Previously On DALLAS:
-----------John Ross's blindness was diagnosed as being from swelling which caused pressure on the optic nerve.
----------The police were able to prove the busted headlight on Cliff's car was caused from hitting a deer.
----------Lucy underwent a lumpectomy and later confessed to Ann that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
----------Amanda suffered a depression after her miscarriage.
----------Justin bought a ranch adjacent to Southfork to begin a new life for himself and Amanda, while Jimmy continued to worry about the trouble he's in with Nick.
-----------At lunch, Bobby and Christopher ran into Bobby's former secretary, Phyllis Wapner, and her daughter Courtney. Christopher later hired Courtney as his new secretary.
----------After learning that John Baxter was spotted in the vicinity of Southfork, Bobby and Christopher rushed home from the office.
----------Meanwhile, as Justin was leaving Southfork, he was kidnapped by a desperate and gun wielding John Baxter!
----------The police were able to prove the busted headlight on Cliff's car was caused from hitting a deer.
----------Lucy underwent a lumpectomy and later confessed to Ann that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
----------Amanda suffered a depression after her miscarriage.
----------Justin bought a ranch adjacent to Southfork to begin a new life for himself and Amanda, while Jimmy continued to worry about the trouble he's in with Nick.
-----------At lunch, Bobby and Christopher ran into Bobby's former secretary, Phyllis Wapner, and her daughter Courtney. Christopher later hired Courtney as his new secretary.
----------After learning that John Baxter was spotted in the vicinity of Southfork, Bobby and Christopher rushed home from the office.
----------Meanwhile, as Justin was leaving Southfork, he was kidnapped by a desperate and gun wielding John Baxter!
Braddock Road....
Justin's car heads down a long, lonely stretch of road heading from Southfork toward Dallas County. Inside the car, a terrified Justin drives while John Baxter holds a gun pointed at Justin's side.
"Look, uh, where we goin'?" Justin asks nervously.
"Just drive until I tell you to stop," John orders. "So, you're one of the Ewings?"
"Yeah."
"I remember you now. You're J.R. Ewing's youngest boy, aren't you? John Ross's brother?"
"Yep."
"Well, now, isn't this somethin'?" John asks. "J.R. Ewing's boy. J.R. Ewing, the first member of your family I ever met. And I lived to regret it."
"What'd he do to you?" Justin asks.
"Set me up, then blackmailed me. And history repeated itself when that scumbag you call a brother blackmailed my son and drove him to try to kill himself."
"Look, Mr. Baxter, whatever problem you had with my father and my brother, I didn't have anything to do with that," Justin says. "So why grab me?"
John looks at the young man. "You just happened to be the first Ewing I came in contact with. Maybe it's divine providence, huh?" John laughs, making Justin even more nervous as he looks at him, then down at the gun pointed at his right side.
"Look, uh, where we goin'?" Justin asks nervously.
"Just drive until I tell you to stop," John orders. "So, you're one of the Ewings?"
"Yeah."
"I remember you now. You're J.R. Ewing's youngest boy, aren't you? John Ross's brother?"
"Yep."
"Well, now, isn't this somethin'?" John asks. "J.R. Ewing's boy. J.R. Ewing, the first member of your family I ever met. And I lived to regret it."
"What'd he do to you?" Justin asks.
"Set me up, then blackmailed me. And history repeated itself when that scumbag you call a brother blackmailed my son and drove him to try to kill himself."
"Look, Mr. Baxter, whatever problem you had with my father and my brother, I didn't have anything to do with that," Justin says. "So why grab me?"
John looks at the young man. "You just happened to be the first Ewing I came in contact with. Maybe it's divine providence, huh?" John laughs, making Justin even more nervous as he looks at him, then down at the gun pointed at his right side.
Southfork....
Back at Southfork, Bobby is talking with Derrick, the Sheriff, about John Baxter.
"Bobby, we're taking every precaution possible," Derrick says. "I have some of my men patrolling the grounds, and I'll have a man stationed at every gate leading onto the property. And you should put your hands on high alert as well."
"Already been done, Derrick," Bobby says.
"Good. We got a report down a little while ago. There was a robbery in Dallas County earlier, about five miles from the Braddock County line. A woman was home alone and a man fitting Baxter's description forced his way into the house, stole some of her husband's clothes, and his gun."
"Baxter's armed?"
"Looks that way."
"My God," says Bobby. "Baxter's so consumed by hate for the Ewings, and now that he's prob'ly gonna spend the rest of his life in prison for Jack's murder, there's no tellin' what he might do."
"You're right. Baxter knows he really has nothin' to lose anymore, except his life."
Conner's car drives up at that point and comes to a stop beside Derrick's truck in the parking area. Conner and Lucas get out and walk over to them.
"What's goin' on?" Lucas asks.
"Yeah. Bobby," says Conner. "Christopher called us and told us to come right over and hurry."
"Already been done, Derrick," Bobby says.
"Good. We got a report down a little while ago. There was a robbery in Dallas County earlier, about five miles from the Braddock County line. A woman was home alone and a man fitting Baxter's description forced his way into the house, stole some of her husband's clothes, and his gun."
"Baxter's armed?"
"Looks that way."
"My God," says Bobby. "Baxter's so consumed by hate for the Ewings, and now that he's prob'ly gonna spend the rest of his life in prison for Jack's murder, there's no tellin' what he might do."
"You're right. Baxter knows he really has nothin' to lose anymore, except his life."
Conner's car drives up at that point and comes to a stop beside Derrick's truck in the parking area. Conner and Lucas get out and walk over to them.
"What's goin' on?" Lucas asks.
"Yeah. Bobby," says Conner. "Christopher called us and told us to come right over and hurry."
"Look, I don't want to alarm either one of you boys, but, John Baxter was spotted in this area just a little while ago," Bobby says. "I wanted to get everybody that I could here to Southfork for safety's sake."
"Baxter?" Conner asks. When Bobby nods his head, Conner turns and begins walking to his car.
"Conner, where you goin'?" Bobby asks.
"I'm gonna ride around and see if I can spot him."
"No, no way," Derrick says adamantly.
"The guy killed my father," says Conner. "And now he's out there on the loose. You can't honestly expect me to just sit back and do nothing."
"That's exactly what I expect you to do," says Derrick. "Let US handle Baxter. You just stay here with your family and sit tight. Bobby, I'll be in touch."
"Thanks, Derrick," Bobby says as Derrick turns and walks back to his truck. He, Conner, and Lucas watch as the sheriff drives away.
"So what do we do?" Conner asks.
"Just what the Sheriff told us to do," replies Bobby. "Sit tight and let the police handle it. They'll find him."
"Baxter?" Conner asks. When Bobby nods his head, Conner turns and begins walking to his car.
"Conner, where you goin'?" Bobby asks.
"I'm gonna ride around and see if I can spot him."
"No, no way," Derrick says adamantly.
"The guy killed my father," says Conner. "And now he's out there on the loose. You can't honestly expect me to just sit back and do nothing."
"That's exactly what I expect you to do," says Derrick. "Let US handle Baxter. You just stay here with your family and sit tight. Bobby, I'll be in touch."
"Thanks, Derrick," Bobby says as Derrick turns and walks back to his truck. He, Conner, and Lucas watch as the sheriff drives away.
"So what do we do?" Conner asks.
"Just what the Sheriff told us to do," replies Bobby. "Sit tight and let the police handle it. They'll find him."
The Smithfield Home....
Dylan Baxter sits alone in the living room at the Smithfield home that afternoon flipping channels on the television. When he comes to a channel with a news report about his father, he puts the remote down and listens as the newscaster speaks: "And the manhunt for escaped murder suspect John Baxter has now been shifted from Dallas to Braddock County. Earlier today, Baxter, who escaped from the custody of the Dallas Police Department last Friday evening, was picked up by a motorist and given a ride across the county line into Braddock. Reports also say that a man fitting Baxter's description allegedly committed a home invasion a quarter of a mile over the County Line. According to the reports, the man entered the home of a Braddock County couple while only the wife was home. The man allegedly stole a set of men's clothing and a .22 caliber handgun. John Baxter, age 58, a formerly attorney with the prominent Smithfield And Bennett firm in Dallas, was arrested after he confessed to the February 17 murder of a former Dallas resident, Jack Ewing."
Upset by the news report, Dylan switches the TV off fights back tears. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the phone rings, and the family maid, Nancy, answers. "Smithfield Residence," she says. "No, I'm sorry, Mrs. Baxter is NOT available for comment."
"Is that a reporter?" Linda asks, walking into the kitchen.
"Yes, ma'am. Third one today."
Upset by the news report, Dylan switches the TV off fights back tears. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the phone rings, and the family maid, Nancy, answers. "Smithfield Residence," she says. "No, I'm sorry, Mrs. Baxter is NOT available for comment."
"Is that a reporter?" Linda asks, walking into the kitchen.
"Yes, ma'am. Third one today."
Linda angrily grabs the phone from Nancy. "Hello, this is Mrs. Baxter. Here is my statement to your newspaper: STOP callin' this damned house, or I will have you and your publisher arrested for harassment!"
As Linda ends the call and throws the phone onto the counter, her brother, David Smithfield, walks in. "Who was that? Another reporter?"
"Who else? David, itn't there somethin' you can do to put a stop to this constant harassment from these vultures?"
"Who else? David, itn't there somethin' you can do to put a stop to this constant harassment from these vultures?"
"Sis, I don't think there's a lot I can do," David says.
"You're a LAWYER, for God's sake! Slap some type of injunction on them or somethin'."
"Okay. I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, how're you doin'? Haven't been sleepin' well, have you?"
Linda turns and looks at her brother. "Well, now let's see. My oldest son tried to kill himself not too long ago. My husband confessed to killin' the man who fathered my youngest child. That same husband escaped from jail a week ago and is still on the run. Mama is failin' more every day and I wake up every mornin' terrified that I'm gonna find her dead in bed. And Dylan is so confused by everything that's goin' on that he doesn't know which way to turn. So yes, big brother, it is a safe assumption that I am not sleepin' well these days."
David walks over to his sister and puts his arms around her. "Look, sis, I know you and I haven't always gotten along the best, but, I'm here for you now. And for your boys."
"I never thought I'd say this to you David, but I'm glad you're here," Linda says in tears. "I honestly don't know what I'd do if you weren't here right now."
"Everything's gonna be alright," David tells her as he embraces her, gently rubbing her back.
Dylan stands in the doorway watching his mother and uncle, neither of them aware of the boy's presence. As tears stream down his face, his Uncle David's words echo through Dylan's mind, and he wonders how anything would ever be alright for his family again.
"You're a LAWYER, for God's sake! Slap some type of injunction on them or somethin'."
"Okay. I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, how're you doin'? Haven't been sleepin' well, have you?"
Linda turns and looks at her brother. "Well, now let's see. My oldest son tried to kill himself not too long ago. My husband confessed to killin' the man who fathered my youngest child. That same husband escaped from jail a week ago and is still on the run. Mama is failin' more every day and I wake up every mornin' terrified that I'm gonna find her dead in bed. And Dylan is so confused by everything that's goin' on that he doesn't know which way to turn. So yes, big brother, it is a safe assumption that I am not sleepin' well these days."
David walks over to his sister and puts his arms around her. "Look, sis, I know you and I haven't always gotten along the best, but, I'm here for you now. And for your boys."
"I never thought I'd say this to you David, but I'm glad you're here," Linda says in tears. "I honestly don't know what I'd do if you weren't here right now."
"Everything's gonna be alright," David tells her as he embraces her, gently rubbing her back.
Dylan stands in the doorway watching his mother and uncle, neither of them aware of the boy's presence. As tears stream down his face, his Uncle David's words echo through Dylan's mind, and he wonders how anything would ever be alright for his family again.
Southfork.....later
The phone rings at Southfork. Ann comes down the stairs and picks up the phone in the foyer. "Hello," she says.
"Ann, this is Amanda."
"Amanda, hello, sweety, I'm glad you called. I was gonna come over and see you in a little while, but it's been a crazy day around here. How're you feelin'?" Ann asks,
"Ann, this is Amanda."
