Lucy sat at the front table next to the window, Emmy in her lap, the day's paper in her other hand. She was reading the Snuffy Smiths of the Hills comic. The comic depicted mountain men, or moonshiners, with a gun in one hand and a jug in the other, unwilling to do a read day's work. She laughed to herself. But when she looked over to Forrest who was cleaning up that morning's breakfast, she didn't see a resemblance to the comic strip.
The newspapers blew Franklin County up to something of a legend. The law knew what went down in Franklin, but did not yet have the enforcement to eradicate it. But, that's just what she figured Charley Rakes was fixing to do.
Jack had popped into The County Line, dressed his one of his new suits, beaming. He took a seat at Lucy's table. "I need your advice," he said. He set a box down on the table, "I got this…for Bertha Minnix…do y'think she'll like it?" Jack slid the box over to her.
Lucy set her newspaper aside and opened the lid. Inside sat a new camera. "Wow, Jack, that's quite the present…" she said, sliding the box back to him and cradling her child in both arms, "Isn't she that pastor's daughter?"
Jack shook his head sheepishly, "Yeah…but it don't matter…anyone can use a camera…" he said, shutting the lid.
Lucy nodded, "I'm sure she'll love it…it's an awfully nice gift," Lucy told him. The boy was so full of passion that it made her smile.
"Thanks Lucy," he said. He stood up from the table, grabbed the camera and turned to leave when he saw Charley Rakes pull up in the lot with Deputy Abshire.
Forrest set his rag down and came out from behind the counter to stand next to Lucy. The two men sauntered up the steps and entered The County Line. "What do you think you are doin' here?" Forrest asked plainly.
Abshire attempted a smile to alleviate the situation that was bound to arise, "Look here, Forrest…" but Rakes held up a gloved hand. He seemed pleased about something and his chest puffed out like a proud Rooster's.
"This here is the warrant for the arrest of Mrs. Lucy Bondurant," he handed the slip of paper to Forrest. But Forrest wouldn't take it. Jack snatched it from the man's hand to confirm the claim.
Forrest was dangerously still, "What charges?" he asked, standing in between Lucy and Rakes. Lucy was stunned. She hadn't done anything wrong! She held her baby tightly; they couldn't take her away from Emmy.
"Assaulting an officer," Rakes said. He lifted his sleeve to reveal a thin red gash, "When I came around here last week on a peaceful visit, she attacked me in the shed before she attempted to seduce me into silence," Rakes explained.
Abshire stepped up, "Look, Forrest, we just have to take her in for questioning, 's all…" he said, wringing his hat nervously in his hands.
"It's not true!" Lucy exclaimed, "You threatened me!" she looked at Rakes who just gave an unsettling high-pitched laugh.
"She ain't going anywhere with you," Forrest continued. He knew it wasn't true and he didn't care what the piece of paper said. Jack shook his head, "She wouldn't have done something like that," he addressed Abshire. Abshire gave him an apologetic look in return.
"Please stand up, Mrs. Bondurant…" Rakes stated, watching Forrest carefully. He made sure to show Forrest that he was carrying. "This will go a lot easier with full cooperation."
"She ain't going anywhere with you," Forrest repeated again.
"I'm afraid she is," Rakes was beaming. "Now, Mrs. Bondurant, please hand your baby off to one of the boys here and follow me," he demanded.
Lucy shook her head. She stood up, holding the baby firmly to her chest. "No. I ain't going anywhere with you, I did nothing wrong!" she exclaimed, "I can't leave my baby…she's just getting better…" she looked at Abshire.
"It won't be for long, Mrs. Bondurant," Abshire failed at being a comfort.
"Mrs. Bondurant either you had that baby over or I will take it from you," Rakes got dangerous. Forrest took a step towards Rakes, daring him to try.
"Abshire," Rakes said boredly.
Abshire seemed horrified but took a step towards Lucy, "Now, Lucy," he said, trying to get close, "I promise it'll be alright…now hand me the child…"
But Lucy stood as firm as Forrest.
"Alright then…" Rakes figured it would come to this. He pulled out his pistol and aimed it right between Forrest's eyes. "You delay any longer and put him down."
Forrest did not flinch. But Lucy was horrified. After what the man did to little Jack, she did not know how far he'd bluff. She shook her head, "No…it's alright…" Reluctantly she passed Emmy off to Jack. Emmy immediately began to cry. "It'll be alright, momma will be right back…" she kissed her child's forehead; the baby reached out to Lucy.
Lucy turned away. She looked at Forrest who shook his head, "You ain't going with them," he ignored the gun barrel that stared him down.
"It's okay," Lucy touched his face gently, "I'll be right back…you heard the deputy…" she kissed his cheek and looked at Rakes.
Rakes lowered the gun to his side, but still held on, "This way," he lead Lucy to the car and climbed into the backseat with her as Abshire climbed into the driver's seat.
Forrest's tight jawline only hardened as the car disappeared down the drive. Emmy's wails filled the house and Hal had gotten there just in time to see them drive away.
"What are we gonna do, Forrest?" Jack asked, awkwardly trying to calm the child.
"Get Howard…we're going down to the station," Forrest ordered, his hand tracing over the iron knuckles in his pocket. "Give Emmy over to Hal," he finished, disappearing into his room.
Jack passed the baby off to Hal with a quick explanation. He had to find Howard and fast. He climbed back into his car, the camera momentarily forgotten on the diner's table.