STEAMING SOUP AND ICY BEER

HAZZARD

Nick Russell sipped the icy beer, staring at the paper in front of him, his notes on it.

Were Enos Strate and Daisy Duke still alive? Or was it just a stupid rumor in town?

He recollected his thoughts, trying to give a sense to what's happening.

The week before the Beaudrys found Daisy's necklace near their farm; Milo Beaudry said he recognized that necklace, golden necklace with a small pendant (a music note) on it, and also other people in Hazzard recognized that necklace as Daisy Duke's necklace. Its recovery near the Beaudrys' farm was unimportant, anyway, 'cause Daisy could have lost it long time before (when Milo kidnapped her, for example).

But, now, the Beaudrys were asserting they heard Daisy Duke's voice in the hills, not very distant from their farm; they clearly recognized the woman's voice and her calling Enos.

The recovery of Daisy Duke's necklace in the hills plus her voice there meant, to Beaudrys' mind, that Daisy Duke and Enos Strate were hiding somewhere in the hills, probably an extreme and absurd attempt to protect Enos Strate from the threats he was facing.

It was the Beaudrys' idea, and it was what people in Hazzard were starting to wonder about.

Was it possible?

Nick drank up what remained of the beer.

Was it possible? Enos Strate and Daisy Duke hiding in the hills? That place was full of hidden stills, and any moonshiner in Hazzard knew it; Jesse Duke knew it; and the Dukes' old still was probably somewhere there.

Did the Dukes organize the fake death of Daisy and Enos in order to save Enos from a new attack? Let the killer think his victim is already dead and he will be armless, and maybe he will lower his guard: was it the Dukes' plan? Plain stupid, and the Dukes weren't stupid.

Nick stood up and walked to the fridge, he took another beer from it and he came back to the kitchen's table. Sitting down, he stared at his scribbles on the paper.

Was it a desperate attempt of the Dukes to save Enos? The Dukes weren't stupid but maybe desperate in their trying to save their best friend, to the point to decide to have him hidden for a while, Daisy Duke guarding him while they found a way to understand what's going on.

It was possible.

Or was it just a stupid rumor, the insensitive way the Beaudrys had fun?

The cold beer relaxed Nick, his mind running fast.

How did the Dukes react to that rumor?

Nick thought of Jesse Duke standing in the middle of Hazzard's square, his features tights as he talked to folks, asking them to stop with those absurd rumors. He thought of Luke Duke by Jesse Duke's side, his arms folded as he nodded at his uncle's words about respecting a family that was facing a tragic grief. He thought of Bo Duke's vain attempt to stay calm and of his final rant about how those rumors were disrespectful and mean, disrespectful and mean as the people who started it. He thought of the near fight between Dukes and Beaudrys.

The Dukes were trying to stop that rumor. It meant everything or nothing at all: if the rumor was false, the Dukes were really saddened and offended because of it; if the rumor was true, instead, they were trying to stop it as soon as possible in order to protect Enos and Daisy.

Was it true or false?

Nick decided to keep his eyes open. If Enos and Daisy were really alive and the Dukes were trying to foolish him, he was going to find it out.

"So, what are folks thinking, now?" Bo stared at uncle Jesse, his serious tone turning into a soft amusement, "great acting, today, in Hazzard's square."

Sitting in his armchair, uncle Jesse sighed and shook his head, "I am not very proud 'bout my lying to folks, Bo. My acting was for the culprit, 'cause for sure he was among folks, and when everything will be ended, I'll apologize to folks for my lies. You and I have to apologize to Enos for how we sent him away from Hazzard, and also to people for our lies."

Luke nodded, "You're right. When everything will be ended, we'll apologize to everybody, but the culprit is still out there and we haven't unmasked him, yet." He walked to the living room's couch and sank into it, "I think your words have persuaded the most part of folks that the rumor is false, and it's good: no people snooping in the hills to find out if Enos and Daisy are really there. I reckon we have instilled the doubt into the culprit's mind, instead. I hope he is wondering if the rumor is true or false, right now. The more we give him opposite signals and the more he'll wonder about what's true and false; the more he wonders 'bout it and the more he'll check for the truth, so we'll have him where we want him, at our old still; and we'll be there, waiting for him."

Bo smiled, "Great idea 'bout the Beaudrys, Luke. Nobody would think they are part of our plan. If we had asked Cooter to start the rumor, it would have been suspicious."

Luke grumbled, "My ideas are always great, Bo. Though I think Daisy won't be happy 'bout her necklace."

Bo shrugged, "We'll find a way to have Daisy's necklace back. We needed something to give the Beaudrys the idea Daisy is in the hills, and her necklace was perfect."

Uncle Jesse nodded, "And those tapes were perfect too."

Bo sighed, "I think Daisy won't be happy about our snooping in her bedroom, neither. I'm surprised she still cherishes tapes she recorded years ago during our picnics."

