A/N: I've posted two chapters in two days, be sure to read Chapter 44, The Exchange, Part I first. This story is just about wrapped up. A big THANK YOU to all of my loyal readers and/or reviewers! You make it all worthwhile! Enjoy!
Chapter 45 – The Exchange, Part 2
"You are fate's shadow or fate's sun,
depending on which way you turn."
~ Terri Guillemets
Cold musty air filled the small space as Daisy knelt in the kudzu to wait. She pursed her lips as she watched Wade remove Enos's handcuffs and leave for the chopper. She reached for her headset, smiling at the prospect of finally being able to call Luke and do something. Her smile suddenly faltered. Luke was behaving like an overprotective old hen. He'd never allow her to slip into the grass before it was time. She closed the mic without saying a word.
While Daisy continued her vigil, she drummed her fingers on the crossbow, the need to reach Enos so strong she could almost touch it. Maybe she should just go to him anyway. Mitch hadn't been spotted crawling through the grass. There was no reason why she couldn't do the same! She didn't have Wade to worry about anymore and getting to Enos early would give them a big advantage. She grinned slyly. What Luke doesn't know won't hurt him.
Daisy had just begun to crawl forward when someone grabbed her ankle and dragged her out of the kudzu. All the air whooshed from her lungs and she took a deep breath to scream. A large hand was thrust over her mouth and her weapon was yanked from her grasp.
A stubbled cheek was pressed against hers and she could feel the man's hot breath on her throat as his weight kept her restrained. Her pulse raced through her veins as she struggled for freedom. Knowing she was overpowered, Daisy did the only thing she could.
She sank her teeth into his hand and prayed he would let go.
Enos couldn't take his eyes off Jenny. She had her back to the man she thought was her husband and took careful steps in reverse, monitoring only those she perceived as a threat. Knowing she crept closer to Monroe with only her father's dirk caused his stomach to churn and the acid to burn through his system until his head swam from the pain.
C'mon, hon. Turn around. Dread poured over him like a thick sludge. There was no doubt in his mind that Monroe was faking his unconsciousness.
Looking at Jenny's dainty physique, Enos knew he had to do something soon. His palms itched to reveal his face, but his chest went painfully tight. How many people had him in their sights? Could he use all those eyes to his advantage or would Mack shoot him first? Doubts assailed him like mosquitoes on a humid night. He'd give his life to save Jenny and their child, but he didn't see a way out where both of them survived. He took another small step back and discreetly glanced at Jenny's Glock on Mack's hip.
Perhaps it made the most sense to wait until Jenny's plan was in play. She would have more up her sleeve than explosive dye in the money, but unless she realized she was protecting a sadistic murderer, whatever she had planned was doomed to fail.
Ding dang it! She's guarding th' wrong man! Where were the Dukes? The dynamite arrows? General Lee flying through the air to save the day?
He again contemplated ripping away the barriers hiding his identity, but he quickly dismissed the idea. To have any chance at survival, common sense had to rule. He would wait as long as he could. If fate forced his hand, Enos would make sure Jenny was the one who survived.
Jenny could feel the beads of sweat trickle down her back, despite the frigid temperatures around her. Behind her, Enos still wasn't moving and hadn't responded to her voice when she called him. She adjusted her scarf and said, "Everybody, watch Monroe closely. I'm pretty sure Badger double-crossed him. If he's a prisoner, he'll feel cornered and be even more dangerous. Be ready for anything."
"10-4, Jenny." Luke said. "We're ready when you are."
"Good luck, fellas. Daisy, can you move closer? Enos is out cold."
There was no reply and Jenny quickly schooled her features. "Daisy, do you copy?"
"Daisy!?" Uncle Jesse's worry was palpable. "Daisy, where are ya'?"
Jenny struggled to keep her expression neutral as Luke re-focused the group. The possibility of Monroe having men in the trees had been a concern all along, but they should've heard Daisy if she had a problem. Unless she closed her mic.
"Cooter, you're closest!" Luke said with great urgency. "Go find Daisy and let us know what's happening. Mitch, do th' best ya' can. Everybody else, stick with the plan. Badger's almost done at the chopper."
