I don't own Dukes of Hazzard.
"Clara!" I turn around and see Michael run to me.
"Hey there. What's up?" I ask him. Michael is an orphan at the local orphanage.
"I've been adopted."
"Really?" I ask as I stoup down to his level.
"Yah. The Patterson's adopted me." The Patterson's were the new couple in town. They were both young and were some of the nicest people.
I pull Michael into a hug. "I'm happy for ya. You're goin' to some good people. You're goin' to be loved so much."
"I know, but you and the Dukes were the first ones to love me after my parents died." He says.
"We're always goin' to love ya." I tell him standing up. "So when ya moving out of the orphanage?"
"Later today." He says as we both walk to the garage.
"Amazing." We reach the garage and coincidently Bo and Luke pull up.
"Hey Clara, Michael." Luke says getting out.
"Hey guys." I say seeing if Cooter was here.
"Guess what guys." I hear Michael say. I walk into the office and see a note. It was from Cooter. All it said was that the Patterson's called and said they were bringing their car in.
I walk back out to hear the guys congratulate Michael. "Why don't we take ya to the Patterson's?" Bo asks.
"That would be awesome!" Michael hugs both the guys but pulls away with a sad look. "But they're coming to get me."
"We'll the guys could ask them when they bring their car in." I say as I walk to them. "I'm not sure when they'll be here though."
Right after I finish talking, Kevin Patterson pulls up to the garage. "Hello everybody." He says getting out of his car.
"Hello." We all say.
"Hey Michael, what are you doing here?" Kevin walks up to Michael and ruffles his hair.
"I told Clara, Bo and Luke about you and Mrs. Patterson adopting me."
"Yah, we're really happy for him." Bo says.
"Yah." I agree with him. "So why ya bringin' your car in today Kevin?"
"It's been acting weird."
I open the hood and start looking around. I emerge after a few minutes of looking and walk into the garage to join the guys. "I think it's goin' to take a while."
"We need to get home soon." Kevin says.
"Why don't Luke and I take you and Michael home? We can get his stuff then." Bo suggests.
"And I'll bring your car to your house when I'm done." I add.
He thinks for a minute. "That sounds great."
"Then let's go." Kevin reaches for the handle on the General and pulls a bit surprised that it didn't open.
"You have to climb in through the window." Michael tells him. He then shows him as he gets in.
Kevin tries to get in but Bo ends up having to help. Once they're all in, they back out and wave as they leave. I wave back then head further into the garage for some tools and rags.
"Hey Enos." I say walking into the police station.
"Hello Clara." The deputy says from the desk by the upper jail cell. "Whatcha doin' here?"
I raise up a paper bag that's in my hand. "Grandma heard Boss made ya stay the night, so she made ya a breakfast."
He stands up and meets me halfway between the door and desk. "How sweet. She is always lookin' out for everyone."
"Yah she is." Enos takes the bag and walks it back to the desk. "I guess I should get to work. Bye."
"See ya." I walk to the door but Amanda Patterson walks in.
"Hello." I greet her.
"Hello." She walks right past me with a worried look. "Enos, I need to report a robbery."
I stand by the door and listen to them. It wasn't normal for robberies in town, even with our reputation. Enos takes a seat at the desk and pulls out a paper and pen. "What time was it?"
"It had to of been early this morning when Kevin was in the field and Michael and I were asleep."
"What was stolen?"
"Our gun safe, which had our shotgun and my great-grandfather's special riffle. I'm more worried about the riffle because it's worth a lot."
"Do many people around here know about it?"
"No. I think only Bo and Luke Duke know about it except for our family."
I know there was an easy assumption that can be made. "Ya don't think Bo and Luke would do it would ya Enos?" I ask stepping away from the door and joining them by the desk.
"What would Bo and Luke do?" We all turn and see Boss step out of his office with Rosco behind.
"Mrs. Patterson is reporting a robbery." Enos tells them.
Rosco walks over to Enos and grabs the paper Enos was writing on. He gets an evil grin on his face and hands it to Boss who got the same look. "Looks like the only suspects are the Duke boys." Boss says. "Rosco, Enos. Go and arrest them."
I knew I couldn't stop them. I run out of the building and jump in my car. I quickly start driving and grab the CB.
"Cow Bell to Lost Sheep. Ya better be listening Lost Sheep." I look in my rearview mirror and see Rosco and Enos behind me.
"Lost Sheep here." I hear Luke say.
"Where are ya?" I ask urgently.
"Just leavin' for town."
"Well forget that. Ya guys need to hide now."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"I'll tell ya later. Ya just need to hide from Rosco and Enos."
