Chapter 4 - Climbing Out Of The Bottle

"Without a single thought, two hands collide and the world finally makes sense again."

~ Kayla Dawn


Drake didn't like Jaxon's car. He particularly disliked riding in the back of said car. Tonight he had wedged his large frame into the rear passenger seat of the sporty Jag, giving the front to Jenny. It felt like being stuffed into a Cracker-Jack box and did nothing to ease his jittery mood.

While Jaxon gripped the wheel and sped through the night, Drake focused on his breathing. He inhaled deeply, slowy releasing the air in an effort to push away the disturbing images haunting his mind. If Jenny hadn't been up and awake when he had returned to the hotel, those images would have come to life, crawled out of the past like demons, and colored his reality in a gruesome, bloody haze.

The twins knew of this ongoing battle and were always ready to pull him out of his nightmares, no matter what disagreements might exist between them. Being the recipient of such unfailing loyalty and undeserved grace was difficult ... especially now.

The shame Drake felt over pulling Jenny away from Enos struck him like a dead centered blow to the chest. Drake had tried to reach Enos today, to speak to him for her sake, but some idiot had messed up his plan. Now the threat hanging over the young deputy's life made Jenny's future happiness uncertain at best.

And it was Drake's fault.

Mostly.

No, it was all his fault.

The only hope the siblings had of saving Jenny's first love were the skills acquired from a painfully brief youth.

By the time the twins were fifteen, they all were well on their way to becoming a formidable team of highly skilled operatives.

Drake was counting on those skills to save the day. He had a plan and a location. They would find Enos and rescue him. Failing his beloved sister wasn't an option.

Drake shuddered. If they did fail, or if Enos was already dead, would Jenny ever forgive him?

Not bloody likely.

In an effort to distract himself from the building anxiety, he stretched a leg across the empty spot beside him. Immediately he winced as pins and needles raced down his leg to his toes.

Drake really, really hated this car. If it hadn't been for that drunk-

"Levi Johnston," Jaxon said, snapping Drake out of his doleful musings. He leaned forward to listen.

"The locals call him Big Levi," Jaxon continued. "Meera told me he is a college dropout. He's also a chronically unemployed halfwit with a short temper that regularly flies off the handle"

"What, no DUI's?" Drake replied, dryly. "The man could barely keep it on the road. I canna understand how he pulled off a kidnapping."

"Did you see Enos in the car?" Jenny asked, hopefully.

"No, lass. I was too busy avoiding-"

"The ditch." The twins said, together.

"Which you did not avoid," Jenny added.

"And your Scout has a boo boo," Jaxon teased. "We know."

"Och, ye both should respect yer elders." Drake was only half-teasing. The twins making light of his damaged vehicle made it easier to cope with the bad experience.

At the time, Drake was furious with this Levi person. After forcing Drake onto the shoulder and into a shallow ditch, the jerk had sped down a one-lane backroad and disappeared into the forest. If only Drake had known about Enos...

Drake scowled, deeply.

It was much later, after wrestling the Scout out of the ditch with the winch, that he stumbled on the deputy's empty patrol car. The Sheriff had already arrived, along with State Police and a handful of very upset citizens.

Dusk had fallen and the emergency lights had instantly doubled his heart rate. Drake had driven back to the hotel with sweat pouring into his eyes and coating his palms. He hadn't been thinking clearly.

The trip back to Capital City had cost them all precious time ... time that Enos didn't have ... and Drake had been kicking himself ever since.

Jenny's voice again brought him back to the present when she asked, "What kind of criminal record does this guy have?"

"Before the big breakup with his girlfriend, none. But now," Jaxon sighed, "he has several cases pending. Meera told me he is due in court next week for throwing a truck driver through a wall at the Boar's Nest and slugging the cop who tried to break up the fight. Now he's going to jail for a long time."

"Wait a minute," she said, giving Jaxon a sharp look. "Meera?"

"Yes, Meera," he quipped. "She's the Highway Patrol dispatcher on duty tonight." Jaxon tossed a smug look at Drake before expounding. "She took the call from Levi's worried mother."

Jenny glanced back at Drake and said, "He could make a corpse sing."

"Aye, the silver tongue devil." Drake swelled with pride in his young brother.

Jaxon had always been a smooth-talker. He had a knack for acquiring the most critical data in a pinch. Drake slapped Jaxon's shoulder and said, "Good work, Numpty. So, do ye ken how Enos and this drunkard are connected?"

"I have no idea," he said. "I thought Jenny might know."

"Enos told me about his life here, but we didn't have that much time together. I know of the Duke family, his co-workers, and one or two adversaries from big cases he was involved in, but he never mentioned Levi Johnston." Jenny tucked a stray hair behind her ear, the tremor in her hand was slight, nearly imperceptible. "Why would this guy want to hurt Enos? Was he the responding officer at the Boar's Nest?"

"No, that was another deputy. Cletus Hogg."

"Then what's the connection?" Drake inquired.

After a slight pause, Jaxon cleared his throat and said, "The fight at the Boar's Nest started over talk about Levi's ex-girlfriend, Lori Jean Baker. It's being said that she broke off her relationship with him because she was interested in someone else."

"And would that someone be Jenny's lawman?" Drake felt the heat of fury build in his gut.

Jaxon cursed under his breath. "Yes, but-."

"Never!" Jenny pinned her brother with a harsh look. "No way is Enos seeing this girl."

"Of course he's not," Jaxon said, slowly, irked over being interrupted. "As I was saying, Meera thinks this all happened because of an encounter between Enos and Lori Jean this morning in the Town Square. It sent the gossips into overdrive."

"Well that's so much better now!" Drake shouted. "Bloody hell, Numpty. What kind of encounter are we discussing here?!"

Jenny dropped her eyes and looked out into the dark night. "It's not true, Drake. Whatever they say. Enos's note said..." she closed her eyes and sighed. "It's just gossip."

Drake took a calming breath and swallowed the angry curses threatening to spew forth. He wasn't helping Jenny's bruised spirit at this point. "I'm sorry, Jenny. I dinna mean to imply that he had any feelings towards the lass."

"Enos is head over heels in love with our sister and I don't see that changing," Jaxon said. "He's a very wealthy man. I doubt that Lori Jean is the only single Hazzard resident actively pursuing Enos's hand in marriage."

Jenny whipped around and snapped her only retort, "Gold-diggers. Every one of them."

"Dinna fash over it, Jenny," Drake said. "Whatever Levi's reason for taking Enos, the man is going to be unpredictable and verra dangerous. We need to rethink your plan for the tranquilizer gun. They are no' meant to be used on a man."

Jenny pressed her fingers to her temples and sighed. "I know it isn't ideal. We don't have the non-lethal rounds or tasers. I think it's our safest option."

Jaxon spoke up, saying, "Levi has proven he's violent and capable of hurting two police officers, one highly trained. We need a way to incapacitate him. Otherwise, we risk him killing Enos before we can extract him."