"10-4, I'm on th' way." Cooter said in a muffled whisper. "Hold on, Daisy Mae. I'm coming!"
"I'm heading for th' bridge!" Uncle Jesse said. "Gus and I are coming in to help!"
"That's right!" Gus's frustration was evident. "I don't recall bein' put out to pasture and I ain't sittin' here another minute! Jenny? I'll hide Emily in th' bushes and be right there to cover ya', sweetheart."
"I'll be fine until you get here, Gus." Jenny said. "Just make sure Daisy is okay first."
Daisy was convinced her life was about to end when biting the man had no effect on his grasp. He chuckled and flipped her to her back, giving her a brief glance at olive army fatigues. Terror took hold and she lashed out, raising her arms to beat on the blurry mass with her fists. The effort got her nowhere and her muffled screams went unheard. Her arms were pinned above her head, but the fear ceased when demanding lips took her mouth in a soul-stealing kiss.
The smell of whiskey was strong, but Drake's kiss was like no other. He possessively slid his tongue into her mouth and sent her mind in a whole new direction. Daisy's heart leapt and if he hadn't been kissing her she would have screamed for pure joy. When he released her arms to reacquaint himself with her curves, her eyes slid shut, warmth pooled deep in her belly and she ran her hands through his hair before wrapping her arms around his neck. They held each other so close it was impossible to tell where one ended and the other began.
Daisy was breathless by the time he came up for air. Speechless, she gazed into those deep green eyes as tears filled her own. He gave a half-smile and dove back in, speaking her name like a whispered promise against her lips.
"Ahem." Jaxon was propped against a tree with his arms crossed over a rather expensive looking rifle. "Are you two going to make out or are we going to fix this potential disaster?"
Drake broke the kiss and threw Daisy a look that could've scalded the hide off Maudine's backside. "Where's Mitch Dalton?"
Daisy blinked up at him. "Mitch? You're asking me about Mitch? At a time like this!?" She smacked him in the head and said in a hushed tone, "You jackass! You've been gone for five days, drag me out of the bushes, and all you have to say to me is where's Mitch Dalton? I'm never gonna break you of your bad manners!"
"Aye, lass. Probably not, but I'll give it a try." He quirked a snarky brow and said, "I missed ya, I love ya, and I'll not ever let ya go. Now, where the bloody hell is Dalton?"
Jaxon limped forward, "Can it, Drake. Daisy, tell me what the plan is and give me your radio. There's a problem."
Daisy touched her ear. "My radio. It must've come off in th' kudzu."
"I'll get it, mo gràdh." Drake hovered over Daisy, the heated desire in his eyes unmistakable. His lips curved in another half-smile, but something told Daisy he was very serious when he said, "I told ya I willnae share ya and I meant it. You're my woman." He planted another possessive kiss on her lips before disappearing into the vines.
Daisy was tingling all over from Drake's ministrations, but managed to sit up and turn her stunned eyes to Jaxon. He watched the meadow carefully as he approached a kudzu-covered rock and sat down behind it with a grimace.
"Jaxon, you're limping. Oh, sugar! What happened? Are ya' okay?"
He smiled and reached out to pull the leaves from her hair. "I'm fine. The assistant warden in Hatchape is a bad shot. It's just a flesh wound, but it slowed me down little." He glanced over the rock as worry filled those brilliant green eyes. "I know this isn't the time, but how are Katie and Jenny?"
"They're both being brave. Jenny's scared to death for Enos. We all are. Katie's worn herself ragged with worry over you. Jaxon, you have a lot of explaining to do. She knows you're keeping things from her."
He turned his gaze back to her and nodded. "Yes, I figured as much. Think she'll forgive me? We didn't have a choice, Daisy. Parks would've made my father disappear in a government detention facility."
"I know, sugar." Daisy said, sympathetically. She moved to sit beside him, her eyes roaming his face curiously. "You can't keep secrets from her if ya' want her to stay. She's gonna feel like an outsider and you're gonna lose her if ya' keep this up. When Katie found out Monroe kept you prisoner for four months she was really upset. Why in th' world did ya' tell her you were on your father's yacht all that time?"
