Chapter 68
John wasn't sure if he was happy to see the foam plate of chipped beef gravy and toast or not. It at least meant he'd be in Hazzard until after lunch. He knew that Rosco would keep it quiet about when they would be transported to the Tri-Counties jail. Some part of him wished that Jesse or Pauline would show up before he was transported, while the other part of him dreaded facing either of them from this side of the steel bars. After what had happened in the courtroom, he seriously doubted that Rosco would allow any visitors today.
John sat down on the steel bunk with the foam container of lunch while still hearing Campbell cursing and ranting from the cell below. As John took the first bite causiously, he heard a loud commotion below.
"What sort of slop are you trying to feed me Deputy?" Campbell exclaimed loudly.
"It's the Diner's Special." Deputy Petticord advised, just before having to duck the foam plate of food. "Hey! Now there is NO CALL to be throwing your food like that!"
"That's NOT FOOD, I wouldn't give it to my hogs even if I had any of the fithy critters!" Campbell replied.
Deputy Petticord tried hard to hid his grin as he replied, "Well, it was your lunch. I sure hope you had a big breakfast, or your going to be might hungry by the time supper gets here."
Campbell swore at the Deputy's remark.
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Bo, Jeb, and Luke had just about finished the evening chores when they all ended up in the barn together. After all the animals had clean stalls, fresh water and dinner Bo looked up from where he'd put the shovel as Jeb was putting up a rake, "So, what really happened in court today?"
Luke even stopped what he was doing to listen to Jeb's response.
Jeb tried to count ten to calm down before answering. Just the thought of what the man had implied made his temper boil, "At one point the twins got a bit fussy. I had taken Emma thinking I was going to have to take her out of the courtroom, but she calmed down by the time I got to the back of the courtroom, so I took a seat in the back with her just in case I did have to take her out later. Emily must have heard Emma so she woke up too. Karen picked her up and headed toward the back too. Emily also settled down, so Karen and Emily slide in with me and Emma." Jeb paused there. "Do either of you see anything wrong with that? Anything sick or twisted about it?"
Luke frowned at the odd question then replied, "Doesn't sound like anything any of us wouldn't have done had we been there. Why?"
"Well, it seems that Campbell figured that we wouldn't have taken the girls ourselves, so that Mother could stay, unless, ... " Jeb paused for a long minute before he added, "the girls were 'ours'."
"What?" Bo exclaimed.
"That's ridicious!" Luke added.
"Before I could get Emma handed to Karen, Dad was already at Campbell. Uncle Jesse seemed torn between stopping or helping Dad and calming Mother. The Sheriff and Deputy sure had their hands full for a couple minutes I'll tell ya. Uncle Jesse made me stay with Mother, while he helped get Dad back to his seat. That's when the Judge declared them both guilty, sentenced then to thirty days at Tri-Counties and dismissed court."
Luke grimaced at Jeb's account, "Shhhheewwww! From what I hear about that Judge they were both lucky to only get thirty days. I hear that Judge likes to give the maxium sentence every chance he gets."
Bo and Jeb both nodded in agreement as they heard Daisy calling them for dinner.
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Cooter had just put his latest towed vehicle in the bay of the garage so that he could get started first thing in the morning finding out just what was going on with Doc Applebee's Buick. As he started out the door the sight of not one but two large white vans with 'state green' tags on them passed the garage. The Davenport garage had been Hazzard Central for information most likely before it was even open, so Cooter had heard several stories about what had gone in court that morning. All the different stories ended up the same way with John Duke not fairing real well.
Cooter locked the garage and got in the wrecker automatically reaching for the CB'c mic, "Breaker, breaker, any of you Dukes home on the Hazzard net?"
Luke was the closest to the base station in the kitchen. He gave Jesse a look when he heard Cooter on the radio.
Jesse silently gave his permission for Luke to be excused from the table with the slightest nod of his head.
Luke replied on the radio, "You got us all tuned in. What's up?"
"Would a couple of white 4 wheelers with state tags pulling up at the Courthouse interest you?" Cooter asked.