Luke glanced at Bo, "We are lucky 'bout these tapes. Her voice hasn't change very much since she was a teenager." He took the tape player from the living room's table and switched it on, listening to Daisy's voice coming out from it.

"Hey Enos! Wait!"

He switched the tape player off and smiled, "Great effect, in the hills, yesterday."

The scent of soup filled the farm.

Uncle Jesse stood up and walked to the kitchen, "So, the Beaudrys believe Enos and Daisy are somewhere in the hills and they are spreading the rumor in town, whereas we pretend to be offended and saddened because of it, in order to confuse the culprit even more and to push him to look for the truth. Hope it's goin' to work. Now, help me to set the table, please. Dinner is ready."

SOMEWHERE, IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

The scent of soup filled the cabin.

Daisy stirred the soup, its boiling mixing with the sound of the water pounding in the bathroom. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear the water stopping its roar and the bathroom's door opening.

"Good scent. I am hungry."

She turned round and she stared at Enos entering the living room, his hair still damp after having a shower. She smiled, "Soup. But it isn't ready, yet."

Enos sank into the couch and looked at his hands, closing and opening them in front of him, "They are OK, now. That ointment works."

Daisy nodded and glanced at her forearm, no more white bandages on it, "It works. Now, sugar, have some rest 'til the dinner is ready. You are working hard at Gus' farm. It's been a long and hard week."

Enos lay down on the couch, "How's Gus? You called Sarah, didn't you?"

Daisy nodded, "I called her while you were working in the barn. Gus is fine, but it's too early for coming back home. It's just one week since his heart attack, after all. Susan, Sarah's sister, told me she is happy to know Sarah has some good friends, here, taking care of her farm. She thanks you very much…" she sniggered, "… Sonny."

Enos snorted, "It looks like you are having really fun." He didn't manage to keep from smiling amused, "Catherine."

Daisy laughed and walked to the couch.

He rolled on his side from his supine position, making space for her.

Daisy sat in front of his belly and, after sitting down, she felt his belly pressing against her waist while he wrapped her body around her.

Cuddled up around her, he yawned.

She looked at him and caressed his hair, "Poor Enos. You are working really hard."

Enos nodded, "Yeah, my back hurts."

Daisy shook her head, "Your back hurts because of this couch."

"It isn't because of the couch. Last night I fell asleep on the swinging chair while I was watching the sky."

Daisy turned serious, "How's your sleeping?" She waited for his answer. Since the day they went to the Atlanta Medical Center with Sarah, Enos' nightmares were becoming more and more vivid, even more vivid than during his first days spent at the farm after being discharged from the Hospital.

Enos closed his eyes, "I slept, for a while, 'til a new nightmare. Or memory, I don't know."

Daisy waited for more, silently.

"I think I recalled when I arrived at the Atlanta Medical Center's E.R., I mean… the night I was injured, not last week. Doc Hunt told me I was unconscious, but I recall some voices… sounds… and smells. I'm pretty sure it was the E.R., though I can't be sure of it."

"Oh Enos." She took a deep breath, "Did you recall also something 'bout what happened that night, exactly?"

He opened his eyes and stared at her, "No. And, sincerely, I don't want to remember, 'cause my memories could be useless in our looking for that man. I have thought a lot 'bout it, Daisy. Whoever hurt me is too much self-confident. Now, think of it: he hasn't left Hazzard after knowing I was alive at the Atlanta Medical Center, and it means he wasn't afraid of my waking up and of what I was goin' to say 'bout the night I was injured (at that time, he couldn't know 'bout my memory's loss 'cause I was still in coma). I think he was pretty sure I couldn't recognize him, memory's loss or not. He hit me behind my back, and I reckon he was wearing a mask or disguise. I don't want to remember that night, if it's useless."

Daisy caressed his damp hair, "OK. Don't force yourself to remember it."

Enos nodded, "May I ask you a favor, Dais?"

She opened her eyes wide and smiled, "Of course, sugar."

"If you don't mind, I'm goin' to sleep in the bed, by your side." He blushed, "I just need someone to – " he shook his head in frustration, "Daisy, please, if during the night you hear me moaning, or tossing and turning, wake me up. Slap me, shake me, do whatever you want but wake me up, OK?"

Daisy ruffled his hair and smiled, trying her best to calm him down, "OK. I'll wake you up, don't worry." She stood up, "Now, have dinner, Enos. Soup is ready."

SOMEWHERE, IN ATLANTA

"Come on, Jo. Hurry up!" Ellen opened the door and waited for her friend.

Jo reached Ellen and sighed, "I don't know if I am in the mood for going out, Ellen."

Ellen shook her head, "Come on, Jo. You need to have fun and to stop thinking of Hazzard and of Nick. I have finally managed to go out with Dolly and other friends of us, and I want you to meet them, especially Dolly. She is really funny, trust me."

Jo smiled, "OK. You're right. I need to go out."

Ellen nodded and laughed, "Well. Now, it's time to go. Dolly and the others are waiting for us."

Thanks for reading, thanks for reviewing, and thanks for any hint.