This is a short chapter to get everyone to the fireworks that are sure to come! Thanks for continuing to read and review!

Chapter 48

Jesse Duke shook his head after watching John leave. He knew his brother would try to make up time getting to Placid County. After lunch, Jesse, Jeb and Bo finished up what few things that needed done on a Sunday around the farm.

That had left Daisy to keep an eye on her stubborn older cousin. She'd seen Luke trying to get comfortable, but could tell he was hurting, "Luke Doc sent that medicine to help you get better faster. Let me get you one."

"I'm alright." Luke said unconvincing. "What he sent, ... will only knock me out... Jesse will likely bring something in." Luke was talking a bit better but was still a little short of breath when trying to talk.

Daisy fussed under her breath as she went back to check on supper.

01~~~~~~~~~~01

The Placid County Deputy made his way to the court room and made sure that each of the young adults had someone there, then he proceeded to the jail area to see if any of the arrestees had a problem with seeing the Judge together to speed up the process. Though they may have dreaded having to face their parents, it seemed they preferred that to staying behind bars while the others were seen. "Alright. I'll let the Judge know." The Deputy went to the back door of the Judge's chambers, "Judge everyone has family and they are all in agreement to seeing you together."

Hardcastle gave a slight grin. He just may be able to drown a few night crawlers today after all. "Good. Take the Troopers and get another Deputy to help you get them in the court room." He knew it would be a bit longer wait to get all the arrestees in the Courtroom together, but he'd make up for it by only having to explain things once.

The officers got the girls out of the cell first, placed them in handcuffs and leg irons, then did the same to the guys.

Pauline looked up as the side door of the court room opened. She watched as one officer came in followed by a young man dressed in black and white stripes, with hand cuffs and leg irons on. Looking closer she knew the young man had been in Karen's class all through school. A second, third and fourth young man followed him dressed exactly the same way. One young man she knew had played ball with Jeb. Another officer came in followed by Reverend Murphy's daughter, Charlene. She was dressed just as the young men were and was also wearing handcuffs. Pauline couldn't believe it! She just couldn't imagine what the girls parents were thinking right now seeing their daughter dressed so. Nor, could Pauline imagine what the girl had done to be dressed like a criminal. Before Pauline could think further, another from Karen's class came through the door dressed in the same fashion. Pauline's head was spinning trying to out why all these young people had been arrested. Before she could make any other conclusions, Karen was the next girl to enter the room, followed by a forth girl Pauline also recognized. They too were dressed just like the others and were also wearing chains.

Pauline was sure that had John David been there to catch her or if she hadn't had the twins that she would have fainted dead away. At this point she wouldn't even rule out the possibility of a coronary later today. She took out the folding fan from her pocket book and began fanning herself.

Karen glanced at the rather crowded courtroom. She knew the faces of her friends parents and turned beet red just thinking about all them hearing about what she had done. Then, her eyes briefly met those of her mother. 'Why is Mom here and not Daddy?' she asked herself silently as she concentrated hard on not tripping on the chain of the leg irons. She couldn't read Pauline's expression but knew that her Mother was not happy at all.

The Deputy said as the door to the Judge's chambers opened,

"All rise for the Honorable Milton C. Hardcastle."

Everyone rose until Hardcastle took his place on the bench. Hardcastle signed that they could be seated. He opened the files before him and began, "This is an arraignment proceeding. I will start off by reading your rights, then your charges with the possible penalties for those charges if you should be found or plead guilty. Each of you have the right to an attorney" He continued by telling the young people the rest of their rights. Then he said, "Since each of you have been charged with the same charges and the circumstances were so similar I have given you the opportunity to have this hearing together. Are there any objections at this time?"

Each of the group exchanged looks between themselves. A couple glanced back at their parents. Finally Roy spoke up, "No, Sir."

"Before we get into the charges, Trooper Mitchell can you tell me the circumstances surrounding this arrest?" Hardcastle asked, though he had read the complaints.

Trooper Mitchell stood up and began, "Myself and Trooper Anderson were making routine patrols through Placid County. We saw a primer black pickup truck at one of the wide spots at the lake. When we went to check it out I noticed an open cooler with beer bottles in it. Then we seen the couples were less than dressed. After getting everyone together with their clothes back at the vehicles we checked ID's and did portable breathalyzer tests. The group were all over 18 and under 21 which is the legal drinking age in this County and all had been drinking to some extent."

There seemed to be several appalled parents in the Courtroom as the Trooper gave his statement. Pauline was now certain that she would have passed out cold if only John David had been there to catch her. She fanned herself a bit faster hoping to fan away her embarrassment and blush from her face.

Hardcastle looked at the files, then asked, "Would you mind reading the PBT results for the families?"

