- Chapter Four -

"Ultimatum"

Luke slid out of the truck with a shadow of his usual energy. He stood there in the darkness for a moment or two, head bowed, leaning against the side of the beat-up white vehicle. Bo was completely, undeniably gone without a trace. Their only hope of locating him had been finding the General Lee. Now all they knew was the car had been wrecked—no, deliberately run off the road—and Bo wasn't in it.

Luke suddenly slammed the truck door shut with such vigor that the dusty old vehicle shook. He felt his hands trembling with frustration as anxiety gnawed away at his gut. His best friend was out there, maybe hurt, and he had no way to find him.

"Luke."

The quiet voice was so unexpected that Luke jumped and spun around, nearly losing his balance as he stumbled backward. He saw a tall, dark-haired man emerge from the shadows at the side of the house. He gasped and his heart lurched inside his chest when he recognized the man's face.

"What—when—how did—?" he sputtered. Then a bewildered smile made its way onto his face and he stepped forward to wrap the man in an enthusiastic hug. "Jud! Where'n the world did you come from?"

"It's good to see you, Luke," his younger brother answered.

"What brings you to Hazzard?"

Jud looked uncomfortable, but he shrugged and smiled. "Wanted to see how my big brother was doing." He glanced at Jesse's pickup. "You don't look like you're doing too good, though. You nearly bashed that door to bits. Somethin' wrong?"

The welcoming smile on Luke's face faded instantly and was replaced by a worried frown. "Sure is, Jud. You picked a heckuva time to come visit. Bo's missing."

"Missing?"

"Yeah." Luke kicked at the dirt in frustration. "He took off for town in the General before noon today and we ain't seen him since. We found the car, but that's all—someone ran it off the road. It was banged up pretty good. Back end was a mess, two tires flat, smashed up against a tree." He sighed noisily, scrunching his hand through his dark hair in frustration. "I don't even know what he was doin' out there. He was headed into Hazzard to see Cooter and he wound up way on the other end of the county. Any driver'd have to be pretty dang good to keep up with Bo for that long. Worst part is I don't even know if he's all right. The General wasn't damaged that bad, but at the speed he was goin'…boy, I just don't know."

When Jud didn't say anything, Luke looked up to see a distant, troubled look on his brother's face. "Man, I'm sorry," he said dejectedly. "Here this is the first time I've seen you in over a year and this is what you walk into."

Jud shook himself out of his daze and looked at Luke again. "Nah, don't apologize. It's not your fault."

"Do Uncle Jesse and Daisy know you're here?"

"No, I just got here. I was waiting outside for you."

Luke reached out and clapped him on the shoulder. "Come on, then. They'll be happy to see you, and I bet they've got some supper left over."

Jud smiled. "Don't have to twist my arm."

Luke led the way into the house. Jesse and Daisy were surprised and glad to see their unexpected guest. They were in the kitchen and had just finished cleaning up after their late dinner.

"Jud Cane! If you ain't the last person I was expectin' to see!" Daisy exclaimed, hurrying to embrace her cousin.

"We was just finished eatin'," Jesse said. "Pull up a chair and we'll warm you up a plate."

"Don't go to any trouble for me," Jud said as he shook Jesse's hand.

"It ain't no trouble," Luke said. He turned his chair backwards and straddled it, folding his arms over the back. "Daisy would have to do the same thing for me, anyhow." He winked mischievously at her.

"Oh I would, would I? Someone sure seems to think he's important around here," Daisy sassed. "You'll be gettin' your own dinner from now on, buster!" She smacked Luke on the back of the head as she walked behind him to retrieve the leftovers from the refrigerator, but she was laughing.

Jesse cleared his throat. "I imagine Luke's told you about Bo," he said slowly.

Jud nodded as his face filled with regret. "He did. I'm awful sorry to hear you can't find him."

"Yeah, that boy's sure got us worried." But Jesse shook himself a little and said, "But we can't do nothin' about it right now, and broodin' won't help—and we do wanna hear what you've been up to. Where are you keepin' yourself these days?"

"Here and there. Most recently in Alabama." He was interrupted as Daisy brought plates to the table for both her cousins. He chatted with his family as he ate and allowed them to fill him in on what had been happening in Hazzard since he had been there.

Jesse finally rose and stretched, stifling a yawn. "Well, I know you young'uns are still goin' strong, but I've gotta turn in." He kissed Daisy on the cheek and put a strong hand on each of his nephews' shoulders. "Say a prayer for Bo before you go to bed, would you please?" he asked softly.

Luke met his eyes and reached up to squeeze Jesse's hand. "You know we will."