"How did she…damn." Jaxon's eyes filled with pain and he went so still Daisy wondered if he might fall over. When he finally spoke, his voice was pitched so low she barely heard him. "There are some things she's better off not knowing. I was just trying to protect her."
"You can be honest and still protect her." Daisy bumped him with her shoulder. "She hasn't taken that Harvard ring of yours off her thumb since th' day ya' got arrested."
He brightened instantly, "She hasn't?"
"Of course not! She loves you, Jaxon. It's good to see ya', but Enos and Jenny need help. I think ya' better tell me about this problem. What's wrong?"
Jaxon ran a hand through his hair and handed her the rifle. "Be careful with this. It's a custom Purdey. Take another look at Monroe."
Daisy took the elaborate rifle and peeked over the boulder to aim into the meadow. "Can I shoot him?"
"Not unless you want to kill Enos. Their clothes have been switched." Jaxon chuckled and said, "Enos looks like The Shadow. I'm not surprised Jenny didn't catch it. She only saw Monroe once at Tusquittee. That-" he adjusted her aim to the man in the grass, "-is Monroe in Enos's uniform. Feel free to shoot him. He's not getting out of here."
Daisy's stomach did a wild somersault and bile began to rise to her throat. "Oh, no. I could've…w-we could've… We have to warn the others!"
"I've been trying, but Jenny isolated your radio frequency." Jaxon took the rifle and aimed it on the real Monroe. "Don't worry, Daisy. Drake will find your radio. Tell me everything you can about Jenny's plan."
Enos's knees were growing weaker by the minute. He watched Badger open the cargo door and pilfer through the sacks of money. A moment later, he was throwing small stacks across the runway. The pile was growing and the idiot was pitching them upwind. Enos had worked enough bank robberies to know that dye wasn't the only surprise waiting for the criminal. The charges would also release a hefty dose of tear gas.
With a worried sigh, Enos shifted his gaze back to Jenny. She'd have to stay clear of the smoke for the baby's sake. His muscles ached with the need to reach out and touch her, to protect her from harm and take her away from this nightmare.
Edward was truly devoted and hadn't left her side as she stood a few yards from Monroe. After failing to get a response from him she looked towards the van. Jenny held up one hand to shield her eyes from the sun and her inquisitive gaze created a powerful thump in Enos's chest.
Mack said, "Don't you move, cop. I will blow that pretty little head right off her shoulders."
Enos didn't move, he couldn't even breathe. His thumbs picked away at his nails, an involuntary reaction to the terror that gripped his heart.
Jenny suddenly frowned, her face twisted in a portrait of confusion. What was she seeing?
I'm right here! It's me, hon! Please see me!
Jenny was worried sick over Daisy, but forced her anxiety to the background to focus on the task. She raised her hand to shield the sun and shifted her gaze to the van. There was still something about Monroe that seemed out of place, but it hadn't quite made itself clear. The question floated in her mind, its answer hanging somewhere on the rim of her thoughts.
If Monroe was so concerned about her brothers being in the chopper, why was he staring at her? Why did Badger want her to believe he was in charge? For Pete's sake, what was so…different about him!?
She clicked off the attributes: Shiny shoes, expensive clothes, cashmere scarf, fancy Fedora, Italian silk suit, leather glov-
Jenny frowned. It was barely above freezing and the expensive leather gloves he wore in Tusquittee were missing. He remembered his sunglasses but not his gloves? He was going to ruin that expensive manicure if he kept picking at his nails.
Badger's voice broke her train of thought "That's all of it, Mrs. Strate! Wade is going to start the chopper and you're going to blow those packs! If you don't, Mack will shoot you both!"
Wade climbed into the pilot's seat and the engine on the helicopter whirred to life. They were out of time.
She glanced back at Monroe. Why couldn't she figure this out? Jenny raised the switch and glanced over her shoulder as Edward moved towards Enos.
"Deputy? Honey, it's almost over. Can you hear me? I'm going to get you out of here."
