Vector 426 – Thanks again for your continued reading and reviews. You are right. Pauline has about had all she can take. Looks like Frank's dad is trying to teach him a lesson. Nope, John can't win! Understand all about work and life, sure does get in the way of 'vacation' time to Hazzard! Thanks again for reading.

And, thanks to everyone else who continues to read and review!

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Chapter 49

It was nearly six o'clock when the transport van carrying Ralph Green pulled up to the outer gate of Tri-Counties Jail. The officer hit a call button and the intimidating gate with lots of razor wire slide open. The van pulled inside. Ralph saw the gate close behind them and yet another gate in front of them which was just as intimidating and had just as much razor wire on top of it. Only after the outer gate was shut, did the inner gate open. The officers parked in spot near the small door. Ralph watched as they checked their weapons in a weapons box then came to the van to get him.

Even if Ralph had thought that he could have taken not one of the men but both while chained up like he was, after seeing all the high fences and razor wire, he would have changed his mind. This didn't look like a jail, in fact it looked to have more razor wire than some prisons that he'd been by.

They took Ralph through the first metal door, through a barred door and through a third solid metal door. he was taken into a booking area where he was searched, showered and issued a black and white striped change of clothes.

After getting all the needed information he was taken downstairs to a large cell that had four sets of steel bunk beds, two steel pinic style tables and benches, a shower / toilet area, a tv, and a phone that he could only use during certain hours for collect calls. He was issued a thin fire resistant mattress, a pillow made from the same material, a wool blanket, two sheets, a pillow case, two towels, a wash cloth, a toothbrush, a travel size toothpaste, a travel size combination body wash and shampoo, and a travel size deodorant.

In the cell were four other men which meant Ralph would be sleeping on a top bunk. He took one that at least had a wall beside it so there was only one side of the narrow bunk that he could fall off of.

Ralph was just getting his bearings when what sounded like something with wheels could be heard coming down the outer hallway. He noticed everyone else making their way to the table. Five disposable cups of kool aid were placed in the bars of the cell, five fork and spoon combinations were tossed on the table, and five disposable trays were slide inside the cell. The trays had a large helping on imitation butter, cornbread, macaroni mixed with what had to be soy burger and various other ingredients. The dish Ralph later learned was what was called Chili Mac. Soon another cart arrived and put five disposable cups of coffee. One thing was sure after taking only a bite of this food. If he had thought the food that the Sheriff had been bringing to the jail in Hazzard County was bad, then this stuff was not even editable.

One of the other men saw him, obviously not happy with the meal, "How long are you going to be here?"

Ralph had gotten credit for a couple of days in Hazzard County, "The remainder of ninety days."

"Piece of advice. If you don't like this stuff, you're gonna be pretty hungry when you get out of here. Somethings are worse, not many are gonna be any better."

Ralph nodded and took another bite of the food. It was going to be a long ninety days.

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Pauline did not want to have anymore talk than there already would be about her family. She simply said, "Get your sister." Pauline took Emily and headed out of the courthouse.

The Bailiff that had been still in the hallway was glad that he hadn't asked the older woman if the girls were her grandchildren. If he hadn't have seen it he wouldn't have believed that a woman old enough to have a daughter arrested would have twins that age. 'Why would people start over like that once their kids were nearly grown?' he wondered to himself.

Karen wisely took Emma and followed her mother to the car.

All the way home neither chanced starting a conversation with each other. Karen was hoping if not praying that her Daddy would be home to referee. Those hopes were shattered as they pulled up to the house. Her Daddy's truck was no where in sight. Other than church, her parents usually never went to many places on Sunday, except to visit her Mother's family, but Karen knew her father would not have gone there visiting without her mother.

Still silence, Mother and daughter each took a twin and supplies into the house. The awkward silence remained as each changed and began feeding one of the twins.

Karen knew once this 'conversation' began it was likely to get loud which was something her Mother never allowed with the twins anywhere nearby.

Pauline was doing her best to hold what little composure that she had left intact. First things first, the twins; then, Karen; and finally, John David that was once he decided to show himself at home.

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Two hours later John Duke was still handcuffed as the Deputies were still looking in every nook and cranny of his beloved truck. Other than the empty Mason jars, they had found absolutely nothing to anyway link him to moonshining.

The first Deputy stopped, wiped the sweat from his brow then went to the Sheriff as the second Deputy was trying to figure out somewhere else to search. The first Deputy said, "Sheriff it's clean."

