A/N: Here we go! Thanks to all who are reading and/or reviewing! This is a little longer, but I couldn't bring myself to put up another cliffhanger! ENJOY!
****Mild Violence****
Chapter 28 – Hazzard at Harley's Mill
Patience and perseverance have
a magical effect before which difficulties
disappear and obstacles vanish.
~John Quincy Adams
Jimmy Blake looked out the two-way mirror in his office into the pit below. The old warehouse that stood next to the mill was once filled to the brim with grain from local farms. Now it was a gambler's paradise, a maze of tables covered in green felt and bright chips. In a few hours, patrons wearing anything from overalls to formal gowns would walk through the doors. They would bring plenty of cash to spend on a chance to win big. Scantily clad waitresses would keep spirits high and liquor flowing as they sashayed through the crowd.
The next eighteen hours were crucial to Blake's takeover plan. Monroe was back in the country, Manhattan to be precise. By noon tomorrow, Monroe's empire would fall and Blake's would rule. He looked at the clock. Vic should be here by now. He reached for the phone and then a loud knock diverted his attention.
"Come in! You're late!"
The door opened and Vic strolled inside.
"Mr. Blake."
"Have a seat. Don't keep me waiting again." Blake gestured to the guest chair. "Mr. Monroe will be flying into Clayton in the morning and Travis will be ready to arrest him. I want you there to back up his team. Take Bridgette with you, put her in Coltrane's hat and jacket. You're going to finish off the sheriff now and dispose of the body."
"That figures." Vic sauntered over to the chair and flopped down lazily. "The plan has your arrogant touch to it."
"Pardon me?" Blake raised an eyebrow and sat behind the desk. "Just watch your attitude. Get those muddy boots off my carpet! I just had it replaced!"
"Oh, the carpet again. Well, by all means then!" With a loud whack, he put a large hiking boot on the expensive mahogany desk, followed by the other. He stretched back and crossed his ankles. "I wouldn't want to ruin you're carpeting. With everything you are facing, I would think mud is the least of your concerns."
"Excuse me?" Blake's lip curled in a snarl as the mud dripped onto his expensive furnishings. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Talking?" he smirked. "Kill the cop, get rid of the body, what else do you have planned, Jimmy boy?"
"Jimmy boy?" he parroted, dumbfounded by the sudden lack of respect. "Remove your feet from my desk and address me appropriately!"
Vic ignored him and Blake postured in annoyance. When the man didn't correct his behavior, Blake put his palms on the desk and slowly rose to his feet.
"Victor. I said, remove your feet from my desk!"
"I don't think so," he pulled his revolver. "We need to finish our conversation. Have a seat and slide that Beretta over here."
Ever smooth and charismatic, Blake calmly straightened his tie and lowered himself to his chair. "I expected a few turncoats," he sighed, heavily. "Name your price. How much more do you want?" Opening his drawer, he slid the Beretta across the desk.
"Thanks, Jimmy boy. Half would be a start."
"Half. I do believe you're insane," he picked up a pen and his checkbook. "Twenty-five percent."
"No thanks," he laughed sardonically and retrieved the Beretta, moving the phone in front of Blake. "Now dial Monroe and put the call on the speaker. Keep your trap shut." Vic resumed his laid back position as Blake began to dial. "He's at his office in Charlotte."
"Ch-Charlotte?" Blake stopped mid dial. "So he's closer than we realized. Victor. If Mr. Monroe wants to move up the schedule, I should know so we are prepared. I'm willing to make you a full partner. Together the three of us would be unstoppable. You should think about what you're losing."
"You're too late. Monroe is already giving me everything I want. Now be quiet and dial," he kept his eyes locked on Blake as he dialed again. The phone began to ring. There was a click and Vic spoke first. "Good afternoon, Mr. Monroe. I have Jimmy boy on the line for you."
"Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy. Tsk tsk tsk. You've been a very naughty little boy."
Oblivious to the chaos about to descend upon Timberline Creek, the fish went about their troll, sending water flying as they darted for a tasty meal. Due to the recent rains, the creek was elevated and swift. Below its deceivingly smooth surface, a dangerous undercurrent churned and swirled, dragging debris swiftly downstream and over the falls.
Enos was aware the undercurrent existed, but from his perspective along the bank, all was calm. There was a special place upstream, peaceful and honored with precious memories of his father.