Enos still didn't answer. He remained curled in a ball on his knees, his face hidden beneath the burlap sack. He suddenly moaned and put one hand to the ground to steady himself. Why hadn't he pulled the bag off his head? Was he that disoriented?
Edward suddenly barked. He backed away, whining and circling at Jenny's feet as if he were confused.
Badger's arrogant voice replayed in Jenny's head. Looks can be deceiving.
Hands. She whipped around to look at Monroe, to double check her logic, as another threat was spewed about blowing the charges. Jenny could feel the tension radiating from him as he stood there picking his nails.
His nails. He's picking his nails…just like Enos does when he's nervous!
Enos was rooted to the ground in those uncomfortable shoes as his heart pounded so hard he thought it might burst. Jenny stood with her arm raised, the shiny casing of the switch reflecting the light as she looked over her shoulder. She hadn't moved in long moments. She just stood there, staring at a disguised killer, as the wind blew her hair in soft wisps around her face.
Edward barked and backed away from the injured man on the ground.
C'mon Edward! Figure it out! Smells like me, but there's a killer in there!
Enos took another small, shuffling step back. He was ready to pull the gun, but Jenny again turned towards him. He gazed into her beautiful face with all the love in his soul.
Mack reiterated, "Blow the packs and throw down that switch, Mrs. Strate! Then we'll be on our merry way!"
The rotor blades started to turn with a slow rhythmic thump. Mack adjusted his aim at Jenny, unaware that any moment his so-called partners would fly away without him. He became full of himself and the taunting began.
"Must suck to be you, Strate. Even your dog sucks. Knowing your own wife can't tell you apart from the FBI's most wanted is bad, but your dog, too?" Mack snorted on a laugh. "Don't worry, the little woman is gonna figure it out real quick. Just a few more steps and you won't ever have to worry about her making that mistake again."
Everything clicked into place and the horror stole Enos's breath. They must've passed a weapon to Monroe. His future was about to evaporate before his eyes and the injustice of it nearly doubled him over…until Jenny smiled at him.
Wondering if the dehydration and fatigue had finally given way to hallucinations, he shut his eyes tight. When he opened them again she was still there, still looking at him with that same endearing smile that captured his heart the day he met her. Did it contain a hidden message? When she tipped her head to the side and winked, Enos knew she had it pegged. She saw him and it took every ounce of self-restraint he had to keep from leaping for joy and tipping off Mack.
"Very cute, Mrs. Strate." Mack growled, oblivious to her meaning. "Now blow the damn packs!"
She raised the switch high over her head. Th' signal? Is this where th' Calvary comes in?
Enos's world went into slow motion and he held his breath. The switch flickered against the bright sun as Jenny flipped the cap and pressed the button. The packs blew with a loud 'crack' and another explosion created fireworks at the helicopter mast.
The blast damaged the pitch control rods in the rotor assembly, grounding the chopper. The jet engines whined as Wade was forced to power them down. Acrid grey tear gas quickly engulfed the chopper. No one saw the arrows that soared across the meadow, but they landed in two massive balls of fire down the runway, the concussive 'boom' sending the birds from the trees and knocking Badger off his feet.
When Monroe shot upright and lunged toward Jenny, Enos jabbed his elbow into Mack's ribs and pulled the 9mm from the holster.
Mitch shouted with unmistakable authority, "Freeze! FBI! Drop the gun and get on the ground!"
There wasn't a flicker of doubt. Enos pulled the trigger instead.
Mitch barely understood Jenny's message amid the background noise, but Drake relayed the information loud and clear. A moment later, he overheard Mack talking to Enos, his taunting another confirmation of Badger's deception.
Mack dropped the rifle on Mitch's command, but hurled himself at Enos in an effort to protect the disguised crime lord. Enos's gun fired several more times before they landed on the runway amid billowing clouds of dust. Another 'crack' was heard in the chaos as Jaxon fired on Monroe.
Mitch holstered his gun and reached for Mack. "I've had about enough of you, dirt bag!" He quickly separated the men and pulled the redhead to his feet. He twisted Mack's arm behind his back and threw him against the side of the van. When he continued to fight, Mitch took him to the ground and pinned the man's neck beneath one of his knees. "I told you not to move! Enos? You okay?"
