Vector 426 - Thanks for the continued reviews. As Long Live BRUCAS said John and Campbell have a similar relationship as Luke and Ralph or Ernie Ledbetter! Yeah just when Jesse thought he didn't have to worry about his younger brother he regressed by to a teen! Thanks again for sticking around.

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Chapter 42

John had painfully answered all Rosco's questions, finally. He was still handcuffed with his hands behind his back. It was not the most comfortable way to spend the better part of an hour.

Rosco asked the young Deputy, "Are you about through back there?"

Deputy Petticord advised, "Just as soon as Mr. Campbell here gets his jumpsuit on."

Mr. Campbell glared at the Deputy. "Surely, you are NOT serious. I'm NOT going to put that on. I'd look like, ... like a common criminal!"

Rosco said from the desk calmly, "You can dress out or I can get out another sheet of paper to explain to the Judge why you didn't."

Steve Campbell hushed right then. He knew that the Sheriff was implying he'd add additional charges to him. It had been nearly twenty years since he'd been booked into a jail. He wasn't happy about it. He also knew his wife and her father who'd gotten him the easy job at the bank would also not be happy. "Alright, alright." He said still feeling the effects of the alcohol he'd drank before he seen John Duke.

NARRATOR: "Once Mr. Campbell was dressed from his neck to his toes in bright orange it was time for him and John to trade places."

John headed over to the Deputy half way expecting what he was to be put through as he'd heard parts of the Deputy and Campbell's conversation. That said, he knew he'd not like it any more than Campbell had.

"Alright, Mr. Duke, I'm going to uncuff you. I need you boots, belt, knife, wallet and anything else you have in your pockets." Deputy Petticord said.

John nodded, "Alright." He was thankful when he felt the first handcuff release his left wrist, then his right. He began taking off the items the Deputy requested.

Rosco had Mr. Campbell with him, "Name?"

"Ah for Pete's sake you know my name!" Mr. Campbell replied.

"I need it official like for the record." Rosco said.

Mr. Campbell replied, "Steven Campbell."

Rosco asked, "Middle name?"

"Daniel. Alright?" Mr. Campbell said in a huff.

It may have been awhile since John had been in this position. He knew knew he hadn't missed a thing. Finally he was changed into the bright orange jumpsuit. He had never had that done before but he figured things had changed.

Deputy Petticord said, "This way, Mr. Duke."

John followed as Campbell still was giving Rosco grief about the questions. John stepped in the cell like he had done many times before and was surrprised when cold chills ran down and back up his entire back when the cell door locked behind him with a clang. He knew the sound. Expected it. What he didn't expect was to feel himself cringe inside as the cell door closed and the locking mechanism locked tight.

John rubbed his face with his hands, feeling a bit of shadow since he hadn't shaved since morning. He still felt the effects of the moonshine and beer he'd drank this evening, though he was sure it was far from being enough to let him sleep. John was like any other red blooded Duke, he just did not function well in a cage.

He took a seat on the thin mattress covering the hard steel bunk. John knew that he was sure to hear it from Jesse about not going on home like they had talked about. Yeah, he knew even when he stopped at the Boar's Nest that he should have kept driving right on Hatchapie, the drug store and home. Now he knew why he should have kept going.

John hadn't kept going only because he dreaded Pauline's reaction to him being late and to the test he planned to take her. He was sure that when he did make it home very much later today, since it was now well after midnight, that her reaction would be much worse than if he'd just went home last evening. John knew the argument that would happen just as soon as he and Pauline were alone. It would be that same one that had happened for several years but had not happened in a lot of years.

Rosco escorted Campbell to the other cell and locked the door with a warning, "My advice is for you two to sleep it off, make your phone calls after breakfast. Judge should be here by noon. If you have someone here to go your bail, you'll both be on your way by about one."

