, they are right outside.”

“They were heading to the café when I see ’em a moment ago,” A man with resemblance to the first gentleman walked up to the counter. “Where’s the key to that,” He gestured to the door he had just walked in.

She tossed a set of keys at him. “The combination to the vault is four left, thirty right and seventeen left.”

“Did I ask for that?” He snarled.

“No,” She shook her head and stepped back from the counter when another man came in the door before it was locked. “I just figured that would be your next question and didn’t want to waste time.”

“Don’t try to think ahead sugar, can get a pretty face like yours in trouble.” The threesome snickered and huddled for a moment before two of them went toward the vault, the other came around the counter.

“Stop it!” Daney shouted to her cousin who stood in the middle of the Haggard family plot on Boot Hill. She had been observing him for a few minutes. He almost proceeded in knocking over the head stone.

He was so full of negative emotion; she was hesitant to approach the tall blond. Newspaper clippings and court documents told a tale of three brothers who brutally violated a female employee while they robbed the Hazzard Bank.

One of them died inside the building after Grant shoved him hard through the double doors that another fella had escaped out of. Rosco easily captured the criminal but the dark haired Duke crumbled in a heap on the concrete steps. The last robber in the bank shot him and then fired at Rosco.

The Sheriff returned the favor and ended up the only other survivor besides the fella who was captured. He didn’t face murder charges since Becky, Grant Duke and the two other men died of head injuries not gun shot wounds. He was sentenced to twenty five years for assault and battery, bank robbery.

Now all this time later, the fella was bragging that the deaths of Bo and Luke’s folks had been deliberate… to get the Duke family out of the moonshine business. Bo wanted the case reopened; there was no statue of limitation for murder.

Luke wanted it to remain closed. The oldest cousin had a good argument; Rosco had gotten the man put away for the community’s safety with a solid investigation and no matter what happened, it would not bring anyone back.

“What do you want me to do, be a coward?” Bo screamed.

“Absolutely not. I want you to get in the car. So we can go over to Capitol City.”

“What’s there?”

“If you had listened before you ran out, Jesse was talking about going to a handwriting expert. I can’t blame you for leaving the house like ya did,” Daney gave her cousin two options to discuss.

“What can this person tell us?” Bo wiped his muddy boots along one of the markers in the ground.

Daney made no comment on her cousin’s action. “That’s the good news. Rosco found some papers with your folk’s signatures on ’em. So him and Jesse took those over to a lady.”

Bo smiled and sandy eyebrows arched up. “A lady- is she cute?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t we go find out?” Daney offered a hand to her cousin.

“Ok,” Bo took her hand in his and they began to walk down the hill to the Dodge sedan where Luke and Daisy were waiting.

The two older cousins had figured the youngest would come around. The vehicle with four occupants was soon speeding along on Jct. 74 with Daisy at the wheel, Daney riding shotgun, and the boys in the backseat mending their relationship. The scent of wild spring flowers in bloom wavered through the open windows.

“Rosco, why is he doin’ this now?” Jesse was asking the Sheriff when the cousins walked into an office located on Oak Street. There was a large framed picture of fruit and vegetables on the left wall, a book shelf on the right wall with a filing cabinet under it and two large windows that overlooked Maple Street Park.

“Because he’s a coward,” Daisy stated her observation. “I’m sorry y’all but that’s just how I feel.”

“Don’t worry about it cousin, I think we all feel that way.” Daney smiled. The Sheriff, her uncle and the boys nodded in agreement. “You must be Miss Wilder,” She spoke to the woman behind the small metal desk. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Daney. This is Daisy, Bo and Luke. Have you done the tests yet?”

“It’s nice to meet each of you- no I haven’t done the tests yet. I wanted to have all of you here,” She smiled.

“Thank you, ma’am.” The boys grinned and plopped their lanky frames on opposite sides of the desk. The girls took the last two chairs in the office.

Everyone watched Miss Wilder put disposable gloves on. She began to look at the papers that were in front of her using a reticle. Which she placed back in its case a few minutes and grabbed a ruler before looking up at the group.