"Ding dang it!" Enos shouted, having removed the tape and other objects hiding his features. "I gotta get to Jenny! Monroe is armed!"
"He's what!?" Mitch didn't get a response. While he cuffed the criminal, Enos shot across the runway with the 9mm in his hand.
The sights and sounds took Jenny back several years, to days when live fire exercises were a monthly requirement. It was the closest thing to war she ever wanted to experience. When she spun around, a bullet struck Monroe in the chest as he rushed towards her in Enos's uniform. His momentum propelled him forward and he crashed into her, knocking her to the ground and dislodging her earpiece as another shot whizzed past them.
Black dots exploded before her eyes and her senses dimmed. Edward's angry growl and the smell of Monroe's expensive cologne dragged her away from the brink of unconsciousness. She could see flashes of gold fur in her peripheral vision and heard the dog rip and tear at Monroe's flesh.
A blood covered hand curled around her throat and a raspy voice said, "I'm not dead yet you little witch! Say goodnight, MacFarland!"
"You first!" Jenny buried the dirk deep in Monroe's side and he stiffened with a guttural moan.
His knees clamped around her and his weight pinned her to the ground as he tightened his death grip on her throat. She could see his eyes through the slit in the burlap sack and yanked it off his head. His soulless gaze burned with hate as he clung to his last moments of life.
The pressure on her throat was crushing and she clawed at his face with her free hand. Jenny gasped for each shallow breath as grey shadows danced on the edge of her vision. The smell of blood was so thick she could practically taste the copper on her tongue. Tears spilled from her eyes and in a desperate act to break free, she twisted the dirk. He grimaced and moaned, but he was too far-gone to feel anything but hate. He wasn't about to let her live.
Edward continued his assault and when he went for Monroe's throat, Jenny watched what color the man's face held disappear.
His last words gurgled like a demonic curse. "I…still…win."
Monroe suddenly let go of her throat and she coughed violently with that first intake of breath. When she caught a glimpse of the blade, she screamed Enos's name.
Jenny heard footsteps running towards her before Monroe collapsed and then there was nothing at all.
Enos ran across the meadow, his muscles burning with the effort to gain more speed. Jenny was down, underneath that demented killer, and thanks to Mack, only one shot hit its target. He was closing in on her location when he noticed Daisy and Cooter running towards him with the MacFarland brothers. He kept moving, a frosty chill running through him upon hearing Edward's attacks. If Edward was still fighting, the bullet hadn't killed Monroe yet.
When Jenny screamed his name, it felt like a red-hot poker being thrust through his chest. He dove for Monroe, his shoulder slamming into his side and knocking him away from the woman he loved. They landed in the grass several feet away. Enos was positioned above him with Jenny's 9mm pressed under Monroe's chin.
"Don't move!" he yelled.
It wasn't necessary. Monroe lay on his back, completely still. His eyes were wide open, his lips as grey as cold ash. Ian's dirk was buried to the hilt between his ribs and he was covered in blood from multiple dog bites. Enos put shaky fingers on Monroe's damaged throat to check for a pulse. He didn't find one.
Wallace Monroe was dead.
Enos sucked in a breath as his chest heaved from the ordeal. He quickly moved away, mortified to be that close to a dead body. He sat in the grass as the shock set in, the light growing dim, his limbs going numb. Jenny's 9mm fell from his grasp, making a quiet thump when it landed on the ground.
"Enos! Get over here! Jenny needs you!"
Jaxon's voice sent a jolt through his body and he turned to see Jenny's brothers kneeling beside her. Cooter knelt behind Daisy, holding her shoulders as she sobbed. Edward paced anxiously nearby and the amount of blood covering his gold fur caused a terrifying pain to ride along his nerves.
"Jenny?" Enos scrambled across the ground and choked when he saw her. Her eyes were closed, her skin was pale, and she was covered in blood. A knife protruded from her chest at an odd angle. "No, this ain't happenin'!"