"Amanda, hello, sweety, I'm glad you called. I was gonna come over and see you in a little while, but it's been a crazy day around here. How're you feelin'?" Ann asks,
"I'm still a little sore, and my wrist still hurts a little, but other than that I'm okay. Ann, I was wondering, have you seen or heard from Justin this afternoon?"
"No, honey, I haven't," Ann replies. "Is anything wrong?"
"He left to go over to our new house to meet with the man about turning on the electricity or something, and that was hours ago. He hasn't come back yet, and I can't reach him on his phone."
"I'm sure everything's alright," Ann says as Bobby comes down the stairs. "Hold on, let me ask Bobby."
"Ask me what?"
"Amanda's on the phone," Ann replies. "She wants to know if you've seen or heard from Justin."
"No, I haven't. Let me talk to her." Bobby takes the phone. "Amanda, what's goin' on?"
"Bobby, Justin left here to go take care of something at the new house. I think he said he was meeting with the man about getting the electricity turned on. That was hours ago. I haven't heard from him and I can't reach him on the phone. I even called Jimmy and he said he'd bee trying to reach him because Justin was supposed to call him and never did. I'm starting to get worried."
"Alright, don't worry. Look, I'm gonna have Ann drive over to the bunkhouse and pick you up and bring you up here to the main house," Bobby says. "I'll go out and see if I can find him."
"Thank you," Amanda says.
"No problem. Ann will be over in a minute," Bobby says. He puts the phone down and sighs. "Well, that can't be good."
"No, honey, I haven't," Ann replies. "Is anything wrong?"
"He left to go over to our new house to meet with the man about turning on the electricity or something, and that was hours ago. He hasn't come back yet, and I can't reach him on his phone."
"I'm sure everything's alright," Ann says as Bobby comes down the stairs. "Hold on, let me ask Bobby."
"Ask me what?"
"Amanda's on the phone," Ann replies. "She wants to know if you've seen or heard from Justin."
"No, I haven't. Let me talk to her." Bobby takes the phone. "Amanda, what's goin' on?"
"Bobby, Justin left here to go take care of something at the new house. I think he said he was meeting with the man about getting the electricity turned on. That was hours ago. I haven't heard from him and I can't reach him on the phone. I even called Jimmy and he said he'd bee trying to reach him because Justin was supposed to call him and never did. I'm starting to get worried."
"Alright, don't worry. Look, I'm gonna have Ann drive over to the bunkhouse and pick you up and bring you up here to the main house," Bobby says. "I'll go out and see if I can find him."
"Thank you," Amanda says.
"No problem. Ann will be over in a minute," Bobby says. He puts the phone down and sighs. "Well, that can't be good."
"Bobby, you don't think John Baxter has anything to do with this, do you?" Ann asks.
"I sure hope not. But with Baxter seen in the immediate vicinity of Southfork, anything's possible. Amanda said Justin was supposed to meet with someone from the electric comp'ny. I'm gonna give them a call and see who was supposed to come out." Bobby picks the phone up again and dials the electric company in Braddock. On the second ring, someone answers. "Yes, this is Bobby Ewing. I was just wondering, one of your employees was to come out to McCreary Road this afternoon and meet with my nephew, Justin Ewing, about havin' the electricity turned on at his new home. Is it possible for me to speak to the person who was supposed to come to my nephew's? Yes, I'll hold." After a moment, someone comes back on the line. "Yes," Bobby says. "You were supposed to meet with my nephew this afternoon? What time was that? And he never showed? Alright, thank you. Bye." Again, Bobby puts the phone down. "The man who was to meet Justin over at his new house said he never showed. The man waited for him for over and hour and even tried to call but he got no answer."
"Bobby....."
"Honey, drive over to the bunkhouse and pick Amanda up. I'm gonna drive over to Justin's house and see if I can spot anything."
"Bobby, no," Ann says adamantly. "John Baxter might be out there somewhere. Call the sheriff."
Bobby looks at her and pauses a moment. "Maybe you're right. Derrick should know about this." As Bobby again picks up the phone, Ann kisses him on the cheek, then walks out to go get Amanda.
"I sure hope not. But with Baxter seen in the immediate vicinity of Southfork, anything's possible. Amanda said Justin was supposed to meet with someone from the electric comp'ny. I'm gonna give them a call and see who was supposed to come out." Bobby picks the phone up again and dials the electric company in Braddock. On the second ring, someone answers. "Yes, this is Bobby Ewing. I was just wondering, one of your employees was to come out to McCreary Road this afternoon and meet with my nephew, Justin Ewing, about havin' the electricity turned on at his new home. Is it possible for me to speak to the person who was supposed to come to my nephew's? Yes, I'll hold." After a moment, someone comes back on the line. "Yes," Bobby says. "You were supposed to meet with my nephew this afternoon? What time was that? And he never showed? Alright, thank you. Bye." Again, Bobby puts the phone down. "The man who was to meet Justin over at his new house said he never showed. The man waited for him for over and hour and even tried to call but he got no answer."
"Bobby....."
"Honey, drive over to the bunkhouse and pick Amanda up. I'm gonna drive over to Justin's house and see if I can spot anything."
"Bobby, no," Ann says adamantly. "John Baxter might be out there somewhere. Call the sheriff."
Bobby looks at her and pauses a moment. "Maybe you're right. Derrick should know about this." As Bobby again picks up the phone, Ann kisses him on the cheek, then walks out to go get Amanda.
Meanwhile....
In a log house near a beautiful lake north of Dallas, Justin is sitting in a chair in the middle of the room while John Baxter paces the room, anxiously looking out the window every few seconds, holding his gun, making Justin even more afraid.
"Look, Mr. Baxter, umm, how long are you gonna keep me here?" Justin asks nervously.
"As long as it takes."
"Takes for what?"
"Just SHUT UP, alright, Ewing!" John yells. "Give me time to think."
"Look, I know you had some problems with my fam'ly in the past, but that had nothin' to do with me."
"Oh yes it does."
"How so?"
"Because your last name is Ewing," John replies, walking over to Justin, leans over and faces him. "You've got Ewing blood. That right there makes you my enemy."
"So, you just hate anyone named Ewing whether they've done anything to you or not?" Justin asks.
"That's right. I've got plenty of reason to hate the Ewings. Did you know that your Daddy set me up with a woman, not long after I married my wife, and then the son of a bitch blackmailed me? And did you know that your cousin, Jack Ewing, had an affair with my wife. She gave birth to his CHILD!"
"Yeah? Well, for the record, Baxter, I never even met my father, or Jack Ewing."
"And you think THAT'S gonna get you off the hook?" John asks. "Well, it's NOT, kid. What will get you off the hook, is how much you're worth to the rest of your family. To your Uncle Bobby."
"Look, Mr. Baxter, umm, how long are you gonna keep me here?" Justin asks nervously.
"As long as it takes."
"Takes for what?"
"Just SHUT UP, alright, Ewing!" John yells. "Give me time to think."
"Look, I know you had some problems with my fam'ly in the past, but that had nothin' to do with me."
"Oh yes it does."
"How so?"
"Because your last name is Ewing," John replies, walking over to Justin, leans over and faces him. "You've got Ewing blood. That right there makes you my enemy."
"So, you just hate anyone named Ewing whether they've done anything to you or not?" Justin asks.
"That's right. I've got plenty of reason to hate the Ewings. Did you know that your Daddy set me up with a woman, not long after I married my wife, and then the son of a bitch blackmailed me? And did you know that your cousin, Jack Ewing, had an affair with my wife. She gave birth to his CHILD!"
"Yeah? Well, for the record, Baxter, I never even met my father, or Jack Ewing."
"And you think THAT'S gonna get you off the hook?" John asks. "Well, it's NOT, kid. What will get you off the hook, is how much you're worth to the rest of your family. To your Uncle Bobby."
"So, what are you gonna do?" Justin asks. "Hold me for ransom? Hit my Uncle up for a couple million bucks? Ya know, Baxter, you're gettin' in this a whole lot deeper."
John smiles. "Deeper? Son, I'm already in about as deep as anyone can get. I've got nothin' to lose. Nothin' at all. But you do. If your Uncle Bobby comes through for you, then we both win. If not, YOU lose. Big time."
John smiles. "Deeper? Son, I'm already in about as deep as anyone can get. I've got nothin' to lose. Nothin' at all. But you do. If your Uncle Bobby comes through for you, then we both win. If not, YOU lose. Big time."
Southfork....
While Bobby is talking to Derrick, his cell phone rings. He takes the phone from his pocket and looks at the caller ID. He smiles. "It's Justin. Excuse me for a minute, Derrick." Bobby answers his phone. "Justin, where the heck have you been? You've had us all worried sick."
"Well, now, isn't that nice?" John Baxter asks on the other end of the line. "Hello, Bobby. I'm guessing that you're missing a member of your family?"
"Well, now, isn't that nice?" John Baxter asks on the other end of the line. "Hello, Bobby. I'm guessing that you're missing a member of your family?"
"Baxter?" Asks Bobby. "Where's Justin? What the hell have you done with my nephew?"
"Boy's just fine, Bobby. For now. In fact, he's right here with me."
"Let me talk to him," Bobby says.
"Sure, thing."
"Boy's just fine, Bobby. For now. In fact, he's right here with me."
"Let me talk to him," Bobby says.
"Sure, thing."
Baxter's hideout....
John hands Justin's cell phone to him. "Uncle Bobby," Justin says.
Southfork....
"Justin, are you alright, son? Has Baxter hurt you?"
"No, I'm fine, Uncle Bobby. Just scared. Amanda, is she....."
"She's okay. She's here with us."
"No, I'm fine, Uncle Bobby. Just scared. Amanda, is she....."
"She's okay. She's here with us."
Baxter's hideout....
Before Justin can say any more, John grabs the phone from him. "Bobby, as you can hear, your nephew is just fine.......for now."
"What the hell do you want, Baxter?" Bobby asks.
"The first thing I want is money. Lots of it. Ten million dollars, cash. Enough to get me safely out of the country. When I get that money, you get your nephew back, safe and sound. If I don't get what I want, you'll still get the kid back, but in a body bag. Second thing I want......is Jack Ewing's boy."
"Jack's boy? You mean.....Conner?"
"That's right. I want Jack's kid to deliver the money to get your nephew back."
"Why? What the HELL reason would you want to get Conner? You already murdered his father in cold blood, itn't that enough?"
"Just get that money, and have Conner Ewing deliver it," John says. "If not, then I put a bullet in your nephew's brain. See, it all comes down to a choice, Bobby. Which member of your family do you care for the most......your brother's son? Or your cousin's son? And one more thing........I know these cell phones have tracking devices in them. But consider this your first and only warning. Any police involvement, and I mean ANY police involvement at all, and J.R.'s boy is gonna join his Daddy in hell a lot sooner than he expected to. When you get the money, call your nephew's phone." John puts Justin's phone down and looks at him.
"What the hell do you want, Baxter?" Bobby asks.
"The first thing I want is money. Lots of it. Ten million dollars, cash. Enough to get me safely out of the country. When I get that money, you get your nephew back, safe and sound. If I don't get what I want, you'll still get the kid back, but in a body bag. Second thing I want......is Jack Ewing's boy."
"Jack's boy? You mean.....Conner?"
"That's right. I want Jack's kid to deliver the money to get your nephew back."
"Why? What the HELL reason would you want to get Conner? You already murdered his father in cold blood, itn't that enough?"
"Just get that money, and have Conner Ewing deliver it," John says. "If not, then I put a bullet in your nephew's brain. See, it all comes down to a choice, Bobby. Which member of your family do you care for the most......your brother's son? Or your cousin's son? And one more thing........I know these cell phones have tracking devices in them. But consider this your first and only warning. Any police involvement, and I mean ANY police involvement at all, and J.R.'s boy is gonna join his Daddy in hell a lot sooner than he expected to. When you get the money, call your nephew's phone." John puts Justin's phone down and looks at him.
"Don't look so down in the mouth, kid. If you're lucky, you're worth ten million bucks to your Uncle. If not, then you're finally gonna get a chance to meet your old man."
Southfork....