"Aye, Levi may have a firearm," Drake added.

"I understand that." Jenny took a deep breath and picked her words carefully. "If we shoot him, or have to kill him, we have a messy situation to clean up with the law. That brings the FBI right to us. They will force us into protective custody and Monroe has us right where he wants us."

"She has a point," Jaxon replied. "But there are three of us. We can overpower this guy. It may not even come to that. He may realize he's outnumbered and just, you know, stand down."

"Sarcasm not appreciated," Jenny snapped.

"Numpty," Drake said. "I think driving while yer deep in yer cups, kidnapping a Lawman, and running me off the road while committing a felony is no' the actions of a rational man. He's going to get pissed and do something dangerous when we show up."

"Any suggestions?" Jaxon inquired.

"Jenny, will ye compromise? We can try it yer way, but I want both of ye to go in fully armed. I'll handle the tranquilizer rifle. Are we in agreement now?"

While Drake waited for the twins to respond, he leaned between the seats to get a better look at his sister. A deep worry was etched on her face and her eyes were glassy with unvoiced emotion.

"Do ye trust me, sister?" he said, in a mere whisper.

"Of course I do," Jenny replied, gently touching his face. "I just want Enos back in one piece." After a long pause, she sighed and said, "Alright, we compromise. But I want you to take the Cazuel, just in case this guy goes rabbid. Jaxon?"

"Agreed," he said, as Drake expected he would.

Jenny suddenly grimaced and pressed her fingers to her forehead. "This stupid headache."

She opened the glovebox and began digging through the contents. "Any Aspirin in here? Wait... I found it."

"Another? How long?"

"It started earlier this evening," Jenny said, keeping her eyes averted as she shook a few pills from the bottle. "I'll be fine."

"Everybody hang on!" Jaxon said.

Drake wrapped an arm behind the front headrest as the car banked hard to the left. His brother drifted the Jag around another curve then easily maneuvered out of the skid to resume their high-speed commute.

"Heads up," Jenny announced. "The command post should be just ahead."

The car hugged the next curve and accelerated down a long dusty plane, bringing the scene into view. Police cars were everywhere. Media trucks were parked on the far side of the road near a taped off area and an ambulance waited in the field.

"Look," Jaxon pointed to the left where spotlights illuminated a ruined white patrol car. Above it, the pines flickered red and blue from the spinning emergency lights. It created a haunting backdrop for the scene.

An eerie silence engulfed the car and the air became thick with sadness. The MacFarland's sat in somber reverence for a loved one lost at a tragically young age.

Drake turned his face away and shielded his eyes in the crook of his elbow, swallowing the internal scream.

The scene was too similar. All of it.

All those years ago, emergency vehicles had descended on their home like a swarm of insects, leaving each MacFarland child with a unique story of the same devastating loss. The firstborn son of a prominent citizen had been kidnapped and murdered.

Their brother was dead. Soon after the funeral, their mother abandoned the family. Their childhoods had ended that night. Nothing would ever be the same.

"He was supposed to be hiking."

Had he said that out loud? Drake groaned, disgusted with the lack of control over his emotions.

Then Jenny's soft fingers entwined with his. Drake returned the comforting squeeze, allowing her strength to flow into him. As the emotional anchor, her calming voice eased the pressure of the moment.

Jenny said, "Breathe, Drake. We're getting out of here. Jaxon?"

"Roger that," he replied.

Jaxon put the pedal to the floor and the black Jaguar blew past the scene like a wraith in the night.


Beneath a brilliant display of stars, Daisy felt emotionally numb as she served coffee and sandwiches to volunteers. The sympathetic looks on the faces of her friends and neighbors meant well but also reminded her of how much was at stake.

While Enos was in L.A., she spent endless nights awake with worry. She feared that a big city filled with heinous crime and cruelty would chew him up and spit him out. She was relieved beyond belief when he came home the same happy-go-lucky Enos she knew and loved. He could have returned as a mere shell of what he once was ... or not at all.

The shattered glass and blood in his patrol car was a distinct reminder that he wasn't safe anywhere as a law officer.

Daisy ached over their fight today. The last few months of their relationship had been full of memories she'd rather forget. In the end, it wasn't a big city that took the sparkle from Enos's eyes. It was another woman ... one who abandoned him, when he was injured and suffering, without explanation.

And she'd done it to him twice.

Daisy couldn't comprehend it. The entire Duke family had always been there for friends or family. The only logical explanation? Jenny didn't truly care for Enos, or anyone else.

"Except herself," Daisy muttered.

"What's that, Daisy?"

"I was saying I need to excuse myself for a few minutes and check in with Uncle Jesse. Do you mind?"

"Of course not!" Lulu said popping a potato chip in he mouth. "You go on now, honey. I got this under control."


Daisy ducked under the yellow police tape and walked toward the command post. The area near Enos's patrol car was bustling with activity. Up ahead, another group of searchers were heading toward the forest with radios and maps in hand.

She found Uncle Jesse at the check-in table, handing out topographic maps of the area to volunteers. Bo and Luke were still out in the woods searching for the love of her life. She wanted, needed, to be out searching, too, but Uncle Jesse had forbidden it. As a result, no one else would add her to their search party. Daisy was stuck serving coffee and sandwiches until she could find someone willing to defy Jesse Duke.

A moment later, the perfect solution to her problem flew past the command post in a slick black Jag. Daisy ran to her Jeep as Jack Young's taillights disappeared in a cloud of dust. She started up Dixie and took off in pursuit. She would convince him to come back and help her find Enos.

The dense woods flew by in a blur, the pine trees standing guard like an ancient army of stationary giants. Daisy pushed Dixie hard to catch up with the fancy car, unsure why Jack hadn't stopped at the command post in the first place. When she spotted his lights again, he was ascending the next hill.

Dixie's engine growled as Daisy pushed the vehicle to catch up with Jack. Ten minutes later and they were several miles from the search area. Where was he going and why was he out here at this time of night?

Daisy thought back to this afternoon when Enos and Jack were involved in a tense conversation at the Boar's Nest. What kind of business had Enos gotten himself into? The idea struck like a physical blow. Jack was a financial strategist. It made sense that he had been working for Enos all this time. How else could Enos manage all that money without help?

"The money!" Daisy blurted. "It's a ransom!"

It was the most logical reason for someone to take Enos. It would even explain why their was no contact with the police. The kidnappers went straight to the source, Jack Young, to deliver the ransom money. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became.

Daisy let off the gas and dropped back a little. If this was a ransom exchange, she had to be extra careful to avoid being spotted.

Just when she thought she might be too far behind, the Jag's brake lights bloomed in a brilliant crimson flash before the car took a hard right turn. Jack turned out the lights and the car disappeared down a narrow dirt road that went straight into Tucker's Hollow.