Loomis had watched their efforts and he couldn't think of anywhere they hadn't looked. The bench seat was on the side of the road with the carpet, headliner, tool boxes. Sheriff Loomis didn't like not finding what he was looking for when he 'knew' he had a moonshiner in his grasps. He reached for his ticket book in his car and began to write a citation for speeding and reckless driving. He didn't get the arrest he wanted but the ticket would bring some of the ill gained money the man before him was making from his moonshining. Loomis walked over to the pickup truck, took out his railroad spike that he carried and put the ticket on the hood of the truck held there by the spike through the hood of the truck as a reminder. He then uncuffed John, "That's a reminder for all you moonshining Dukes. I won't tolerate moonshine in my County." He got in his car and sped off.

The Deputies started towards their cars also when John said, "Hold it fellas. This is NOT how you found my truck."

The Deputies were used to people they cut loose like this just being so happy that they had not been arrested that were more than happy to put their own vehicle back together.

John Duke had nothing to hide in the truck, they had already been through it with a fine toothed comb. He also knew the laws. It was a matter of principle that John had them put the truck back together just like they found it. Minus, of course, the hole in his hood. But that was alright, he'd take that one up with his wife that had been so intent on him making a four hour trip in an hour and a half. Well, it was a sure thing he'd not make Tranquil by four. It was nearly six thirty by the time John got back on the road toward home.

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As dinner wound down in Hazzard at the Duke farm, Jesse poured him a cup of coffee and headed to his chair in the living room. Normally, he would have went to the front porch, but not this evening. He took the seat across from where Luke was at, "Feeling any better?"

"I'll be alright." Luke replied. He hoped his uncle wasn't going to try to corner him about how he'd managed to break the cracked ribs.

"Daisy tells me you haven't taken any of the medication Doc gave you." Jesse said.

Luke breathed as deeply as he could before he replied, "If it was something to speed up the heeling, ... I would. That stuff is only for pain ... It will just knock me out."

Jesse understood Luke's logic. "Alright. You seem to be breathing easier and not as short of breath as you were earlier. I'll go out to the barn in a spell and get you something for tonight."

"Thanks, Uncle Jesse." Luke said.

Jesse then reached for the phone, "Get me an outside line over in Placid County, please."

Maybelle smiled, "Alright Mr. Duke hold on."

Jesse had been wondering for the past several hours just what had been urgent enough for Pauline to insist that John get home so quickly. He felt he needed to call and check on everyone.

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By the time that Pauline, Karen and the girls got home, the twins had been changed, fed, and put back down, dinner was already late and hadn't even been started yet. Pauline and Karen still had not spoke to each other as Pauline went to the pantry. She took a jar of canned corn and one canned shelly beans back to the kitchen. After putting them in pots to heat she took out a package of meat wrapped in butcher paper that John David had labeled cubed steak. Pauline knew that since John David had already tenderized the steak it would be a quick and tasty meal.

The meal was ready to serve and still there was no sign of John David. Pauline was having mixed feelings, part of her was furious with her husband, yet part of her was beginning to worry about him. The longer she waited the more she wanted to yell at Karen, yell at John David or just sit down and have a good cry. That was the emotion that worried her most. She never felt like that. Well, almost never felt like that. The last time she had felt so overwhelmed that all she could do was cry was just before she had found out that she was pregnant with the twins. 'Oh, God. I can't even think about that right now.' Pauline thought as she put the dishes on the table just as the phone rang. She said a silent prayer, 'Please let John David be alright.' "Duke farm." she said as she held her breath. 'No news is good news.' and 'Look for me when you see me coming.' She remembered those pieces of advice from John David from earlier years of their marriage.

"Pauline did John get home alright and are the kids alright?" Jesse asked the concern showing in voice.

"The kids are fine Jesse. When did John David leave there?" Pauline actually hoped he'd gotten side tracked and didn't leave as soon as she had asked.

Jesse replied, "No more than five minutes after he got off the phone with you."

"I see. That was about two thirty. I can make the drive here in four hours. We both know that John David can do it much quicker." Pauline said checking the clock. It was now nearly seven thirty. She added, "John David isn't home yet, Jesse."

"He's not there yet?" Jesse asked as he began running possibilities through his mind, "Pauline, he could have had a flat, broken down, anything."

"Jesse he keeps that truck in top shape, carries two spares, which I have never understood and is a fair shade tree mechanic." Pauline reminded Jesse.

Jesse knew she was right. "Alright if he's not there in an hour I'll head out and see if I can track him down, but you have him call me as soon as he gets there so I ain't out all night on goat paths."