"I got another one Pa! He's a big 'un!"
His father had laughed and smiled with pride. "Good thing ya' brought that extra stringer, son! It's gonna be fish and hushpuppies for a month!"
While Enos waited for backup, he tried to calm his nerves by listening to the soothing din of the falls. It mixed with the hushed flow of the stream and the rippling of water over stones. Instead of soothing his frayed edges, the sound caused him to pine for his wife.
"Jenny…Jenny's voice sounds like this," he murmured and closed his eyes.
"Enos? Are you all right? I'm here…"
But she wasn't here.
When they were together, nature was in perfect harmony. Wrapped in her arms, her voice spun a cocoon of peace and comfort that he was struggling to function without.
Despite being so close to Rosco and finding the gun, he was overwrought. Until they had the evidence, he had everything to lose. Enos opened his eyes and leaned his head against a tree, watching the stillness in the clearing as his hands gripped his Remington. He was antsy and incapable of being still, so he moved across the roadway.
Staying on the hillside, he climbed over rocks and walked around massive oaks so tall they seemed to touch the heavens. Once he was above the cars, he carefully slid down the steep incline. The leaves rustled and dirt turned over beneath his feet. The loose soil and smaller pebbles tumbled down the hill below him. When he reached the edge of the clearing, he moved between the cars. Enos quickly flattened a tire on each, but finding keys in the ignition of the pickup, he grabbed them and left the tires intact. Then he rushed back up the hill to retrace his steps, circling back around the clearing and across the drive to the boulder.
Back at his perch, Enos looked down the road with a weary sigh. The twenty minutes had ended and his friends hadn't arrived. Only falling leaves, rushing water and stalwart trees surrounded him. The twenty minutes had passed slowly, like sitting in a sweltering classroom on the last day of school, awaiting the final bell before summer break. He had to do something, so he moved down to the water's edge and crouched in the small space beneath the footbridge. Here he could get a better view of the window to the gear room.
He notice the underside of the bridge looked worse than the surface above. The entire expanse was in serious disrepair from years of neglect and decay. A few cross beams were broken in half or hanging loose from one side. Several slats on the bridge platform were missing altogether. Downstream, the wooden sluice box was also in deplorable condition.
Enos glanced at his watch. Another five minutes had passed and he couldn't wait anymore. He put his rifle over his shoulder and took a few steps towards the rickety box. Rosco was right there, beyond that wall, behind that windowpane and iron grate. The man with the answers to everything askew in Enos's world was just beyond reach. If he could just talk to him for a few moments...
The box continued to draw him in. It stretched from the upper level of the falls down along the building where it ended abruptly near the window. The flow of water had long been diverted from the entrance of the sluice gate by a manmade dam, giving Enos easy access to the empty chute. Supported by two stone pillars, the narrow waterway hung in the air, making for a rather long fall should one of the rotten boards give way. If the entire structure collapsed, it could fall towards the water and he would be swept downstream.
Yet, he moved closer.
Enos started bargaining with himself, justifying the unwise move with need…the need for answers, the need to save his friend, the need for Jenny. He took a few more steps. If he could simply look in the window, to let Rosco know he was here and to see if he was okay.
He crept further still.
When more doubts arose, he came up with more reasons to climb across the chute. He could prevent the sheriff from being caught off guard. Or maybe he could find out where the gun was hidden before anything else went wrong. Desire overruled common sense and he swiftly moved towards the gate along the water's edge.
Just before he reached the dam, a small splash at his feet stopped him. He hunched low to the ground. Looking across the water, he saw Jaxon prepared to throw another stone across the river. Chuck was with him. Jaxon began waving his hands wildly and mouthed something Enos couldn't make out. Then he scowled angrily, jabbed a finger in the direction of the box, then back at Enos before he slapped his hand on his forehead with his index finger and thumb in the shape of an "L."
"Huh?"
Jaxon mouthed the words again, slower this time.
Enos narrowed his eyes and audibly muttered Jaxon's words. "Are you cra...crazy? Crazy! I ain't…" he huffed. "Ding dang it, Jaxon!"
He looked at Jaxon with his arms out to his sides and palms up. "What now?"
Jaxon shook his head adamantly, then gestured towards the footbridge. The two men started moving upstream towards the crossing.
