DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own The Dukes of Hazard.

I got this idea after re-watching The Ghost of General Lee on You Tube.

To Hell and Back

Ch. 2

SCENE TWO

"Learn anything more?" Jack looked up from the book he was reading as his sister hung up her jacket.

"No, he was asleep by the time I was able to get to the hospital," she sat down on the couch and kicked her feet upon the coffee table she'd purchased the week before, "but it has come to me that we've been so busy worrying about him that we've overlooked the obvious."

He was puzzled and he tilted his head to one side, "What do you mean?"

She raised her eyebrows, "The fact that we should have gotten ourselves back down to Hazzard County and ask around? See if anyone in that county knows of anyone who is missing? Someone that fits 'Matt's' description?"

Jack groaned and shook his head, "Did you have to make me feel like an idiot?"

She chuckled, "Don't worry, I've been kicking myself all the way home. Would you go sit with him while I go with Nicolas and head to Hazzard County. He's going to cover one end while I cover the other end."

"Why not just contact the various sheriff's of each town in the county?" Jack looked at her.

"Because everyone I have ever talked to has said the same thing...a lot of the law officers are corrupt. I would rather talk to people face to face anyway. It's easier to tell if someone is lying to you when you can look into their eyes."

She had a point there. More than once Jack had talked to someone over the phone or read a letter only to find out later he'd been lied to. On the other hand, those times dropped drastically when he'd talked with the other party personally.

"When are the two of you going?" Jack didn't mind checking in on their 'adopted family member' but he had a busy schedule. The one thing the doctors had agreed on was that his sister's consistant visits; along with the fact she was always talking to him, had helped the young stranger out the most.

"First thing in the morning," she stood back up, "I told the nurses I'd be back to check in on 'Matt'. In fact," she walked over to the book case and pulled one of its contents down, "I really only came to get this book of names. It's going to be a long process but I figured I'd take it with me. If we're lucky it will only take halfway through the night to get to his name."

"Good luck." Jack went back to reading.

SCENE THREE

What with the fact that she'd gotten as far as names that started f with 'Matt' and hadn't come up with his name; along with driving for what seemed to be an eternity, she wasn't in the best of moods. Paula parked her car. Once she was standing outside of it she stretched. She best give Jack a call and see if Nicolas had made it home with any news. Maybe this 'Boar's Nest' would have a phone she could use.

Opening the door she stepped inside. The music on the jukebox was playing and people were visiting. She made her way to the bar, "Miss, is there a phone I could use?"

Daisy smiled at the stranger, "There's a pay phone right over there. You're more than welcome to use it."

Paula started to walk away then turned back to Daisy, she might as well see if she'd have any luck here, "Do you know of anyone whose missing a member of their family?"

Daisy forced a smile on her face, "Only those that they've had to bury. Why?"

"Just trying to help an acquaintance out is all." she answered as she headed for the phone.

Daisy felt a wave of curiosity come over her and she almost stopped the stranger. "Daisy Duke!" she chastised herself, "What do you mean thinkin' to ask personal questions of a total stranger when you know full well nobody but the dead are 'missing' around here!' She grabbed the beers that had been ordered and headed for the customers.

"It's okay," Paula's voice held a tone of frustration, "We can try again this weekend. Talk to you later." she hung the phone. As she turned around she bumped into Jesse Duke.

"I'm sorry, sir," she stepped backwards, "I wasn't paying attention."

Jesse chuckled and held out his hand, "Don't worry about it; always nice to meet a stranger. My name's Jesse Duke. What's yours?"

"Paula, Paula Mills. Nice to meet you." she took shook his hand."

"You new around here?" Bo asked as he walked up beside his uncle.

"No," she shook her head, "I just came down to Hazzard County to see if I could find anyone missing a family member."

The fact that both men stiffened did not pass her by only she shrugged it off when Jesse replied, "Everyone we know is accounted for. Why do you ask?" Jesse looked at her curiously.

She repeated the answer she'd given Daisy then shrugged her shoulders, "And don't go asking why I don't talk to the sheriff. I've already heard enough about that man to know you can guess the reason. Besides, I have a friend who has honest connections. If anyone fitting his description is wanted for anything she'll find out. Nice to meet you. I have to go." the tone her voice was one of a being who was just flat out tired of not getting the answers they wanted.

As she disappeared out the door, Bo turned to Jesse, "You know, she seemed a bit stressed out. Maybe, we could ask around the county ourselves."

"Yea," Jesse smiled, "helping someone else out would take our minds off our own troubles."

BALLADEER: I just hate it when someone is that close to something and misses it altogether!