Brian Coltrane

*listens to the triade, letting Garrett spend the wind* You know what I like about you? You got a knack for speechifyin'. You coulda been a clergyman, the way you give sermons. *chuckles softly at own joke, but sobers up just as quickly* Anyhow, you answered mah question, by not answerin' it. As far as answerin' your questions....let's just say there's good reason for handlin' thangs the way I am. You'll see.

*finishes up the CB conversation with Lukas, promsing to check in with him later. Hangs up the CB* There, see? Daney's safely out of harm's way. So long as you and her both behave, ya'll are gonna be fine. *drives Diablo towards town, cautiously guiding the big Chevy around the town square a few minutes later. Parks Diablo a little ways down from the courhouse, not wanting to be directly in front of it* Ya know, Ive asked you what you mean to Chet. I suppose ah should also ask, what Chet means to you.

*glances at Garrett, from corner of eye, then presses the talk button again* Sort of. It's halfassed and risky. Daniel went to the jail to try and bail Chet out, but I dunno if MaryAnne is gonna go for it. If Chet's loose, it means Plan B, and if he's not, it means Plan C. Howevah it falls, this thang wll be over with one way or the other, soon enuff.

*pausing, considering words over the air* ...Not so good. Alex kinda blew Plan "A." The two of us had a lil' disagreement. Now he's tied up over a few thangs. You could say he's outta the picture.

Good, yer on the air. I just need a status report. How's your "guest"? Everythang awright?

Hmm. Thanks. *puts Diablo in gear and slowly drives the big Chevy down the hill, clenching jaw at the bumpy ride, which riles the busted-up ribs and bruised innards. Once back on the highway, reaches for the CB* Tell ya what. Let's make sure Daney's safe and sound, eh? *presses the talk button on the handset* Blackbird to Black Sheep, come back. Ya'll in hearin' range?

*outside with Garrett, gestures to the passenger side of Diablo* Git in. Ah'll drive. *opening the car door and getting in carefully, moving stiff. Lets out a slow breath once situated behind the wheel. Starts Diablo's motor* Alex and me go way back, but it looks like we ain't goin' any farther ahead. S' just you n' me from heah on out, and I know you aint' exactly thrilled with the side yer on.

*growls, aiming a backhand at Alex, drawing back right arm....* *...but then drops it, the blow undelivered. Instead, says,* @#$%&*$#&*%!!!!! *and with these perhaps being the last words that will ever be said to Alex, storms out of the cabin, with Garrett in tow*

*mad as hell, now, not having been in the best condition anyhow* You were an important part of mah plan, until you forced me to change plans! You could at least have the good grace to apologize for undercuttin' mah scheme! Now if somethin' does happen, because I had to turn thangs inside out.... *lowers voice* ...you can thank yerself. Mr. I-Know-A-Better-Plan.

*short snarl of anger* And you considered yourself mah partner in crime. If you could only heah yourself, Mr. Arrogance. You nevah even had the details of mah scheme, but you overrode it for your own notions. I can't abide a traitor.

*examines Garrett's handiwork, giving a curt nod* Your Boy Scout background is good for one thang, anyhow. *tucks the gun away now that Alex is secured* Sorry we can't stick around to keep you company, Alex. But when Daniel comes back, with or without Chet, dependin' on his luck, he can let you go.

*having said nothing while Alex instructed Daniel....waits until the tawny natve is on his way, before turning wearily to Alex* What the hell did you just do? I don't want Chet physically brought heah, I sure as hell don't want Daniel trying to tie him up, and you just took Plan A and smashed it to smithereens. *stands up, painfully* I ...friggin'...told you, I was meeting Chet A-LONE. That means, No Alex. No Garrett. No nobody. You knew mah intentions, and dis-ree-garded 'em. You also put Daniel at risk, which is unacceptable. Lettin' Daniel just deal with MaryAnne and split, is one thang. Havin' him try to drag Chet's lumpy carcass all the way heah, on horseback, alone, was nevah the idea. *pacing, agitated* Maybe you're interested in mah title for yourself, eh? Only reason I can figure, that you changed the game plan. Well, buddy, ah'm about to change it even more. *suddenly pivots towards Alex, right hand flashing to inner jacket pocket, the snub-nosed .38 drawn and aimed at him, the motion choppy, given the injuries, but still effective. Clicks back the hammer to show that yes, this is all business* *speaks to Garrett without taking eyes off of Alex* Garrett, git a couple of pieces of rope and tie Alex to the chair. *keeps a dark-eyed stare on Alex, own eyes holding more than one kind of pain...*