"Now who's crazy?" Enos grumbled.
He glanced longingly at the window and turned around, moving up the hill to check the clearing. Once at the boulder he waved Jaxon and Chuck across. He nervously kept one eye on the mill while the two men moved across the dangerous bridge. If they fell in the water, they would be swept downstream too fast for him to help.
The wooden walkway creaked and protested, joints popped and it began to shift. Another one of the braces came loose and hung precariously, causing Chuck to pause after only a few paces. He went back to the shore and Jaxon came across first, dodging holes in the bridge and falling to one knee when a board cracked beneath his foot. Enos held his breath, unable to help his brother-in-law. Two loud splashes sent water flying and Enos watched the mill door, expecting trouble to come pouring out any moment.
"Come on! Get off that thing!" Enos said in a hushed voice. He continued to watch both the door and the bridge with trepidation until both men were safely across.
"Enos!" Jaxon called, quietly. "Get down here!"
Hearing the hoot of an owl, Enos put up his hand to halt Jaxon. Recognizing the Dukes' call, he answered back. Uncle Jesse appeared with Bo and Luke in the forest across the narrow road. He waved them over and they quickly ran to meet him.
"I sure am glad to see y'all! I've been as nervous as a cat in a dog pound!" Enos said, relieved. "Jaxon and Chuck are down at th' bridge, c'mon."
The four men moved quietly and slipped behind the far side of the footbridge to talk over the plan.
Jaxon immediately ripped into Enos, "What is the matter with you!? That sluice box wasn't about to hold your weight! You could have been killed!"
"I'm sorry, but I was plum tired of waitin'!" Enos rested the butt of his rifle on the ground and knelt down. "I already disabled th' cars, but I'm about to lose my mind doin' nothin'!"
Chuck took his turn. "He's right, Enos! That box looks a lot worse from the other side of the river! One of the stone pillars is almost gone! What were you thinking!?"
"I was thinkin' about how nice it would be to bring my wife home and have my life back!" Enos dropped his head as the heartache took over.
"Y'all just lighten up on him a bit." Luke took Enos's shoulder. "We're gonna get Rosco out of there."
Bo sat the quiver of arrows down. "Do you know how many bad guys we're dealin' with inside?"
"At least three, but I ain't sure." Enos replied. "I didn't see who was in th' Nova, but I ain't seen nobody since I got here. We need to get Rosco and Gidget out and take the rest of them alive. There's been too much killin'."
"I'll second that," Chuck said. "We should try and get someone inside."
Jaxon dropped his trail bag to the ground. "Before we start poking around, we need to cut the phone lines. I saw the box on the back side of the mill."
Enos rubbed his eyes. "Is the front door th' only way inside, Uncle Jesse? Do ya' know?"
"Of course I do! This was quite th' place back in its day. Your Pa and I made a run down here at least twice a month during th' summer!" he glanced over at Chuck. "Uh, no disrespect."
"None taken, sir." Chuck replied. "I appreciate your help, Mr. Duke."
Jesse nodded and continued, "The gear room is downstairs on the far side. Harley had hisself a real nice office in th' top of th' warehouse and there's a set of hidden stairs leading down to th' mill. Y'all look here," he picked up a stick and drew a box in the dirt. "This here is the front door…"
Jesse laid out the diagram of the mill and explained where the gear room was located. He showed them which hallways to take, where the small front office used to be and the approximate location of the hidden staircase.
"That's about it." Jesse announced. "Two ways in, two ways out. It's either the mill door, or the warehouse doors and they got chains on them. I reckon ya' ought to get Rosco out before ya' go barging up to th' office."
"Yes, sir. Thanks, Uncle Jesse." Enos grinned. "I sure appreciate ya'."
Jaxon slid down to the water's edge and looked towards the falls. "I wish that window was bigger, I could rig up a line in the trees. Mum could get out, but I doubt Rosco could."
"We have to get to them somehow. Enos, you're th' sheriff now. It's your call. How do you want to get inside?" Luke heaved a sigh and picked up a handful of dirt as he thought about the problem.
Bo looked at the diagram. "They knew what they were doin' putting them all the way in the back on the bottom floor."
Enos stood back and watched the eldest Duke cousin. Luke rubbed the soil between his fingers and it slowly fell to the ground at gravity's command. With a slight grin, he looked back at the mill.