"They sure would. Thanks a bunch. Lost Sheep out." Luke replied then looked over at Jesse. He knew exactly the vehicles that Cooter was talking about and why they were at the Courthouse.
This information meant nothing to Pauline and Karen well at least without more information it didn't.
Jesse remembered the van and how the Green boy had been trussed up like a Christmas turkey when he was taken away to the Tri-Counties jail. The mental image of John in the same situation bothered him, ... bothered him more than he liked to admit, ... even to himself.
Part of Luke wanted to head out to the car and head for town and, ... well, that was as far as his thoughts got him. There was where he wasn't sure what he could do next. He hadn't taken his seat, but stood behind it waiting, hoping that Jesse would finish his idea for him.
Daisy suddenly put two and two together and gasped, "Oh, My! Uncle John!"
That was all it took for Jeb and Bo to also remember seeing the van the day Ralph Green was transported to Tri-Counties. Both jumped up and turned toward the back door.
Luke had already pulled his keys out of his pocket intending to go out with Bo and Jeb.
"Hold IT!" Jesse said. "Just where do the three of you think you are going?"
NARRATOR: "You'd think by now Jesse would know better than to ask those three the same question at once."
In true adrenaline charged Duke boy nature all three boys answered Jesse at the same exact time. "My Dad, ... Go,... Hurry, ... " Was about all that could be understood from the three replies.
"Sit back down. None of you have been excused from this here table and meal before you." Jesse said calmly but sturnly.
The three replied together, "But, ..."
"Sit." Jesse replied, "Now."
Knowing when not to push too far all three boys promply took their seats.
Pauline asked, "Jesse what's this all about?"
Jesse replied, "Well Pauline, these three seem to think it's a good idea to go rushing off to town, to do what, ... I'm afraid to ask because those white vans with state tags on it are most likely there to pick up Mr. Campbell and John."
Pauline gasped, "John?"
"Now, I'll be the first to tell you, I'm not a bit happy about all this, but even John admitted his guilt in the first matter. The Judge has issued a legal court order. If any of us go rushing down there, we'd just be asking to join John on the ride, besides I don't think even being in the area would do John any good and I know it won't do any of us any good either. We all knew this would happen, so just put them keys down and you all finish your dinner."
Luke looked from his Uncle to his cousins and then back to Jesse. He tucked the keys back into his pocket, took a drink of tea before stabbing his piece of roast just a bit too hard.
Slowly the others followed Luke's lead and dinner slowly came to an end with the girls doing the dishes and the others taking tea or coffee to the porch to finish up the beans and corn that had been picked earlier.
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Peggy had arranged for her first transport van to make it's pick up in the other County first then go to Hazzard to pick up one prisoner. She figured on staying over and taking the evening shift floater in a second van to meet the first van in Hazzard for the other prisoner. She wasn't really sure how things had managed to go right for her, but for once by total luck the two vans had met up just outside of Hazzard.
One of the officers stayed with the prisoners already in the first van, while Peggy and the other two men went in the Hazzard Courthouse.
In the upstairs holding cell, John heard before he saw that they had company. He looked up, seen the unfamiliar uniformed officers. John couldn't stop the flip flop his stomach did even though he knew and fully expected these officers to arrive at any time. He only thought he had mentally prepared himself for their arrival, that was until he actually saw them arrive.
Rosco was just coming upstairs to call the diner to order dinner for his prisoners and himself when he saw the Tri-Counties officers had arrived.
Peggy took charge since she out ranked the other two officers as well picked up some overtime in Hazzard County when she could. "Sheriff I spoke to you earlier about a transport."
Rosco beamed proudly. "Yes, yes you did. Git, git, git!" Rosco giggled.
From across the room in the upstairs holding cell John couldn't hear the conversation, but hearing Rosco's annoying giggle did not make him feel any better about this situation.