Stunned, Bobby ends the call and puts his phone into his pocket as Derrick, Christopher, Lucas, and Conner walk over to him.
"Bobby?" Derrick says.
"Dad, what is it?"
"Bobby?" Derrick says.
"Dad, what is it?"
"Nothin'," Bobby says with a fake smile. "Justin just got sidetracked."
"Sidetracked? For four hours?" Derrick asks.
"Yeah, well, you don't know my nephew, Derrick. Justin can be a bit of an airhead sometimes. But everything's fine. He'll be home soon. Look, why don't you go in the house and ask Ann to fix ya a cup 'o coffee?"
"Yeah, Bobby, sure," Derrick says, not fully believing Bobby's story. Derrick turns and walks into the house.
"Okay. Dad, what's really goin' on?" Christopher asks, once Derrick has gone into the house.
"That was Baxter. He's got Justin."
"Oh my God," Lucas says.
"What did he want?" Conner asks.
"Ten million dollars, by tomorrow morning. Or else he said he'll kill Justin."
"Why didn't you tell Derrick?" asks Christopher.
"Because Baxter said that if there's any police involvement, he'll kill Justin. He wants the ten million.......and he wants Conner to deliver it."
"Conner?" Asks Lucas. "Why Conner?'
"I don't know. But Baxter's crazy enough to do anything."
As Bobby is talking, they are unaware that Amanda is standing on the balcony upstairs and has overheard everything.
"Sidetracked? For four hours?" Derrick asks.
"Yeah, well, you don't know my nephew, Derrick. Justin can be a bit of an airhead sometimes. But everything's fine. He'll be home soon. Look, why don't you go in the house and ask Ann to fix ya a cup 'o coffee?"
"Yeah, Bobby, sure," Derrick says, not fully believing Bobby's story. Derrick turns and walks into the house.
"Okay. Dad, what's really goin' on?" Christopher asks, once Derrick has gone into the house.
"That was Baxter. He's got Justin."
"Oh my God," Lucas says.
"What did he want?" Conner asks.
"Ten million dollars, by tomorrow morning. Or else he said he'll kill Justin."
"Why didn't you tell Derrick?" asks Christopher.
"Because Baxter said that if there's any police involvement, he'll kill Justin. He wants the ten million.......and he wants Conner to deliver it."
"Conner?" Asks Lucas. "Why Conner?'
"I don't know. But Baxter's crazy enough to do anything."
As Bobby is talking, they are unaware that Amanda is standing on the balcony upstairs and has overheard everything.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital....
John Ross is sitting up in bed at the hospital late that afternoon, having been moved out of Intensive Care that morning. A knock comes at his door, and his armed guard peaks in. "Excuse me, Mr. Ewing?" The man says.
"Yeah, what is it?"
"There's a man here to see you. Says his name is Tom Griffith, and says he's from Westar Oil."
"You check his I.D.?" John Ross asks.
"Yes, sir."
"Alright, then send him in."
The guard walks out of the room, and a couple of seconds later, Tom Griffith, a member of the Westar Board Of Directors enters the room. "Well, hello, John Ross," Tom says.
"Tom."
"How're you feeling?"
"Yeah, what is it?"
"There's a man here to see you. Says his name is Tom Griffith, and says he's from Westar Oil."
"You check his I.D.?" John Ross asks.
"Yes, sir."
"Alright, then send him in."
The guard walks out of the room, and a couple of seconds later, Tom Griffith, a member of the Westar Board Of Directors enters the room. "Well, hello, John Ross," Tom says.
"Tom."
"How're you feeling?"
"Glad to be alive, but still feelin' like hell," replies John Ross. "Especially since I can't see a damned thing."
"Well, it's at least good that you're out of Intensive Care," says Tom. "I came by to see you a couple days ago, but they wouldn't let me in to ICU."
"How are things at Westar?"
Tom takes a seat beside John Ross's bed. "Things are just fine. I'm serving as acting CEO for now, while you're laid up like this. Hey, any idea how long you'll be in the hospital, or how long this blindness will last?"
"No idea. Doctor says it could clear up on its own any day, or I may have to have surgery."
"Well, it's at least good that you're out of Intensive Care," says Tom. "I came by to see you a couple days ago, but they wouldn't let me in to ICU."
"How are things at Westar?"
Tom takes a seat beside John Ross's bed. "Things are just fine. I'm serving as acting CEO for now, while you're laid up like this. Hey, any idea how long you'll be in the hospital, or how long this blindness will last?"
"No idea. Doctor says it could clear up on its own any day, or I may have to have surgery."
"John Ross, umm, that's one of the things I wanted to discuss with you," Tom says. "The board met this morning, and we discussed a few things."
"Things like what?" John Ross asks.
"Well, the board feels that, with you laid up in the hospital like this and out of commission for an indefinite period of time, that Westar needs to appoint a more permanent chief executive officer in your absence."
"So," John Ross says. "That's how it is? Somebody tries to kill me, and while I'm laid up, you and the rest of the board pulls the rug right out from under me."
"John Ross, it's not like that at all," Tom says. "You're laid up here in the hospital, and even when you get outta here, you won't be able to come back to Westar anytime soon, and the company needs some stable leadership. I'm filling that void as best I can in the meantime, but I have my dental practice and I don't have the time to spare to devote to Westar. My partner, Dr. Smith, is taking my patients until a new CEO can be appointed at Westar, and we need to do that soon. Now I'm sure that you want what's best for the company."
"So, any ideas on who y'all are gonna get?" John Ross asks, a slight tone of bitterness in his voice.
"Not yet. But we have a few qualified candidates in mind."
"Such as?"
"Well, there's Pamela McKay," Tom replies. "After all, she was in the running to become CEO if you'd have had to step down after the last board meeting. And, then there's her husband, Tripp, and Pamela's father, Cliff Barnes."
"You can't seriously be thinkin' about replacin' me with Cliff Barnes or his daughter or that husband of hers," says an angry John Ross. "It was prob'ly one of them who put me here. Tom, how the hell can you and the rest of the board do this to me? I have started takin' Westar to new heights by buyin' up those offshore leasin' and bringin' Denver-Carrington in on that deal."
"Yes, you have," says Tom. "But right now, what matters is the company having strong leadership. I figured we owed it to you to let you know what's going on. The board is planning to meet again on Monday morning and elect a new interim CEO."
"Get out," John Ross says.
"What?"
"You heard me. Get the hell outta here."
Tom lets out a deep sigh as he stands. "John Ross, I'm very sorry about all this. But we have to think of the company." After a brief pause, Tom walks to the door and starts to leave.
"Griffith?" John Ross calls to him.
"Yes?" Tom says, pausing in the doorway.
"You can just go back and tell your board that I may be down, but I'm not out. When I get my sight back, I'll be back, and I'll fight whoever's sittin' in that CEO's office."
"Alright, fair enough," Tom says, and then leaves without another word.
"Damn," John Ross says with clinched teeth. "Damn you, Barnes. Somehow, I know you had this whole thing planned. Get me outta the way so you could take that comp'ny."
"Things like what?" John Ross asks.
"Well, the board feels that, with you laid up in the hospital like this and out of commission for an indefinite period of time, that Westar needs to appoint a more permanent chief executive officer in your absence."
"So," John Ross says. "That's how it is? Somebody tries to kill me, and while I'm laid up, you and the rest of the board pulls the rug right out from under me."
"John Ross, it's not like that at all," Tom says. "You're laid up here in the hospital, and even when you get outta here, you won't be able to come back to Westar anytime soon, and the company needs some stable leadership. I'm filling that void as best I can in the meantime, but I have my dental practice and I don't have the time to spare to devote to Westar. My partner, Dr. Smith, is taking my patients until a new CEO can be appointed at Westar, and we need to do that soon. Now I'm sure that you want what's best for the company."
"So, any ideas on who y'all are gonna get?" John Ross asks, a slight tone of bitterness in his voice.
"Not yet. But we have a few qualified candidates in mind."
"Such as?"
"Well, there's Pamela McKay," Tom replies. "After all, she was in the running to become CEO if you'd have had to step down after the last board meeting. And, then there's her husband, Tripp, and Pamela's father, Cliff Barnes."
"You can't seriously be thinkin' about replacin' me with Cliff Barnes or his daughter or that husband of hers," says an angry John Ross. "It was prob'ly one of them who put me here. Tom, how the hell can you and the rest of the board do this to me? I have started takin' Westar to new heights by buyin' up those offshore leasin' and bringin' Denver-Carrington in on that deal."
"Yes, you have," says Tom. "But right now, what matters is the company having strong leadership. I figured we owed it to you to let you know what's going on. The board is planning to meet again on Monday morning and elect a new interim CEO."
"Get out," John Ross says.
"What?"
"You heard me. Get the hell outta here."
Tom lets out a deep sigh as he stands. "John Ross, I'm very sorry about all this. But we have to think of the company." After a brief pause, Tom walks to the door and starts to leave.
"Griffith?" John Ross calls to him.
"Yes?" Tom says, pausing in the doorway.
"You can just go back and tell your board that I may be down, but I'm not out. When I get my sight back, I'll be back, and I'll fight whoever's sittin' in that CEO's office."
"Alright, fair enough," Tom says, and then leaves without another word.
"Damn," John Ross says with clinched teeth. "Damn you, Barnes. Somehow, I know you had this whole thing planned. Get me outta the way so you could take that comp'ny."
Southfork......night
"Walter, I know two million dollars is a lotta money," Bobby says as he paces around his office at Southfork that night, talking on the phone with his banker. "I wouldn't want the money if it wasn't extremely important,
urgent, even."
Walter's home....
"Bobby, I understand that, but, as you said, ten million dollars is a lot of money to come up with by tomorrow morning," Walter says, sitting in his own living room as he talks to Bobby. "The vast majority of your assets are tied up right now in Ewing Oil."
Southfork....
"I know, but Walter, somethin' has come up and I need that money desperately, by tomorrow morning."
Walter's home....
"Alright, Bobby, I'll see what I can do. I'll call you in the morning."
Southfork....
"Thanks, Walter. Early as you can." Bobby says. "Bye." He hangs his phone up and puts it down on his desk.
"Dad, I don't like this," Christopher says. "I don't like it one bit."
"Neither do I," agrees Lucas. "What makes you think you can even trust Baxter? The guy's a cold-blooded killer and a kidnapper."
"I know that," Bobby says. "And I don't like it, either, but we are NOT gonna take any chances with your cousin's life." Bobby walks to his bar and pours himself a drink. "But you may be right," he says, taking a sip. "Maybe we have to get the law involved. Only thing that worries me about that is them messin' things up. Baxter's desperate, and he knows he's got nothin' to lose if things go wrong. He could kill Justin and still not really be any worse off than he is already."
"So what are we gonna do?" Christopher asks. "Just give Baxter the money and send Conner out there in harm's way?"
Bobby looks at his son. "No. There's no way I'm lettin' Conner do this. When Baxter calls back in the morning, I'm gonna offer him another deal."
Christopher and Lucas exchange looks, wondering - and worrying - about what kind of deal their father is talking about offering Baxter.
"Neither do I," agrees Lucas. "What makes you think you can even trust Baxter? The guy's a cold-blooded killer and a kidnapper."
"I know that," Bobby says. "And I don't like it, either, but we are NOT gonna take any chances with your cousin's life." Bobby walks to his bar and pours himself a drink. "But you may be right," he says, taking a sip. "Maybe we have to get the law involved. Only thing that worries me about that is them messin' things up. Baxter's desperate, and he knows he's got nothin' to lose if things go wrong. He could kill Justin and still not really be any worse off than he is already."
"So what are we gonna do?" Christopher asks. "Just give Baxter the money and send Conner out there in harm's way?"
Bobby looks at his son. "No. There's no way I'm lettin' Conner do this. When Baxter calls back in the morning, I'm gonna offer him another deal."
Christopher and Lucas exchange looks, wondering - and worrying - about what kind of deal their father is talking about offering Baxter.
Southfork.....the next morning
As Bobby stands alone on the patio by the pool early the next morning looking out over the ranch as the sun steadily rises, Amanda comes out of one of the French doors leading from the living room to the back porch and walks over to him.