"We ain't gonna go in…let's try bringin' them to us first. Uncle Jesse? Luke? I'm gonna need your help on that hill over yonder. Bo? We're gonna need th' General."
Enos explained his plan then everyone dispersed to their positions. Jaxon ran to cut the phone lines while Bo hurried back to the General Lee.
As Enos sat crouched behind the boulder with his rifle aimed at the door, he looked up through the trees to the sky. The sun had disappeared behind smoky grey clouds and everything was again overcast and gloomy. Closing his eyes, he prayed for everyone's safety and for Jenny. Then pulling the pendant from his pocket, he looked into the stone, picturing her beautiful eyes.
Soon, Jenny. I'm real close, hun. He's right here and I'll bring ya' home. I love ya' so much.
Rosco kept a close eye on Gidget as the keys rattled in the door and turned the lock. She took a step back and glanced nervously his way.
"Now ya' just do what I told ya'!" Rosco whispered. He was greatly concerned about doing this in his condition. He still felt sick to his stomach when he stood and Gene must have twisted his arm. Pain radiated from the shoulder all the way down to his fingers. It was becoming more painful to breathe. He was certain he had some bruised ribs.
The door began to open and Gidget stood as tall as her 5'4" frame would allow. She gasped and the jacket fell to the floor when she put her hands in the air. Gene held a gun as he stepped into the room.
"Bridgette, after your last stunt you didn't really expect me to come unprepared, did you?"
"B-but the sheriff is hurt and-"
"So why is he hiding in the corner?" Gene glared at Rosco. "Cop, if you try anything, she's not going to live to put you back together this time. Now stand up."
Rosco picked up his jacket and stood slowly as his chest ached. This wasn't the plan.
"There ain't no monkey business going on here! I ain't able to stand long, ya' big idiot! Gidget was trying to explain but ya' ain't got nothin' between your ears but mashed taters! I ain't steady on my feet thanks to you! She was gonna help me walk!" he grasped the railing and swayed. The dizziness he felt was all too real.
"Now Rosco, don't get upset, it's just going to make him mad if you argue with him!" Gidget widened her eyes and he picked up her cue.
"OH! Ghit! Argue!? I'll argue if I wanna argue! Big and ugly ain't got no right comin' in here and bullyin' anybody around!" he poked Gene with his finger. "Now listen up ya' nitwit! I want my badge! Where is it?!"
"You're badge!? Maybe I need to give you another beating!"
"You couldn't beat scrambled eggs!" Rosco winced as another pang shot down his arm and across his chest.
A loud explosion outside rocked the building, distracting them as walls shook and dust fell from the ceiling.
Gene spun around and looked down the hall. "What was that!?"
Gidget clasped her hands together and whacked Gene's arm. The gun was knocked to the floor and she immediately bent down to retrieve it.
Rosco threw his jacket over Gene's head and gave the brute a hard shove. Gene fell over Gidget, who was still crouched on the step. His feet went in the air and he rolled end over end, landing on the floor at the bottom of the stairs.
Tossing her hair back, Gidget stood with a triumphant smile. "Look! I've got the gun!"
"I can see that! I ain't blind! Oh…good grief that hurt!" he held his left arm. "We ain't got time to be yappin'!"
"Why are you so crabby all of a sudden? What was that explosion?"
"I think we got us a bunch of help!" he reached for her hand. "Quit your lollygaggin'! We have to go!"
"I'm coming! Don't grump at me!" Gidget stepped up to the landing.
"Uh-oh, hold it!" Rosco pulled her behind the door.
As they hid, they listened to the noises in the hallway. Peeking around the door, they saw a smaller door open and suddenly Jimmy Blake was shoved through, landing face down across the narrow passageway.
Gidget covered her mouth when Vic stepped in the hall. He had to duck to get under the doorway. She recognized him as Monroe's best cleaner, vicious and extremely dangerous. If they were seen, he would kill them on the spot.
Rosco glanced down the stairs. Gene was sprawled out unconscious. The two remained quiet as church mice as they waited. His heart was racing. If he could make sure Gidget was safe, maybe this sick feeling would go away. If he didn't get her out this time, Gene would hurt her, or worse.