Daisy followed, her heart beating a quick pace. She knew every square inch of this area, giving her a distinct advantage. Uncle Jesse once kept a still sight hidden on the other side of Tucker's Creek. This place also held childhood memories of Enos and the boys that usually made her smile with joy. Now they broke her heart.

Daisy pushed the Jeep as fast as she dared, driving over the dry ruts in the earth and around multiple rock formations jutting out of the hillside. She kept her distance, lights off, concerned that she could alert the wrong people to her presence. When Jack finally slowed and pulled off the trail, she put the clutch down, cut the engine and rolled Dixie beneath a sheltering willow tree to hide.

The engine hissed and popped as it cooled, the sounds uncomfortably loud in the stillness of the night. She couldn't see Jack's car from where she was now, so she stepped out of the Jeep and crept forward, listening carefully for any sound outside the willow's protective umbrella. There was nothing. She'd have to walk the rest of the way in.

Daisy returned to the Jeep and retrieved her flashlight from the glovebox. After a quick internal debate, she decided to call the Sheriff to let him know where they were. She picked up the radio mic but before she could make the call she was grabbed from behind. A strong arm pinned her right arm down and a hand covered her mouth, effectively muffling her terrified screams for help.

Struggling with her attacker, Daisy swung the flashlight wildly with her free arm. When that didn't work she kicked him. The man hissed as he pushed her into the Jeep's quarter panel, effectively trapping her there with his powerful body. The flashlight was pulled from her grasp and she felt the man's breath hot against her cheek.

"That's enough! Calm down and be quiet!" he said, his voice an urgent whisper.

Daisy sank her teeth into his hand.

"Ow!" The pressure against her body disappeared. "Daisy, it's me! It's Jack!"

She whirled around to see Jack shaking out his hand with a scowl on his face. He was dressed head to toe in green army camouflage. A rifle was slung across his back and night vision goggles hung around his neck.

"Jack?" she whispered. "What on earth are you wearing?!"

"Keep your voice down." He clicked off the flashlight and handed it back to her. "You're going to get Enos killed. What are you doing here?"

Daisy went still with fear, instantly aware of her terrible mistake. She'd put Enos's life at risk by interfering in a ransom exchange. Or had she?

Eyeing Jack from head to toe was a bit confusing. He certainly wasn't delivering a ransom dressed like that. Fear turned to a fire hot anger and she smacked Jack in the chest with both fists. Hard.

It hurt her hands to do it ... and didn't move Jack a single millimeter.

"Hypocrite! I'm looking for Enos! What are you doing here!?" She slapped him again for good measure. "Are you working undercover? You better not be a revenuer! Where's Enos and how did you know where to go to find-?"

"I'm not a revenue agent! Good grief!" Jack sighed, gathering his composure. "Come with me. We have to hurry." He took her hand and led her into the dark woods.

"Wait, shouldn't we call the police? We need to send for help!" Daisy's pleas were ignored as he hurried along, half-dragging her behind him. "Wait! Why didn't you stop and talk to Sheriff Rosco if you knew-"

"You shouldn't be here!" Jack swiftly ducked under a low branch. "I'll explain everything later. Right now, I need to put you someplace safe.

"Hold it, mister!" Daisy planted her boots on the ground, abruptly halting their progress. "You tell me where to find Enos and who took him!"

"Alright, but this has to be quick." Jack heaved a sigh and turned around to clasp her arms. "Enos is being held in the clearing up ahead. Levi Johnston has him and he's drunk. The situation is volatile and right now, all that matters is getting Enos out safely. We can play twenty questions later, but now I have to go!."

"Big Levi?" Daisy replied, stunned. "What on earth would he want with Enos?"

"Good. You've heard of him. I don't have time for details, so we have to go. Now. Stay with me and do exactly as I say. Understand?"

Daisy's breath caught at the look in Jack's eyes. She had no idea how he got involved, but he was correct. Enos's life was at stake and she wasn't about to make things worse for him.

She might've been wrong about the ransom, but for some reason she trusted Jack. He wore his sincerity like a badge of honor. He wouldn't have come here without a plan. After Enos was safe, she'd get her answers ... even if she had to hog tie Jack the Mystery Man to get them.

"Okay. I understand," she replied. "Sorry. I wasn't thinking straight."

"That's understandable. Let's keep moving." Once again he took her hand and ran towards Tucker's Hollow.

Daisy was double-timing it to keep up with Jack's long strides. He moved with the grace and speed of a wolf on the hunt, easily maneuvering through the overgrown forest floor. Her eyes repeatedly locked on to the defined muscles stretching the fabric across his back and shoulders. He looked good dressed as an Army Ranger. Powerful, determined, and familiar?!

From her Wyoming memories, Drake's retreating image appeared in her mind, specifically the one of him walking away from her one humid afternoon. He had just carried her from the cabin to the chuck wagon for the long ride back to the Rafter G Ranch. His arms had been strong and his chest firm and warm. He cradled her like she was something priceless and treasured. Drake had been so sweet, so kind, a real gentleman.

An odd ache in her heart accompanied the memory. Why would these feelings surface here and now? Visions of Drake constantly plagued her, especially around tall, handsome men. She wanted to forget him, but her subconscious wouldn't allow it.

Daisy shook off the odd feelings. She had to focus. If Drake had truly cared about her, he never would have treated her the way he had. He was no better than his rotten sister. Whatever spark had existed between them was snuffed out when he left town without saying goodbye. She was here to find Enos and to bring him home safely. Nothing else mattered. Because...

"Drake is a jerk."

Jack paused and whispered, "Did you say something?"

"Wh-what? Oh! Yeah, I was saying I hope Enos isn't really hurt ... badly ... you know?"

Jack gave her a strange look. "Right. Me, too."


Tucker's Creek gurgled softly in the distance while Drake and Jenny hid in the trees preparing to execute their plan. They knew their perpetrator was large, but when they saw Enos's attacker in the clearing, Big Levi suddenly had new meaning.

Drake held the tranquilizer rifle and cautioned Jenny, his brogue thick from unease. "The darts will no' work instantly, so keep a safe distance. Dinna take chances with the big hillbilly. I'll wait as long as I dare to tranq him, but if he tries to harm ye…" Drake unsnapped the shoulder holster to free the Cazuel. "I'll shoot the arse dead."

"I understand." Jenny checked the ammo in Drake's Ruger and quietly handed it to him before repeating the process with her Glock. "I'll do my best to calm him down and gain some control of the situation. When Jaxon gets back, tell him to watch where he stands. I'm going to pass Enos a gun."

"Jenny, ye cannae reason wi' a jakey. Ye take no chances."

"I still say it would be best if we avoid using our guns," she replied. "I especially don't want the authorities to have a reason to hold us. What if Monroe finds out we're back in town, but we're stuck in FBI custody because we shot a man?"

Drake frowned and took her chin. "I said ye take no chances. I willnae lose my sister. Just get close enough to Enos to protect him and I'll drop Levi. Agreed?"