"Bobby?" She says.
"Oh, morning, Amanda. What are you doin' up so early?"
"Haven't been to sleep. Bobby, I'm scared. I'm SO scared." Amanda starts to cry, and Bobby walks over to her, embracing her.
"I know, honey. I know," he says. "But everything's gonna be okay. You just have to believe that."
"But that man, John Baxter. He's crazy, and there's no telling what he'll do to Justin. He hates this family so much."
"I know. But if given enough money to safely get away from Dallas, I think he'll let Justin go."
"You THINK?" Amanda asks, pulling out of Bobby's embrace and looking at him. "Bobby, I don't want you to THINK he'll let Justin go. I want you to know. I want assurances."
Bobby sighs. "Honey, I wish I could assure you beyond a reasonable doubt that everything's gonna be okay."
"But you can't," Amanda says quietly.
"No. But I can promise you that I'm gonna do everything in my power to get Justin back safe and sound. You just have to trust me."
"Bobby?" She says.
"Oh, morning, Amanda. What are you doin' up so early?"
"Haven't been to sleep. Bobby, I'm scared. I'm SO scared." Amanda starts to cry, and Bobby walks over to her, embracing her.
"I know, honey. I know," he says. "But everything's gonna be okay. You just have to believe that."
"But that man, John Baxter. He's crazy, and there's no telling what he'll do to Justin. He hates this family so much."
"I know. But if given enough money to safely get away from Dallas, I think he'll let Justin go."
"You THINK?" Amanda asks, pulling out of Bobby's embrace and looking at him. "Bobby, I don't want you to THINK he'll let Justin go. I want you to know. I want assurances."
Bobby sighs. "Honey, I wish I could assure you beyond a reasonable doubt that everything's gonna be okay."
"But you can't," Amanda says quietly.
"No. But I can promise you that I'm gonna do everything in my power to get Justin back safe and sound. You just have to trust me."
An outdoor cafe in Dallas....
Jillian walks from her car to an outdoor cafe in downtown Dallas, where Jay Smithfield is sitting at a table waiting for her. When Jay sees her coming, he stands to his feet.
"Morning," Jay says.
"Morning, Jay," Jillian greets. She and Jay take their seats. "Thanks for meeting me."
"I was glad to get your call. Jill, I'm sorry we haven't seen each other in the last couple days, but I've been really preoccupied."
"I understand," Jillian says sadly. "I know it's been a rough time for your family."
"Morning," Jay says.
"Morning, Jay," Jillian greets. She and Jay take their seats. "Thanks for meeting me."
"I was glad to get your call. Jill, I'm sorry we haven't seen each other in the last couple days, but I've been really preoccupied."
"I understand," Jillian says sadly. "I know it's been a rough time for your family."
"Jill, what's wrong?" Jay asks.
"There's something I need to tell you. It's about your Uncle, John Baxter."
"What about him? Have you heard any news this morning?"
"Yes. Last night, actually."
"Well, what news?" Jay asks anxiously.
"Yesterday, my brother Justin left Southfork to drive over to a new house that he bought near the ranch. He never made it there. And the reason is, he was kidnapped. By John Baxter."
"What? Jill, are you serious?"
"Yes," Jillian replies. "Baxter called Bobby and asked for ransom. Ten million dollars to leave the country."
"Oh my God. I've got to call my Aunt Linda."
"Jay, no. Look, I'm not even supposed to know about this. Amanda told me last night when I called to see how she was doing since she got out of the hospital. Bobby's trying to keep it quiet because Baxter said that no police were to be involved, or he would kill Justin." Jillian starts to cry. "Jay, I'm so scared. I just met my brother a few months ago, and now, the thought of losing him....."
"Hey, Jill, shhhhh. That's not gonna happen. Look, my uncle might be using your brother for leverage, but I can't believe he'd ever hurt him."
"Jay, you uncle has already killed a man in cold blood," says Jillian. "I don't believe he'd think twice about killing someone else, especially if that someone is a Ewing."
Jay reaches across the table and takes Jillian's hand, a worried look on his face as he too, fears that in the state of mind his uncle is in now, he might do anything, including a second murder.
"There's something I need to tell you. It's about your Uncle, John Baxter."
"What about him? Have you heard any news this morning?"
"Yes. Last night, actually."
"Well, what news?" Jay asks anxiously.
"Yesterday, my brother Justin left Southfork to drive over to a new house that he bought near the ranch. He never made it there. And the reason is, he was kidnapped. By John Baxter."
"What? Jill, are you serious?"
"Yes," Jillian replies. "Baxter called Bobby and asked for ransom. Ten million dollars to leave the country."
"Oh my God. I've got to call my Aunt Linda."
"Jay, no. Look, I'm not even supposed to know about this. Amanda told me last night when I called to see how she was doing since she got out of the hospital. Bobby's trying to keep it quiet because Baxter said that no police were to be involved, or he would kill Justin." Jillian starts to cry. "Jay, I'm so scared. I just met my brother a few months ago, and now, the thought of losing him....."
"Hey, Jill, shhhhh. That's not gonna happen. Look, my uncle might be using your brother for leverage, but I can't believe he'd ever hurt him."
"Jay, you uncle has already killed a man in cold blood," says Jillian. "I don't believe he'd think twice about killing someone else, especially if that someone is a Ewing."
Jay reaches across the table and takes Jillian's hand, a worried look on his face as he too, fears that in the state of mind his uncle is in now, he might do anything, including a second murder.
John Baxter's hideout.......
As Justin nervously watches, John Baxter paces around the large main room of the cabin near the lake, still holding the gun. By now it's obvious John is getting tired, having been on the run for a week and awake all night. He puts the gun down on a table near the window and pulls back the curtain to look out. As John looks out the window, Justin looks at the gun on the table. For a moment, he looks from the gun, to John, who has his back to Justin. After a few seconds, John walks over and takes a seat in a chair beside the table where the gun lays. He looks at Justin and smiles.
"Shouldn't be long now," John says. "And we'll know whether or not you're really worth ten million bucks to your family."
"You'd really just kill me in cold blood?" Justin asks.
"Sure, why not? I already killed once. I'm already lookin' at life in prison if I'm caught. So what the hell have I got lose? Nothin'." John smiles, then rests his head on the back of the chair.
"Shouldn't be long now," John says. "And we'll know whether or not you're really worth ten million bucks to your family."
"You'd really just kill me in cold blood?" Justin asks.
"Sure, why not? I already killed once. I'm already lookin' at life in prison if I'm caught. So what the hell have I got lose? Nothin'." John smiles, then rests his head on the back of the chair.
The Longhorn Bank in Dallas....
"Walter, I really wanna thank you for comin' in to work on a Saturday morning," Bobby says as he meets with his banker, Walter Preston, in Walter's office at the Longhorn Bank.
"It's no problem, Bobby," says Walter, as he closes a briefcase filled with money and hands it over to Bobby. "Look, Bobby, I know it's none of my business, but, I've known you for the last twenty years. And I have to admit I'm real curious as to why you needed this much cash so quickly."
"An emergency came up, Walter, that's all I can say right now."
"Fair enough."
"Thanks again, Walter," Bobby says as he holds the brief case close to him. "Listen, we'll chat again real soon. My love to
"You bet, Bobby," Walter says, shaking Bobby's hand.
Without another word to his friend, Bobby quickly walks out of the office, where Bum is waiting for him in the receptionist's office. Bobby and Bum exchange looks, then leave.
"An emergency came up, Walter, that's all I can say right now."
"Fair enough."
"Thanks again, Walter," Bobby says as he holds the brief case close to him. "Listen, we'll chat again real soon. My love to
"You bet, Bobby," Walter says, shaking Bobby's hand.
Without another word to his friend, Bobby quickly walks out of the office, where Bum is waiting for him in the receptionist's office. Bobby and Bum exchange looks, then leave.
John Baxter's hideout....
Justin watches John Baxter closely as John rests his head on the back of the chair he's sitting in across the room. John's eyes are closed tightly. Justin continues to watch him for a few moments until it appears John has fallen asleep. As quietly as possible, Justin works the loosely tied ropes that bind his hands. He soon has the ropes loose enough to free his hands. Then, he reaches down and unties his feet. Ever so quietly, he stands and creeps slowly toward the table where the gun lays. Being as careful as possible not to wake John, Justin finally nears the table. As he slowly reaches for the gun, John opens his eyes and quickly grabs Justin by the wrist with one hand, and picks the gun up with the other.
"Well," John says. "Not planning on walking out on this party, were you, son? Not when it was just about to get good in a little while." John stands from his seat and holds the gun on Justin. "That really was a dumb move." Without warning, he takes his fist and punches Justin hard in the
"Well," John says. "Not planning on walking out on this party, were you, son? Not when it was just about to get good in a little while." John stands from his seat and holds the gun on Justin. "That really was a dumb move." Without warning, he takes his fist and punches Justin hard in the
stomach, knocking him to the floor in pain. John leans down over Justin, looking at him for a moment, then grabs him by the hair, forcing him to look at him. "You'd better hope your uncle comes through with that money, because if not, you'd best be sayin' your prayers." Still holding Justin by the hair, John pulls him to his feet. "Get up," he says. John then forces the young man over to another door. He opens the door and shoves Justin down a set of steps leading to a cellar. "Now see? You could've stayed up here and kept me company if you hadn't done something so incredibly stupid. Now you can just stay down here all by yourself." John switches on a light to the cellar by the door, then walks out, closing the door and locking it behind him.
In pain and terrified for his life, Justin begins to cry.
Southfork....
Bobby, Bum, and another man walk into the den at Southfork, followed by Christopher, Lucas, and Conner.
"Well, I've got the money," Bobby says. "Boys, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine," he continues, referring to the man with him and Bum. "This is former Detective Jim McKinney. Jim, these are my sons Christopher and Lucas, and my cousin, Conner Ewing."
"Boys," McKiney says.
"So are we all set?" Conner asks.
"Conner, I still don't think you should do this," Lucas says.
"I agree," says Christopher. "Dad, there has to be another way than to just trade Conner for Justin."
"You're right," says Bobby. "That's why I asked Bum and Jim in on this."
"Well, I've got the money," Bobby says. "Boys, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine," he continues, referring to the man with him and Bum. "This is former Detective Jim McKinney. Jim, these are my sons Christopher and Lucas, and my cousin, Conner Ewing."
"Boys," McKiney says.
"So are we all set?" Conner asks.
"Conner, I still don't think you should do this," Lucas says.
"I agree," says Christopher. "Dad, there has to be another way than to just trade Conner for Justin."
"You're right," says Bobby. "That's why I asked Bum and Jim in on this."
"Well, if I don't deliver this money, then what do we do?" Conner asks. "How are we gonna get Justin back?"
"Conner, I can't let you go in there. John Baxter is a very dangerous man, and a very desperate one right now. Besides that, you're filled with hate toward Baxter, and you goin' in there as emotional as you are toward Baxter, it would be a suicide mission."
"Bobby's right," Bum says. "So we've come up with a new plan. And we're gonna need your help."
"What kinda help?" Conner asks.
Bobby walks over to him. "We have a job for you, and it's not deliverin' the ransom."
Conner looks at Bobby, then at Bum and the other man, anxious to hear what their new plan was.
"Conner, I can't let you go in there. John Baxter is a very dangerous man, and a very desperate one right now. Besides that, you're filled with hate toward Baxter, and you goin' in there as emotional as you are toward Baxter, it would be a suicide mission."
"Bobby's right," Bum says. "So we've come up with a new plan. And we're gonna need your help."
"What kinda help?" Conner asks.
Bobby walks over to him. "We have a job for you, and it's not deliverin' the ransom."
Conner looks at Bobby, then at Bum and the other man, anxious to hear what their new plan was.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital....
Krystina walks into John Ross's hospital room and finds him sitting in a chair by the window. She smiles as she closes the door. "Well, it's nice to see you out of that bed, finally."
"Hey, darlin'," he says. "I just got tired of the bed, so when the nurse gave me a bath I told her I wanted to sit by the window for a while."