"Thanks Jesse." Pauline said. Talking to Jesse made her feel better, but also worried her more.

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Jeb had come into the living room as Jesse was obviously talking to his Mother and bout his Dad. "Is something wrong Uncle Jesse?"

"I don't think so. Your father is just a bit late. I told you mother if he's not back in an hour I'll go looking for him." Jesse said as he took a drink of coffee.

Jeb said, "He left at two thirty for a four hour drive like Mom drives it. It never has taken Dad five hours. If you go looking for him, I want to go along."

Jesse had no idea what he'd find or where he'd find John. He could have had trouble with the truck or for all Jesse knew he could be layed out at a still site, though he doubted the latter due to the urgency that John had left in. "Alright, Jeb, but let's just hope that neither of us has to head out looking for him."

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In Placid, Karen had tried to do everything she coud to help her mother, either with the twins or the dinner. She had set the table without being asked to, been there to get Emily or Emma when they woke up so the her Mother could continue to cook without being interrupted. The gestures were by no means selfless. Karen knew something was up with her Father not being home, plus with the events of last night, she knew that once the flood gates her mother was trying to contain opened it would not be good. She wanted, no needed to call the others about Frank, but the phone was always the first thing to be taken when she was punished. Though she hadn't actually been told, yet, that she was grounded, there was really no question about that in her mind.

Pauline was sitting at the table watching the meal get cold as she took a drink of coffee. Looking up and the clock she saw it was nearly eight thirty. Just as she was about to give up on John David and reached for the phone, as she heard the familiar sound of her husband's truck. "Thank God." she said as her hand had made it's way automatically to her stomach.

John felt both relief and dread as he shut the engine off to his truck. Taking one moment just for himself he took in a long breath, held it, then slowly let it out. As he opened the truck door he reminded himself that three of his daughters were in the house that he was about to go into and that he and Pauline always made a point of not arguing in front of the kids. That may just be the one thing that would keep him alive a bit longer.

Pauline never moved from her place at the table when she heard the truck shut off. She remained seated with the untouched now cold meal before her. She knew Karen was avoiding her, that was fine.

John went in the backdoor as he usually did. The kitchen was empty as he entered, that could be good or bad. He stopped long enough to take out a coffee cup and fill it before stepping into the dining room. He seen Pauline tense as he stepped in the doorway, though she never looked up from her own coffee.

Without looking up, Pauline said, "Call your brother."

"Jesse? Why?" John asked.

With great effort Pauline controlled her voice, "Because he called an hour ago to make sure you got home alright. He's likely getting ready to head out looking for you as we speak."

John swore to himself as he picked up the phone. Once the connection was made John waited for Jesse to pick up.

"Duke farm." Jesse said.

"Jesse, John." John said.

Jesse began in true big brother fashion, "John David Duke where in tarnation have you been? Are you alright?"

John smiled just a bit. Jesse would always be his big brother no matter how old either of them were. Jesse never used his full name unless he was in deep trouble. John said, "Yes, I'm fine. I just got in."

Jesse did the math, six hours for at worst a four hour drive, "You left here at two thirty."

"Yes, I did leave there at two thirty." John said for Pauline's benefit. "And, yes I know it's now eight thirty. I can explain everything but if you don't mind, I think I need to explain it here first. Can I call you back tomorrow?"

Jesse was mainly concerned with John's safety and if he said he was alright then he must have a good reason for being over due. "Well, umm, yeah. As long as you are alright."

"I'm fine, at least for right now, anyway." John said.

Jesse heard the tone John used and knew that by the time he explained things to his wife he may NOT be alright. "Alright, but I expect to hear from you tomorrow."

"You will. Tell Jeb I'm fine." John concluded.

"I will. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Jesse said as he hung up the phone. He looked up to see Jeb watching him, "Your father is home and is fine. He said he'll call tomorrow to explain things. Right now I think your mother is waiting for her explanation of last night and today."

"Oh brother. That should be fun for Dad. Thanks Uncle Jesse." Jeb said as he went back to the porch.

John hung up the phone. He knew the meal before him was cold if it had been there since dinner time. He also knew that not eating it and liking it would only dig his hole deeper. He went to the kitchen and came back with bread and mayonnaise. As he started to take his seat he asked, "Where's Karen?" They always ate together if kids were home.

Pauline replied, "The living room last time I looked."

"Alright, after we eat, she can watch the girls so we can take a drive." John said as he turned to call Karen to the table.