The two other officers were directed to where to change out John and Mr. Campbell. When the first officer got downstairs where Deputy Petticord was he saw where Campbell had thrown his lunch tray. While getting ready to dress out his prisoner the officer asked Deputy Petticord, "What happened here?"
"It seems he wasn't really fond of the lunch special from the diner." Deputy Petticord replied.
The officer nodded his understanding, "So who is going to clean up this mess?"
Petticord replied, "The Sheriff will likely have me down here cleaning the rest of the day."
The officer frowned at the Deputy's answer, then said, "No he won't. Can you get some cleaning supplies out?"
Petticord wasn't sure why the officer was wanting the cleaning supplies, but replied, "Sure thing." He went to the shower area of the jail and came back with a bucket of water, cleaner, and some old towels.
"Great." The officer replied then turned to the prisoner, "What's your name, Sir?"
"Campbell, ... Steve Campbell." he replied.
The officer motioned for Deputy Petticord to open the cell, "Well, now Mr. Campbell, I'm Officer Bowen and I'll be your travel agent this evening, ... just as soon as you clean up the mess you've made out here."
"Say what?" Campell asked.
The officer repeated just a bit slower, "I said, 'Just as soon as you clean up your mess we'll be on our way.' Now, you can do things the easy way and get out here and get busy or you can TRY to buck me and do things the hard way, ..." He paused to let that information sink in, "but either way you made the mess you will be cleaning it up. You may also want to take note of this incident because at Tri-Counties we don't put up with such behavior."
Normally, Steve Campbell didn't like to be told what to do, this was no exception to that, but due to the officer's tone he managed to put his feet in gear to move toward the cleaning supplies and get started while mumbling curses under his breath.
While the other officers began getting the prisoners ready, Peggy asked, "Do you have the paperwork Sheriff?"
With another giggle, Rosco replied, "I sure do. The Judge left these two folders for you."
Peggy took the folders. One was marked, 'Campbell', the other 'Duke'. Seeing the name Duke, Peggy shook her head wondering what the young Duke had done this time. She knew the Judge had given him fair warning the last time they were in court, it was no wonder that this time he'd be going to Tri-Counties. It looked like he and Green would both be spending their summer at Tri-Counties. This would be the third incident since May and June still had another day to go. "Duke? What did he do this time?"
Rosco replied automatically not realizing that Peggy was thinking of the wrong Duke, "Fighting and if that wasn't bad enough they got into IN the courtroom in front of Judge Hardcastle."
"And they ONLY got thirty days?" Peggy questioned. "I'm surprised that Hardcastle didn't give Luke Duke the entire year on the spot he's really trying to give that boy a break but it doesn't seem like he appreciates it. What is this the third time since May?"
Rosco looked confused for a long minute before figuring out what Peggy was talking about, "Oh, no, it's not Luke Duke this time."
"Well, the only other Duke around here that is over eighteen is Jesse and surely it's NOT Jesse." Peggy said.
"No, it's not Jesse either." Rosco replied, "It seems Jesse's younger brother was over here from Placid County when he decided to get in trouble over here. From what I know, John hadn't been in trouble with the law in years until now."
Peggy nodded as she checked the paperwork to make sure everything was in order then signed Rosco's receipt of transfer as the first officer came out with John Duke who had now been changed out of his court clothes and into a bright orange scrub like outfit. Peggy heard the officer giving him the normal instructions while he placed John in the standard belly chain, cuffs and shackles. "I don't want these two up here together, Sheriff. When my officer gets done here, I'll go out with him and be back in to meet the other officer."
"That sounds like a good idea, we've already had round one with them in court today." Rosco agreed.
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From the time the cell door opened and the young officer began giving him instructions, John knew he was not in Kansas anymore. The officer may be younger than himself, and he was not Rosco or even Sheriff Loomis for that matter, but the officer knew his job, and was from everything John could tell, he did it well, maybe even a bit too well from John's point of view.
John had never liked orange and even though Rosco's Deputy had changed them out when he was arrested he knew it was only for a few hours. John wasn't a small man and now in this much brighter orange outfit with the words 'Tri-Counties Jail Inmate' stamped across his back he couldn't help but feel like the Great Pumkin.
Then when they got back into the main room of the Sheriff's office, the command, no it wasn't a request, not a statement even, but a command to 'face the wall' came. This was another of those moments that John had thought that he'd prepared himself for until it actually happened. As John turned toward the wall, he reminded himself that he'd more than asked this moment on several occassions in his life. He steeled himself as he heard the chains jiggling behind him. As John felt the bellychain being brought around him, he said, "I don't suppose my telling you that you don't need that would matter?"
The officer replied, "No, Sir. It's our policy."
"I figured it might be." John replied as he heard the padlock on the bellychain lock around his waist and felt his stomach do another flip flop. He was then directed to place each of his hands in the cuffs attacked to the bellychain, then to stand still as the legirons were locked on each ankle.
The officer did have the good sense to remind John to take short slow steps as they were joined by the female officer on the way to the awaiting van.
John couldn't help but feel like every eye of every person he'd ever known in Hazzard was on him as he carefully made his way down the courthouse steps. Then, the officers steadied him as he got into the van and with the height of the running board, the shackles and his hands held to the side it was not an easy feat. John took the seat that he was directed to on the bench seat directly behind the officers right behind the steel mesh screen divider. He noted the officer lock the door of the van. John couldn't help but look at the locked door of the van. There was no internal locks or handles on it and each window on the van was covered with steel mesh screens.
The officers didn't waste anytime in pulling out and heading out of town. One thing that John was greatful for was that he didn't see any of his family when he came out to the van. He could only hope they were back at the farm and not where near town.
Back on the Duke farm, Daisy and Karen were doing the dishes in silence until Daisy spoke, "You've been awfully quiet tonight."
"Just thinking, I guess." Karen said.
Daisy knew that she was very close to her father, "About your Dad?"
Karen sighed, then admitted, "Some, but mostly about Friday. I know that is selfish, but, ..."
Daisy gave her a small smile, "I can understand that and I figure Uncle John could too, besides he'd not want us fretting about him."
"Daisy, you just wouldn't believe that Judge. I mean, sure he was all buisness when he set bond for all of us, but today in court, ... after Dad and that man got into it, he was down right scary." Karen explained.
"Yeah, we were there when Judge Hardcastle set Luke's bond." Daisy replied.
Karen nodded, "The thing is, we were taken to the old Placid County Jail. From what I've been told sense IF we get any time at all we'll be taken to Tri-Counties Jail. The way I hear it with there being eight of us involved we'd take up too much room at the old place, at least that's what the others are telling me."
Daisy tried to reassure her older cousin, "I'm not sure how things work over there, I'm just learning how they work over here, but remember that you can't always go by what your friends tell you. Sometimes they aren't as good of a friend as what you thought."
"Thanks, Daisy." Karen replied, hoping that her cousin was right.
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Peggy watched the first van heading for Tri-Counties pull out, then returned to see Rosco fiddling with his papers but no sign of her other officer. "Where is my other officer?"
"Ohhh, ut, ... um, ... Well, I don't know. They haven't came back up yet." Rosco said. "Do you think we better check on them?"
Peggy was already heading toward the stairs, "Yes, I do." The sight that greated her made her smile just a bit as soon as she saw Officer Bowen give her an 'it's alright' sign. Officer Bowen had his prisoner cleaning the cell and booking area of what appeared to be gravy. "Did we have an accident?"
Officer Bowen replied, "It seems Mr. Campbell spilled his lunch tray earlier. I figured he may as well get used to cleaning up after himself."
"Good idea. Lord only knows what that stuff would turn into by the time I work over here again. Thanks." Peggy said.
After Mr. Campbell got his lunch cleaned up off the floor and walls, Officer Bowen had him change out into orange, then followed the same procedure that the other officer had done with John Duke. Mr. Campbell was much more vocal in his dislike for the officer's policies, but managed to comply before he had to be 'assisted' in following the officers directions.
By the time they got Mr. Campbell to the jail and checked their weapons, John Duke had already been processed and following the officer to get his mattress, sheets, pillowcase, towels, wash cloth, and blankets.
Peggy took the paperwork into the control room of the jail, then turned to the main board that showed who was in what cell for the entire jail. She grimaced when she seen which cell Jonathan Duke had been put in.
The Watch Commander seen her grimace and asked, "What's wrong?"
Peggy asked, "Who's working First tonight?"
"Thomas. Why?" She replied.
"Just something you may want to know and he may want to listen for, ... Jonathan Duke's nephew and Green there in Seven have a history. A history that put Green here." Peggy said.
The Watch Commander asked, "Should we move Duke?"
"I don't think so, unless there is a problem. It could actually make matters worse." Peggy replied.
The Watch Commander nodded knowingly. "Thanks for the heads up."
"Yeah, well, I had hoped to get here before you placed them to keep this from happening." Peggy said.
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After the beans and corn were finished and the dishes done, Luke stood up and tried to gently stretch but was greeted by a sharp pain from his recently broken ribs. He tried hard to hide pain since he knew that Doc and Jesse had been really serious about keeping a close eye on him for two weeks, that had been a week and a half ago. "Ya'll ready to go change the oil in the Torento?" Luke seen Jesse's eyebrows raise and added, "I'm only watching to make sure they do it right."
Both Bo and Jeb shot Luke a glare.
Jesse had seen Luke grimace in pain just from getting up from the swing and he wanted to go work on a car. He pointed his finger at his oldest nephew, "You make real sure you are just watching. I'm real sure Doc meant it about putting you to bed at the clinic if you come back in hurt again."
Luke nodded, "I know. I'll be careful."
Jesse shook his head as he watched the three boys head to the barn knowing full well why they wanted the oil changed in the car. There was going to be a big racing weekend in Placid County this weekend. He knew that it didn't matter that Luke had busted ribs or that Bo was just out of a cast those two would find a way to race this weekend.
In the barn, Bo looked at Luke, "Why are we changing the oil in your car?"
"Because he can't run a race with dirty oil." Luke replied.
"Run a race?" Bo questioned.
"Yeah, ... and we both know, ... there is no way Jesse's gonna let me drive." Luke replied.
Bo's eyes lite up like a kid being told that Santa Claus had come in July. "Luke? Really? You mean you really want me to drive your car?"
Luke frowned a bit, "No, ... I don't 'want' you to drive my car, but if we're going to race this weekend do you see it happening any other way?"
Bo's smile grew wider, not because he was glad Luke couldn't drive, but because Luke was gonna let him drive his car, "No not really."
"Good then let's get to work." Luke said.
Jeb couldn't help but frown, "Ya'll aren't talking about the races in Placid this weekend are you?"
Bo asked, "Do you know of any others on Fourth of July weekend?"
Jeb replied, "Well, no."
"Then, those are the races. Why? What's up?" Luke asked.
Jeb ran his hand throw his hair and looked away from his older cousin before answering, "I've been trying to get this bike off a friend's buddy. With what I will have from working here this summer and what I have saved up from racing I should be able to get a really good bike. I was figuring on racing this weekend and if I win I can get the bike sooner."
Luke nodded, "So what's the problem?"
Jeb sighed loudly, "Mom and Dad don't know. I briefly mentioned it to Uncle Jesse, but if I say anything now to Mom, with Dad gone, ..." Jeb's voice died off.
Bo and Luke nodded grimly seeing where Jeb was going with his thoughts. Luke replied after several minutes, "Ok, so don't say anything about it."
Bo's eyes went wide at Luke's suggestion.
Jeb figured he didn't hear right or missed something. "What?"
Luke layed it out, "Alright, with the twins and all there is no way Aunt Pauline is going to come to watch us race. Jesse may go but being in Placid County he might not. As long as no one mentions any different they may just assume you are going with us. We'll be good until after the race at least."
NARRATOR: "Hearing logic like that, is there any wonder Jesse's hair turned white so soon?"