"I'm goin' to bed too, Uncle Jesse," Daisy said, rising from the table. "I'm beat, and I'm gonna be up early tomorrow. Jud, it's real nice to see you again. G'night, boys." She lightly touched each of her cousins on the shoulder before slipping her hand in the crook of Jesse's elbow to walk out of the kitchen.

"I don't know how I'm gonna fall asleep, though," she confided softly to her uncle. "I'm just so worried…"

Jesse wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "I know, honey. Me too. We just…have to trust that Bo's in God's hands."

Luke watched them go. As they left the kitchen, his broad shoulders slumped and he leaned forward on his chair, shaking his head. "We've just gotta find him," he said quietly.

Jud watched his brother carefully. His breathing became shallow as he slowly began to speak. "Luke…" He wet his lips, looking nervous. "There's something I've gotta tell you." Luke looked up at the solemn, almost frightened tone in the other man's voice. He didn't say anything, but waited for Jud to continue. "I'm not just here for a visit," his brother said. "I came here to warn you."

Luke felt a heavy sense of foreboding settle on his shoulders. "Warn me about what?"

Jud sighed heavily, resting his forehead in his palm. "Bo didn't just disappear. He was kidnapped. And the men weren't after him; they were after you."

"Kidnapped. I knew it," Luke hissed. Then his eyes grew wide as his brother's last sentence sank in. "Wait…after me? Jud—what…?"

"They were sent by Robert Clayton. He runs his own accounting firm in Birmingham, but he's more of a mob boss than an accountant. About seven months ago, I was arrested for robbery and assault. I didn't do it but I couldn't prove it, and with a name like 'Killer Cane'…" Jud shook his head ruefully. "Well, nobody was too eager to believe me. I couldn't afford bail or the legal fees. I'd met Clayton a few times before…somehow he found out I was in jail and he took care of things."

Luke was concerned and confused. "Jud, why didn't we hear about this? Why didn't you call us for help?"

Jud gave him a thin, regretful smile. "I lived for more than twenty years without knowing where my real family was. It's not exactly the first thing on my mind every day. And when I did think about you…Aw, Luke, you know I couldn't have asked your family for money. Y'all don't have any more than I've got. You couldn't help—I didn't ask."

Luke had to admit that Jud was right about the money, although he didn't like his younger brother's way of thinking about family. But now wasn't the time to discuss it—not when his cousin was missing; not when the knot of uneasiness in his chest was growing tighter with every passing second. So he just sighed a little and said, "Go on."

"Well, when all was said and done, the robbery and assault charges were pinned on another guy. I don't know if he really did it—looking back, I bet he was set up too, seeing how Clayton paid for everything…and now I owe him a heck of a lot of money. He gave me six months to pay it off. I told him I couldn't do it, but he wouldn't listen. Either I paid him off by the deadline or I'd have to sign over and fight for him as Killer Cane until my debt was paid. I wouldn't sign the contract, Luke. Anyone who's ever employed by Clayton never gets out."

"You didn't go to the police or nothin'?"

"Didn't think I had to at first. I tried to pay him back—I really did owe him the money—but when six months was up and I didn't have the money and I wouldn't sign on for him, he got to the cops first. I'm a wanted man again; I don't know how, but he somehow convinced 'em that I was guilty after all. I had to run." A look of disgust crossed his face. "He tracked me down, though. Two days ago, he brought me to his office and told me I had two days to decide to work for him. If I refused…" his eyes dropped to the tabletop. "…Clayton said he'd have you killed."

Oh, Lord…Bo. Luke felt his blood turn to ice water, unwilling to let his heart believe the conclusion that his quick mind had come to. "What are you saying?" he forced out.

"I'm saying…Luke, I—I don't know if Bo is still alive."

There was a terrible silence.

"No." Luke's voice was hoarse. "No, I ain't gonna believe that." He curled his hands into fists so tightly that it hurt.

"I've made a mess of this whole thing. I didn't mean for this to happen," Jud said dejectedly. "I thought if I could warn you to watch your back I'd be able to figure a way out of it, but now I'm too late."

"But said Bo's been kidnapped," Luke began, still trying to make sense of things.

"I don't know." Jud shrugged helplessly. "I only think so. If—if they'd killed him outright, they probably would have left him there." He sat still, thinking for a moment or two. "Luke, if I know Clayton, he'll be sittin' by the phone, waiting for me to find out what he's done. So if you don't mind me using your phone for a long-distance call…"

"You can use the one in here," Luke said, jumping to his feet. "I'll listen in from the living room. Just talk quietly…no need for Uncle Jesse or Daisy to overhear 'til we know what's goin' on."