Trooper Mitchell started with the lowest reading which was Charlene's, then Danny's, until he got to the highest Karen's and Larry's.

Pauline wasn't all that familiar with such readings but knew enough to know two things: Karen had not just had one beer and her reading was right near the top of the list for the highest readings.

After a minute of so for the provided information to sink in Hardcastle continued, "You have been charged with the following charges and IF you plead or are found guilty you could be fined, jailed or both as follows: Underage Drinking, a fine of up to five hundred dollars and / or up to seventy-two hours in jail."

Karen couldn't believe her ears. She never thought that she'd get in that much trouble by drinking a few beers. It wasn't as if she was going to drive or anything. She heard one of the other girls sniffle a bit and knew she was crying. That wasn't something that Karen wanted to do in front of all these people.

After giving the first charge's penalties he paused. Now he said, "You all have also been charged with Indecent Exposure. According to the reports the circumstances fit this section of State Code, where as you all were

intentionally exposing yourselves to another person and the exposure was done for the purpose of sexual gratification, therefore the penalties if found or plead guilty would be

a fine of up to five hundred dollars and / or up to twelve months in jail." Hardcastle seen the looks between the young people and heard the mummering of quiet conversation by the parents of the young people.

Pauline must not have heard right. Surely HER daughter couldn't have done anything to possibly have to serve time in jail! That was just ridiculous to think about. She must have misunderstood something.

Hardcastle continued, "I'm setting bail at one hundred dollars. If you are prepared to make bond for any of these young people see the Bailiff?"

Being up front Reverend Murphy stepped up and paid Charlene's bond. Pauline had the twins and though they were asleep she didn't want to leave them to wait in the line of the parents at the side desk. She figured that Karen would just have to wait a bit until the line cleared out.

Reverend Murphy motioned his wife out the back of the courtroom to wait where they had been instructed to while Charlene was taken to change and be released.

From Karen's view point she couldn't see the twins carriers on each side on her mother in the back of the room so she wasn't sure why her mother hadn't stepped up front yet. She watched as the sixth of her friends was taken to be released. All that remained was Frank's father and her Mother.

The Bailiff asked, "Next?"

Pauline motioned for Frank's father to go next.

The man stepped up to the Bailiff and spoke in hushed tones. Karen could only hear the last bit of the conversation. Frank's father said, "I understand. Thank you."

Karen was sure that her and Frank were the only two that heard the rest of the one-sided conversation.

Frank's father stepped over to where his son was seated, "Son, you got yourself into this. So, I think you can just stay here until court in about ten days. See if that 'piece of tail' was worth it." He turned and left the room.

Karen couldn't believe what she'd just seen and heard. She hoped that that was NOT what her mother was up to.

Frank was taken back over to the jail.

Just as Karen was starting to get really worried she heard a faint sound that she knew all too well. One of her baby sisters was waking up.

Pauline quickly picked up the infant, giving the other another look to insure that she was still asleep. Satisfied, she quickly hurried up front to the Bailiff. She handed the man the five twenties that had been folded up and put back obvious to Karen for another reason. "Sir, can you let me sign what you need me too. Once one is awake it's usually not long before the other wakes up."

The Bailiff remembered the lady having the twins when she came in. "Oh, yes, sure. Sign here. I'll bring the paperwork back in a couple minutes."

"Thank you." Pauline said.

Karen was taken back to where they had been changed out the night before. Once she had her things and was changed she was taken back by the cells, "Frank?"

Her friend's boyfriend had been returned to the cell and was currently laying on the bunk alone in the cell. He looked up as the last of his group was being released, leaving him alone. "It's alright."

"No, it's not. I'll talk to the others. We'll figure something out." Karen said.

Frank didn't see it happening, but replied, "Thanks."

The Bailiff took Pauline the her copy of the bond papers and helped her get the twins out to the hallway where Karen would be released to anytime.

Pauline said, "Thanks. They can be a bit of a hand full when I'm alone."

The Bailiff started to ask if they were her daughter's babies, but thought better of it as the door to the jail section opened and Karen stepped outside it.

"Mother." Karen barely whispered.

01~~~~~~~~~~01

Quickly opening the boxes they found eight cases of empty Mason jars. "So we caught you going to fill up?"

John replied, "No."

"So what are all these jars for?" The Sheriff asked.

"My hot peppers, pickles, pickled corn and dilly beans. I make a bunch of each every year and share with family and friends. Then, no one returns my jars. I caught them on sale and bought a bunch."

"Likely story. Boys take it apart." Loomis ordered.

No matter how long it took the Deputies to search the vehicle it was more time that John was loosing as he stood there handcuffed watching his truck be taken apart.

01~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Please drop a couple words my way. Thanks again. Reposted after catching a few omitted words.