This story takes place before my other story entitled, The Dukes; One Year Later. The Dukes paid off the farm and they were waiting on their distilled spirits permit; so they could legally make and sell their moonshine. The permit was taking longer to get then they had anticipated, so Jesse had the boys do one final run. He told the boys that any money made from their run, they could keep. Jesse left with his order as the boys took two vehicles to deliver theirs. Luke had delivered the final moonshine order and met Bo at a bar that was down the road.
"Hey, Luke. Let's get goin'." Bo stated as he headed towards Sweet Tilly.
"Here, Bo." Luke gave Bo half the money from the sale. Bo looked at the cash and replied. "Hold on to that. I might still get caught." He took out the money he made and handed it to Luke.
"What do you mean, 'still get caught'?"
"I am running Jesse's old moonshine runner. One of the older revenuers may recognize it and chase me. I don't want to get caught with a lot of cash on me. Might look suspicious."
"Guess you're right." Luke put the money back into his wallet.
"Let's get goin'." Bo got into the car as Luke got into his truck. They both drove off in different directions. It didn't take long until a revenuer saw Sweet Tilly and gave chase. He slammed into the back of the car.
"Breaker one-nine callin' lost sheep. I got trouble." Once again the agent hit into the back. "Luke, I need ..." Before Bo could finish his sentence, the agent hit the car again and Bo lost control of the vehicle.
"Bo? Bo, you there?" Silence. Luke put the cb mic down and turned the truck around.
Bo went off the cliff and jumped from the vehicle. Bo woke when he was kicked in his side.
"Aahh!" Bo looked around and saw a revenuer looking down at him.
"Nice of you to join me." The agent flipped Bo over and handcuffed him. He roughly pulled up Bo and pushed him towards the slope.
"What are the charges?"
"Get going, boy!" Once again the agent pushed Bo hard. Bo fell, scrapping his face and chest. 'You're going to pay for that.' Bo thought to himself. When Bo got to the police station, he could barely stand. He was pushed towards the cell, as Cletus got up from his chair and approached Agent Lee.
"What's going on? What happened to him?"
"He fell. Right, boy?" Bo didn't answer him.
"Is that what happened, Bo?" Bo didn't answer him, he just kept his eyes on the floor.
"Keys." Agent Lee held out his hand for the keys. Cletus grabbed the keys off the hook and roughly handed him the keys.
"What are the charges, Agent Lee?" Cletus asked, as Agent Lee shoved Bo into the cell, leaving the cuffs on him.
"Runnin' illegal whiskey."
"Where's the proof?"
"Working on it."
"Don't you mean, planting it?"
"Just what do you think you're saying?" Lee asked as he approached Cletus.
"Oh, that you will stop at nothing to put any Duke in jail. Proof or not." As they were arguing, Agent Lee's supervisor came in.
"What the hell is going on in here!? I got a phone call from a concerned citizen, saying that one of my agents ran someone off the road." Agent Burns looked in the cell and noticed Bo sitting on the cot with handcuffs still on, leaning heavily against the bars. When he saw the condition that Bo was in, he took the keys off of the hook and unlocked the cell door. He walked into the cell and angrily asked. "Why the hell isn't he in the hospital?" Bo was having a hard time breathing as Agent Burns lifted his chin up.
"Son, you need to lean forward." Agent Burns helped Bo lean forward, then he took the handcuffs off of Bo. "Son, what happened?"
"Got ran off the road." Cletus picked up the phone and called for an ambulance.
Several minutes later, Agent Smith walked in and told Lee. "Let him go."
"What the hell do you mean, 'let him go'?"
"No evidence. We searched the area, nothing."
"Then that means they already sold it." He walked over to Bo and took out his wallet.
"Give me that!" Agent Burns took it out of Lee's hand and opened it.
"Three dollars? Not much of a moonshiner is he?" As they were talking, Harley walked in with a gurny.
"Someone called?" Cletus pointed to the cell.
"Bo?" Bo looked at Harley and grinned.
"Hey, Harley. What brings you here?" He started to laugh but it only caused him to start coughing.
"Can you walk, Bo?"
"May need some help with that." Harley got Bo to his feet and helped him lay onto the gurney. He got Bo to the hospital and x-rayed his ribs. Agent Burns called Jesse and told him what had happened. Jesse sent Luke to the hospital to check on Bo.
"Where is he?" Luke asked the nurse on duty, as he walked up to the nurse's station.
"Luke, he's in room 104. He has three broken ribs, mild concussion and some cuts and bruises."