John groaned inside. By the time Jesse got here to get him, he made his planned stop in Hatchapie, and got home. He just MAY be on time for tonight's supper. It was weekend and the Judge came in later than normal. Had he gotten locked up on a Sunday night instead of Saturday night he'd could maybe have been home for lunch.

Steve Campbell looked at the Sheriff like he'd lost him mind, "Bail? You aren't serious! You're going to make ME pay to get out of here?"

Rosco replied calmly though the man inside the cell was raising his voice, "No, I'm not gonna make you pay, but I figure Judge Hardcastle will set a bond. But, your money isn't any good here. Someone else will have to post bail for you."

"WHAT?" Campbell exclaimed. For the first time in his life he actually had enough money in his wallet to post his bail five times over and the Sheriff was telling him that he'd still have to have someone come get him.

"Just the way it works." Rosco said as he headed to his desk across the room.

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While Luke finished talking to Daisy, the guys had finished organizing the loft where they would be 'camping out'. They had taken the sleeping bags up and rearranged the bales of hay to make it rather homie even if there was only going to be a bunch of guys there. When they had come back down just before Daisy went to the house, they saw Luke had already broke out the shine. In fact he already had a quart open.

Jeb noticed the ease that Daisy took the shine from Luke's hand and made her self at home with the powerful drink. He couldn't help think about the fit he knew that his mother would throw had she seen that. She would NOT think it proper for a young lady to drink such a harsh drink. He grimaced as he now thought about the fit he knew his father was in for when he got home. Remembering back to the visit with Jesse, Bo and his mother when they first went to see Luke in jail earlier in the summer. He remembered some of the stories everyone seemed to know except him. Even his mother seemed to know more than she'd ever admitted to him before about is father's younger years.

Luke nodded to a case of empty Mason jars, "Here is some jars. I got a gallon out. That's should do tonight."

Cooter couldn't help but notice that as his friend said this, he was actually taking a drink from his own quart jar. He could pretty much figure what his buddy and Ruby had been up to at the lake. Cooter had also experienced bruised and broken ribs before and if they did what he thought they did, Luke just may need that quart to himself tonight. Luke certainly couldn't have helped them ribs any tonight. Cooter was pretty sure that the pain from the fight just over 24 hours ago HADN'T even settled in yet. He seen Luke was struggling to pour the first Mason jar of shine. "Here, let me do that for you."

Luke nodded. He always hated to give in to being sick or hurt but he'd already pushed way to far tonight. He took the first jar he'd pour about a quarter full and handed it to Jeb. "Be easy with this, ... you got, ... all night." Luke cautioned.

Cooter frowned, "Luke are you alright?"

"I will be, ... soon." He held up the quarter jar still three quarters full. "Let's head up."

Cooter frowned, "Luke are you sure you can make it up the ladder?"

Luke nodded as he took another drink of shine, "I'll make it."

Cooter wasn't at all sure Luke should be doing half of what he was doing tonight and was sure he'd pay for it tomorrow, but who was he to argue, "Alright. I'll take care of this for you." He took Luke's quart of shine, put the lid on it, then handed the gallon and the quart to Mark. "Take this up will you?"

Bo and Jeb were already in the loft as Mark went up with the shine.

Cooter was waiting. "If you're going to be stubborn enough to do this, then I'm behind you. You surely don't need to fall when you are already hurt."

Luke mumbled, "Thanks, Mother."

Cooter shook his head. He'd seen Missouri mules less stubborn and easier tamed than his buddy would ever be. Cooter patiently followed his friend up the ladder to the loft.

Luke looked around as he topped the ladder trying to figure out just how he could possibly get anywhere near comfortable.

Bo said, "Over here, Luke. We fixed you a spot where you ain't on the floor and can still recline some."

Luke was thankful as he see the bales of hay stack as best as they could be to form a lounge chair of sorts. Bales of hay were stacked two high for the seat and leg section with a back support three high behind them. "Thanks guys."

Soon everyone had a drink, found a place to hang out and Luke had even gotten reasonably comfortable.

