Thanks to all those who read and much thanks to those who took the time to review the last chapter!
Avidreader1993JS thanks for your review and welcome! Glad you like Pauline! Jadedphoenixburning and I have made an extra character one of the family. Like with all family we all have those we dearly love but hate to hear they are coming to your house! We have each made her who she is today!
Thanks also to Dimples73 and Ghostrider for taking the time to review!
Long Live Brucas: Yes, it was bad enough when I went through it minus the shine! But to have cuts doused in shine twice, OUCH! Yes, could have been very embarrassing had Rosco been a few minutes earlier! OMG!
Jadedphoenixburning: The whole pregnancy thing will hit the fan soon, I'm sure this chapter will put a ruffle into everyones thinking!
ENJOY! Please review!
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New Chapter 66
Judge Milton Hardcastle had left the case files for his court cases by his seat at the kitchen table after he had reviewed them thoroughly before bed last night. After a large breakfast, Hardcase looked over the two case files once more as he finished his coffee. Both men's files were thick, however there was nothing recent in either file.
Steven Edgar Campbell's last arrest was for Fighting but the charge was nearly ten years old. Most of his file consisted of charges ranging from Public Intoxication to a bar room fight. Seemed he'd spent a night or two in jail, paid several fines and tickets.
John David Duke's last arrest was just over fifteen years ago. His file consisted of charges ranging from Racing to Transporting Moonshine. The later had gotten the Judge's attention. He knew Jesse Duke and knew the family had ran moonshine but to his knowledge none of the Dukes had ever been convicted of running moonshine. Hardcastle had paid particular attention to that report and it turned out according to the report that John Duke had been transporting spring water not moonshine. John Duke had also paid his share of tickets, fines and even spent a few days as the County's guest, but hadn't really been convicted of anything serious.
Hardcastle then looked at the file of the last Duke to come into his court room. The younger Duke had managed to have had two cases heard in his court just months after turning eighteen. Then, there was the file of the other Duke, ... Karen. It appeared to Hardcastle that even the females of the family were not immune from getting into trouble with the law. Milt sighed. He knew there were plenty of younger Dukes bordering on the age of eighteen.
Checking the time, Hardcastle gathered the files, his keys to his pickup truck and headed off toward Hazzard County and justice.
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The Dukes were up bright and early like any other Monday morning, only today they had John, Pauline, Karen and the twins as guests. The boys, Daisy, Karen, Jesse and John all jumped in to get the morning chores done while Pauline got the twins changed and fed. Jesse, Daisy, Karen and Pauline then worked to get a big breakfast on the table while John and the boys finished up.
On the way to the house, Jeb reached out and slowed his father as Bo and Luke continued on into the house to get cleaned up. "Dad, ... I'd really like to be there this morning for you."
John looked at his son. He seemed just a bit taller than John had noticed. John walked over to the fence and hooked his boot as he leaned against the split rail fence, "I know you would, son, but, ..."
"Bo and Daisy even went with Luke." Jeb left out the part that it was against Jesse's wishes.
"Son, the but is, ... I'm not at all certain how this is going to turn out. Had it been twenty years ago, I'd have known the County was out for money. But, from what I hear about this Judge and with what happened to Luke when he went to court, ... I can't be real sure what will happen." John explained.
"Is Mother going?" Jeb asked.
John still wasn't totally sure about that himself, "I think so."
"Then, all the more reason for me to be there." Jeb said confidently.
John studied the situation for a long moment, "Alright, ..." John said slowly to his son, "But, I want you to learn something out of this situation, like what sort of fixes NOT to get yourself into."
Jeb nodded, "I can do that."
John put his arm around his sons neck and pulled him close, "We just have to wait and see on that. Come on, I'm sure Jesse has breakfast waiting on us."
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Judge Hardcastle had just crossed the Hazzard County line when he felt the front tire go to it's rim. He shook his head, check the time as he pulled to the side of the road. Since he was one who liked to be early, Hardcastle figured he still had plenty of time to change the tire and be on his way. He got out his jack and lug bar and set to work getting the flat tire off and into the back of the old pickup, then he got out the spare tire only to find that it was flatter that his grandma's fritters.