Pauline stopped him in mid movement, "You better make sure that she is sober and can keep her clothes on long enough for us to go for drive."

John turned back to his wife, "What are you talking about?"

"Well had you bothered to have gotten here by four like I asked you to you would have known what I'm talking about." Pauline said as she turned to dig something out of her purse. She tossed out two sheets of papers toward her husband.

John knew that color green of the papers his wife had just tossed him. In fact he had one the very same color in his own wallet from the Hazzard County Judge. John opened the folded papers and there was no doubt that it was copies of jail release forms from Placid County. He looked down and seen the name of the released. Karen Ann Duke. He looked at the charges section and seen the first one was for the charge of Under Age Drinking. Ok. She was a Duke after all. He wasn't happy that she'd gotten caught but she could have been out doing a lot worse. He'd take care of this - no problem.

John then switched to the next page, again Karen Ann Duke, then the charge of Indecent Exposure. John looked up at Pauline, "Ok so she was out drinking and the caught her taking a pee?" If that was the case he'd have a nice LONG talk with her.

"From what I gather, John, she was out drinking with a bunch of classmates. I recognized most of them or their parents from school." Pauline began.

Pauline had cut his name short. That was just as bad as Jesse using his full name.

"It seems they were at the lake, drinking and in various forms of undress." Pauline continued. "I counted four boys and four girls. Care to draw your own conclusions from that?"

John layed the paperwork down, "No, I prefer to hear it from our daughter." Then a bit louder, "Karen. Can you come in here please?"

Karen was glad that she now had Emma, "Sure Daddy." She said as she walked in carrying a fully awake Emma.

Pauline reached out for Emma, "I'll take her."

Karen swore to herself as her mother took her baby sister.

Once Pauline had Emma, John asked, "Care to explain these?"

Karen was being put in the same spot with her father that his brother had just put him into. "Daddy, we went to the movies, ..."

John had forgotten that he had told his daughter that she could go out with someone his wife had disapproved of. "Who is 'we'?" He asked.

"Well, Charlene, Peggy, Jackie, ... Then there was, ..." She looked up. Her Mother was still nearby, so she whispered, "Danny, but you told me I could go out with him, ..."

"I may have said you could go out with him, but nothing in that said that you could drink or be undressed with him." John said sternly.

Pauline looked over at her daughter and husband. He had actually allowed her to go out with the very same young man that she had disapproved of. That was one more thing on her list to talk to her husband about once they were alone.

John seen Karen wasn't going to offer any information, "Exactly how did this date at the movies progress to a party at the lake? And, don't try to tell me it was because everyone else was doing the same thing. It won't work. It never worked for me and it won't work for you."

"It wasn't exactly a party." Karen said. "When we came out of the movies it was hot and muggy. Someone suggested a swim." She stopped short as she almost said that everyone else was going so she had too.

"Weren't you supposed to go to Charlene's after the movies?" John asked.

Pauline couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Karen tried to sound innocent when she replied, "I did go with Charlene after the movies."

Pauline gave a tight nod of her head to indicate that Karen and Charlene had indeed been together.

John took another angle, "So since you were planning to spend the night with Charlene, you had your swin suit with you?"

Karen bit her bottom lip hard as she tried to think of a way around that question. Finally, she had to give her father an answer, "No, Daddy, not exactly."

Pauline was trying hard to let John handle this situation that he had obviously been a part of but was fast loosing patience, "WHAT?"

Karen looked from her father to her mother and back to her father for rescue. It wasn't coming. "See everyone was skinny dippin' and I went away from everyone to take off my shirt and jeans," She purposely didn't mention her underwear and hoped no one asked her out right. "I got in the lake away from where everyone else was."

Being a Duke and having been around the bend, John knew the game, "Then I suppose you met up with the others in that water?"

Karen blushed crimson. She knew that she had met up with one of the others in the water.

She was saved when John replied, "Never mind that. What was you drinking?"

"Beer." Karen replied honestly.

John nodded, "How many?"

Truthfully, Karen didn't know. "Daddy, I don't know. A few."

John seen that Pauline was ready to blow a gasket and likely would have if the twins weren't near by. John shook his head for a second in understanding before saying, "This isn't over with. Not by a long shot, but for now I want you to watch your sisters after dinner so your mother and I can take a ride. I hope I don't have to say," John looked at papers in his hand. There wasn't a court date on them, "That until this is settled you are grounded to the farm. No phone. No car. No friends over."

"I know Daddy." Karen said as she felt tears welling in her eyes. She could see the disappointment in her father's eyes.

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