"Can't argue with simple logic." Jenny pressed a hand to his cheek, concerned about his breakdown at the hotel. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Aye," he huffed a flustered sigh. "I'll be fine once ye quit nattering and get moving. Now go. Enos looks poorly. I expect he willnae be able to walk out of here under his own power."

"Let's hope it's not as bad as it looks." Jenny pulled the .38 from the holster in her boot, checked the safety, and moved it to the holster on her back. "Ready to do this?"

"Ready. Off ye go now." Drake calmly raised the rifle, determination radiating from him.

Jenny moved out of their hiding spot, keeping to the shadows as she started the precarious walk around the clearing. She was glad to have her brothers here to back her up. For them, this was just another mission. Get in, acquire the target, get out alive. Things weren't as clear cut for her.

Tonight Jenny's focus was constantly challenged by the intense rush of emotions. Maybe it was seeing Enos on the ground, his shirt streaked and stained with blood from a horrible gash on his head. His left eye was swollen shut and caked with dirt. Her heart clenched painfully and she fought the urge to put a bullet in Levi right then and there.

Keeping one eye on Levi, she carefully bent branches out of her path, stepped over small bushes, and avoided making the slightest noise. Because of the position of the creek, Jenny was forced to take the long way around the clearing. Progress was painfully slow.

Overgrown saplings and kudzu constantly presented a new challenge and the rocky hillside with its loose dirt and stones were a constant risk of discovery. If only there was a good stiff wind to cover the sound of her movements. But the air was hot and unforgiving tonight, with only the occasional hoot of a nearby owl to break the oppressive atmosphere.

When Levi suddenly stood and stretched with a growl, she hid behind a fallen log and waited. Levi staggered to a small pile of firewood, picked up a few logs and tossed them haphazardly on his waning campfire. A few minutes later, flames began to lick at the new fuel sending thick smoke into the forest canopy.

Levi returned to his rock, grabbed his bottle of whiskey, and began to sing.

That's when everything started to go wrong.


Daisy was impressed at how quickly Jack found the creek without using the trail. The clearing was just ahead and she could see the campfire's amber circle of light. They were forced to crouch down as they moved closer to the clearing. Overgrown foliage, large boulders, and trees made it impossible for her to spot Enos. She was so preoccupied with looking for a break between the natural barrier that she ran into Jack when he stopped abruptly.

Jack hushed her with an index finger to his lips and then pointed to an imposing silhouette of a man with a rifle. He stood beside an ancient oak tree, his rifle pointed toward the clearing through an opening between the tree and a tall boulder. She would've missed him if Jack hadn't pointed him out. Whoever he was, his shoulders were so wide they blocked her view.

"Who is that?" she asked, quietly.

Jack gave her another one of those strange looks, as if she were somehow a slow learner. Which she was most definitely not.

Jack pointed to the man and said, "Daisy, that's-"

"Never mind, let's go see what's happening." Daisy tried to move past her unwanted partner, fully intending to push the big oaf aside so she could find Enos, but Jack intervened.

"Oh, no you don't!" Jack whispered, physically pulling her back to him. "Sneak up on him and you'll get hurt. Just stay here and be very quiet. I'll be right back." Jack stepped around a thorn-bush and quietly began to close the distance between her and the other man.

"Who's the slow learner now?" she muttered to herself.

Daisy followed his exact footsteps, being careful to stay low as she hurried to catch up. She wasn't about to give up her chance to help rescue Enos. Right now she would settle for just seeing his face. If he knew she was here, it would give him some comfort.

In the distance, Levi could be heard singing and rambling on about Lori Jean. Daisy was within arms reach of Jack, who was nearly to the tree when she stepped on a broken branch. It snapped with a loud "pop."

Levi's singing stopped abruptly.

Daisy froze. Jack turned around, his eyes wide in horror. Even the forest seemed to hold its breath.

Suddenly there was a rustle of branches and a furious flapping sound as a large bird took flight. The owl skirted the clearing and disappeared into the canopy above them. Nobody moved. Levi was looking right at their hiding spot.

"Stupid bird!" Levi shouted. "Now I done lost my place."

When Levi resumed his drunken ballad, the man with the rifle looked over his shoulder and said in an angry whisper, "Och, ye clumsy dolt! Watch yerself! Now get over there and be ready to ... oh, blimey hell! What is she doing here?!"

"Drake!?" Daisy's stomach took a nosedive and her knees turned to peanut butter.

"Numpty! I said 'call the paramedics!' Not 'bring back a menace.' Of all the dragh a' choin!" [bad luck]

"Hey! Kiss my ass!" Jack snapped, his voice a hot whisper.

The two men conversed quickly in a foreign language. Then Drake switched back to English and said, "Aye, I ken she's a stubborn wench, but did ye have to bring her ta' me?"

"Oh get over yourself!" Daisy snarled at him, struggling to keep her voice down. "You're the last person I wanted to see, too!"

Actually, he was the second to the last person Daisy wanted to see. Her world was starting to wobble on its axis. Drake's presence meant Jenny could be here, too.

"Hold yer wheesht, girl!" Drake snapped, checking the clearing. "Do ya want Big Levi to hear ye?"

"I have to go," Jack said as he pulled his rifle from his back. "Daisy, stay here until I get back."

"Jack, wait!" Daisy reached out and took his arm. "How did you get involved with Drake? What's going on!?

Levi had stopped singing. Now he was shouting threats at Enos and his voice grew louder with every word.

"I said be quiet!" Drake glowered over both of them with a brutal scowl. "Have ye forgotten why we're here now?"

Daisy was shocked into silence. She tightened her hold on Jack's arm as her stressed mind tried to catch up.

"I have to get to work," Jack whispered to Daisy. "You'll be safe here, I promise. Drake will take care of you."

"You aren't leaving me here with him!" she replied.

"Enough, girl. Stay wi' me now." Drake said with a sigh. "Numpty, be careful. Jenny is going to pass Enos a gun."

"J-Jenny? Jenny is here?" Daisy couldn't believe it. She was here. The pint-size-man-stealing-wench was here. "Oh, no."

Jack hunkered beside her and said, "Daisy, it's going to be okay. Once we get Enos to safety I'll come back and answer all your questions."

Enos's terrified voice pierced the night. "Levi don't!"

One of Levi's whiskey bottles broke with an explosive sound and the shattered glass tinkled as it landed on various surfaces.

Drake dropped another curse and said, "Numpty, go now! Things are going ta' shite!"

"On it! Sorry, gorgeous. We can't wait any longer." Jack ran his thumb across her cheek and faded into the shadows.

There was that "we" again. Obviously, Jack knew Drake so it only made sense that he knew Jenny, too. A brand new stack of questions landed on top of her previous questions, but Daisy held her tongue. She looked up with a brave face to see Drake once again standing with his back to her. She mustered her courage and moved a little closer.