Jeb went over the leaned up against the hay Luke was setting on, "Luke when you were in jail, ..." Jeb paused.

Luke held his breath. He dreaded the conversation he was sure to follow. He actually figured to have already had it with Bo, not Jeb and not in front of friends.

"Mom was talking about fast cars and said Dad had one that he called 'Traveler'. You asked if it was the one that came from a lodge or something. I've never heard about that." Jeb finished.

Feeling like he'd dodged a bullet, Luke took a long drink of shine. He had found a pretty good position and hoped to be able to at least talk in full sentences. Luke began, "I was pretty young so you may want Jesse's or your Dad's version." Taking another drink of shine Luke said, "I remember that they had been talking about needing another car. I know now they were looking for a second runner to run with Tilley. As I heard it told the Masons Lodge was having an auction. Jesse and Uncle John were going one night. Next thing I knew is I was woke up by a powerful engine that rattled the windows in the house the next morning. Well, of course I had to go see what it was. I can still remember how the engine rumbled and that it still had Johnson County Sheriff painted down it's side. Jesse and Uncle John shot a coat of primer and after they gave it a once over, they began tearing the engine down and rebuilding it."

"Mom said it was a 58 Chrysler." Jeb said.

Luke nodded, "Yeah, I've heard Jesse talk more about it and wonder just what he ever did with it."

Jeb smiled as he took a drink of shine, "He's still got it."

"What?" Bo said from behind.

Luke replied, "Are you sure?"

Jeb now had more information that the boys had. "The other night when I went with Uncle Jesse, Dad had it out. I'd seen it in the barn but never even heard him start it. Uncle Jesse had a revenuer behind us and I looked up and saw Dad and Traveler up front. He helped give them the shake."

"From the way she talked your Momma sure don't like that car. I bet he had heck to pay for having it out." Bo said.

Jeb sighed as he took another large drink, "From the sounds of her lecture to Luke, he'll surely be in a bunch of hot water when he gets home."

"You can say that again." Bo added taking a large drink of his own shine.

Luke warned, "Bo." As he drank from his jar of Jesse's finest. Luke knew no one was going anywhere tonight and had decided to let Cooter be 'keeper' of the jug. He figured they were all old enough to be able to judge when they had had enough. Besides a gallon split four ways should be about what he had in the quart jar. They should all be fine.

Taking a drink Jeb asked as he looked around the room, "I know Luke was in jail when I got here this summer. Have either of you been in jail before?"

Luke frowned. He wasn't expecting that. "Jeb."

Cooter shook his head, "No. Luke. He's fine." Cooter took a drink of his own shine and replied, "Well, other than the normal day to day stuff here, jay walking, over time parking, a busted tail light that just gets you picked up until your bail or the ticket is paid. No, I hadn't been until I went out of here to Oklahoma. I met up with an old boy, by the name of Jonas Jones. We worked in the oilfields rough neckin'. Well every Friday was payday, so every Friday night found us at one of the local bars. Now you know the Boar's Nest and how it can get a little wild on paydays." Cooter paused and took a larger than normal drink of shine. One day we were working as usual. It was a Friday, payday. Everyone was looking forward to getting off work, getting their checks and heading to the bars. That's when a couple old boys got careless. I don't know what they did or didn't do. The next thing I knew I was in the middle of a ball of fire." Cooter took another drink. "Fellas, now I ain't afraid to tell you I ain't never seen nothing like it before in my life. I had no idea what had happened so I didn't know what to do or which way was out of it. The next thing I know is I felt myself being dragged out backwards. Jonas had gotten to me and was dragging me out. There isn't a doubt in my mind that I owe the man my life." Cooter took another drink.

Luke knew some of this but had never heard the entire story like he was hearing now.

Bo questioned quickly, "But that doesn't have anything to do with Jeb asking you about being in jail."