Vic paid no attention to the end of the hall and didn't notice Gene's absence. He shouted curses at Blake then picked him up by the scruff of the neck.
"Get down that hall, Blake! I don't know what you're trying to pull out there, but if you're people want you alive, they better let me go! Either way you're a dead man!"
"I don't know who they-"
"LIAR! You're a traitor!" Vic backhanded the man. "If they aren't your people, then who are they?"
"I don't know who they are and I didn't hang up the phone on Monroe! I don't think it's FBI! They would have burst in here with a SWAT team!"
"If they are cops, I'm throwing you to the wolves! Monroe will get you in prison!"
"Victor! I paid you good money! Monica and I can make you rich beyond your dreams! Rethink what you-"
Vic struck him again. Blake was then pushed forward and the two men moved away. Rosco waited until their footsteps faded down the hall, then he took Gidget and ran out the door, pulling it closed behind them. The keys were in the lock and Rosco swiftly trapped Gene inside with a satisfying clank.
"How do ya' like that ya' varmint! It ain't much fun bein' the one in the slammer! Gyu gyu gyu!" he pulled the keys from the lock and raised a victorious fist. "We got 'em! Let's skedaddle on outta here!" Rosco let out a groan and held his arm. "Th-that don't feel so good."
"Rosco, you're sick." Gidget put a tender hand across his cheek. "You're white as a sheet! What's going on?"
"Oh hush! I'm fine! Just real bruised up. I probably got th' same flu momma had. Let's just get out of here!" Rosco took two steps and everything spun. His chest hurt and pain shot down his arm all the way to his fingertips.
Gidget appeared under his shoulder and wrapped her arm around his waist. "Don't push me away like this. Let me help you. We're going to make it this time, Rosco. You promised me a dinner, remember?"
"Ya' just make sure ya' keep your end of th' bargain. I'm lookin' forward to that dinner, Miss Gidget. Let's go."
Together they moved carefully down the hallway as Gidget looked up at him with worry.
A few moments earlier…
The engine of the General Lee could be heard in the distance as Luke pulled back his arrow. He stood on the hillside above the cars looking down into the clearing below. The stillness of the area was coming to an abrupt end. Uncle Jesse struck the match and lit the fuse on the dynamite.
"Let er rip!" Jesse stepped back and retrieved his shotgun.
Releasing the string, Luke sent the arrow flying into the center of the clearing where it planted firmly in the ground. Just before the General Lee raced through the entry, the dynamite exploded, blowing a large hole in the land as it sent soil and leaves flying high into the air. Luke and Uncle Jesse quickly started their descent down the hill.
Enos, Jaxon and Chuck ducked as dirt rained down on them behind the boulder. The General sped past their location with a loud "YEEHAW!" Dirt kicked out from under the wheels as Bo performed donut after donut in the clearing. The air grew thick with dust as "Dixie" echoed in the trees.
"That should get their attention!" Enos slapped Jaxon's shoulder. "Did ya' see that!? Way to go, Bo! Ding dang that was somethin'!"
"It was something all right." Jaxon's eyes were wide. "That is definitely a first for me. Luke needs to show Drake how he did that."
"Time to go." Chuck handed the radio to Enos.
"Yessir! Hazzard Two to Lost Sheep, we're going in!"
"10-4 Hazzard Two!" Bo moved the General to the far side of the clearing.
Before the three men could move from behind their cover, Jimmy Blake was roughly pushed out the door as a human shield. The large man behind him held him firmly, with a gun pointed to his head.
"Nobody moves, or he dies!" Vic's voice boomed across the clearing. "Bring that car over here!"
Bo slid out the window. "Ain't no way you're taking th' General!"
Ding dang it! Enos raised his rifle and using the scope he zeroed in on Vic. "That ain't gonna happen, mister! Ya' ain't goin' nowhere! Drop the gun and put your hands in th' air or I'm gonna have to put ya' down!" His blood boiled when he saw the blood on the man's hiking boots.
Bo hunkered down behind the hood. Uncle Jesse and Luke scurried between the cars and joined him.
Uncle Jesse aimed his shotgun and shouted. "Ya' ain't comin' nowhere near these boys!"
Vic yelled, "Do what I tell you old man or Blake here dies!" he moved Blake and blocked Enos's shot.
Enos glanced over at the boys. Did he dare? There was still one more person inside with Rosco and Gidget.