Heading back to the cab of the truck, Hardcastle had one more idea. He grabbed the mic on the CB radio he used to listen to the police when he traveled and radioed for an officer near him. With Rosco having worked the midnight shift for Deputy Petticord, he'd went home early and was currently up to his eyeballs with bubble bath as he gave his rubber duckie it's daily bath. Meanwhile, Deputy Petticord was getting things at the courthouse in order for court today. He knew the Judge would be here any minute. With no one else on duty, the Judge's CB call went unheard by the police in the county, but things were not all bad.
Luther Davenport was on his way out of town for parts when he heard the Judge's call. "This is the Hazzard Wrecker anything I can help you with?"
It had not been the response that Hardcastle had wanted but he'd take it. "This is Judge Hardcastle. Yes, you can help. I need to get to court in Hazzard. I have a flat and the spare is flat."
"Alright, I'll be there in about three minutes." Luther replied.
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After breakfast, the Dukes cleaned up the kitchen. Jesse merely said, "John."
"Yeah, I know. Pauline are you ready?"
Pauline wasn't at all sure that she wanted to do this or that she was ready, but replied, "I'll just get the bottles. John are you sure you want the girls there?"
"Positive." John replied.
Jesse hoped John knew what he was doing by taking Pauline and the twins. He picked up his red cap and headed toward the door.
"Can I ride in with you Uncle Jesse? The back seat is crowded with the girls and their stuff." Jeb asked.
Jesse looked at John trying to hide the frown.
John shrugged his shoulders. Letting Jesse know that he had agreed to let Jeb go with them.
"That's fine, Jeb." Jesse replied.
Seeing that her younger brother was intending to go with her father, Karen decided that she could not be out done. Besides this would give her an idea of what she could expect on Friday. "Daddy, I'd like to go too."
John knew there was no way to not let his oldest go if he was letting Jeb. He looked at his daughter and then the clock. It was getting late. She was wearing one of those infernal halter tops. "That's fine, but not in that top. Change and meet us at the car."
Karen started to protest but wisely headed for her suitcase.
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As Luther pulled to the curb in front of the courthouse he said, "Don't worry about your truck Judge. I'll get this tire fixed up nice and proper. Then, I'll take my son out to put it on you truck and he will have it parked out here for you when you get out of court."
"Thanks, Mr. Davenport. I'm sorry to have delayed you." Hardcastle said as he reached for his wallet.
Luther said, "That can wait, Judge. Wouldn't want you to be late."
"Thanks. I'll be over to settle up after court." Hardcastle said as Luther stopped the truck and let him out.
As the Judge finally got inside the Courthouse, Deputy Petticord greeted the Judge, "Good morning Judge Hardcastle."
"Deputy. Is the Sheriff in yet?" Hardcastle asked.
"No, Sir,... He worked last night. He left early to grab a shower and change. He'll be in just as soon as he can." Deputy Petticord replied. He sure wished that he hadn't managed to be put off work, last night of all nights. He still couldn't figure out the logic of keeping him home for an extra eight hours, but that's why he wasn't a doctor.
"Fine, fine. I'm going to get cleaned up. I had a flat on the way in." Hardcastle replied, as he headed toward the rest room.
Deputy Petticord opened the courtroom and unlocked the Judge's Chambers while he was freshening up.
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Jesse and Jeb pulled up behind John, Pauline, and the twins outside the Hazzard County Courthouse. Jesse checked his pocket watch as John and Pauline each took one of the sleeping twins out of the car. "It's a quarter of, we's best head on inside." He saw his younger brother take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Guess you are right." John said to Jesse. He never liked having to show up for court let alone go in early, but Jesse had always told him that it was far better to show up early that to be late. Jesse had never steered him wrong on such things before, so he might as well listen to him now. John prayed this would be the last time in his life that he had to go to court, but as he looked at his only son, John knew he was expecting way too much. Jeb was still in his teens. For the most part John knew he hadn't even gotten into his trouble causing years.
Jesse and John stopped just outside the courthouse doors, both turned toward Jeb, Karen and Pauline. Jesse seen that John had the same idea, but he took the lead, "I know John probably cautioned ya'll, but it's my turn. Once the Judge takes the bench until court is over, you both have to remain in control of yourselves, ... no out bursts, no talking period. Not only can this cause John problems but you, yourselves can be held in contempt of court. Understood?"
Jeb replied, "Yes, Sir."
Karen nodded, "Ok."
"I understand, Jesse." Pauline said quietly.
"Alright, shall we?" Jesse opened the door and held it for the others.
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When Rosco arrived he went straight to the outer door of the Judge's Chambers and knocked.
"Come in." Hardcastle said as he layed a file folder down.