"Is Enos okay? Can I take a look? I can't see what's happening from-"

"Och, not now!" Drake made some rude noise and promptly ignored her.

Daisy made a rude noise of her own. Drake stood above her, all business, his demeanor stone cold. Considering the circumstances why couldn't he be civil? Couldn't he at least act like he had some manners? At that precise moment, Drake glanced down to meet her distraught gaze.

Drake tipped his head to the side and raised one curious brow. There was something in that look ... something that reminded her of being held in his arms and an absolutely mind-blowing kiss ... but like a falling star or a flash of light, it disappeared and his eyes were once again all business.

"Enos is on the ground to my left, ten o'clock," he whispered. "Now, be quiet and let us work." Drake went back to ignoring her, leaving a small space beside him so she could see the activity.

A sinking feeling of dread took over as Daisy carefully moved forward to look into the clearing. Taking in the scene, the tears quickly gathered in her eyes.

There he was ... the man she loved and who had always been there for her. He lay severely beaten and bloody while the girl he had waited for all summer long stood up to a giant. Jenny was about to make all his dreams come true and all Daisy could do was watch things unfold.

Jenny had come back to claim Enos and Daisy was still trapped in his friendship category.


The owl's precarious flight woke Enos the second time. He smelled the smoke from Levi's campfire and heard him singing. The tune was familiar, sort of, but Levi had all the words mixed up and switched around.

Enos was too miserable to care. The pain in his head had reached a new level of intensity and he could only open one eye. His stomach turned along with the rest of the world every time he tried to focus his vision. It even hurt to breathe. He was fairly certain Levi had broken his ribs with the last blow. He remained perfectly still and watched Levi as he sat across the clearing on his rock. While he waited and hoped for the world to stop spinning, he listened to his captor croon like a baying dog.

"I don't wanna he-ear your fa-a-ce, any-more. Don't wanna see your vo-o-oive, at her car door…m-m-mmm, m-m-mmm."

Levi belched loudly and zeroed in on his captive. Seeing that Enos was awake, he gestured wildly and shouted, "Get it, Strate? She's mine. Lori Jean is my girl."

Enos got it but didn't feel the need to respond. It was far-fetched to think he could convince Levi that he wasn't remotely interested in Lori Jean. He closed his eye and feigned unconsciousness in hopes that Levi would ignore him. He didn't.

"No playin' possum now!" Levi scolded. "You ain't foolin' me!" The man took a long swig of his drink before dropping the bottle in the dirt and resting the bat on his shoulder.

"Strate?" he growled, making his way across the clearing to loom over him. "What's it gonna be? You gonna stay away from my girl from now on? Or am I gonna start swingin' ol' Louie here?"

When Enos didn't answer, Levi raised his foot and stomped him with it. "I said wake up!"

All the air left Enos's body. The coughing that followed was agonizing and caused him to retch. Vaguely aware of the angry mountain of jealousy above him, he eventually answered with a weak, raspy voice. "Levi, I ain't interested ... in Lori Jean. I never ... was."

"Well, I don't believe ya'!" Levi retreated to his rock and exchanged his bat for the bottle of whiskey. "You're gonna need to disappear. The only question is, are you gonna leave on your own?" Levi took another pull of artificial courage and snarled darkly. "Or am I gonna have to take matters into my own hands?"

Enos wasn't going to be beaten to death by a drunk. Not without a fight. He tried to push himself up. When he raised his head, the pain increased tenfold and his vision dimmed. The next wave of dizziness hit him so hard he collapsed the short distance to the ground before he passed out.

A surge of panic spread over him like tiny needles pricking his skin. He was unable to defend himself if he couldn't stay conscious. It was a constant battle to fight the foggy haze that clawed at his mind. The panic settled into a cold, dark fear. He was going to die here and nobody knew where he was. He'd never see Jenny again.

No. He couldn't accept that. He had to keep fighting ... had to stay awake ... had to-

"Did you hear me, boy?" Levi bellowed. "I reckon you're thinkin' maybe you oughta stayed in that there big city, huh! You gonna go back and leave me in peace?!"

"Whatever you want, Levi," he groaned. The sound of his own voice thundered in his skull. For a moment, the pain was so bad that Enos could barely understand what Levi was saying, let alone be able to negotiate with him. He just told Levi what he thought he wanted to hear instead. "How many times do I have to tell ya'? There's nothing between me and Lori Jean. I'm waiting for somebody special."

"Yeah, yeah, you're all innocent when it comes to th' birds and th' bees." Levi slurred. "Th' whole county knows you're still a virgin, but after what I saw this mornin'? I think you plan on riddin' yerself of th' title. I'm gonna make sure that it ain't with my Lori Jean!"

"N-no, I don't want-"

"She ain't gonna want nothin' to do with you or yer money if you're eatin' supper through a straw!"

"Ding dang it, Levi! Listen to me! I already have a girlfriend!"

"Liar! You ain't been on a date with Daisy all summer!"

"You don't understand!"

"I know what I saw!" Levi roared.

Enos didn't bother to argue. He lay helpless as the blurred image of his captor staggered across the clearing like a drunken ogre. The man upended the whiskey, swallowing the remaining contents. Then he cocked back the empty bottle like the baseball star he was in high school.

"Levi don't!" Enos covered his head as the bottle flew through the air and hit the tree trunk just inches behind him. The bottle shattered loudly, sending sharp pieces of glass raining down on him.

"Ya' shoulda thought about me before ya' touched Lori Jean!" Enraged, Levi once again retrieved his bat, grasping it tightly and swinging it low. On his way back across the clearing, he raised it high over his shoulder to bring it down on Enos, but he lost his balance and staggered back wildly.

"You'll go to prison, Levi!" Enos said, his fingers desperately clawing into the ground in a futile attempt to get away. "Maybe worse! Th-think about your ma! Please, don't do this!"

"Ma ain't gonna find out!" Levi's face was red with fury. "Nobody is gonna find out! When I finish crushin' yer skull, ain't no chance of you botherin' me and Lori Jean ever again! When I'm done with you, they ain't even gonna find yer stinkin' teeth!"

When Levi again raised the bat, Enos closed his eyes and prayed that the first blow would take him out.

"That's enough, Levi! You put that bat down!"

Enos was convinced he was hearing things but forced his good eye open just in time to see Levi spin around. The big man again lost his balance and was forced to use the bat like a cane to stay on his feet as he looked in the direction of his rock.

Then Enos saw her. At least he thought he saw her. Jenny was stunning in the golden firelight. It made her flawless skin glow and the copper strands among her dark tresses sparkled and shimmered. She was standing near Levi's stash of whiskey, one hand extended forward in a calming gesture.

"There's been a misunderstanding about Enos and your girlfriend," she said. "He's telling you the truth. I'm the one Enos has been waiting for. Let me help you fix this. Come on over here and let's have a nice chat, okay? I need to talk to you about Lori Jean."