"Thanks, Jane." Luke walked down the hallway and walked into the dimly lit room. He saw Bo laying on the bed.
"Hey, what happened?" Bo opened his eyes and just starred at Luke for a couple seconds, before he closed his eyes again. That made Luke worried.
"Bo?" When Bo didn't answer him, Luke gently shook his arm. "Bo?" Bo slowly opened his eyes again. He looked blankly at Luke and closed his eyes once again. Luke left the room and found a nurse.
"Hey, Jane. What's wrong with Bo? He didn't even respond to me."
"Side effect of the anesthesia. We had to do surgery to repair his ribs. Let him rest and he should be fine in a couple hours." As they were talking, a Doctor walked up to Luke.
"Visiting hours are over. I have to ask you to leave." Luke looked at Jane, when the Doctor told him that.
"I'll keep an eye on him."
"Thanks." Luke left the hospital and went home to tell Jesse and Martha what had happened to Bo.
Bo woke up several hours later, confused at where he was. The doctor did not know the Duke family and would not allow Luke to stay at the hospital over night with Bo. Even tho several nurses suggested that it would be a good idea to allow it. Bo looked around the unfamiliar room and finally realized where he was.
"Hell with it." Bo said to himself as he put on his clothes. He walked to the front door and stopped when he heard his named called.
"Bo?" Bo turned around and saw Jane walking towards him. "If you are leaving, you have to sign yourself out AMA." She showed him the form and he signed it.
"Make sure you rest often, okay hon?"
"I will. Thanks." Bo kissed Jane on her cheek, turned around and left.
Jane called Luke and told him that Bo left the hospital and may need a ride. Luke got into his Trans Am and drove to the hospital. He saw Bo walking on the side of the road and pulled up next to him.
"Have a nice walk?" Luke asked Bo.
"No." Bo walked to the passenger's side, opened the door and got in.
"I guess I'll take you home." As they were headed home, Luke looked over at Bo; who was now leaning forward holding his ribs.
"You okay?"
"Just sore, Luke."
"What happened?"
"Couldn't remember where I was at first. Just don't want to be there."
"What the hell happened to you over there?" Luke glanced at Bo and continued. "You were never like this before." Bo looked at Luke and replied. "When I got shot, I was sent to a field hospital. Two days later we were over-run. Several nurses and patients were killed. Me and two others made it to where they kept the guns. Held off the VC until an air-strike was called in. Barely made it out alive." Luke was surprised at that.
"Judas Priest, Bo! It's no wonder why you're scared all the time."
"Not scared all the time, Luke." Luke gave him a 'yeah, right' look. "Not scared when you're with me."
"Can't be with you all the time, Bo."
"Sure you can." Luke shook his head and smiled. They arrived at the farm 10 minutes later. Luke helped Bo out of the car and walked behind him to their room.
"Um, Luke. You think I could, ah..."
"Sure, Bo."
The next morning, Martha went to check on Bo. She walked into their room and saw Bo laying on Luke's chest. Luke was half sitting up, leaning against the headboard with Bo sleeping on his stomach. Luke glanced over at Martha when he heard the door open.
"Everything alright?"
"Doesn't like hospitals, I guess."
"Did you get any sleep last night?"
"No." Martha gently woke Bo.
"Hey honey?" She waited until Bo opened his eyes. "Can you move over, so Luke can lie down?" Bo looked at her confused before he glanced up at Luke.
"Sorry." Bo moved so Luke could lay down. She let them both sleep until they woke up on their own. Close to dinner, Bo and Luke were walking back from the field headed for the barn, when Agent Lee drove up. Bo entered the barn as Agent Lee got out of his car and approached Luke.
"Lost my job because of him."
"Not my concern." Luke replied to Lee.
"Well, it's about to be." Just then they heard a shot go off. They both landed onto the ground.
"It would be in your best interest to get off of our land." Bo calmly stated as he held a double barrel shotgun pointed at Lee.
"Pretty brave hiding behind that shotgun aren't you, boy?" Lee stated as he got to his feet.
"I won't repeat myself." Bo replied as he cocked the other hammer back. Lee glared at both of the boys, then got into his car and left. Jesse was on his way outside after he heard the gunshot.
"What in tarnation is going on here?" Jesse yelled as he watched Lee drive away.
"No idea, pa."
"He lost his job, blames Bo here." Luke told him as he got to his feet.
"Not much of a revenuer anyway." Jesse laughed and continued. "Not much of a driver, either."
"Got that right." Replied Bo.
"You two watch yourselves. He'll go after ya."