Rosco entered, "Good Morning, Judge."
"Sheriff." Hardcastle replied as he acknowledged Rosco's presence. He looked at the thick file before him, "Sheriff, I see that this file on John Duke is rather large, but other than this case today, I see nothing recent. Is that accurate?"
"Yes, Sir. Now, don't get me wrong, John Duke, like all them Dukes used to cause trouble on a regular basis, but I can't recall having any trouble with him in years." Rosco replied.
"What about Mr. Campbell?" Hardcastle asked.
Rosco replied, "About the same. He's been known to have a wild night or so, but not since his father-in-law got him that fancy job at the bank."
Hardcastle replied, "Fair enough." He wasn't one to make up his mind until he heard from the accused themselves, but if this file was accurate and going on what Jesse Duke had told him previously about his younger brother, there shouldn't be any surprises. As for Mr. Campbell, he worked for the bank now. He too had a bit of a file but it was also older stuff.
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John helped get Pauline settled with Jeb and Karen on one side of her and Jesse on the other with the twins on either side of his wife. John noted that Campbell wasn't there yet. So far, so good.
As Rosco stepped inside the courtroom to make sure everyone was there, John took his place in front of Jesse.
Steve Campbell was still fuming as he pulled up and parked across the street from the Courthouse. His wife had refused to come along with him this morning, along with his pounding headache from the amount of liquor he'd consumed last night, this morning wasn't turning out well for him as he entered the Courthouse just as the clock chimed nine o'clock.
Judge Hardcastle was just calling the court to order as Mr. Campbell entered the back of the courtroom. "Good of you to join us, Mr. Campbell. Have a seat up here on the right, Sir."
Campbell was cussing a blue streak to himself as he took his place on the opposite side of Duke in front of the Judge. "Sorry, Judge, I had some difficulties this morning."
Hardcastle gave him a hard look. It appeared that if anyone should have had 'difficulties' that it would have been Mr. Duke. Judge Hardcastle had already seen the sleeping twins in their baskets behind their father.
Judge Hardcastle gave both men a hard look before he began, "I have read both your files, Mr. Duke and Mr. Campbell. It seems the only charge that you both have been charged with is Fighting. Since this involves the same incident, I'd like to proceed with both of you at once. Is there any objections Mr. Duke?"
John knew that to object could rub the Judge the wrong way and frankly he just wanted this whole thing over with, "No, Sir. I don't have any objections."
"Good." Hardcastle looked at Mr. Campbell, "Mr. Campbell do you have any objections?"
"Well, now, Judge, ... I just don't know about that. I want to have my say and all." Campbell said.
Judge Hardcastle wasn't at all in the mood for a debate, he replied, "I assure you that you will both have your opportunity to have you say."
Campbell figured that as long as he got to tell how Duke had attacked him that he would be in the clear so he agreed, "Alright, Judge just as long as I get to tell you how I was attacked, ..."
Hardcastle tapped his gavel, "I said you'd both get a chance to have your say, but that is after I've had mine." He took his ink pen and began making notes.
John figured that he was making notes of what Campbell had said about him starting the fight.
"Now, I'm sure that you both have more important things to do than to have to take off from working to join me here, so is there any objection to doing the trial and the sentencing, should you plead or be found guilty, today?" Hardcastle asked, "Mr. Campbell?"
"Sentencing?" Campbell asked.
Hardcastle's patience was growing thin, as he explained, "I said should you plead or be found guilty. Would you want to have to come back just to find out you had to pay a fine?"
"Well, no,... not at all, ... but,..." Campbell stammered.
"Good, good. Then I take it that you have no objections." Hardcastle cut him off before Campbell could say anything further. "Mr. Duke?"
"No objections, Your Honor." John replied as he didn't want to have to come all the way back over here in a week or so to find out if he'd be fined or was going to jail. John figured that they may as well get it over with today.
Again, the Judge made a few notes before he continued. "Now, as I said, you have both been charged with Fighting. It has been my experience that if there was a fight, that it takes at least two to participate. From the statements I've read, I'm inclined to believe there was indeed a fight..."
John knew this didn't sound good from the start. He listened to the Judge as he continued reading statements and asking the Sheriff and Deputy for their statements.
Once all the evidence was layed out, Hardcastle asked, "Mr. Duke would you like to enter a plea at this time?"