I ain't got no other choice.
"Mind your manners and hold on, we're gonna give it to ya'!" Enos called out to the Dukes, "Hey, Bo! I reckon if he wants to fly out of here like an arrow, we had better give him what he wants! Let him have it, buddy roe!"
"You better listen to him!" Vic yelled. "Do what he said and get that car over here!"
"Hold on!" Bo's raised hands appeared above the hood. "I'm comin'! Just a second! I dropped th' keys, let me find them!" he disappeared behind the car.
"Enos, what are you doing?" Chuck whispered.
"Be ready to duck," he replied. "Jaxon?"
"I'm in. I got it. You guys are nuts!" Jaxon chuckled at the crazy plan.
Behind the General, Bo had moved with Luke towards the trunk. Luke had his bow ready and Bo lit the dynamite.
"Put it along the right side of th' steps, cuz. That should force them towards Enos." Bo said.
"That's what I was thinkin'. Ya' keep an eye out for Uncle Jesse. I'm gonna head towards the boulder."
Vic was growing angry. "I'm about to start shooting off toes!"
"Here goes." Luke pulled back and let the arrow fly.
Enos, Jaxon and Chuck, ducked behind the boulder.
[Thwack]
The arrow stuck in the ground a safe distance away, but close enough to get Vic's attention. He looked at the object with a furrowed brow. "What in the-"
[BOOM]
Vic and Blake were knocked off the stairs. When the debris stopped falling, Enos and Chuck raced towards the two men. Blake stayed down, but Vic was back on his feet and took off down the hill towards the footbridge.
"I'll get him!" Enos yelled and ran after him with Jaxon.
"FREEZE! FBI!" Chuck had his weapon pointed at Blake. "On your stomach! Hands above your head!"
Resigning himself to his fate, Blake complied and Chuck began to search him for weapons.
"Chuck!" Luke rushed up to him carrying his bow. "Where's Enos and that big guy?"
"He took off down the hill! Jaxon is with him, but go help them and be careful! He's a killer!"
"Yes sir!" Luke darted towards the footbridge.
Jaxon and Enos were rushing down the hillside, sliding over soft land and jumping stones to make a rapid decline to the bottom. Once at the water's edge, he pushed his muscles until they burned as he raced along the bank of the creek. This man was too dangerous to let get away. They were gaining on him when the killer ran onto the footbridge. Enos slid across the dirt, coming to a stop with Jaxon beside him. They weren't about to step foot on that bridge.
"FREEZE!" Enos fired a warning shot in the air. "County Sheriff! Stop or I'll shoot!" With lightening speed, he chambered the next round in his rifle with a distinct clack. "Toss that gun over the side!"
Vic stopped abruptly in the center of the bridge. He pointed his gun to the sky but didn't drop it.
"Drop the gun or th' next round goes in to you!" Enos repeated, his finger ready to pull the trigger if the man flinched.
Vic tossed the gun into the swiftly moving water.
Enos kept his rifle precisely aimed. "Put your hands on your head and turn around!"
The man very slowly did as he was told and his eyes bore a hole through Enos.
He was looking into the coldest, cruelest eyes, he had ever seen…even worse than Matt Duncan. They were almost black, like some evil sludge that destroyed anything with beauty and life. Enos inwardly quivered. When Vic spoke, his voice was equally cold and unfeeling.
"So you are Deputy Strate," he scoffed.
"Mister, ya' stop talkin' and get off that bridge!" Enos clenched his jaw. "C'mon now! Ya' keep them hands up and start walkin'!"
The bridge creaked, boards began to crack and splinter under Vic's immense weight. Another cross member broke free causing the bridge to lean dangerously to the side. Several splashes could be heard as pieces beneath the structure began to drop one by one into the water.
"Get off th' bridge!" Enos yelled. "It ain't gonna hold!"
Luke came rushing down the hill. "Enos, that thing is collapsin' around him! HEY! Ya' ain't got no choice, mister! If it gives way, that water is gonna suck ya' right under!"
With a sinister smirk, Vic kept his eyes locked on Enos. "Strate? I got a question for you!"
"Quit messin' around and get off that ding dang bridge!"
"Do you have any idea what's really going on?" he started to chuckle, then the laugh that emanated from Vic became dark and malevolent. "You don't know! You really don't know!"