“I can do more tests if you wish but just from a preliminary exam, I concur with the Sheriff that these documents were not written by the same person. Let me show you why,” She then pointed to one of the papers with the edge of a ruler. “This is characteristic of a right hander.” The ruler moved to the other paper, “A left hander.”

“Is there anyway you could tell us who wrote it?” Jesse questioned the young woman.

“If you have someone in mind, just drop a sample of their known handwriting off here and I’ll be happy to look at it for you.” Miss Wilder replied and fixed her glasses that were slipping down her nose.

“What time you open in the morning?” Daney inquired. She already had an idea of how to go about getting a sample.

“Nine but I arrive at eight sometimes if we have a lot to do.”

“One of us will be here at eight thirty then if that’s alright?” Daisy said.

“Works for me,” Miss Wilder smiled. “If you have any other concerns before then, here is my number.” She gestured to a little box that had business cards in it. Rosco and both of the boys took one.

“Thank you again, miss.” Jesse tipped his red cap at her and followed the others from the room. Outside, the group discussed their next move. After a few minutes of conversation, the white haired farmer went to the post office.

“Hello Jesse,” Miss Tisdale’s eyelashes fluttered and her hands folded nervously on the counter.

“Afternoon, Emma.” Jesse retrieved a plastic number card and set it down.

Miss Tisdale took it and hung it back up. “I hope everything is alright. Talk around town is Bo ain’t your nephew.”

“It’s all a load of cow manure, Emma. That boy is as much Duke as any of us. I’ll tell if I was in an ornery mood- But I got better things to do- Could I have my mail, please?” Jesse brought the subject back to why he was at her place of business. He didn’t care to discuss anything about what had been said or gossiped about.

The post mistress glanced to the mail boxes behind her. The one for the family had nothing in the slot. “You don’t have any, Jesse you’re welcome to stop by my place for coffee if you need someone to talk too.” Emma smiled at him.

He patted her hand and smiled. “I know but right now I gotta get over to the butcher shop. My meat grinder broke.” Jesse paused and rolled his eyes when Miss Tisdale hiccupped after giggling. “So I had to drop some stuff off to them and if I want to have dinner, I gotta get there before they close. Have a good day and take care.”

“You too, Jesse.” Miss Emma waved at him. She began to finish the job of putting the new stamps in the drawer like she had been before he came in. She sighed seeing him head into the flower shop and come out with a bouquet of flowers.

Jesse pulled his watch from the pocket of his overalls. He flicked the cover open with his thumbnail and snapped it closed after checking the time on the big clock in the town square. The antique timepiece was placed back in the pocket and the elderly farmer continued on his errands. He chuckled softly seeing the General Lee and Dixie outside the police station behind the patrol cars.

* * *

Dishwater blonde hair touched the hem of a simple chiffon summer dress. The woman put her arms around Luke’s neck and pulled him close. Moonlight streamed through cracks in the barn roof.

Orange blossom perfume hit his nose. Luke wrapped his arms around her waist in a gentle embrace. His fingers laced together and hands to rest on the small of her back. Her fingers rubbed the nape of his neck. Luke smiled as she laid her head on his shoulder.

The couple stayed like that for a moment. Luke tilted his head and brought his face close to her’s. His eyes closed, and his lips brushed across his companion’s. His left hand slipped and came to grab her hip.

She murmured at the surprise attention. Her fingers came up through the thick locks of dark wavy hair and then to rest on his flushed cheeks. She brought her mouth to his Adam’s apple and planted a tender kiss.

Luke’s eyes flew open at the spine tingling sensation.

The blonde took one hand off Luke’s neck and her fingers came up to stroke along his jaw line. Her other hand slid down to hold his hand that was still on her back. “Why don’t we sit down?” She whispered.

“Alright,” Luke agreed. He allowed her to lead him to the window across from the hay door. His body sunk down on the fleece blanket covered hay bale. A heavy sigh escaped from his throat.

She kneeled and placed her hands on the dress jean covered thighs.

Luke brought his arms down to dangle over the side of the hay bale. “That feels good,” He mumbled when her hands moved to his stomach and began to massage.

“I’m glad you like that,” She ran her palms up his plaid shirt and stopped at his broad shoulders.