They say nothing for a minute. I look behind me and see Rosco and Enos turn off the road I'm on. They were heading to the farm. "Alright. We're gone."
I throw the mic into the passenger seat and press my foot closer to the floor. I knew where the guys were going and that's where I was heading. I soon arrive at one of Jesse's old still sites. It was one that had a ton of trees and bushes. I find the General and park behind him, still hidden by the bushes. I get out and walk to the window of the General. I crouch down so I wouldn't be seen.
"What's goin' on?" Bo asks.
"Grandma had me take Enos breakfast and when I was leavin', Amanda walked in. She said they were robbed earlier this mornin'."
"What was stolen?" Luke asks.
"Their gun safe."
Bo and Luke both get shocked faces. Bo is the one to speak up. "Ya mean the safe that had Amanda's great-granddad's riffle?"
I nod my head. "And she said the two of ya were the only ones, other than family, to know about it."
"That's why ya told us to hide." Luke realizes. I nod.
"What are we goin' to do?" Bo asks. We all look around at each other.
I decide to talk after our long silence. "The only logical thing is to prove ya two are innocent."
"I agree." Luke says. "We need to split up. Clara, do ya think that Cooter has a car we can use?"
"Oh course." I respond.
"Go and get it. It will be useful." I give him a curious look.
"Alright. I'll be right back." I get up and get in my car.
I'm careful pulling onto the main road. I drive to the garage and park outside. I step inside and Cooter is working. I close the door and that catches Cooter's attention.
"Hey. Where were ya?" He asks.
I was supposed to be here after I dropped off Enos' breakfast but of course that didn't happen. "I dropped off a breakfast for Enos, and that's when Amanda Patterson walks in and says their gun safe is missing. It had a special riffle in it. And it just so happens that Bo and Luke were the only ones that knew about it except for the Patterson's family." I tell him without breathing between sentences.
"Really?" He asks.
"Yah. I also need to borrow a car. Luke's idea."
"Sure." He walks over to a desk, grabs some keys and he tosses them to me. "It's the grey Dodge out front."
"Thanks." I then toss him my keys. "In case it's needed."
He gives me a smile and I leave. I find the car by the gas pumps and get in. I then drive carefully to where the guys were, making sure I wasn't followed. I make it there and park behind the General Lee. Luke gets out as I do and Bo just sits in the window of the General. Luke climbs over the General and meets me between the two cars.
"So what's the plan?" I ask him.
"We'll split up, you and Bo will look on the north end of town and I'll look on the south end."
"What do ya mean Bo and me? Normally you and Bo search together in the General."
"You and Bo work good together and if it's you two together then you'll be able to find the person or persons faster."
I keep looking at Luke. I wanted to argue with him but I know I would lose and we also need to get them cleared and fast. "Fine." I give him the keys. He pulls me into a hug and I hug him back. He knows what he's doing, but I hope it works out right.
He gets in the car as I climb over the General's trunk and slip inside. Luke pulls out of the hiding spot first then we follow. We both pull out onto the main road but head in different directions. Bo and I drive around the northern part of town for about an hour with no luck.
"Bo, Clarabelle. Ya listenin'?" Luke's voice suddenly breaks our silence.
"We're here. How ya doin?" I respond to him.
"Nothin' but Enos pulled up behind me. It seems like he doesn't realize it's me but it's hard not to run from him." I look at Bo and he was a little worried like I was. A few minutes later Luke added, "He just turned off to a different road."
"Thank goodness." Bo says under his breath.
"Where are ya Luke? 'Cause we've found nothin' also."
"Miller Road." Bo instantly turns around and heads for Miller Road. "What the?" Luke says sounding a little freaked out.
"Luke? Luke, is everything alright?" I get no answer from him. "Luke? Luke?"
I throw the mic down in frustration. "Nothin'. He sounded like he was in trouble."
"I know." Bo speeds as fast as he can to Miller Road.
Bo slows down once we reach it. We look all around for signs of Luke. I then notice fresh tire tracks and nudge Bo to show him. He turns off and follows them. We look on each side of the road for any sign.
"Bo! Stop!" I yell as something catches my eye. Once he stops and turns off the car, we pull ourselves out to sit on the doors.
"Luke!"
Cliff hanger. I'm sorry but it was just perfect for this story and if I didn't, I would have a hard time stopping this chapter. Well, hope ya'll are watching the Dukes marathon. I am and I'm on "High Flyin' Dukes" right now. I promise not to keep ya waiting for the next part of this. Review please.