"Lori Jean?" Levi puffed his chest defensively but kept the bat lowered. "How do you know Lori Jean? And where did you come from? Ain't nothin' back there but th' creek!" Levi pointed at her and snorted, "You sure are little!"

"Maybe, but I bring big gifts," she replied, an almost playful look on her face.

"Gifts?"

"Yes, if you behave." Jenny grabbed a bottle of whiskey from Levi's stash and shook her head when she read the label. "You drink this crap?" She dropped the bottle back into the wooden crate and pulled a flask from a back pocket. "Here, give this a try," she said, placing the flask on Levi's rock. "Go ahead. It's Macallan. Much smoother going down. I have plenty more where that came from if you'll hear my proposition."

Enos's heart was pounding in time with the throbbing in his head. He focused on Jenny in an effort to stay conscious. He wasn't certain this was real, but he didn't want to pass out and miss the hallucination. It was a particularly good one.

"All I gotta do is listen?" Levi took a few drunken steps toward his rock, speaking to Jenny but staring at the flask.

Enos watched her move with him, making sure she remained on the opposite side of the fire. The maneuver would bring her right to him, as long as Levi didn't catch on.

"Listen and behave," Jenny replied. "No more broken bottles. No more threats."

Overwhelmed with the possibility of Jenny having truly returned to him, Enos's injuries began to take their toll. Darkness crept into his already poor vision. The panic broke his mental focus and he called out, "Jenny? Is that really you? Please, I-"

"Shuddup, Strate! I got company!" Levi lumbered to the flask and swiped it from the rock. He opened the lid and drank a large amount of the contents, staggering back a step or two before regaining his equilibrium.

"Whoowee! That's good stuff!" Levi smacked his lips. "All right, whoever you are. You got until th' bottom of this here flask to say your peace. But I'm warnin' ya'. Any ideas you got that don't end with Lori Jean being with me?" He stretched a beefy arm toward Enos. "Things are gonna end with his brains splattered to kingdom come. She don't belong with that loser!"

"No threat's, remember?" Jenny maintained a calm demeanor that brokered no argument.

"Yeah, I 'member. No broken bottles. No threats." Levi held the flask protectively. "What do you want with him anyway?"

"I'm here to claim what's mine," Jenny said, firmly. "Enos belongs to me and he's been waiting for me for a long time. Cooperate and I'll have a nice long talk with Lori Jean to explain things, but only if you allow Enos to leave with me without any further injury. Got it?"

"I don't care if he belongs to you or not!" Levi turned the flask up for another swig and Jenny took several quick steps toward Enos. "He was walkin' with Lori Jean just this morning! He had his stinkin' paw on her arm! I saw it! She was lookin' at him like ... like..." Levi's bluster deflated and his huge shoulders fell. With a heavy thud, Levi sat down on the rock. "She used to look at me that way. He needs to just go-way."

"As I said before, I'm here to claim what's mine. I'll take him off your hands. Sit back and enjoy a real whiskey for a change. I'll take him and go. Agreed?"

"I dunno. You don't understand how hard it's been to find him alone. I've been drivin' all over th' place tryin' to catch him and I finally got him! If I let him go and you turn out t' be a liar..."

"I'm not a liar, Levi." The smile she bestowed on Levi could've melted the hardest of hearts. "Didn't I bring you good whiskey?"

"Well, yes ma'am. That was right nice of ya', too." Levi pondered the flask, turning it over and over in his hands like it was the most priceless thing he'd ever seen.

Jenny took another big step toward Enos.

Enos wanted to touch her, to feel the softness of her warm skin, to kiss her and tell her so many things. She was close, so close!

Levi's temper got the better of him and he exploded in rage. "Nu-uh! I can't take no chances with Lori-Jean! He stays!"

"I can personally guarantee that Enos is off the market, so to speak," Jenny said, taking another step. "He belongs to me and has for months now. It's important that Lori Jean understands that, too. I won't be giving him up."

Enos's heart skipped a beat. Did that mean she was going to stay with him? That they were finally going to have their chance?

Enos phased between a blurred reality and a fantasy realm where his dreams played out. It looked like Jenny was right in front of him, but most of these dreams ended with Drake showing up and dragging her away. As her beautiful image greyed in and out of focus, he became a willing participant in his wild hallucination.

"Don't go," he muttered in delirium. "Jenny, please stay. Please. I need you."

"Easy, Deputy," Jenny said. "Levi and I are just having a talk. He's going to let me take you out of here. Isn't that right, Levi?"

Her voice pulled him back across the fuzzy line of consciousness where he was again a helpless observer with no way to protect her. She was so close he imagined he could smell her perfume. Just one step back, any moment now, and he would be able to touch her ... if this was real. His ears began to ring and black spots danced before his eyes.

Enos winced in pain and took a breath to call out to her, but never made a sound.


Jenny was highly attuned to Enos. He was like a burning star on her awareness and now that she had almost reached him, it was even harder to remain focused on Levi. She was fed up with the drunk and became more direct.

"Levi, I need you to behave while I take Enos out of here. Are we in agreement?"

"I didn't say you could do that!" Levi balked. "See, as long as Lori Jean still says she wants him, she don't want me no more!" With that Levi grabbed his bat and surged to his feet. "I gotta make sure I fix that!"

"Hold up, big guy," Jenny said with authority. "It doesn't matter what Lori Jean wants because Enos belongs with me. Now, I've been fair to you, even after you hurt Enos. I'm very upset about what you did to him. It's time for you to be nice! Toss that bat into the bushes so I can get him medical help. Now!"

"I can be nice, too." Levi frowned but raised his eyebrows in contemplation. "I can take better care of Lori Jean than he can. I love her. He don't even know her favorite color! So I ain't gonna put nothin' down!" Levi yelled. "How do I know you're really his girl? I ain't never seen ya' around here b'fore! Strate!? You know this gal?! Where's she from?"

There was no response. Jenny quickly took control of the situation.

"This is over, Levi!" Jenny commanded, her hand gripping the butt of her Glock. "If he dies, you'll never see Lori Jean again. Do you want that? Cooperate with me and I'll consider talking with the judge on your behalf. I'll still have that conversation with Lori Jean for you."

"I don't need your help!" Levi spat back. "I can get Lori Jean back on my own!" He lowered the bat but didn't throw it away as he returned to his rock and again sat down. "Just take him and get outta here b'fore I change my mind."

"Thank you, Levi. This is for the best. You made a wise decision."

"Just take him and git!"

Without turning her back on Levi, Jenny stepped back and dropped to one knee to take Enos's hand. She knew his injuries were bad, but the blood scorched in her veins seeing his poor condition up close. As expected, Enos had slipped back into unconsciousness. She had to wake him. If he could just walk a few feet to cover...

"Deputy?" Jenny squeezed his hand and brushed the glass from his hair. "Enos, can you hear me? You have to wake up now."

