Chapter 10
Well ya'll, 'fore this story goes any farther, let's see if can't figger out who's double-crossin' who. I'd guess Boss Hogg's double-crossed the Duke, an' even Rosco. He probably double-crossed the baddies. The baddies double-crossed Boss, and John double-crossed Freddy. Let's see if there's more.
The toaster left Freddy's hand and Daisy was on the receiving end. Almost a full second before Luke heeded his warning about the flying appliance, Daisy had ducked. The toaster went hurdling over her and created a sizeable dent in Mr. Harris's pickup door.
No one could move for a moment, until Luke noticed Freddy had no weapon since his thrown toaster failed. He nudged Rosco, but the officer made no move. Luke pulled Rosco's gun away from its holder and handed it to him.
Then Rosco got it, kind of. He pointed it at Freddy, yelling, "Freeeeeze!"
"Rosco!" Luke chided. "They's already frozen!"
"Oh hush!" Rosco scolded, then turned back to Freddy. "All right!" Git in my car or I'll shoot!"
Freddy chuckled malevolently. "Like ya'd hit me!" It appeared to them the thug had been drinking.
Rosco gave him a warning look. "I'm serious now, I'll shoot!" he threatened.
Freddy scoffed. "Go ahead, sharpshooter. I'd like ta see ya try."
Then Rosco did something surprising to everyone—including himself. He pulled the trigger.
Now don't that just put the mustard on the sandwich?
Less than five minutes after he left, Jesse returned to Bo's room with Dr. Sasaki close behind. Jesse could tell from Bo's face that the pain hadn't subsided any.
"All right Bo," Dr. Sasaki began. "On a scale of one to ten, one being not too bad and ten being very painful, how bad is it?"
"I'd say six or seven," Bo told him.
"Okay," Dr. Sasaki said thought fully. "Describe the pain."
"It feels like it could be a pinched nerve," Bo said, "but I don' know cause I ain't never had one."
"Is it tingling anyplace?" the doctor wondered.
Bo nodded. "All the way up an' down my arm," he replied.
"Then that is probably what that is," Dr. Sasaki confirmed. "I want to look at it closer to see why though."
No one breathed until they saw the bullet from Rosco's gun become lodged in the siding on the cabin. Everyone immediately wished Rosco had hit Freddy once he smiled maliciously, then said:
"Well, sheriff, that was some nice shootin' there." He snickered. "I hit their cousin better'n that."
Luke would have attacked him, if Daisy hadn't held him back.
"My only advice is ta not join the army," Freddy continued. "Ya may just hit one a yer own."
Rosco glared at him, then handed his gun to Cooter. "Keep that gun on him."
That shut Freddy up. Cooter was at point-blank range He wouldn't miss. Freddy reluctantly allowed Rosco to slap handcuffs on him. Rosco led him to his car, with Cooter holding him at gunpoint the whole time.
Mr. Harris looked around in confusion. "What's goin' on here?" he asked. "Who is that guy? What'd he do?"
Luke looked over at Rosco's car. Flash looked as if she was guarding Rosco from Freddy. Her master was reading the criminal his rights.
"We believe that either that man," Luke began, not looking up at Mr. Harris, "or who I think yer son John is, attempted ta murder my cousin, Bo. But after what he just said, I know it was that guy."
"An' I'm not surprised, either!" Mr. Harris exclaimed. "My Johnny and his big brother Randy are two fine young men! They'd never kill anyone! They'd never do anythin' illegal!"
Luke sighed. He had no desire to be the one to make Edward Harris see the truth about his son. But at the moment he felt he had no other choice.
"Mr. Harris, I ain't never heard of Randy, so I can't say, but John is wanted for the kidnappin' a m'cousin, Bo Duke, an' Hazzard County deputy, Enos Strate. Not ta mention bein' in cahoots with someone who tried ta murder my cousin."
Mr. Harris appeared as if he was about to faint. He glanced up at Luke, disbelief glazing over his eyes.
Meanwhile, Daisy went inside to find Enos. She found the deputy snoozing away on the couch, still wearing her cousin's clothes. She knelt down beside him and planted a kiss on his lips.
She received instant results. Enos's eyelids fluttered before opening all the way. After opening his eyes, he shot up like a rocket.
"Hey Daisy," he said, blushing. "Boy am I glad ta see you! Is everyone else here, too?"
Daisy nodded. "Yep, we're all here."
He rubbed his head. "What time is it?" He looked at his watch. "Possum on a gumbush, it's past eleven."
"This is prob'ly the latest at night we've ever had an adventure," Daisy joked. "An' it ain't over yet."
"It ain't?" said Enos sullenly.
Daisy shook her head no. "No we're missin' a criminal."
Enos looked disappointed. "Anybody got any ideas a where he is?"
"Not yet," Daisy replied. "But we got another problem. The guy's father is outside, an' he had no idea his son was involved in criminal activity. He thinks his son is a perfect gentleman. Well I tell ya, he's in fer a rude awakenin'."
"We should git outside," Enos said. Daisy agreed, and they went outside only to find a very depressed-looking old man.
The porchlight shone bright in all their faces, making their expressions clear in the night. Most faces were etched with worry and fatigue.
"Luke," Daisy said. "Has Rosco left yet?"
"Naw," Luke replied. "He's still here, though I ain't sure why."
"Enos," Daisy said, "go ride with Rosco back ta town."
Enos nodded. He was way to tired to argue. He went to seek out Rosco's car through the thick darkness. On the way, he walked with Luke until they reached Mr. Harris, when Luke stopped to comfort the man. He passed by Cooter and Becky Lynn, who sat silently on a large boulder off to the side.
Cooter broke the silence after Enos passed by.
"Ya really like Bo, don't ya?" he wondered.
Becky Lynn smiled a sad smile. "Yeah, but I know I ain't gotta chance with 'im. He hates me."
"He don't hate ya Becky Lynn," said Cooter.
Becky Lynn sighed. "I ain't so sure about that, Cooter. I think I annoy 'im."
That gal's fin'ly gettin' it, don't ya think?
Cooter was at a loss for words. What Becky Lynn said was exactly right, but he didn't want to tell her that.
"What makes ya think that?" is what he eventually settled on.
"I saw him yesterday," Becky Lynn told him. "At the Boar's Nest. I don't think he was very happy ta see me."
"How come?"
"I have no idea," Becky Lynn admitted.
Cooter had been told about yesterday's butt-slapping event. He didn't question any further. He could now plainly see that Becky Lynn was, after all, still Becky Lynn, and probably would never completely change.
Meanwhile, Enos had finally caught up with Rosco's patrol car. Of course when he looked inside, he saw a sight he never expected to see.
Freddy was holding Rosco at gunpoint, and he kept calling out for Flash, but she was asleep in the backseat!
Well now, jus' when I thought Freddy was done for, turns out he ain't. Ya'll stick around.
Okay people, make me a happy woman when I get home, and send in those reviews! I know I normally reply to all signed reviews, but don't feel bad if you don't get one, I'll try to borrow my brother's laptop while I'm gone, but I won't make any guarantees! PLEASE REVIEW!