"Nurse gave you a bath, huh? I wonder if she was beautiful, young blonde or brunette."
"Well, I don't know, honey. For all I know she may have looked like Mama June from that dumb TV show," John Ross jokes.
Krystina walks over and kisses him on the head. "Nice to hear you crack a joke, too."
John Ross sighs. "Yeah, well, if I don't laugh right now, I'll cry."
"Has there been any improvement at all?"
"None. Everything's just as black as it ever was. I can feel the warmth of the sun on my face by this window, but I can't see the light at all."
"Oh, John Ross. I'm so sorry," Krystina says.
"Oh well, guess I'm in no real hurry to get back on my feet," John Ross says. "Especially since I don't have a comp'ny anymore."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Ol' Tom Griffith, actin' head of Westar was in here yesterday, and he informed me that, in my absence, Westar is gonna be meetin' Monday mornin' to elect a new CEO. One who can actually see how to find the buildin'."
"You've gotta be kidding me," says Krystina. "Something this terrible happens to you, and they're just gonna cut you out?"
"Can't really blame 'em, darlin'. After all, they gotta do what's best for the comp'ny. Speakin' of which, is everything okay with you and Denver-Carrington? You've been here in Dallas for a long while. I imagine that nephew of yours itn't too happy about you takin' so much time away from the comp'ny."
"Don't worry about that. L.B. is enjoying filling in for me as President of Denver-Carrington. He's been handling all the meetings and hands on stuff, and I've been communicating with him every night by conference through Skype."
"I just hate for you to be away for so long, especially on my count," says John Ross.
Krystina leans down and kisses him. "John Ross, I'm right where I wanna be. And that's here with you. And I'm gonna be here for as long as it takes."
"You really are one special lady, Krystina Carrington."
"Nah, I'm just a lady who's very much in love," she says, kissing him again.
"Hey, darlin'," he says. "I just got tired of the bed, so when the nurse gave me a bath I told her I wanted to sit by the window for a while."
"Nurse gave you a bath, huh? I wonder if she was beautiful, young blonde or brunette."
"Well, I don't know, honey. For all I know she may have looked like Mama June from that dumb TV show," John Ross jokes.
Krystina walks over and kisses him on the head. "Nice to hear you crack a joke, too."
John Ross sighs. "Yeah, well, if I don't laugh right now, I'll cry."
"Has there been any improvement at all?"
"None. Everything's just as black as it ever was. I can feel the warmth of the sun on my face by this window, but I can't see the light at all."
"Oh, John Ross. I'm so sorry," Krystina says.
"Oh well, guess I'm in no real hurry to get back on my feet," John Ross says. "Especially since I don't have a comp'ny anymore."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Ol' Tom Griffith, actin' head of Westar was in here yesterday, and he informed me that, in my absence, Westar is gonna be meetin' Monday mornin' to elect a new CEO. One who can actually see how to find the buildin'."
"You've gotta be kidding me," says Krystina. "Something this terrible happens to you, and they're just gonna cut you out?"
"Can't really blame 'em, darlin'. After all, they gotta do what's best for the comp'ny. Speakin' of which, is everything okay with you and Denver-Carrington? You've been here in Dallas for a long while. I imagine that nephew of yours itn't too happy about you takin' so much time away from the comp'ny."
"Don't worry about that. L.B. is enjoying filling in for me as President of Denver-Carrington. He's been handling all the meetings and hands on stuff, and I've been communicating with him every night by conference through Skype."
"I just hate for you to be away for so long, especially on my count," says John Ross.
Krystina leans down and kisses him. "John Ross, I'm right where I wanna be. And that's here with you. And I'm gonna be here for as long as it takes."
"You really are one special lady, Krystina Carrington."
"Nah, I'm just a lady who's very much in love," she says, kissing him again.
Back at Southfork....
Bobby, Christopher, Lucas, Conner, Bum, and Jim McKinney are gathered in the den at Southfork when the front doorbell rings.
"That must be him," says Conner. He walks into the foyer and opens the door to find Dylan Baxter there. "Dylan, come in. Thanks for coming."
"It sounded urgent," Dylan says, walking into the house. "But I'm real surprised you asked me to come here."
"It is urgent," Conner says as Bobby and the others walk into the foyer.
"Hey, what's going on here?" Asks a nervous Dylan.
"Dylan, I know we've never met," Bobby says. "But I'm Bobby Ewing."
"I know who you are. Conner, dude, what's going on? Why am I here?"
"It's about John Baxter. He's kidnapped a member of this family," replies Conner.
"He did what?"
"John Baxter has kidnapped my nephew, Justin Ewing," says Bobby. "He's demanding ten million dollars ransom, and that Conner deliver the ransom."
"But we know that if Conner delivers that money to Baxter, he's walking right into a trap," Christopher says.
"That's where you come in, son," Bobby says. "We figured that if anybody could get through to Baxter and get him to release Justin.....it's you."
"Why should I help you?" Dylan asks.
"Because we're brothers," Conner says. "You may have been raised as a Baxter, but you've got Ewing blood flowing in your veins. And now a Ewing is in trouble, and he needs your help."
"That must be him," says Conner. He walks into the foyer and opens the door to find Dylan Baxter there. "Dylan, come in. Thanks for coming."
"It sounded urgent," Dylan says, walking into the house. "But I'm real surprised you asked me to come here."
"It is urgent," Conner says as Bobby and the others walk into the foyer.
"Hey, what's going on here?" Asks a nervous Dylan.
"Dylan, I know we've never met," Bobby says. "But I'm Bobby Ewing."
"I know who you are. Conner, dude, what's going on? Why am I here?"
"It's about John Baxter. He's kidnapped a member of this family," replies Conner.
"He did what?"
"John Baxter has kidnapped my nephew, Justin Ewing," says Bobby. "He's demanding ten million dollars ransom, and that Conner deliver the ransom."
"But we know that if Conner delivers that money to Baxter, he's walking right into a trap," Christopher says.
"That's where you come in, son," Bobby says. "We figured that if anybody could get through to Baxter and get him to release Justin.....it's you."
"Why should I help you?" Dylan asks.
"Because we're brothers," Conner says. "You may have been raised as a Baxter, but you've got Ewing blood flowing in your veins. And now a Ewing is in trouble, and he needs your help."
Dylan looks at Conner, then at Bobby and the others. He nods.
Baxter's hideout
An increasingly nervous John Baxter paces around the great room of the cabin where he is holding Justin. He looks at Justin's cell phone laying on a table. Still no call from Bobby Ewing. John picks up his gun beside the phone and walks to the window. Pulling the curtain back a little, he looks out. Then he begins pacing again. John is startled when Justin's cell phone rings. He rushes over and picks the phone up. When he sees it's Bobby calling, he quickly answers.
"Well, Ewing, I was about to give up on you. Got my money?"
"Well, Ewing, I was about to give up on you. Got my money?"
Southfork....
"Yes, Baxter, I have the money," replies Bobby. "Ten million dollars, just as you asked."
"Good," John says. "Have Jack Ewing's boy deliver the money to a place called Lake Wildwood, about 30 minutes north of downtown Dallas. There's a big log house at the end of a long driveway. It sits by a lake. On the way you pass a big lodge. With a good GPS, you'll be able to find it. I expect you to bring Conner here with that money in exactly one hour. The two of you come alone. You park halfway down the driveway, and as soon as I see him walking toward the cabin with the money, I'll let your nephew go."
"Answer me one question, Baxter," says Bobby.
"What question is that?"
"When you get this money and you let Justin go, what about Conner? You let him go, too?"
"Not right away."
"That's the only deal I'm offering you, John. You get ten million dollars to get as far away from Dallas as you want, but you let both those boys go."
"Bobby, you're in no position to make ultimatums right now. Not if you wanna see J.R.'s boy alive and well again. Look, here's a deal for you.......I get that money, and Conner Ewing in exchange for your nephew. I need some insurance that'll get me safely away from Dallas. I already have transportation to my new destination taken care of. All I need is a hostage to get me to the plane a friend of mine will have waiting for me at a private airstrip. Once I'm there, Conner Ewing can go. Deal?"
"And why the hell should I trust you?"
"Because you don't have any choice," John says. "You want your nephew back, and I want my freedom, and that ten million. And Bobby......one more thing. If I see ANY cops, anywhere on the place.....I'll kill both Justin AND Conner, considering I'd have nothin' to lose anyway. Understand."
"Yeah."
"I wanna hear you say it, Bobby. Do you understand?"
Bobby hesitates for a moment, the anger rising up inside of him at this man who was causing his family so much pain. "I understand."
"Good. One hour from right now, Bobby."
"Good," John says. "Have Jack Ewing's boy deliver the money to a place called Lake Wildwood, about 30 minutes north of downtown Dallas. There's a big log house at the end of a long driveway. It sits by a lake. On the way you pass a big lodge. With a good GPS, you'll be able to find it. I expect you to bring Conner here with that money in exactly one hour. The two of you come alone. You park halfway down the driveway, and as soon as I see him walking toward the cabin with the money, I'll let your nephew go."
"Answer me one question, Baxter," says Bobby.
"What question is that?"
"When you get this money and you let Justin go, what about Conner? You let him go, too?"
"Not right away."
"That's the only deal I'm offering you, John. You get ten million dollars to get as far away from Dallas as you want, but you let both those boys go."
"Bobby, you're in no position to make ultimatums right now. Not if you wanna see J.R.'s boy alive and well again. Look, here's a deal for you.......I get that money, and Conner Ewing in exchange for your nephew. I need some insurance that'll get me safely away from Dallas. I already have transportation to my new destination taken care of. All I need is a hostage to get me to the plane a friend of mine will have waiting for me at a private airstrip. Once I'm there, Conner Ewing can go. Deal?"
"And why the hell should I trust you?"
"Because you don't have any choice," John says. "You want your nephew back, and I want my freedom, and that ten million. And Bobby......one more thing. If I see ANY cops, anywhere on the place.....I'll kill both Justin AND Conner, considering I'd have nothin' to lose anyway. Understand."
"Yeah."
"I wanna hear you say it, Bobby. Do you understand?"
Bobby hesitates for a moment, the anger rising up inside of him at this man who was causing his family so much pain. "I understand."
"Good. One hour from right now, Bobby."
Without saying another word, John hangs up. Bobby puts his phone down and looks at Conner and Dylan. "He's got Justin at a place called Lake Wildwood. He wants the money in one hour."
"Lake Wildwood," Dylan says. "I know where that's at. My grandfather use to have a cabin up there. I remember goin' there once when I was little with my Dad and my brother and my cousin Jay."
"Can you get us there?" Conner asks.
"Yeah, I can."
"Then we'd better get goin'," Bobby says. "I'll tell Bum and Jim." Bobby walks past the two young men and leaves the room.
Conner looks at Dylan. "Thanks for doin' this. But if anybody can get through to Baxter, it's you, Dylan."
"I hope you're right," says Dylan. "And I hope I can get through to him without anybody getting hurt. Especially you......and my Dad."
"Lake Wildwood," Dylan says. "I know where that's at. My grandfather use to have a cabin up there. I remember goin' there once when I was little with my Dad and my brother and my cousin Jay."
"Can you get us there?" Conner asks.
"Yeah, I can."
"Then we'd better get goin'," Bobby says. "I'll tell Bum and Jim." Bobby walks past the two young men and leaves the room.
Conner looks at Dylan. "Thanks for doin' this. But if anybody can get through to Baxter, it's you, Dylan."
"I hope you're right," says Dylan. "And I hope I can get through to him without anybody getting hurt. Especially you......and my Dad."
Southfork......later
"Sue Ellen, thank you for coming," Ann says, ushering Sue Ellen into the living room at Southfork.
"Ann, WHAT is going on?" Sue Ellen asks. "From your call I could tell something was terribly wrong."
"Sue Ellen......there is somethin' wrong," Ann says as the woman take seats on one of the sofas in the living room. "It's about Justin."
"Justin? What about him?"
"What I'm about to tell you, not many people know. Outside the family, only Bum and a friend of Bobby's who use to be on the Dallas police department know. Sue Ellen......Justin has been kidnapped by John Baxter."