"You really think he will?"
"Bet my last dollar on it." Jesse told Luke. He looked around and asked. "Get the chores done?"
"Yes, sir." Bo answered.
"Go wash up, it's time for dinner." Both nodded as they headed into the house. After they all ate, Bo and Luke headed to the Boar's Nest for a drink. When they got there, it seemed like everyone knew what had happened at the Duke farm earlier. Lou-Ann walked up to Bo and Luke.
"What are you two doing here?" She asked as they walked up to the bar.
"Thought we'd have a drink or two." Bo replied as he waved the bartender over. "Two beers." Jake set the beer bottles down and Bo placed the money onto the bar. He nodded his thanks and handed Luke a bottle.
"After what Agent Lee tried to do?"
"I ain't concerned about him." Bo told her as he made his way to the table in the back.
"How can you not be concerned?" She asked as she followed, behind Luke.
"After what I've been through in Vietnam, he don't scare me none." Bo replied to Lou-Ann.
"Hell, Bo's more afraid of Mary-Sue than Jason." Bo shook his head as he rolled his eyes at Luke's reply. "It's true."
"Never said it wasn't." Bo continued drinking his beer, when Jason Lee walked in. Lou-Ann turned towards the door, when everyone suddenly became quite.
"You're not welcome in here." Lou-Ann told Jason, as he was headed towards Bo and Luke.
"You cost me my job, Duke." Bo stood up as he lite a cigarette.
"Not the one that drove someone off the road, for no reason."
"I had plenty of reasons." Bo grinned and took a step towards Jason.
"Bo, don't." Luke told him, as he grabbed his arm.
"Better listen to your babysitter." Luke sighed and let loose of Bo's arm. Bo didn't say a word as he took a step towards him. Enos walked up and stood between Jason and Bo. He placed his hand onto Bo's chest and held him back.
"Bo, it's not assault if he throws the first punch." At this point, Jason was losing his patience with Bo.
"You need to leave." Jake; the bartender told Jason. Jason turned around and headed towards the door. Bo grinned and as soon as he turned his back, Jason picked up a chair. Jason swung the chair and hit Bo across the back, before anyone could stop him. Luke tackled Jason to the floor and started to hit him. He got a couple good hits in, before Enos pulled him off of Jason.
"Tend to your cousin, Lukas." Luke turned and saw Bo being helped up by Lou-Ann. Jake held Jason back before he could leave. Bo straightened up and glanced down. He picked up his cowboy hat and his lite cigarette.
"Bo, you now have grounds to charge him with assault."
"Let him go."
"What?"
"You heard me. Anyone that isn't man enough for a far fight, isn't worth my time." Bo turned around and sat down on the chair in the corner. Luke shrugged his shoulders at Enos then sat down next to Bo.
"Get him out of here!" Jake nodded at Enos and pushed Jason towards the door. Bo glanced up and replied. "This ain't over, not by a moonshot."
"It's over when your in jail or dead." Jason opened the door and added. "Watch your back, Duke. I'll make sure of either one." Jason left the bar, while Lou-Ann and Jake started to clean up the mess.
"Let me help." Bo got up to help.
"Honey, I got this." Bo nodded and sat back down. Everyone got back to what they were doing before Jason walked in. Several minutes later, Sally-Joe walked up to their table.
"Wanta dance?" She asked Luke.
"As long you don't tell your sister." He replied as Bo laughed.
"Mary-Sue won't be bothering Bo anymore."
"Is that so?" Bo asked.
"She got herself in trouble. One night stand over in Hatchapee County. Never even got the guy's name." Bo shook his head in disbelief.
"Dodged a bullet on that one."
"I'm good at doing that, Lukas." They got up to dance as Bo lite up another cigarette. Luke danced with Sally-Joe for one dance then made his way back over to Bo.
"You ready to head out?" Bo looked at Luke confused.
"Thought you wanted to stay for awhile."
"I know of better ways to fill our time." Bo grinned and shook his head.
"I'll drink to that." Bo lifted his beer and finished it. He followed Luke out to the General and they went on their way. As Bo and Luke were driving down Sheep's Hollow Road towards still site 8, a car came speeding up behind them.
"What the hell?" Luke turned around in his seat, just as the car slammed into the General.
"You okay?" Bo asked, as Luke was thrown against the dash.
"Yeah." Bo looked out the rear view mirror.
"How much you wanta bet it's Jason?" Bo put the gas pedal to the floor as he turned onto the road that lead to Kissing Cliff.
"Bo, what are you doing?"