Luke closed his eyes and let his mind drift back over some fond memories. She placed her hands on his face and rubbed his temples. She worked her way down his neck, upper torso and legs. His eyes flew open as her hands unbuttoned the snaps of the shirt.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” she turned away.

Luke put one hand in her hair and the other reached to brush fingertips over her cheek. She turned back to him. He leaned forward and kissed the top of her head.

A shy smile came over her lips. She buried her face into his chest and listened to his heartbeat. His kisses and gentle caressing of her hair continued.

* * *

Two pair of hazel eyes glanced around the living full of mounted wildlife. Apparently, Haggard had kept himself busy hunting and fishing since his release. Some of the items looked older. “I’m not sure.” Daney whispered to her cousin. It could be anything from the typical buck head over the fireplace, the raccoon and squirrel bookends or a fish from the shelf next to the gun cabinet in the corner on the other side of a bird display.

“Just don’t seem right,” Daisy whispered. She glanced to the salt and pepper haired man sprawled on the couch, the top of the furniture touched the bottom of the picture window.

Daney wasn’t sure if her cousin was talking about them coming to look for the paper or the critters.

Daisy looked over the head, half, wall, pedestal and custom scene mounts again. In the moonlight, it was eerie and mystic. She felt like she was in a museum after dark. The only thing missing was a full body type. What they needed was a paper no bigger than a bookmark, something Haggard wouldn’t think twice. “C’mon,” She lifted a hand and tugged on her cousin’s long hair.

“Is that what I think it is?” Daney wondered softly out loud. Her hands reached toward a four inch willow hoop. A spider web pattern had been formed inside the circle with twine. Three red feathers hung from brown suede laces. She guessed the dream catcher had been a gift or made by one of Haggard’s daughters. She tilted her head and glanced to the floor. A white slip, the size of a gas station receipt lay on the wooden floor.

She stooped down and using the bandana from her pocket, retrieved the item. It was labeled Ale’s Taxidermy. Viewing Haggard’s son’s name, the paper dropped back to the light colored wooden surface. Payne worked at that particular establishment. The paper would not be helpful but maybe a trip to the tannery would unearth something new. Daney guessed it would be just a wild tangent. She wondered how Bo and Luke were faring with Charity and Grace.

The two women had something in common with the blond Duke. Their father had gone to prison before their birth. The Duke family had not been the only victims of the circumstances. Sometimes people forgot that in only looking at the major details of the ordeal. There were probably folks who wondered how their mother, a law student had given all that up for some one like Haggard. The answer would not be found here. It was somewhere that held a special meaning for the man on the couch.

“Daisy, didn’t the Haggards own the tannery?” She whispered to her cousin.

“Yes. The girls and Payne were too young to carry on the family business.” Daisy replied.

“But the deaths didn’t stop the two hundred year Duke tradition,” Daney paused.

Daisy shook her head in disagreement. “Is that gonna help us find a paper?”

“I think so,” Daney nodded. “It couldn’t hurt to check the business out-” She stopped in mid sentence at squeak of the bedroom door. “Bo?” She thought to herself looking at the tall, wavy blond haired man who leaned in the archway. He returned the woman’s glance with a dark flashing blue eyed stare.

“What are you doin’ here?” He asked crisply.

“Looking for evidence that will clear up a rumor,” Daisy answered truthfully.

“You won’t find it in this room,” He tapped a boot heel on the wooden floor.

“We were just discussin’ that possibility,” Daney said quietly. Hazel eyes glanced in the direction of another noise. The older Haggard shifted in position, appeared to be stirring awake.

Payne made sure he had both women’s attention before he spoke again. “You want someone to take you to the tannery.”

“Not exactly,” Daisy replied.

“If another place is the answer, we’re all for goin’ there.” Daney added. “All we want is for our cousins to be happy again.”

Payne chuckled. “Fantasy ain’t my cup of coffee.” He looked over at the figure sleeping on the couch and back at one of the women. “Why couldn’t you have just gone to the business first?”

Daney blinked in surprise. “Seemed like this would be the best place to find anything.” She sensed something in the man’s demeanor and tone of voice. But the off chance of being wrong kept the brunette from saying more.

Daisy wasn’t quite as shy. “You want to help us?”

“Be a fool not too.” Payne smiled.