Jaxon's face had blanched as he fumbled with Jenny's scarf. "We need to control the bleeding! Mitch! Call for an ambulance! See if you can find Katie!"
Sirens could already be heard in the distance and Cooter explained, his voice wavering from the emotion. "Rosco and Chuck just crossed the bridge. They brought an ambulance along. It'll be here any second."
Daisy spoke through her tears, "Oh, Enos. I'm so sorry. Monroe was so fast! Jaxon fired on him…b-but…" She covered her eyes and reached for Drake. "I could hear everything. It was awful."
Drake pulled Daisy to his chest, his lips an angry slash across his face.
"I should've blown him away when we got here." Jaxon said, his teeth clenched tight. "Is he dead?"
"Y-yeah. He's dead. Where's that ambulance?!" Enos physically hurt, the feelings of helplessness burning away the fragmented remains of his soul. His heart felt like it had been crushed and the pained groan came from the bleakest part of him. He clung to her hand and silently begged her to wake.
Enos startled in place and began shaking his head. "No. No! She wouldn't have come without it! Not with th' baby!" He reached for Jenny, fumbling with the belt and oversized buttons on her coat.
"Stop it, Enos! If you dislodge the knife she might bleed to death!" Jaxon grabbed his arms, but Enos shoved him away. He fell on his backside and shouted, "What the hell are you doing!?"
"Stay back, Numpty!" Drake shouted, hope spurring him back to the present.
"I'm checkin' for her vest! Jenny? Answer me, hon!" Enos ripped open her coat, exposing the black fabric covering her bulletproof vest. It took a second to register that there wasn't any blood on her blouse. The knife had gone in at a sharp angle and was stuck in the thin fabric of the vest, but hadn't penetrated the barrier. Enos swallowed, his throat moving dramatically with the action. "It ain't hers. It ain't her blood!"
"Wh-what?" Daisy looked up. "Then why isn't she awake?"
"Maybe she hit her head, or she's in shock!" Jaxon scrambled forward and took her hand. "Jenny, sis, it's Jaxon. We're all here and…" He froze and pinned Enos with a wide-eyed stare. "Did you say baby?"
"Baby?" Drake's eyebrows connected and he tenderely brushed Jenny's hair from her face. Awestruck, he mumbled, "A baby."
Enos ignored them all to cup Jenny's face. "Jenny? C'mon now. Open your eyes." He removed the knife and gathered his wife in his arms, cradling her against his chest and tucking her head in the crook of his neck. He rocked her gently and said, "I got ya' now. It's over. Talk to me. Please talk to me."
"We have another problem!" Daisy's hand went to the radio and she turned to Drake. "Luke needs help! Wade took off into the trees and Bo went after him!"
"I'll go!" Cooter said to Daisy. "Try not to worry. We'll get him!"
"Numpty, stay with Jenny." Drake took Jaxon's rifle and raced across the meadow with Cooter.
Enos was too overwhelmed to cope with anything else. His limbs felt like they weighed a ton as the adrenaline wore off and he grew dizzy from the physical toll of the last twenty-four hours. His place was with Jenny and he wasn't leaving her side until she opened her eyes. When Gus and Emily pulled into the meadow with Uncle Jesse and a long line of authorities, he buried his eyes in Jenny's hair and prayed. Long minutes passed before he heard Jenny cry softly. It was the most beautiful sound in the world.
Bo was going to wring Wade's fool neck when he caught up to him. The youngest Duke had yanked him out of the chopper and had him on the ground when the varmint ripped his gas mask off. A lucky shot to the face caused Bo to break his hold and the next thing he knew, Wade was darting into the trees.
His eyes and lungs still burned from the gas as Bo raced through the woods, the crisp air doing little to remove the sting. His vision was a bit blurry, but having grown up in the hills, he knew the lay of the land. Pumping his arms to gain speed, he skillfully jumped rotten logs, ducked under low limbs and splashed across the shallow portion of Polecat Creek. Wade couldn't be very far ahead.
Bo knew from the radio calls that Luke was somewhere behind him. Cooter and Drake were also coming after Wade. His chest went tight as the anger burned through him like his blood was on fire. Hearing Monroe's last words and Jenny's scream as she fought for her life would forever be seared in his mind. While Luke had secured Badger to the chopper, Bo's criminal had gotten away. That wasn't something he could abide.