"What are ya' talkin' about!?" Enos tried to steady his hands.
"You can tell us all about how smart you are when you get off that bridge, moron!" Jaxon's patience was fading.
"You can't save them." Vic made a dubious frown.
When the entire bridge lurched to the side, Vic stumbled. Joints popped loudly and boards were stretched beyond capacity as a large section of the platform gave way behind him.
"HURRY! It's gonna go!" Enos yelled again.
He wanted this man to stand trial for his crimes. Death was too good for him! The families of the injured and murdered agents deserved justice and closure.
The bridge began to fail. It screeched and groaned as large chunks of debris hit the water.
"You'll never find her, Strate!"
The footbridge broke completely apart and collapsed beneath him. As it crashed into the water, the murderer went with it, landing in the swollen river amid the debris. The water swallowed him, dragging him below the surface and into the deadly undercurrent. He didn't come up for air.
"Possum on a gumbush!" Enos slowly lowered his rifle in shock. "What did he say? Why did he do that?"
Luke raked his fingers through his hair. "There ain't nothin' we can do, Enos. If ya' go in after him you'll drown."
"D-did he say her?" he grasped Luke's shirt. "Did he!? Did he say her!?"
Luke took hold of his arm. "Take it easy and calm down! I couldn't hear him, there was too much noise!"
"No…I gotta go get him!" Enos started to pull off his gunbelt.
"Whoa! No way!" Luke shoved him away from the water. "There are all kinds of rocks and crevices on the bottom of that river! You know that, Enos! You go in there and that current is going to suck you under and trap you underneath one of them! Jenny needs you!"
"Jenny…if he was talking about her I…" Enos ran his hands over his face. "I'm sorry, Luke. I wasn't thinkin'. I just…I miss her."
"Then get up there and find Rosco!" Luke pointed up the hill. "Let's go!"
"I'll call for search and rescue." Jaxon was also disturbed. He heard the man say "her" as well. He pulled out his satellite phone. "Enos? Go after Rosco. I'll be right behind you."
"Y-yeah. Okay. We…we gotta get to Rosco." It was a bitter pill to swallow and Enos looked down the dark river as a chill cut through him. Jenny…please don't let it be Jenny. He turned around and started up the hill.
"ENOS! You dipstick! What kinda rescue operation is this anyhow!? I'm all scuffed up and things are blowin' up everywhere, but I still gotta rescue myself? What are th' Dukes doin' here? Ain't I taught ya' nothin'? I'm tellin' ya' when they were passing out brains you thought they said trains!"
"Sh-Sheriff? Sheriff Rosco!" Enos grinned and started running up the hill with Luke. "Boy howdy! It sure is good to see you!"
"Oh hush and get up here! Help me sit down somewhere before I fall over! There's a big ugly fella locked up in the gear room. I gotta talk to ya' about Jenny. It's mighty important."
Jaxon glanced up the hill as he waited for the dispatcher to answer the call. His eyes met his mother's and his breath caught in his throat. He raised his hand with a friendly wave and a brilliant smile spread over his face. She looked down the hill with a stoic expression, then turned on her heels and walked away. Bewildered, he turned towards the creek and completed his call as his hands trembled. When he was finished, the rejection of a ten-year-old wounded child returned as if it happened yesterday. Once again, his mother had cut his heart into tiny pieces.
Kneeling down by the water's edge, he wondered why he expected anything different. Apparently, the only change had been within him. She never told any of them she was here. Deceived by his guilt and worry, he thought she needed him to save her, he thought she needed him. But she was doing just fine without him.
"She's always fine without us," he whispered. "Jenny, we're going to find you next. It's time to come home, sis. I need you."
He saw his reflection in the water; lines of worry and sorrow were etched on his face. Wiping his eyes with his sleeve, he refused to let tears fall over his mother again. He shed enough of those in his lifetime. Jaxon looked at the phone and dialed another number.
"Hello?"
"Um…Katie. Hey, it's just me."
"It's never JUST you, sweetie. Not to me. Not ever. How is the search going? Are you coming home soon? I miss you."
With a few words, Katie reminded him of all the reasons he loved her. He managed a smile, however melancholy.
"Yeah, I'll be home soon. I've got good news, babe. We found the sheriff. Rosco is okay."