"Baxter? Oh good Lord. Ann, what about the police?"
"Ann, WHAT is going on?" Sue Ellen asks. "From your call I could tell something was terribly wrong."
"Sue Ellen......there is somethin' wrong," Ann says as the woman take seats on one of the sofas in the living room. "It's about Justin."
"Justin? What about him?"
"What I'm about to tell you, not many people know. Outside the family, only Bum and a friend of Bobby's who use to be on the Dallas police department know. Sue Ellen......Justin has been kidnapped by John Baxter."
"Baxter? Oh good Lord. Ann, what about the police?"
"The police aren't involved yet," Ann says.
"The police aren't involved?"
"Baxter told Bobby not to involve the police, or he'd kill Justin."
"So what is Bobby gonna do?" Sue Ellen asks.
"He's already doin' it. Baxter asked for ten million dollars in ransom, so Bobby got the money. And he and Christopher, Lucas, Bum, Conner, Bobby's friend from the police, and Dylan Baxter are headed up to where Baxter has Justin to deliver the ransom. And hopefully, Dylan can convince Baxter to turn himself in."
"This sounds so incredibly dangerous," says Sue Ellen. "I mean, they should at least have police backup. OFFICIAL police backup."
"Same thing I said to Bobby. But he was afraid of what Baxter might do if the police got involved, and....." Ann stops talking when Amanda walks into the room. She and Sue Ellen look at the young woman, then stand.
"You don't have to stop talking just because I walked in," Amanda says. "I already know what's going on."
Ann walks over to her. "Amanda, are you alright?"
"I'm terrified," Amanda says in tears. "I'm SO terrified."
The doorbell rings before Ann can say anymore. "Now who in the world can that be? Listen, you two. No one else knows about what's goin' on. Whoever that is, we can't let on that anything's wrong."
Sue Ellen and Amanda both nod in agreement. Maria comes to the door. "Mrs. Ewing," she says. "Miss Cryder is here with a Mr. Jay Smithfield,"
Jay and Jillian walk in. "Hello, Ann. Sue Ellen," Jillian says.
"Thank you, Maria," Ann says to the maid. "That'll be all for now."
The maid smiles and walks out.
"What brings you two over?" Ann asks.
"We know about what's going on," Jay says.
"How?"
"Amanda told me last night," replies Jillian. "And I told Jay this morning."
"Well, I guess the whole world is gonna be in on this soon," Ann says in frustration.
"Justin is my brother, Ann," says Jillian. "Don't you think I have a right to know that he's in trouble?"
"The police aren't involved?"
"Baxter told Bobby not to involve the police, or he'd kill Justin."
"So what is Bobby gonna do?" Sue Ellen asks.
"He's already doin' it. Baxter asked for ten million dollars in ransom, so Bobby got the money. And he and Christopher, Lucas, Bum, Conner, Bobby's friend from the police, and Dylan Baxter are headed up to where Baxter has Justin to deliver the ransom. And hopefully, Dylan can convince Baxter to turn himself in."
"This sounds so incredibly dangerous," says Sue Ellen. "I mean, they should at least have police backup. OFFICIAL police backup."
"Same thing I said to Bobby. But he was afraid of what Baxter might do if the police got involved, and....." Ann stops talking when Amanda walks into the room. She and Sue Ellen look at the young woman, then stand.
"You don't have to stop talking just because I walked in," Amanda says. "I already know what's going on."
Ann walks over to her. "Amanda, are you alright?"
"I'm terrified," Amanda says in tears. "I'm SO terrified."
The doorbell rings before Ann can say anymore. "Now who in the world can that be? Listen, you two. No one else knows about what's goin' on. Whoever that is, we can't let on that anything's wrong."
Sue Ellen and Amanda both nod in agreement. Maria comes to the door. "Mrs. Ewing," she says. "Miss Cryder is here with a Mr. Jay Smithfield,"
Jay and Jillian walk in. "Hello, Ann. Sue Ellen," Jillian says.
"Thank you, Maria," Ann says to the maid. "That'll be all for now."
The maid smiles and walks out.
"What brings you two over?" Ann asks.
"We know about what's going on," Jay says.
"How?"
"Amanda told me last night," replies Jillian. "And I told Jay this morning."
"Well, I guess the whole world is gonna be in on this soon," Ann says in frustration.
"Justin is my brother, Ann," says Jillian. "Don't you think I have a right to know that he's in trouble?"
"Look, Mrs. Ewing, neither Jill nor I have said anything to anybody about this," Jay says. "I haven't even told my Aunt Linda or my cousin Todd about it."
"Alright," Ann says. "I'm sorry, it's just, the fewer people who know about this, the better."
"So what's the status?" Jay asks.
"Baxter has demanded ransom. Bobby agreed to pay it because Baxter said that, if the police were involved, he'd kill Justin. Baxter also asked that Conner deliver the ransom."
"Why Conner?" Sue Ellen asks.
"Who knows? Baxter's obviously out of his mind now. He killed Jack out of revenge for an affair Jack had with his wife twenty years ago. Maybe he wanted some kind of revenge against Conner, too."
"Alright," Ann says. "I'm sorry, it's just, the fewer people who know about this, the better."
"So what's the status?" Jay asks.
"Baxter has demanded ransom. Bobby agreed to pay it because Baxter said that, if the police were involved, he'd kill Justin. Baxter also asked that Conner deliver the ransom."
"Why Conner?" Sue Ellen asks.
"Who knows? Baxter's obviously out of his mind now. He killed Jack out of revenge for an affair Jack had with his wife twenty years ago. Maybe he wanted some kind of revenge against Conner, too."
"I can't believe that this is my Uncle John we're talking about here," Jay says. "The same Uncle John who use to take me and my cousin Todd hunting and fishing when we were kids. The same Uncle who taught me how to shoot a bow when my own father was too busy. What the hell happened to him?"
"Hate can change people," Sue Ellen says. "Especially if that hate has been bottled up inside of them for a long time."
"Bobby and Christopher, Lucas, Conner, two friends of Bobby's, and Dylan Baxter are on their way up to some lake where Baxter is hiding out with Justin," Ann says.
"Dylan?" Jay asks. "My cousin Dylan is involved in this?"
"They felt that Dylan was probably the only person Baxter might listen to. Bobby knew Todd probably wouldn't help. He hates the Ewings almost as much as his father does."
Jillian puts her arms around Jay and the two embrace.
"Bobby and Christopher, Lucas, Conner, two friends of Bobby's, and Dylan Baxter are on their way up to some lake where Baxter is hiding out with Justin," Ann says.
"Dylan?" Jay asks. "My cousin Dylan is involved in this?"
"They felt that Dylan was probably the only person Baxter might listen to. Bobby knew Todd probably wouldn't help. He hates the Ewings almost as much as his father does."
Jillian puts her arms around Jay and the two embrace.
Baxter's hideout at Lake Wildwood....
Justin sits on a small cot in the basement of the cabin, his head bowed, wondering if he would ever again see the light of day. Having gotten no sleep at all the previous night, exhaustion was quickly overtaking Justin, as he could feel his eyes getting heavier. But he knew he had to force himself to stay asleep. He was in the clutches of a madman and he feared that if he did close his eyes in sleep, he might not wake up again. Suddenly, Justin is started when he hears the cellar door unlock, then open. John stands at the top of the stairs.
"Come on up here," John says.
Standing to his feet, Justin makes his way up the stairs and into the great room of the cabin, as John holds the gun on him. "You're in luck. Your Uncle Bobby came through. He and Conner are on their way up here right now with the ten million bucks."
"Conner?" Justin asks. "Why Conner?"
"Part of our little trade. You.....for Conner and ten million bucks."
"But why? What are you gonna do to him?"
John smiles. "Nothing, if everything goes according to plan and your uncle doesn't do anything stupid. I just need a hostage to make sure I get safely to an airplane that's gonna take me far away from Dallas.....and the cops. You were the insurance I needed to make sure I get that money. Once I do, then you're free to go. Conner will take a little trip with me, in your car, to the plane. Then, once I'm safely aboard, I'll let him go."
"Come on up here," John says.
Standing to his feet, Justin makes his way up the stairs and into the great room of the cabin, as John holds the gun on him. "You're in luck. Your Uncle Bobby came through. He and Conner are on their way up here right now with the ten million bucks."
"Conner?" Justin asks. "Why Conner?"
"Part of our little trade. You.....for Conner and ten million bucks."
"But why? What are you gonna do to him?"
John smiles. "Nothing, if everything goes according to plan and your uncle doesn't do anything stupid. I just need a hostage to make sure I get safely to an airplane that's gonna take me far away from Dallas.....and the cops. You were the insurance I needed to make sure I get that money. Once I do, then you're free to go. Conner will take a little trip with me, in your car, to the plane. Then, once I'm safely aboard, I'll let him go."
Justin looks at John, wondering if he's lying about letting him and Conner go.
Southfork....
Back at the ranch, the Ewing women and Jay continue to wait anxiously for news from Bobby. Unable to sit still, Amanda gets up from her seat on one of the sofas and paces around the room for a moment. Then, restless, she walks out of the living room. Worried about her, Jillian gets up from her seat and follows Amanda through the foyer and into the den. Pausing in the doorway for a moment, Jillian watches Amanda as she continues to pace, then walks over to the window and looks out. Jillian walks into the room.
"You see my new necklace?" Amanda asks, showing Jillian the piece of jewelry around her neck. "Has my initial on it. A for Amanda."
"It's very beautiful," says Jillian.
"Justin gave it to me. Yesterday morning when he picked me up from the hospital. And I never even told him 'thank you.'"
"Justin's gonna be okay," Jillian says. "Bobby has the money Baxter wants. Everything'll be alright."
"I'm not so sure," Amanda says. She turns and walks over to the sofa, where she takes a seat. "I was so mean to him," she says as she starts to cry.
"What do you mean?" Jillian asks, taking a seat across from her.
"Justin. I've been so mean to him lately. Since the miscarriage. He only wanted to help me. To love me. To be there for me, and I pushed him away. I said mean things to him, but he still stayed around. He even bought a house for the two of us. Justin deserves so much better than me."
"You see my new necklace?" Amanda asks, showing Jillian the piece of jewelry around her neck. "Has my initial on it. A for Amanda."
"It's very beautiful," says Jillian.
"Justin gave it to me. Yesterday morning when he picked me up from the hospital. And I never even told him 'thank you.'"
"Justin's gonna be okay," Jillian says. "Bobby has the money Baxter wants. Everything'll be alright."
"I'm not so sure," Amanda says. She turns and walks over to the sofa, where she takes a seat. "I was so mean to him," she says as she starts to cry.
"What do you mean?" Jillian asks, taking a seat across from her.
"Justin. I've been so mean to him lately. Since the miscarriage. He only wanted to help me. To love me. To be there for me, and I pushed him away. I said mean things to him, but he still stayed around. He even bought a house for the two of us. Justin deserves so much better than me."
"Justin loves you," says Jillian. "That's one thing I'm absolutely sure of. When you were in the hospital, you should've seen how worried he was. He never left until he was about to collapse from exhaustion."
"I love him so much, Jill. I was hurting so much when I lost my baby, that, I couldn't feel anything except...... emptiness."
"Justin knows that, sweety. He knows, and he always understood."
"Justin is SO different from John Ross," Amanda says. "Like night and day. John Ross is so cold, so ruthless. Justin is the sweetest, kindest, most gentle man I've ever known. And for the first time since my Mom died when I was sixteen, someone made me feel loved. Made me feel special. Even the way they make love is so different. With John Ross, once it was over, that was it. He wanted to roll over and go to sleep. Justin.......with him, we'd cuddle for hours, sometimes just laying there not saying a word. Just enjoying being in each others' arms. If anything happens to him, Jill......."
"Hey, don't say that," Jillian says, reaching over and taking Amanda's hand. "Don't even think it."
Meanwhile, the front doorbell rings. Maria walks into the foyer and opens the door to find Derrick the Sheriff there.
"Sheriff, come in," Maria says.
"Thank you," Derrick walks into the house and Maria closes the door.