Here it was. The moment of truth. John knew that Jeb, Pauline, and Jesse were seated behind him. He'd admitted his guilt in the situation to all of them and to do anything different in court wouldn't be right and would set a poor example for his son. John took a deep breath and let it out slowly, well he let most of it out, "Yes, Sir."
Hardcastle kept eye contact with John, "Alright, Mr. Duke how do you plead to the charge of Fighting?"
John looked the Judge in the eye and said, "Guilty, Your Honor."
Karen's eyes nearly bugged out of her head at her father's admission to his guilt.
Jeb wasn't at all sure why his father would admit his guilt instead of trying to get out of situation. He looked over at his Uncle Jesse.
Jesse seen the questions in his nephews eyes and the look of shock on Karen's face. He tried to give them a confident look that told them that their father knew what he was doing.
"Noted, Mr. Duke." Hardcastle replied, "Mr. Campbell would you like to enter a plea at this time?"
Mr. Campbell jumped at the chance again to tell his entire side of the story, "Absolutely, I'm innocent. Duke there attacked me."
Hardcastle again tapped his gavel a bit harder this time, "Mr. Campbell, your plea of innocent has been noted." Hardcastle paused to make a note on his paperwork, then continued, "As I have said, I do have every reason in the world to believe there was a fight and that there were two parties involved. Now, Mr. Duke has taken responsibility for his actions by admitting guilt for his part in the fight. So, Mr. Campbell, I have no other recourse but to find you guilty of Fighting also."
"Now just wait a minute! You can't do that! I already told you that he attacked me!" Campbell blurted out.
Hardcastle more than tapped his gavel, "I will have order in my court, Mr. Campbell."
The Judge's no nonsense tone sent chills through Karen.
At the unexpected loud banging of the gavel Emma jerked herself awake and began to wail at the unfamiliar voice booming around her.
Karen quickly reached over to get her baby sister. She tried a bottle, tried bouncing her, nothing was working.
Both teens had been in similar situations with the twins at church. They knew of course that their mother wanted to stay and hear what was going on. Jeb reached out for Emma as his mother was also reaching for her. He waved her off, took Emma, the bottle and headed for the back door of the court room.
Now that the voice had stopped and Emma was safe in her older brothers strong arms she quieted down and took her bottle.
Jeb opted to take a seat on the back row with Emma just in case she got fussy again.
Emily had heard Emma's distressed cries and also began to bellow.
Pauline picked up the second twin and tried her bottle. Emily wasn't having it. Her twin was 'in trouble, or pain, or just not real happy'.
Karen reached over and took Emily and promptly followed Jeb. Once Emma had gotten quiet, Emily also began to hush. She took the seat beside Jeb on the back row as she rocked and fed her baby sister.
"Now, as I said, 'I find you guilty of Fighting.' Now, Mr. Campbell, since you are so insist-ant on saying your peace, ... is there anything you want to tell the court before we continue with the sentencing?" Hardcastle asked.
"Yes. He started the whole thing, attacked me he did. I am totally innocent." Mr. Campbell insisted as he looked over at John Duke with his wife and brother sitting behind him. Then, he spotted Duke's older kids had moved to the back row with two infants. Both were comforting a twin, it seemed so very natural for the teens, yet Duke's wife had not moved to her children. That got Campbell to wondering and before he knew it his mouth had jumped into high gear, "So, Duke, you think parading your entire family in here will get the Judge on your side? Well, I'm sure that he sees through that front just like I do. Judge do you really think that Duke and his wife there, at their age, really had those brats? I, for one have never seen a teenager take to taking care of a baby, let alone two babies, like those two are unless the babies were their own kids. Is that the skeleton you been trying to cover up there Duke? That them brats is your kids brats, not yours?"
Karen had been through the embarrassment of her mother's pregnancy her whole senior year of high school. Now, this man was trying to say that the twins were hers. If that wasn't bad enough, he was implying that her younger brother was the father. Karen felt the heat from anger and embarrassment rising from her chest to the top of her head as she looked at Jeb in horror!
Jeb looked from Emma to Karen and Emily, then responded, "Now just a Da-ed minute!"
Jesse had already reached out trying to stop John, but he was a full second too late.
Pauline gasped, "Well, I have NEVER!"
Rosco, Deputy Petticord and even Judge Hardcastle was shocked at Mr. Campbell's implication.
John was already moving toward Steve Campbell. It was one thing to talk about him, another to talk about his wife, but to have even implied such a thing about his kids was far too much!
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