Jud nodded in agreement. He pulled a business card out of his wallet and started dialing. As soon as he heard the phone ringing on the other end, he signaled for Luke to hurry and pick up the extension in the other room. Luke had the phone to his ear by the second ring, and halfway through the third ring, the phone was answered.

"Yes?"

"This is Jud Cane."

"Ah, Jud. I was hoping you would call. Have you made a decision?"

"You know I ain't about to give in to you."

"Oh, come on. Don't try and act tough with me. I know you've found out your brother is missing. Why else would you call me?"

Jud was surprised when the other man mentioned his brother, but he didn't miss a beat. "Clayton, let him go."

"You can hardly presume to give orders. Luke is with me; he's safe for now. He was not injured in the accident."

"Accident", my foot. Luke seethed at the man's casual dismissal of the part he played in running Bo off the road; but all the same, the knot in his gut loosened just a bit when he heard that his cousin wasn't hurt.

"I've been more than reasonable, Jud," Clayton was saying.

"Blackmail ain't reasonable," Jud snapped.

The businessman ignored him. "You have until eight o'clock tomorrow night to agree to my request," he said. "If I don't hear from you by then, Luke dies. And if you bring the police in on this, I'll have him killed immediately."

"Clayton—"

"Goodbye, Jud." There was a loud click as Clayton forcefully hung up. Jud slammed the phone down with an angry curse. Luke quietly replaced the extension and walked back to join his brother. Jud was glaring at the phone, jaw tight as he gritted his teeth.

"He's waiting for me to call him back," he said in a low voice. "Trying to force me to make the first move." The anger faded a little from his face, replaced by confusion. "What I can't understand is how come he thinks he's got you. He said that 'Luke' was with him, but we know he's got Bo. I don't know how that happened. 'Course, Clayton's such a pompous ass that he'd never think he might make a mistake. I bet he never even checked Bo's ID to see if he'd really got the right guy."

"It ain't just that," Luke said quietly. "They've had him for almost twelve hours now. Bo ain't the type to just sit back and let people push him around. If they don't know they got the wrong guy by now, it means Bo don't want 'em to know. He found out somehow that I was the one Clayton was after, so he's let 'em go right on thinkin' he's me." His face filled with a mixture of fondness and concern. "He's lookin' out for me."

Both men were quiet for a moment, looking at the floor, each lost in his own thoughts. Then a keen glint came into Luke's blue eyes. "Say, Jud…you know where this guy lives?"

"He's unlisted in the phone book so I don't know where his house is, but I've been to his office."

"D'you think he'd be keepin' Bo there?"

Jud lifted an eyebrow as he realized what Luke was getting at. "It's possible…It's a big office building in downtown Birmingham; a dozen floors, lots of rooms. He's got a lot of security guards workin' for him, though. Be pretty hard to get in."

Luke narrowed his eyes as he thought. "But Clayton is expecting you to come."

"Yes…"

"So if you showed up and told him you wanted to discuss your contract with him…"

"…They'll be watchin' me while you slip in the back?"

"Bingo." Luke chuckled and slapped Jud on the shoulder. "That's my brother! Uncle Jesse always said I came from the sneaky side of the family."

Jud grinned. "It's a crazy idea, but it's worth a try." Then he sobered. "But, Luke…before we do this, I wanna get one thing straight. If this doesn't work—" Luke's expression didn't change, but his eyes looked strained. "—if this doesn't work, I'm gonna let him have his way. He wasn't bluffing when he said he'd kill Bo. He will do it. Clayton ain't worth risking Bo's life. It'll take me some time, but you know I'd find a way to get out from under him eventually."

Luke relaxed visibly, sadness and relief mingling on his face. "I wasn't gonna ask you to do that," he said quietly, "It ain't my place to ask you to give up your freedom. But I'd be lyin' if I said I wasn't glad to hear you say that."

"Hey." Jud put his hand on Luke's shoulder. "I know you've got yourself two little brothers. You think there's anything I wouldn't do to help Bo? One way or another, we'll get him back safe, I promise."

The brothers decided to leave for Birmingham before dawn the next day. Luke called Cooter to ask him to come along; he knew they'd need all the help they could get. He avoided using the CB. They didn't think Clayton could be listening, but they wanted to play it safe just in case.

Jud borrowed Bo's bed for the night. When Luke turned off the light, he lay flat on his back and stared up at the darkened ceiling. The clock on the nightstand ticked softly as the minutes slid by. Eventually he heard Jud's breathing grow slow and deep as the younger man drifted off, but sleep was still far away for Luke. His habitual optimism was persistently trying to keep his spirits up, but a terrible, cold "what if?" kept plaguing his mind.

He rolled over and shut his eyes, willing himself to sleep, hoping that he wouldn't dream of his best friend's warm smile and animated face growing still and cold forever.