In the living room, Ann fixes a drink for Jay and hands it to him as Maria walks in with Derrick. "Mrs. Ewing, the Sheriff is here."
"Well, Derrick this is a surprise," Ann says nervously. "What brings you over on a Saturday afternoon?"
"I was hoping to have a word with Bobby," Derrick says.
"Bobby's not here."
"Oh?"
"No, he, uh, he and Christopher and Lucas are out," Ann says. "Sort of a mens' outing."
"I love him so much, Jill. I was hurting so much when I lost my baby, that, I couldn't feel anything except...... emptiness."
"Justin knows that, sweety. He knows, and he always understood."
"Justin is SO different from John Ross," Amanda says. "Like night and day. John Ross is so cold, so ruthless. Justin is the sweetest, kindest, most gentle man I've ever known. And for the first time since my Mom died when I was sixteen, someone made me feel loved. Made me feel special. Even the way they make love is so different. With John Ross, once it was over, that was it. He wanted to roll over and go to sleep. Justin.......with him, we'd cuddle for hours, sometimes just laying there not saying a word. Just enjoying being in each others' arms. If anything happens to him, Jill......."
"Hey, don't say that," Jillian says, reaching over and taking Amanda's hand. "Don't even think it."
Meanwhile, the front doorbell rings. Maria walks into the foyer and opens the door to find Derrick the Sheriff there.
"Sheriff, come in," Maria says.
"Thank you," Derrick walks into the house and Maria closes the door.
In the living room, Ann fixes a drink for Jay and hands it to him as Maria walks in with Derrick. "Mrs. Ewing, the Sheriff is here."
"Well, Derrick this is a surprise," Ann says nervously. "What brings you over on a Saturday afternoon?"
"I was hoping to have a word with Bobby," Derrick says.
"Bobby's not here."
"Oh?"
"No, he, uh, he and Christopher and Lucas are out," Ann says. "Sort of a mens' outing."
"Miz Ewing, what's REALLY goin' on here?" Derrick asks.
"Why, what do you mean, Sheriff?"
"I think you know exactly what I mean. Did Justin Ewing join your husband and his sons on their outing?"
"No."
"Justin never came back to Southfork yesterday, did he?" Derrick asks. "My man I had stationed outside the front gate here last night says Justin never came home. Now what's going on, Miz Ewing? Where are Bobby and the other men?""
"Sheriff, are you asking in an official capacity?" Jay asks,
"As a matter of fact, I am. I had a feeling something was wrong yesterday when Bobby told me Justin had phoned him. I just can't believe all this is a coincidence. John Baxter is seen in the immediate vicinity of Southfork yesterday morning. Justin Ewing disappears, and now Bobby and the other men in your family are supposedly out on some outing while the rest of you sit here acting as if you're waiting for something. Now as Sheriff, I'm asking you to tell me just what the heck is going on. If you're all hiding something, you could be committing a crime, especially if it has to do with John Baxter and Justin disappearing."
"We have to tell him," Jay says.
"Why, what do you mean, Sheriff?"
"I think you know exactly what I mean. Did Justin Ewing join your husband and his sons on their outing?"
"No."
"Justin never came back to Southfork yesterday, did he?" Derrick asks. "My man I had stationed outside the front gate here last night says Justin never came home. Now what's going on, Miz Ewing? Where are Bobby and the other men?""
"Sheriff, are you asking in an official capacity?" Jay asks,
"As a matter of fact, I am. I had a feeling something was wrong yesterday when Bobby told me Justin had phoned him. I just can't believe all this is a coincidence. John Baxter is seen in the immediate vicinity of Southfork yesterday morning. Justin Ewing disappears, and now Bobby and the other men in your family are supposedly out on some outing while the rest of you sit here acting as if you're waiting for something. Now as Sheriff, I'm asking you to tell me just what the heck is going on. If you're all hiding something, you could be committing a crime, especially if it has to do with John Baxter and Justin disappearing."
"We have to tell him," Jay says.
Ann looks at Jay, then looks at Derrick, an expression of worry on her face, feeling trapped.
Lake Wildwood....
Bobby drives his car up the long driveway toward the cabin at Lake Wildwood where John Baxter is holding Justin hostage. In addition to Bobby, inside the car are Christopher, Lucas, Conner, and Dylan. Driving slowly behind Bobby are Bum and Jim McKinney, riding in Bum's pickup. Bobby brings his car to a stop halfway up the drive.
"Okay, here we are," Bobby says. "Dylan, how far up the drive is this cabin?"
"Not far. We're about halfway there now," Dylan replies.
"Alright, you boys know what to do?"
"Yeah. We go up there, and Dylan tries to talk Baxter into letting us all go and turning himself in," says Conner.
"Alright, you boys know what to do?"
"Yeah. We go up there, and Dylan tries to talk Baxter into letting us all go and turning himself in," says Conner.
"You two be careful," Bobby says. "In Baxter's state of mind, there's no tellin' what he might do. Bum and Jim will be watching from as close as they can."
"At the first sign of trouble, you pull back," says Christopher.
"He won't hurt me," Dylan says. "And he won't hurt Conner as long as I'm with him."
"Dylan, you don't know that," Lucas says. "The man's desperate."
"He's also my Dad. The man who raised me."
"Come on," says Conner. "We might as well get this over with."
"Here," Christopher says, handing Conner the briefcase filled with money.
As soon as Bum and Jim McKinney see Conner and Dylan get out of Bobby's car, they get out of Bum's truck and walk over.
"Be careful," Bum says. "Jim and I'll be following, but we're gonna cut through the woods."
"And we're gonna have our guns trained on Baxter as soon as he comes out," Jim says.
"At the first sign of trouble, you pull back," says Christopher.
"He won't hurt me," Dylan says. "And he won't hurt Conner as long as I'm with him."
"Dylan, you don't know that," Lucas says. "The man's desperate."
"He's also my Dad. The man who raised me."
"Come on," says Conner. "We might as well get this over with."
"Here," Christopher says, handing Conner the briefcase filled with money.
As soon as Bum and Jim McKinney see Conner and Dylan get out of Bobby's car, they get out of Bum's truck and walk over.
"Be careful," Bum says. "Jim and I'll be following, but we're gonna cut through the woods."
"And we're gonna have our guns trained on Baxter as soon as he comes out," Jim says.
"Now wait a minute," Dylan says. "The only reason I agreed to do this was because I don't want my Dad getting hurt."
"And we're certainly gonna try to make sure that doesn't happen, son," Jim says. "But just remember, the man in that cabin is not the same man you once knew as your father. What he is now is an escaped killer who's holding an innocent hostage. And the life of that hostage, as well as yours and Conner's lives, take precedent over John Baxter's."
"Come on," Bum says. "It's been right at an hour since Baxter said to be here, so we'd better get this show on the road. Bobby, you and your boys stay here and sit tight until you hear from us."
"We will," Bobby says. "Bum, you and Jim just take care of those boys."
"You got it," Bum says. He and Jim quickly head into the woods, as Conner takes the briefcase of money, and he and Dylan begin walking the distance up the trail toward the cabin.
"We will," Bobby says. "Bum, you and Jim just take care of those boys."
"You got it," Bum says. He and Jim quickly head into the woods, as Conner takes the briefcase of money, and he and Dylan begin walking the distance up the trail toward the cabin.
Meanwhile, inside the cabin, John looks at his watch, then turns and looks at Justin. "Well, it's about that time," he says. about that time," he says. John walks to the window and looks out toward the driveway. After a moment, he spots Conner. John smiles and turns back to Justin. "Well, it appears your family does give a damn about you after all. Come on, let's go."
Justin stands to his feet and walks over to the door.
John takes the gun and holds it to Justin's back as he marches him out the door and onto the front porch of the cabin. John smiles, but then, once outside, he sees that Conner isn't alone as he walks toward the cabin - Dylan is with him!
"Dad," Dylan calls to him.
"Dylan, what the HELL are you doing here?" John demands to know. "Conner was supposed to come alone, I told Bobby Ewing that he if tried anything funny...."
"Dad, no," says Dylan. "It my idea to come. Mine. Dad, I had to see you."
"Justin, are you okay?" Conner asks.
"Dad, no," says Dylan. "It my idea to come. Mine. Dad, I had to see you."
"Justin, are you okay?" Conner asks.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Justin replies. "Just ready to get out of here."
"Dylan, go away," John says, holding the gun at Justin's back. "This is no place for you. You don't belong here, son."
"And neither do you, Dad. Neither does Justin."
"That briefcase. Is that my money?" John asks.
"Dylan, go away," John says, holding the gun at Justin's back. "This is no place for you. You don't belong here, son."
"And neither do you, Dad. Neither does Justin."
"That briefcase. Is that my money?" John asks.
"Yeah," replies Conner. "The money's all here."
"Open it. I wanna see it."
Slowly, Conner places the brief case on the ground and opens it to reveal the ten million dollars in mostly large bills. John smiles at the sight of the money he believes will get him safely out of the country.
"Alright, now here's what we're gonna do," John says. "Conner, you start walkin' toward me, then I'll let Justin go. And then Justin and Dylan will leave."
"Dad, look, let them go," Dylan says. "If you want a hostage, I'll go with you. I'll stay with you. Just let Justin and Conner go."
"No, son. I'm not gonna take a chance of you getting hurt. Conner's coming with me."
"Dad, no. Please. I'll go with you. I want to. But you have to let Conner and Justin leave."
"I can't do that, son," John says. "If I do, then they win."
"Who? Who wins, Dad? The Ewings?"
"Yeah. They win. Just like......like always."
"No, Dad," Dylan says, moving closer to the cabin and to John. "They didn't win."
"Yes they did. The Ewings have been nothing but heartache for me from right after I married your mother," John says. "It all started with J.R. That son of a bitch set me up with a woman to cheat on your mother, and then he blackmailed me with that. Threatened to tell your mother and your grandpa Harv that I had been unfaithful to my new bride. For years I lived in fear that he'd come back, wanting another favor, constantly holding that over my head. All those years I worked at Smithfield and Bennett I saw what was going on. I saw all the dirty dealings J.R. and the Ewings were involved in. But I had to keep my mouth shut and stay out of the way. And then, ANOTHER Ewing........" John stops talking as tears begin falling down his bearded face. "And then, ANOTHER damned Ewing seduced your mother. When I found out that you were Jack Ewing's son instead of mine, all I could think of was 'yep, the Ewings did it to me again.' Took from me AGAIN. And then, J.R.'s boy, John Ross....he did the same thing to your brother as what J.R. did to me. Blackmailed him into doing his bidding. Only difference was, it almost cost Todd his life. I knew I had lost you, and I almost lost Todd. Jack Ewing had to die. You understand that, don't you, Dylan? Don't you understand that I had to get rid of him. Before he found out that he was your father and tried to take you away from me?"
"No, Dad," replies Dylan, slowly moving closer to John. "I don't understand that at all. I understand that you killed a man."
"I killed a EWING," John says angrily with gritted teeth. "And now, isn't it ironic. Here, I have the sons of the two men who brought so much pain into my life. Standing right here in front if me, I have J.R.'s boy. And there.......Jack's boy. What should I do about this? Huh? J.R.'s dead. Jack's dead. So I can't hurt them. But what about their sons? Remember that old saying that the sins of the fathers shall be visited upon their sons?"
"Open it. I wanna see it."
Slowly, Conner places the brief case on the ground and opens it to reveal the ten million dollars in mostly large bills. John smiles at the sight of the money he believes will get him safely out of the country.
"Alright, now here's what we're gonna do," John says. "Conner, you start walkin' toward me, then I'll let Justin go. And then Justin and Dylan will leave."
"Dad, look, let them go," Dylan says. "If you want a hostage, I'll go with you. I'll stay with you. Just let Justin and Conner go."
"No, son. I'm not gonna take a chance of you getting hurt. Conner's coming with me."
"Dad, no. Please. I'll go with you. I want to. But you have to let Conner and Justin leave."
"I can't do that, son," John says. "If I do, then they win."
"Who? Who wins, Dad? The Ewings?"
"Yeah. They win. Just like......like always."