He groaned as his fingers began to close around hers. "Jenny? Is it really you? My head..."

"There you are." Jenny felt like bursting as the connection they shared in Wyoming snapped into place. She had imagined what it would be like to touch him again, to hear him say her name. She desperately wanted to pull him into her arms, but he was suffering so much. "I'm here, Deputy. I'm so sorry I'm late. We need to move you. Can you walk?"

"I don't ... I don't think so," Enos replied. "Everything spins when I move."

"Okay. I'll get you out. Don't worry. Just stay awake a little longer. I brought you something."

After a quick check on Levi, who was still enamored with the flask, she used hand signals to alert Jaxon and Drake of Enos's condition. Jenny then guided Enos's hand to the grip of her pistol. He hesitated a moment, then understanding what she wanted him to do, he took the gun. She patted his chest for reassurance.

"Be ready," she whispered. "I'm about to make Levi very angry."

With another quick signal to Drake, it was time to end the standoff. Levi had sealed his fate. Remaining on one knee, Jenny called across the clearing, "Levi, I'm going to call someone to help Enos. You've hurt him so badly he can't walk on his own."

"Nu-uh! That ain't part of the deal!" Levi stood with the bat raised high. "I said you could take him outta here! If you can't do it, then I'll just end his sorry existence now! That way I know for sure he can't mess around with Lori Jean anymore! I reckon if you don't like it, I can dig a bigger hole! Makes me no nevermind!"

Levi took one step towards Jenny and Drake popped him with the tranquilizer gun. The man grimaced and became preoccupied with the dart in his chest. He lost his balance reaching for it and stumbled to the ground.

Jenny spun around and pulled Enos's arm over her shoulder. "Come on! We aren't going far!"

Enos made a valiant effort to get up but couldn't take the pain. In the few seconds it took to make the attempt, Levi had regained his feet and raised his weapon.

Jaxon bolted out of the woods. "Jenny, duck!" he shouted.

She yelped in surprise when Enos suddenly pulled her down to his chest. The bat swooshed through the air above them. The swing was so close it struck the pencil holding her hair, sending it flying. Her hair tumbled down in rich brown waves.

Enos raised the gun shakily and fired, striking Levi in the knee. The man screamed in agony, dropping the bat to clutch his wounded appendage. He hit the ground hard and his cries soon turned to pathetic whimpers as the tranquilizer finally took effect.

It was over.

Enos's arm relaxed around Jenny and she quickly flipped her hair back to move above his face. "Enos? Are you okay? Are you still with me?"

One hazel eye fluttered open.

"Yeah, but my head hurts real bad," he said. "It feels like I'm a bug circling a drain. Did I get him?"

"Yes. Didn't you hear all that crying and carrying on?" Jenny teased.

"I'm not sure. Nothing seems real." Enos's brow was furrowed in pain as he buried his fingers in her dark hair. "Please tell me you're really here. I've missed you so much. I have these dreams..."

"Hush, now. I'm here and I'm staying." Jenny smiled and tilted her head to the side. "I got your note. When you said you'd be waiting by the fire, this wasn't exactly what I pictured."

He giggled. "Ow. I think he broke my ribs."

"He's lucky I don't return the favor. I plan to have a long talk with Lori Jean and the Judge. He could've..." Jenny swallowed the thought and choked back the tears that were trying to spill forth. "I'm so sorry."

"I've been in worse shape, remember?" he said bravely, fighting to stay awake. "You came to my rescue then, too."

"And I feel terrible that I wasn't there to nurse you back to health. I'm so sorry for it," Jenny apologized. "I never wanted to leave you. I wanted to be with you every day. You were always in my thoughts." She grabbed her bandana and gently wiped the blood from his face. "I'll be there for you from now on. I promise. I'll take good care of you and I won't let it happen again."

"It wasn't your fault, hon. Drake didn't give you a choice."

"How is he, sister?" Drake asked as he knelt beside Jenny. "The paramedics should be here any minute now."

Enos physically jolted and his eye flew open wide with fear. "Don't take her, Drake. Please, don't-"

"There now, dinna fash yourself, Lawman." Drake put a firm hand on Enos's shoulder. "Help is on the way. Jenny will see to it that you get the best of care now. I'll no' interfere." He then kissed Jenny on the forehead and gave her a genuine half-smile, the first in many weeks. "I'm off to talk wi' the authorities. Ye did well," he said. "We can debrief tomorrow. Keep me posted on his condition, aye?"

"I will," she said. "Thank you, Drake."

"Hmph," he said. With a quick nod to Enos, he walked away.

Enos released a tired sigh. "I think he hates me."

"No, he doesn't," she chuckled. "Don't worry. Drake and I have reached an understanding, but we can talk about that later. You really need to stay awake, Deputy. Can you see me all right?"

"Yes ma'am," he whispered. "You're so pretty. All three of ya'."

"Oh, Enos." Jenny giggled and her face heated. "Talk to me. Tell me anything. I want to know everything you've done and all the things I've missed."

"Well, I started a garden and dug a firepit to sit around but I've ... been waiting..." Enos seemed to catch himself before drifting off again. "I've been waiting to use it until ... until I could share it with you. I'm... I'm sorry. I'm so tired..."

"I know you are. Can you hear the sirens? The ambulance is here."

A random tear trickled down Enos's face as he said, "Promise me you'll be here when I wake up? I don't think I can take it if this is just another dream. Please, stay with me."

"It's not a dream, mo chridhe." Jenny kissed him tenderly and felt his grip on her hair begin to weaken. "See? I'll be right here holding your hand." She showered him with kisses and caressed his face with her hands in an effort to keep him with her. His fear was still a palpable thing when his hand slipped from her hair.

Jenny continued to talk to him, offering as much comfort as she could even after his world had gone dark and silent.


After Drake left the clearing, Daisy stepped out from behind the oak tree to approach Enos but stopped when she saw the tender feelings being shared with Jenny. This was it. There would be no wedding, no more dates and no more kisses. His feelings for the other woman hadn't diminished at all, but had only strengthened in her absence over the past months.

As much as she wanted to be the one to comfort Enos, his condition was too serious to risk an ugly confrontation with Jenny. Listening to all of the petite woman's negotiations with Levi hadn't helped at all. Daisy recognized her feelings of jealousy and wanted to explode with frustration over how possessive she had become.

Daisy swallowed the ache in her heart. She was afraid this might happen. She'd spent hours trying to come up with a plan in case Jenny returned, but now she was at a loss. She really hadn't expected this. Part of her could accept just being Enos's friend for the rest of her life, hadn't she put him in that position for years?

What she couldn't tolerate was giving her best friend in the whole world to a woman like Jenny.

Daisy looked away as Jack arrived with the paramedics. How did Jack fit in with The MacFarlands anyway? What had Drake called him? Numpty? Were they friends? She was so confused. Her heart had certainly been through the wringer tonight.