"Yes, it does. It has everything to do with it." Cooter poured himself another drink, "Afterwards we were checked out by medical then got our checks. I was certain I'd never go back there on Monday. Later at the bar, while I was well on my way to trying to forget just how close I came to being a crispy critter and meeting my maker, Jonas saw a couple guys we worked with and comforted them about the fire. I was in no shape to remember exactly what was said. As we were leaving, we were jumped by the two men in the parking lot. A fight broke out." Cooter took a drink trying to word the rest of the night to where the boys would understand. "One of the guys had a tire tool and swung at me. I was in no shape to fight, let alone fight a man with a weapon. Jonas was quick. He stepped in and took the tire tool, but not before taking a hit across the forehead. That's when Jonas flew mad. The next thing I knew the cops showed up, blue lights were flashing. Everyone was standing around us. The cops moved in to cuff us but only three of us was standing and Jonas was still holding the tire tool."

"And the forth?" Mark asked.

Cooter shook his head 'no', "He never got up." Seeing the innocence in his friends faces, he added, "He was still alive, then, but, ..." He nodded again, 'no', "He didn't make it. The three of us were all all hauled in until they knew his condition and could investigate. After hearing what had happened from the other guys friend we both charged with Malicious Wounding. Fellas that's how fast a barroom fight can change a man's life." He took a really long drink.

"What happened next?" Jeb asked quietly.

"My story and Jonas's matched up pretty good even though I'd been past drunk. After talking to witnesses and all I was cleared on everything but fighting. I did my thirty days and heading back home as fast as I could get here." Cooter said as he took a long drink trying to get the taste of the bad memories out of his mind. He hoped they wouldn't ask more about Jonas.

Bo had to ask, "And you're friend Jonas?"

Cooter knew it would have to be Bo to ask. He just knew it. "He got some breaks, but he's doing a one to ten. I hear from him occasionally. I owe him a lot. With out him I wouldn't have made it out of that fire and without him telling the truth I could have been setting right beside him today. Sometimes I feel guilty that I'm not because if it wasn't for me he'd never ended up in that fight."

Jeb knew that Bo would be seventeen in a few days so he had never been in jail. he looked at Luke's friend Mark, "What about you?"

"No. I guess I've been lucky." Mark replied.

Jeb handed Cooter his jar for a refill. He almost expected Luke to put a halt to it, but he didn't. Jeb turned to look at Luke and Cooter as he took the jar back. "What's it like?"

There it was. There was the question Luke had been dreading since the first time he'd spent the night in jail, but he had expected it from Bo, not Jeb. Luke seen that Cooter seemed to still be dealing with his memories from the past so Luke took as deep a breath as he could and began, "You ever been sent to your room for something?"

Jeb replied, "Yeah, we all have."

Luke nodded, "Other than words there is nothing to stop you from leaving the room right?"

Bo jumped in, "That and the knowledge that we'll be there longer if we live after going out when we were told not to."

Nodding 'yes', Luke said, "Yes. Sort of the same thing here. You do as your told so you don't have to stay longer. There isn't much you have control over."

"What do you mean?" Jeb asked.

"You eat, shower, use the phone all on someone else's schedule. You can sleep when you want, that is if you can sleep with the lights on. You can read when you want as long as it's before eleven at night and after six in the morning." Luke said.

"Why can't you read later?" Bo asked. He'd never thought about it much but he knew if Luke took a notion to read he could read an entire magazine at night.

Luke replied, "Because you don't have control of the lights. They go off at eleven and back on at six. In between there is enough light to bother you but not enough to read by." Luke let the conversation go on a bit more before trying to change the subject, "So are you going to use your share of the summers money to get you a car?"

Jeb took a large drink of shine. This stuff was pretty good. "No, I like cars and all but not like you all do. I want a dirt bike. I got a few friends who have one and I like them. I'm even pretty good if I do say so myself."

"A dirt bike? What does Aunt Pauline say about that?" Luke smiled as he asked taking another drink from his near empty jar.

"She doesn't know about it." Jeb replied with a slight grin.

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