He growled in his rage and focused on the run, his boots crushing the fallen leaves with each fast pace. Wade stepped out from behind a tree and swung the large branch in his hand. The blow to Bo's ribs only stopped the upper half of his body and he flipped clean over. His boots pointing towards the sky were the last things he saw before everything went dark.
"Bo? Hey, Bo!" Luke patted Bo's cheek and swallowed the painful lump forming in his throat. Seeing Jenny disappear in the grass had been bad enough, but coming over the ridge to see his cousin face down in the dirt had scared at least ten years off his life.
"Wake up, buddy roe." Cooter gave him a firm smack.
"Ow! Cooter!" Bo groaned, his hand moving to cover his eyes.
Luke sighed in relief. "Bo, you scared the daylights out of me! You're mighty lucky Wade didn't shoot ya'! What happened?"
Bo grumbled as Cooter helped him sit up. "Let's just say old Wade wouldn't have been so tough if he wasn't swinging a tree around! Tell me I didn't lose him."
"Well, he ain't here, but Drake's looking for his trail. C'mon, let's get ya' on your feet." Luke offered him a hand and pulled him up.
"That's one heck of a shiner ya' got there, partner." Cooter grabbed an arm and wrapped it over his shoulders. "You ain't in no condition to go after Wade, ya' realize that right?"
"I'm fine!" Bo grabbed his ribs as the breath it took to shout doubled him over. "Okay, maybe not."
Luke shook his head. "I reckon ya' got a broken rib or two. Drake? Ya' got that trail yet?"
"The arse is moving along the ridge." Drake said and pointed to the south. "Ya take Bo back, I'll track him down."
"Hey, lugnut! I ain't just giving up!" Bo said with a grimace. "Ya' hear that Wade?! We're gonna catch ya' and throw ya' under th' county jail!"
"Shut yar geggie before ya hurt yourself." Drake snorted and looked to Luke. "I'll need the radio."
"Take mine." Cooter tossed him a headset.
"Tell Jenny and Daisy not to worry." Drake took off, scaling the embankment with the ease of a white tail stag.
Bo sighed and asked, "Are Jenny and the baby okay?"
"She's a little out of it. Katie took her to the hospital with Enos. I reckon we'll see them there. You need x-rays. Monroe's dead." Luke took his other arm. "C'mon, Cooter. Let's get him back. Uncle Jesse is worried sick."
"Bo Peep to Lost Sheep. Agent Ferguson said to give me your position and get back here right away. His men are gonna take it from here."
Luke answered, "Daisy, we're half-way up Pine Ridge. We're coming back, but Drake's gonna track Wade."
"Alone? But Chuck needs everyone back here for statements. Drake can you hear me?"
"Aye, lass. Ya tell Chuck that I have a statement. The FBI can go-"
"Drake MacFarland! Don't you dare go after Wade by yourself!"
"Relax, Daisy. He'll be fine." Luke said as he slowly made his way down the hill with Bo. "Let me speak to Chuck."
An angry voice came over the radio, "Chuck is following my orders now! If you boys don't want to spend the night behind bars, you'll get your sorry backsides down here double quick! I have this place blanketed with GSP and FBI. Wade isn't going anywhere!"
Luke stopped in his tracks. "Agent Simmons?"
"Damn right it's Agent Simmons and I've been made a fool of one too many times today to be civil! Do you have any idea how much paperwork this is going to take? Monroe is dead and I have three people and a dog claiming responsibility! Now get back here!"
"Boys, just do what he says and c'mon back." Uncle Jesse said. "Leave Wade to the law."
Bo tossed a worried look at his cousin and said, "Think the three of us can hump it to Ian's truck and live th' rest of our lives at that cabin of his in Slickrock?"
"It would be easier." Luke said. "10-4 Uncle Jesse. Cooter and I are on th' way with Bo, but I reckon Drake is gonna do as he pleases."
A colorful Gaelic curse was Drake's only response.