"Daisy," Jack said. "Let me walk you back to your Jeep. There's nothing else we can do for Enos." His voice was uncertain; as if he expected a dressing down. "Could we go somewhere and talk? There are things I need to tell you and I know you want some answers."

"What I want is to go with Enos to the hospital," she said, bitterly. "But it looks like I'd just be a third wheel. I can't believe he's going to just let her stomp all over his heart again!"

"Hey, it's been a long night," Jack moved closer and rested his hands on her shoulders, giving them a gentle shake. "You just need a good nights sleep to regain your perspective. Don't let this break you, Daisy. Things will look much brighter in the morning. Remember, you're a wonderful woman and any man would be lucky to have you."

The look of compassion and empathy in Jack's eyes did nothing for her confidence. She continued to fight for control of her emotions and replied, "I don't want just 'any' man. I thought Enos and I would have a future and now... I have to watch him have that with someone who doesn't deserve it."

Seeing Jack's stunned expression, she crossed her arms and said, "Maybe I should go. I sound like a petulant child."

"You feel what you feel. It would help to talk about things. Let's go have some coffee. I'll even spring for pie." Jack's smile was almost irresistible. Almost.

"I appreciate the offer, but I just can't take anymore tonight. I'm really wiped out. Could we talk tomorrow? I just want to go home." Daisy turned away to hide the tears.

"Sure, let me drive you. I'll have Drake follow in the Jag." He offered his arm like a gentleman from a historical romance novel. "You're going to be fine, Daisy."

"We'll have to wait and see about that." She took one last look at Enos and Jenny, then threaded her arm through Jack's as a deep depression swooped in and took root in her heart.

The other woman had won a major victory, but the war wasn't over. She might've lost the battle, but she wouldn't give Enos up to the wrong girl. The sooner she got home the sooner she could start making plans to discover the truth about Jenny MacFarland.


(Early the next morning)

LaGuardia Airport was crawling with people as they rushed to their flights. While midway through a four-hour layover, Matt Duncan sat patiently in a small bistro sipping coffee. He was enthusiastic about reaching his destination and seeing what Wallace Monroe had built over the summer. Last night's meeting with the powerful mob boss had been extremely successful. Revenge was close at hand.

Matt opened his briefcase to review the surveillance images for the current mission. This was a big assignment. Trying to contain the MacFarland siblings was a rather intimidating task, but snagging his first target would go a long way in securing their cooperation.

Grinding his teeth, he entertained the possible ways he could punish Drake MacFarland for his actions this past Spring. His first crime was to kidnap Matt while he was en route to meet his brother, Reid Duncan.

At the time, Reid had Jaxon MacFarland in captivity after the rich snot had spent months as Wallace Monroe's prisoner at an undisclosed location. No one expected Drake to take such radical action to rescue his brother. Matt's kidnapping ruined all of that and eventually led to the failure of Reid's mission.

Drake's second and most serious infraction was killing Reid. Reid's body was never found. The MacFarlands got away and now some hillbilly cop was poking around in Monroe's business.

Matt was thrilled when Monroe called him with the offer a few months ago. It was the same day Matt received a strange delivery. The blood-stained arrow arrived in a long, white floral box, complete with a big red bow. At first, he thought it was a mistake. He was wrong.

The delivery address was correct. The floral company was a sham. The card said in non-descript handwriting: 'You're next.'

Given the fact that Drake's archery skills were well known, Matt understood immediately that he was looking at a murder weapon ... the murder weapon. If there were any doubts, finding his brother's knife and severed ear wrapped in the tissue paper forever removed them. MacFarland would pay for that. So would the Duke woman he rescued. They both had made a fool out of his brother.

During the phone call, Monroe told him exactly what the MacFarlands had been up to this summer. He had lost an entire strike team in June due to the sibling's interference and had lost at least one investment per week since. The targets were hit at random times and in random places. Monroe had beefed up security to no avail. The MacFarland's had gone on to destroy millions of dollars of his illegal assets and operations.

Monroe went on to say that even his top security was perplexed by the MacFarland's knowledge of his business dealings. The three siblings had far exceeded their tactical reputation. Together they had shut down his chop shop in Milwaukee, his drug houses in West Virginia, and destroyed a human trafficking operation and sweatshop in Florida. They even found his gambling operations in Atlantic City and ran a successful sting on his call girl operation in New Orleans.

Whenever they decimated one of his illegal operations, the siblings would contact the police anonymously. The authorities would sweep in to find Monroe's leaders trussed up like amateurs ... and no sign of the MacFarlands.

The police were closing in on Monroe, but he was about to turn the tide, with Matt's help of course.

The MacFarland's winning streak would end in a dramatic way. The plan had taken months to set up and Matt would execute it perfectly. He sneered as he contemplated his own revenge and then replayed his recent conversation with Monroe...

"I'm pleased that you've accepted my offer." Monroe said. "Once things are in place, you need to acquire the bait and take them to my safe house. As soon as you deliver the twins to me, I'll let you keep custody of Drake MacFarland and the waitress. They are yours to do with as you please, as long as they end up dead. If the cop shows up, kill him. You get half the money now and the rest when your prisoners are dealt with. In the end, we both will get what we want."

"Yes sir. Do you have a timeline for the first acquisition?"

"Patience, Matt. I have a few more arrangements to make. We want to make sure all the players are in the right position. You have a flight to catch in four days. Three more men will join you in Wyoming before the acquisition date. They are currently working things from the Hazzard County end. We can't risk the cop turning back for any reason, otherwise, we may not flush out all of the MacFarlands."

"Are you sure the Duke girl will be there?"

"She'll be there, Matt. Word on the street is that I've put a hit out on the waitress and the cop. If I know the MacFarlands, they won't let either one of them out of their sight.

"Now, Liam is one of my best cleaners. You're in charge until he arrives. Call me immediately upon completion of construction then go get the bait. Once we have our hostage, the MacFarlands will come running to save the day. I plan to recoup my losses before I destroy what's left of Ian MacFarland's children."

'Flight 227 to St. Louis will begin boarding in 10 minutes at Gate 27E. That's Flight 227 to St. Louis, Gate 27-E.'

The announcement jolted Matt out of his thoughts and he glanced nervously at his watch. Had that much time gone by already? He returned the papers to his backpack and noticed the prescription bottle poking out of an inside pocket. He'd nearly forgotten.

Matt opened the lid and counted the remaining pills. A couple of weeks should do it. It's not like he needed them every day. Had he taken them yesterday? What about the day before?

Muttering a curse, he popped two pills into his hand and swallowed them dry. He would be fine. Even if he ran out while he was still in Wyoming. He'd run out before. It was no big deal. The pills made him tired and foggy anyway. Nothing and nobody would get in his way. Not even a few missed doses of Lithium.

Matt returned his belongings to his backpack, being careful to keep the contents at the bottom shielded from view, then left the bistro to catch his flight.