"Just playing a little game of chicken." He replied as he raced towards the cliff's edge. Bo shut off the headlights as he fast approached the edge. He cranked the wheel hard at the last second. Several minutes later they heard a loud explosion.
"He didn't?" Luke asked.
"Maybe he jumped out?" Bo answered.
"Let's get the hell out of here." Luke remarked.
"Yeah." Bo raced away from the cliff and kept the lights off, as they drove down the road leading away from the cliff. The next day, a call came in about a car that was found at the bottom of Kissing Cliff.
"Sheriff, we got a body." Sheriff Rosco walked over to Enos. "Car belonged to Jason Lee." Rosco shook his head.
"Didn't he cause trouble with the older Duke boys, a couple days back?" He asked Enos.
"Yes sir, he did."
"If he caused trouble with them last night, that's on him." Rosco turned around and was about to leave.
"Shouldn't we at least question them on where they were last night?"
"Don't see the point, Enos. Them boys wouldn't have caused his death."
"I heard Jason threaten Bo at the Boar's Nest last night. Things may have gotten out of hand."
"Leave it, Enos."
"If Bo had anything to do with what happened here. He should be..."
"He should be what? Held accountable for what Jason did? He damn neared killed Bo not even a week ago. Went to their farm and threatened Luke. Did it again last night. As far as I'm concerned this was a traffic accident."
"Case closed?"
"Case closed, Enos."
"Yes, sir." Rosco left and went to the Duke farm. When he arrived, he saw Martha on the porch, watching the young kids play in the yard.
"Morning, Sheriff. What brings you out here this early?"
"Thought I'd tell ya, Jason Lee won't be comin' around here anymore."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, ma'am. Killed in a single car accident last night."
"What does that have to do with us?"
"Where was Bo last night?"
"Sheriff, if you're implying that Bo had anything to do with that.." "I was at the Boar's Nest with Lukas last night." Bo walked over towards them.
"Anything said between you two?"
"He said to watch my back. That it wasn't over between us, until I was either in jail or dead. He'd make sure of either one."
"Did he say it loud enough for others to hear?"
"The whole bar heard him say it. Ask anyone who was there."
"He follow you out?"
"He got thrown out but he may have waited for us. We was drivin' near Kissing Cliff when someone slammed into us." Bo pointed to the General that had damage to the bumper and trunk. Got further ahead, shut my lights off and went left. He may have thought I went right and went up to the cliff. I don't know, I got pretty far ahead of him."
"Thanks." Rosco put out his hand and Bo shook it. "Have a good day, now." Rosco turned around and headed for his car.
"Sheriff?" Rosco turned around.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Our dog had puppies last month, would you like one?" Rosco smiled at Martha's offer.
"I would like that."
"You can have first pick." She showed him where the puppies were and Rosco picked one out.
"That's a good choice." Jesse told him.
"You gonna take her hunting?" Jake asked.
"I'll have to have Jesse help me train her."
"I can do that." Jesse replied.
"Whatcha gonna name her?"
"Well Jake, I think I'll call her Flash."
"Good name." He gave the puppy one last pet on the head. "Bye Flash." Jake told her as he made his way back to doing his chores.
"I best be on my way, before I end up taking more puppies."
"Take care, Rosco."
"You too, Jesse." Jesse watched him leave, then made his way to Martha.
"What brought him over so early?"
"Told me that Jason Lee was killed in a car accident last night."
"Really?"
"Yeah, found his car on the bottom of Kissing Cliff."
"He thinks Bo or Luke had anything to do with it?"
"If he does, he's leaving it be."
"Good." Jesse looked at his watch. "I best get a move on. That corn ain't gonna plant itself."
"Luke and Bo got the hopper tanks filled on the corn seeder. She's ready to go."
"Them boys are hard workers. Don't know what I'd do without them." Martha smiled as Jesse made his way to where the boys were. Bo turned around when he heard footsteps.
"Got her all set up for you."
"Thanks, Bo." Jesse patted him on his shoulder, then looked at Luke. "Thanks, Luke." Jesse made his way up onto the corn planter and started the machine up. "Where's the youngins?" He asked Luke.
"By the house. Area's clear." Luke replied as he looked around. Jesse went to the south field to plant the corn, while Bo and Luke tended to the animals. Later in the day, Miss Tisdale arrived with a special letter. It was the distilled spirits permit. The Duke family now can make and sell their whiskey legal. Their clients were happy that it would be easier for them to buy Jesse's whiskey. But not everyone was happy with Jesse's new legal ways.