"No, Dad," Dylan says, moving closer to the cabin and to John. "They didn't win."
"Yes they did. The Ewings have been nothing but heartache for me from right after I married your mother," John says. "It all started with J.R. That son of a bitch set me up with a woman to cheat on your mother, and then he blackmailed me with that. Threatened to tell your mother and your grandpa Harv that I had been unfaithful to my new bride. For years I lived in fear that he'd come back, wanting another favor, constantly holding that over my head. All those years I worked at Smithfield and Bennett I saw what was going on. I saw all the dirty dealings J.R. and the Ewings were involved in. But I had to keep my mouth shut and stay out of the way. And then, ANOTHER Ewing........" John stops talking as tears begin falling down his bearded face. "And then, ANOTHER damned Ewing seduced your mother. When I found out that you were Jack Ewing's son instead of mine, all I could think of was 'yep, the Ewings did it to me again.' Took from me AGAIN. And then, J.R.'s boy, John Ross....he did the same thing to your brother as what J.R. did to me. Blackmailed him into doing his bidding. Only difference was, it almost cost Todd his life. I knew I had lost you, and I almost lost Todd. Jack Ewing had to die. You understand that, don't you, Dylan? Don't you understand that I had to get rid of him. Before he found out that he was your father and tried to take you away from me?"
"No, Dad," replies Dylan, slowly moving closer to John. "I don't understand that at all. I understand that you killed a man."
"I killed a EWING," John says angrily with gritted teeth. "And now, isn't it ironic. Here, I have the sons of the two men who brought so much pain into my life. Standing right here in front if me, I have J.R.'s boy. And there.......Jack's boy. What should I do about this? Huh? J.R.'s dead. Jack's dead. So I can't hurt them. But what about their sons? Remember that old saying that the sins of the fathers shall be visited upon their sons?"
"Then.......then if you hurt either one of them, you're gonna have to hurt me, too," Dylan says. "Because Jack Ewing was my father, same as he was Conner's."
"NO!!!" John yells, grabbing Justin by the hair and pulling his head back. "Don't you say that! Don't you EVER say that to me! I am your father. I raised you from the day you born. I loved you. Fed you. Clothed you. Took care of you for nineteen years. Where the hell was Jack Ewing all that time? Raising this little bastard." John points the gun at Conner.
Meanwhile, in the woods across the yard from the cabin, Bum and Jim sit behind two trees, their guns trained on Baxter, but he still holds Justin in front of him by the hair.
"Can you get a shot off?" Bum asks.
"No. Not while he has Bobby's nephew in front of him."
"Me either," says Bum. "And there's no way to get a good shot from anywhere else. If Justin could only move from in front of him."
"Dylan. Dylan, back off," Conner says. "He's crazy. There's no telling what he might do."
"You SHUT THE HELL UP!!" John yells at Conner. "You don't tell my son what to do!"
"Dad," Dylan says, crying. "When you said you were there for me. You were. Always. You were always a good Dad. That's what I remember. I don't wanna remember you like this. With a gun, terrorizing people who never did anything to you."
"Never did anything to me?" John asks. "Their FATHERS did somethin' to me, and that's the same thing."
Meanwhile, still waiting anxiously on the road leading to the cabin, Bobby, Christopher, and Lucas pace around nervously.
"How long's it been?" Lucas asks.
Bobby looks at his watch. "A good few minutes."
"Why hasn't Baxter let them go?" Asks Christopher.
"NO!!!" John yells, grabbing Justin by the hair and pulling his head back. "Don't you say that! Don't you EVER say that to me! I am your father. I raised you from the day you born. I loved you. Fed you. Clothed you. Took care of you for nineteen years. Where the hell was Jack Ewing all that time? Raising this little bastard." John points the gun at Conner.
Meanwhile, in the woods across the yard from the cabin, Bum and Jim sit behind two trees, their guns trained on Baxter, but he still holds Justin in front of him by the hair.
"Can you get a shot off?" Bum asks.
"No. Not while he has Bobby's nephew in front of him."
"Me either," says Bum. "And there's no way to get a good shot from anywhere else. If Justin could only move from in front of him."
"Dylan. Dylan, back off," Conner says. "He's crazy. There's no telling what he might do."
"You SHUT THE HELL UP!!" John yells at Conner. "You don't tell my son what to do!"
"Dad," Dylan says, crying. "When you said you were there for me. You were. Always. You were always a good Dad. That's what I remember. I don't wanna remember you like this. With a gun, terrorizing people who never did anything to you."
"Never did anything to me?" John asks. "Their FATHERS did somethin' to me, and that's the same thing."
Meanwhile, still waiting anxiously on the road leading to the cabin, Bobby, Christopher, and Lucas pace around nervously.
"How long's it been?" Lucas asks.
Bobby looks at his watch. "A good few minutes."
"Why hasn't Baxter let them go?" Asks Christopher.
"I dunno," replies Bobby. "Just sit tight for now, that's all we can do."
At that moment, two police cars arrive.
"Dad, the cops," Christopher says as the two patrol cars come to a stop behind Bobby's car.
"Oh my God," says Bobby.
Derrick and two other men get out of one of the patrol cars. Bobby rushes over to them.
"Derrick, what the HELL are you doing here?"
"Bobby, you should've told me what was going on," says an angry Derrick.
"I couldn't. Baxter said he'd kill Justin if there was any police involvement. I wasn't about to take a chance like that with my nephew's life."
"We gotta move in," says one of the men.
"No," Bobby says.
"Look, if you go charging up there, you're gonna be responsible for the deaths of who knows how many people," Christopher says.
"Look, we have a plan. Dylan Baxter is up there with Conner, trying to talk Baxter into letting Justin go. Dylan is Baxter's son, or the boy he thought was his son. If anybody can get through to him, it's Dylan."
"I'm the Sheriff in this county. It's MY call," says one of the men in a thick Texas drawl.
"Look, Sheriff, don't do this," Bobby pleads. "Do you wanna be responsible for the deaths of my nephew, those other two boys, and possibly some of your men?"
At that moment, two police cars arrive.
"Dad, the cops," Christopher says as the two patrol cars come to a stop behind Bobby's car.
"Oh my God," says Bobby.
Derrick and two other men get out of one of the patrol cars. Bobby rushes over to them.
"Derrick, what the HELL are you doing here?"
"Bobby, you should've told me what was going on," says an angry Derrick.
"I couldn't. Baxter said he'd kill Justin if there was any police involvement. I wasn't about to take a chance like that with my nephew's life."
"We gotta move in," says one of the men.
"No," Bobby says.
"Look, if you go charging up there, you're gonna be responsible for the deaths of who knows how many people," Christopher says.
"Look, we have a plan. Dylan Baxter is up there with Conner, trying to talk Baxter into letting Justin go. Dylan is Baxter's son, or the boy he thought was his son. If anybody can get through to him, it's Dylan."
"I'm the Sheriff in this county. It's MY call," says one of the men in a thick Texas drawl.
"Look, Sheriff, don't do this," Bobby pleads. "Do you wanna be responsible for the deaths of my nephew, those other two boys, and possibly some of your men?"
"Ewing, if you'd let the police handle this in the first place....."
"Just give them a few more minutes, that's all I ask!"
The other Sheriff looks at Derrick, who nods to him. Then he looks at Bobby again. "Aight. Five minutes. Then we go in, and if anything goes wrong, it's on YOU."
"Thank you," Bobby says, breathing a sigh of relief as he silently prays that Dylan can talk Baxter down before anyone gets hurt.....or worse.
Back at the cabin, meanwhile, Dylan continues to move closer to the front porch, where John continues holding Justin by the hair. "Dad, come on," Dylan says. "Just let them go, and I'll come with you. We'll get on that plane and go far away from here."
"No," John says with sadness. "No, Dylan. You're only saying that so I'll let them go. These two......EWINGS. But no. I've got the money now. Maybe you should all come with me. How about it, guys? We can start our own little community somewhere. A place where I'm in charge. Me. And not a Ewing. Or maybe I should just get rid of one of them now. The world would be a better place with one less Ewing in it. Or two."
"Just give them a few more minutes, that's all I ask!"
The other Sheriff looks at Derrick, who nods to him. Then he looks at Bobby again. "Aight. Five minutes. Then we go in, and if anything goes wrong, it's on YOU."
"Thank you," Bobby says, breathing a sigh of relief as he silently prays that Dylan can talk Baxter down before anyone gets hurt.....or worse.
Back at the cabin, meanwhile, Dylan continues to move closer to the front porch, where John continues holding Justin by the hair. "Dad, come on," Dylan says. "Just let them go, and I'll come with you. We'll get on that plane and go far away from here."
"No," John says with sadness. "No, Dylan. You're only saying that so I'll let them go. These two......EWINGS. But no. I've got the money now. Maybe you should all come with me. How about it, guys? We can start our own little community somewhere. A place where I'm in charge. Me. And not a Ewing. Or maybe I should just get rid of one of them now. The world would be a better place with one less Ewing in it. Or two."
"You know what you are, Baxter?" Justin asks in tears from the pain caused by John pulling the back of his hair. "You're nothin' but a freakin' COWARD!! Hidin' behind that gun. If you didn't have that gun right now....."
"You'd what?" John asks, pulling Justin's hair harder. "You'd WHAT, Ewing?"
"He's right," says Conner. "You're just a coward. You lured my father to Dallas so you could kill him over something that happened twenty years ago. But what about your wife, Baxter? Don't you think she was as much to blame for that affair as my father was? Or how about yourself? Maybe you weren't adequate enough in the bedroom and that's why your wife had to look elsewhere."
"YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!!" John yells pointing the gun at Conner.
Suddenly, mustering all his strength, Justin manages to pull slightly away from John and elbows him as hard as he can in the ribs. As John lets go of him, Justin leaps off the porch, grabs Dylan, and they fall to the ground. As John raises the gun at Conner, Bum sees his chance and fires a shot, hitting John in the left shoulder. John staggers backward, but is still able to raise the gun again and fire a shot, which hits Conner in the abdomen.
"NOOOOOO!!!!!!" Dylan screams. Dylan tries to get up to run toward John, but Justin grabs him and pulls him down. Jim McKinney then fires another shot, hitting John again, causing him to drop the gun and fall to his knees.
Meanwhile, back up the wooded driveway, Bobby and the others hear the shots. The police quickly get into their vehicles and move in, speeding the short distance up the driveway to the cabin. Bobby, Christopher, and Lucas get into Bobby's car and follow. Once they reach the cabin, they see that Bum and Jim have moved in, that John has been subdued, and that Conner is wounded. Bobby gets out of his car and runs to Conner, who lays on his back in the front yard.
Recovering from the shock of what has just happened, Justin and Dylan look up and see that Conner is wounded. Crying, Dylan gets to his feet and walks over to Conner, who is conscious but bleeding badly from a wound in his left side. Dylan and Bobby kneel beside him.
"Conner, just lay still, son," Bobby says. "Don't move. You're gonna be okay."
"Bobby, an ambulance is on it's way," Derrick says.
His eyes filled with tears, Dylan looks down at his new found half-brother, wounded and bleeding, then looks up at John Baxter, the man he had always known as his father, a man he once loved and looked up to, as the Sheriff handcuffs him and pulls him to his feet, forcing him to sit in a chair on the porch. John, bleeding from a wound in each shoulder, looks up at the boy.
"Dylan! I'm sorry, son!" John yells to him. "But, this wasn't my fault. It was the Ewings. They're to blame. This is all their fault."
"Quiet, Baxter," the Sheriff orders.
Justin walks over and also kneels beside Conner. In agonizing pain and barely able to move, Conner
"You'd what?" John asks, pulling Justin's hair harder. "You'd WHAT, Ewing?"
"He's right," says Conner. "You're just a coward. You lured my father to Dallas so you could kill him over something that happened twenty years ago. But what about your wife, Baxter? Don't you think she was as much to blame for that affair as my father was? Or how about yourself? Maybe you weren't adequate enough in the bedroom and that's why your wife had to look elsewhere."
"YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!!" John yells pointing the gun at Conner.
Suddenly, mustering all his strength, