THE PUNGENT SMELL OF SMOKE
The rain pelted down, its continuous roar outside the farm mimicking the continuous clatter inside. The sky was grey and low on the horizon, in the air still the pungent smell of burnt despite the rain; near the farm, what remained of the barn kept on emitting smoke, a dark grey smoke converging in the grey above.
Inside the farm, people's dresses reflected the grey of that smoke and sky, various shades of grey, and black too.
Uncle Jesse stood in the middle of the living room in his best dress, grey jacket on grey trousers; his dress for the best days and for the worst too, and that day was one of his worst ones. He answered politely to people offering their condolences and shook hands with everyone, accepting their caring words and also their hugs. By his side, Bo and Luke acted the same.
Boss Hogg came closer uncle Jesse, "When I called Enos idiot, when I yelled at him because he destroyed my patrol cars and ripped my uniforms, I didn't mean it, really. And about Daisy, I really appreciated her working at the Boar's Nest, though - "
Uncle Jesse nodded, "I know you liked Enos and Daisy, some way or another, J.D., though sometimes you were harsh to them. I really appreciate your bein' here and your words."
Lulu Hogg hugged her husband, burying her face against his shoulder, "Oh poor Enos, and poor Daisy. I can't believe it really happened."
Rosco stared at the Dukes' patriarch, his voice begging, "Oh, please Jesse! Tell me it's a mistake. Please! Tell me Enos and Daisy's bodies aren't in the barn. Please! Maybe someone kidnapped them before they entered the barn, or after they came out, and we have still the chance to save them. Maybe they're still alive, somewhere out there. Years ago we all believed Bo and Luke were dead when The General Lee crashed into the pond, but they weren't inside the car," his voice turned more and more begging, "it happened also to me, you all though I was dead whereas I -"
Uncle Jesse shook his head, resting his hand on Rosco's shoulder, "I'd like to believe Enos and Daisy are safe, Rosco. But I saw them entering the barn during the fire, and I saw the barn falling down while they were still inside. Nobody came out the barn. Nothing and nobody was spared by the flames's violence; it's just a mass of ash, now, so I can't even recognize and bury my niece." His voice cracked, "It happened, and I can just accept it and carry this grief."
Bo looked away in order to hide his tears and rested his hand on uncle Jesse's shoulder, white bandages covering his hands as show of his attempt to save Enos and Daisy.
Rosco squeezed his hat and looked down at the floor, "I'm goin' to find the culprit of it. It's a case of arson and homicide, not an accident; the word paint on the farm's wall is a proof of it. I'm goin' to find the culprit, Jesse, I promise you. I can't bring Enos and Daisy back to life, but the culprit will pay for it."
By Rosco's side, Cletus nodded, "And I'm goin' to help you, Sheriff."
Luke patted Cletus's shoulder, "Thank you, Cletus. Thank you, Rosco. Bo, uncle Jesse and I are goin' to help you. We can't find peace until the culprit is still out there, free."
Standing in the middle of the living room, Bo, Luke and uncle Jesse accepted people's condolences while the whole town showed them its pain.
Slowly, the whole town flew into the Dukes' farm and then poured out; in the evening, just the Dukes (minus Daisy) and a putative Duke (Cooter) moved inside the farm, while the rain, natural and efficient firefighter, kept on roaring, and the barn's ruins kept on smoking.
His look lost, his elbows on the kitchen's table and his best dress on, Cooter looked like a totally different man than the usual greasy mechanic. "Sweet Daisy," he shook his head, "and poor Enos." He suddenly hit the table with his strong fist, "I HATE who did it."
Bo came closer Cooter, he sat at the kitchen's table and rested his hand on his friend's shoulder, "Stop it, Cooter. Now that everybody is gone and we are alone, we should talk." He slowly removed the bandages from his hands while Cooter stared at him.
"Your hands aren't injured!" Cooter looked alternatively at Bo's hands and face, "What does it mean?"
Bo shrugged and smiled, "Early in the morning Doc Appleby came to the farm; everybody knows it. My bandages are a convincing explanation for his coming."
Cooter opened his eyes wide, "If you aren't injured," his eyes lingered on uncle Jesse and Luke too, "if none of you is injured, why did Doc Appleby come to the farm? For sure not for Enos and Daisy, since there was nothing to do for them." He half closed his eyes, thoughtfully, "What does it mean?" His eyes opened wide again, "Are you trying to tell me that – "
"Wait, and be patient." Luke reached Bo and Cooter at the kitchen's table, "Do you know Gus McCormick?"
Cooter scratched his head in confusion, "Of course. He is a close friend of uncle Jesse. He was a moonshiner until the accident that killed your parents. After that accident he decided to change his life, he left Hazzard and now he lives somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From time to time he comes to Hazzard in order to sell what he produces – poultry, apples, dairy – and to visit his ol' friends. I met him, yesterday; he was goin' to leave today, early in the morning, after visiting uncle Jesse as usual. Why are you asking me of Gus?" Something pierced his confusion, "Are you telling me – "
Again, Luke interrupted him, "Gus was also a good friend of Enos' father. Now, listen."