( Note : I ain't gonna be online Wed at all. But ya'll are welcome to carry on, I'll just be a piece of furniture in the background....still there, but silent. I'll be back Thurs. )

Daney ain't gonna score as high with him, no. But it's enuff for me that she's valuable to Garrett, and that he is, to her. Everybody's got a stake in this thang somehow. *doesn't mention what own personal stakes might be. After a moment of silent thought, makes a decision* Alex, see if you can git that ol' fireplace goin' over there. Make just enuff smoke for Daniel to track us down.

*raises an eyebrow at this answer, not sure of the accuracy* Tell that to mah ribs and innards. The way Chet reacted when I drew a gun on ya, tells me that you're worth more than you think. *glances over at Alex* And we know Daney means somethin' to Garrett. But I don't know if her and Chet evah seen eye to eye.

Not his brother? *quietly spoken*

Reckon he would. *gestures for Garrett to have a seat by the old rickety table and chairs that are inside of the cabin. Reaches into inner jacket pocket and takes out a packet of Winstons. Taps out a cigarette and hands it to Garrett. Taps another out for Alex and for own self, then sits down at the table and flicks the lighter up. After the three smokes are lit, exhales a shallow breath of smoke and considers Garrett again* What, or who, does Chet love second most in life? *asks casually*

*having expected Alex's objection, finds self rather surprised to catch the misgiving in Garrett's eyes. Looks at the captive Duke, curious* You think Chet would take advantage of mah current condition?

*walks inside behind Alex and Garrett* Plans... *goes to take a deep breath, but at the stabbing pain of the bad ribs, hitches the air short and exhales slow* ....yeah, plans. Well. I got a plan but nobody is gonna like it. I figure Chet's got a good mad goin' by now, if anybody's told 'em about his horse. Hell, he don't even know we have Garrett yet. *looks at Alex directly, expression neutral* I figured I'd send Daniel to bail Chet out. Git him outta the jail before he endangers MaryAnne with the tempermental fits he's famous for. *pauses, then adds* ....and then I'll meet up with him. Alone.

Congratulations on 7 years of misbehavior. A lot has changed since you first set foot in this part of Hazzard, but the important things have stayed the same. Sal-ute!

*looks the place over, getting out of Diablo rather stiffly, thanks to the bandages around ribcage....holding the passenger door open for Garrett to get out* Eh, Chet's nice n' secure himself at the moment. And so long as Garrett behaves and conducts himself with some measure of honor, ah'll let him keep his dignity. *walks behind Garrett towards the cabin, one arm pressed to own side* But if he blows it and does somethin' stupid, then you can tie him to a tree. For now, he's a guest.

*grits teeth as Diablo's heavy-coil suspension makes the big Chevy bounce and rock up the hill * ...fallin' apart....ah know the feelin'... *hanging on to the roof column with right hand, the injuries irritated by the rough ride.* *Glances in the mirrors at Garrett again* If you know of this place, ah'm willin' to bet Chet knows of it....

That'll do, then. Alex, head over yonder and see if you can find the old path to the cabin. Take it easy up the hill, though.

Not far. I wanna stay close enuff to town, where we can keep an eye on thangs, and I can contact MaryAnne if ah need to. *looks in the side mirror, seeing Garrett's pensive face in the back* Garrett, you Dukes know every moonshine hole in this county. Is there a good cabin or huntin' shack around heah we could use?

---Mmf ! *taken aback by the kiss, surprised, and it ends just as own body is taking keen interest in following that line of action. Returns the kiss, and feels some regret at this mess...* Ah'll come back, Doc. I swear.... *swallowing back whatever else could be said...not wanting to dwell on the number of things that could go wrong, with this scheme. Instead, ushers Garrett out the door, and follows him, heading for the black Chevy that waits at the curb*