Chapter Four--Proof Of Innocence

Maria's hands trembled on the steering wheel as she headed back to the farm, the adrenaline racing through her veins, her tears of relief threatening to spill down her cheeks. Daisy shot a concerned glance at her friend and raised her eyebrows when she saw the partially hidden bruise that was on the girl's forehead.

"Pull over Maria!" She said, receiving a startled glance from the blond at the wheel. "Why?" She asked in a barely controlled voice, her voice starting to shake, the adrenaline wearing off and the grim realization of what could have happened to them finally hitting her hard.

She stopped the General along the road and leaned forward over the steering wheel, her shoulders trembling as she started to cry. Daisy slid across the seat and wrapped her arms around the trembling young woman and pulled her close. "Oh, honey!" She said gently, trying to soothe the crying girl.

Maria finally pulled away from her friend and reached up to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Roy wanted to kill me and I think if we hadn't escaped when we did he probably would have." She said. Daisy reached out and took Maria's face in her hands gently turning her head to study the bruise on the girl's forehead. "Did he do this to you?" She asked gently, afraid of what Bo would say if Roy had actually hit Maria again.

Maria shook her head and smiled sheepishly. "When I escaped the first time I tripped and fell down a bank and hit my head on a rock." She said. Daisy smoothed a strand of blond hair away from Maria's face so she could get a better look at the bruise. "Well, sugar! Let's get back to the house an' get some ice on that bruise and let the fella's know we're okay." She said.

Maria smiled and put the General in gear, heading for the Duke farm and Bo. But when the two girls pulled up in front of the farmhouse the only vehicle in the driveway was Jesse's old white pickup truck. The girls slid out the open windows of the General and dropped to the ground, running for the door. "Uncle Jesse, Bo, Luke! Y'all here?" Daisy cried, going from one room to the next, followed closely by Maria.

"They ain't here." Maria cried, throwing her hands in the air and starting to pace around the living room. "Let's go into town. Hopefully they're at Cooter's and not in jail." Daisy said, heading for the door. Maria followed and swung herself up on the driver's side, sliding through the open window and starting the General as Daisy slid in the other side.

Maria sped the car out of the yard and headed for town. She pulled up in back of Cooter's garage and slid out of the car, dropping easily to the ground as Daisy did the same and then they went to the door, opening it and silently sliding through. Maria spotted Cooter leaning over a car. "Psst, Cooter." Maria whispered, staying hidden behind a post in case Rosco or Boss or maybe even Roy and Billy came in.

Cooter swung around to look at them, his eyes widening in surprise. "Where have you gals been?" He asked, walking over to where they stood. Maria and Daisy exchanged glances and sighed. "Someone stole the presents for the party and we just happened to be lucky enough to show up when they were doin' it and saw em'. They grabbed us and hid us out in the Hazzard Coffin Works and we just managed to get away!" Maria said all in one breath.

Cooter stared at them. "Well I hope y'all can convince Boss and Rosco that you saw who really did it." He said. "What do you mean?" Daisy asked. "Boss and Rosco have arrested Bo and Luke, pinning the disappearing presents on them." He said. Maria groaned softly, just as the door opened. The girls quickly darted behind the wooden post and out of sight.

Cooter turned towards the door and recognized Enos. The deputy had a worried look on his face and he looked like he hadn't slept much at all the night before. "What's wrong Enos?" Cooter asked. Enos sighed. "I don't agree with what Boss an' Rosco are doin' to the Dukes and I have a feelin that Daisy an' Maria saw what really happened and that's why they're missin'." He said.

Cooter nodded and looked away for a moment. "I don't know how we're gonna prove Bo an' Luke are innocent though." He stated. Enos nodded and looked towards the partially open back door, spotting a familiar orange car in the alley. "Hey! That's the General." He cried, going for the door, just as a barrel was placed over his head and he heard footsteps race by him and the back door close and then a moment later the General's engine roar to life and tires squealed as the car swept around a corner.

"Hey!" Enos cried out as Cooter freed him from the barrel, but the General was already out of sight when he went back outside. "I gotta tell Uncle Jesse." He cried, starting for the police station, but was stopped by Cooter. "Try to tell him without Boss an' Rosco hearin' ya." He said. Enos nodded and ran back to the station, bursting through the doors and running down the steps to where the boys were locked up. "Uncle Jesse, Uncle Jesse!" He cried exitedly.

Jesse and the boys looked up in surprise and stared at the exited deptuty. "What's goin' on?" Bo asked, stepping over to the door. "We got a way to prove Bo an' Luke are innocent." He said. "How?" Jesse asked. "Can we go over to Cooter's and discuss it? I promised I wouldn't say nothin' around Boss an' the sheriff." He said. Jesse exchanged glances with the boys. "Go ahead Uncle Jesse." Luke said. Jesse nodded and left with Enos.

When they reached Cooter's they went inside and gasped when they spotted the girls, standing next to Cooter and saw the General parked out in the alley. "Where have you girls been?" Jesse cried and went to hug them. "We saw who took them presents and then them fella's grabbed us." Maria explained quickly. "How are we gonna prove Bo and Luke's innocence?" Cooter asked. Maria thought for a moment and then grinned. "I have an idea." She said.

Balladeer: Now I knew there was gonna be some shuckin' and jivin'. Maria's got a plan and I have a feelin' that Bo an' Luke are gonna be right smck dab in the middle of it.