FLASHBACK
Bo and Luke stopped on their way to the farm, forgetting of the water and buckets and running back to the barn, "ENOS! DAISY! STAY AWAY!"
Suddenly the barn emitted a terrific crack and collapsed on the animals, and on Enos and Daisy too, while Bo and Luke stopped their run, turning into sort of waxworks.
Shocked by that vision, uncle Jesse, Bo and Luke looked at each other, in their eyes just anguish and pain, their faces pale and their lips livid, then their eyes focused again on what remained of the burning barn.
A screen made of grey smoke enveloped the barn, and through the smoke a vague shadow was coming closer them, slowly turning from a vague shadow to a clearer and clearer figure. Enos walked through the smoke, Daisy in his arms; approaching his friends, finally away from the burning barn, he bent down, coughing, and rested Daisy on the ground.
Heavy drops started to fall from the dark sky, efficient remedy for the fire, more efficient than Bo and Luke's buckets and also than the whole Fire Department of Hazzard.
"Enos! Daisy!"
Uncle Jesse, Bo and Luke knelt beside Enos and Daisy then they helped them to walk to the farm. Daisy hugged uncle Jesse, sobbing against his shoulder, while Enos walked between Bo and Luke, his arms on his friends' shoulders.
Uncle Jesse entered the living room and drove Daisy to the couch, helping her to sit down, then he gently touched her left arm, "Daisy, let me see your arm. Please." He carefully looked at the red skin and sighed, "Does it hurt?"
Daisy nodded and coughed.
Uncle Jesse turned to Bo and Luke, "What 'bout Enos?"
On the near armchair, Enos was showing the palm of his hands to his friends, his skin showing the same signs of burnt as Daisy.
"Bo, Luke, bring Enos and Daisy to the guestroom and let them lying down; take some clean towels and soak them with fresh water, then wash Enos and Daisy's burns. Meanwhile, I'm goin' to call Doc Appleby." Uncle Jesse caressed Daisy's hair and walked to the phone, while Bo and Luke followed his orders.
When Doc Appleby arrived at the farm, a pale sun was trying to pierce the wall of clouds and smoke, changing the dark into a metallic grey.
Sitting at the kitchen's table, Bo and uncle Jesse were waiting for Doc Appleby while he took care of Enos and Daisy, whereas Luke walked around the kitchen's table as a lion in cage, his look down at the floor and his eyes thoughtful. Nobody spoke.
Finally, Doc Appleby entered the kitchen, "Enos and Daisy are fine, don't worry. Their burns are goin' to heal."
Uncle Jesse stood up and walked to Doc Appleby, "Thanks. We have lost our barn and what was inside it. It's a big loss, for us, but at least nobody got seriously injured."
Doc Appleby nodded and rested his hand on uncle Jesse's shoulder, "I'm sorry for your barn, Jesse." He glanced at the guestroom's close door and then looked again at uncle Jesse, "Enos and Daisy are fine, a bit shocked and in pain, but fine; their burns aren't serious, fortunately, but painful. I'm goin' to give them a pain-killer. May I have some water, please?"
Uncle Jesse walked to the cupboard and took two glasses from it, "Of course."
A gentle knock at the door interrupted that strange atmosphere; uncle Jesse turned to the living room, his arms raised still in the act of taking two glasses from the cupboard and his eyes glancing at Luke and Bo in a silent question.
Bo stood up and walked to the door, "Probably it's someone from the near farms, wondering what happened." He opened the door.
Gus McCormick was standing there, looking at Bo in shock, "What happened to your barn?"
Bo shook his head, "Come in, Gus. It's a long story." He walked to the couch and sank into it, sighing.
Standing in the middle of the living room, Luke thoughtfully observed Gus; after his careful look he snapped, "I have a plan. Gus, we need your help."
Bo and uncle Jesse looked at each other and then at Luke, their voices fusing, "What plan?"
Luke didn't answer them and walked to Doc Appleby who was staring at everybody in confusion, two glasses full of water in his hands.
Luke rested his hands on Doc Appleby's shoulders, he glanced at the still close door of the guestroom and stared at Doc Appleby, eyes into eyes, his voice low, "Doc Appleby, I know that I'm goin' to ask you something crazy but…" he glanced at Bo, uncle Jesse and Gus, "… please, give Enos a strong sedative. I need him asleep, deeply asleep, for several hours. Give Daisy just a pain-killer and give Enos a sedative. Please."
Doc Appleby's eyes opened wide in surprise, "Luke Duke! You are kidding, aren't you? What about my professional ethics?"
Luke had a deep sigh, "Please. I'm goin' to explain you everything when Enos will be asleep. I'm not asking you to harm Enos, just to have him asleep for a while. It's important, and we have to hurry. It's for Enos' sake."
Doc Appleby looked seriously at Luke, "I hope you have a really good reason for it, Luke, 'cause you're asking me to drug Enos for his sake. It's a nonsense."
Luke shook his head with impatience, "It isn't a nonsense. I'm goin' to explain you everything, but I can't do it now. Trust me. I don't want to harm Enos but to protect him; it's what any of us wants to do, protect him. Please, help me. It's for Enos' sake, and for Daisy's sake too."
Cooter listened to Luke. The more Luke talked, the more Cooter's eyes and mouth opened wide; when Luke stopped, Cooter's surprised look turned into a laugh of relief and an amused clapping, "Enos and Daisy are alive! WOW!"
Uncle Jesse smiled and nodded, "Sorry if we let you think they were dead, but we had to be as much convincing as possible during the wake. For sure, among folks who came here, there was also the responsible of everything."
Cooter looked at uncle Jesse, "Why did you decide to let people think Enos and Daisy died in the fire? What's your plan?"
Uncle Jesse turned serious, "Cooter, you can't fight if you don't know who is attacking you. The fire showed us how much dangerous that man can be, despite our guarding Enos, so we decided to protect Enos in the only possible way: having him away from Hazzard until we'll find that man. Besides, don't forget Enos' character: after the fire, he would have decided to leave the farm and go back at the Boarding House in order to not involve us in this fight." Uncle Jesse shook his head, "the fire was a threat for us, beside Enos, and Enos knows it. This is the reason why Enos would have decided to face it all by himself, protecting us, but this is also the reason why we are even more involved, now."
Bo rested his elbows on the table, intertwined his fingers and stared at Cooter, "It's a sort of organized withdrawal in order to have the time to organize our troops. If that man believes that Enos is dead, he'll be like deactivated, giving us the time to think of a plan for unmasking him."
Cooter looked thoughtfully down at the table then he looked at Luke, "And what about Daisy?"
Luke stood up and walked to the cupboard, resting his back against it and folding his arms, "If the reason of that man's anger is his jealousy about Enos and Daisy, as we think, Daisy too is in danger, and Enos knows it. After killing Enos, that man could turn his attention on Daisy, trying to have her, some way or another, or trying to get back at her for her rejection."
Bo nodded, "Right. This is the main reason why we decided to send Daisy away from Hazzard: we want to protect her. The second reason is that we want Daisy to protect Enos from himself."
Uncle Jesse had a big sigh, "That boy wouldn't stay away from Hazzard if he knew Daisy is still here and still in danger; he would try to come back."
Luke nodded, "This is Daisy's task: persuading Enos that it's the only thing we can do, actually; persuading Enos that their staying away from Hazzard is for HER sake, and so giving him the responsibility to protect her, instead of feeling put aside." He looked down at the floor and shrugged, "I'm not proud of how I forced my decision on Enos and of what I asked to Doc Appleby, but I had no time to persuade Enos 'bout my idea; I wanted him, Daisy and Gus away from Hazzard before people started to arrive at the farm because of the fire. If someone had seen Enos and Daisy, or Gus, my plan would have been frustrated. I'll apologize to Enos for what I did to him, but I prefer to apologize because of my behavior instead of crying on his grave 'cause I didn't manage to protect him. Now it's Daisy's turn to let this plan work."
Uncle Jesse smiled, "My niece is perfectly able to accomplish her task of persuading Enos to stay away from Hazzard for a while."
SOMEWHERE, IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS
His eyes still closed, Enos inhaled the fresh air entering the room, a gentle breeze lacking the pungent smell of smoke. When he rubbed his eyes, the rough fabric against his skin recalled him of the fire and of Doc Appleby.
He opened his eyes and stared at his hands in front of him, hands covered with white bandages.
He sat up and looked at the reddish nuance of the sunset entering the window.
A distant alarm rang in his mind: that nuance was out of time, and not just that nuance was wrong. He stared at the high pines outside the window (not Hazzard) and at the small room around him (not the farm): everything was out of place and time.
He started to panic, hundreds of alarms now exploding in his mind, the feeling of confusion and fear biting him like a rabid wolf; it was the same feeling he experienced when he woke up at the Atlanta Medical Center for the first time.
His panic stopped when Daisy opened the door and entered the room.
"Hi sugar. How do you feel?" She smiled at him and wrapped her arms around her chest; her left arm was covered with a white bandage.
He knew that shy and embarrassed smile, he knew that way of shrugging her shoulders.
He knew she was going to tell him something he wasn't going to like; he knew she was going to try to persuade him about something he wasn't going to like. And he knew he was going to let her persuade him, in their usual dance of believable and making believable. It was why he loved her, after all, her acting in total good faith and her trying to do always the right thing, like him (though, unlike him, she was able to lie in order to fulfill her sense of justice).
He had a deep breath and stared at her, "Daisy Duke, what have you done?"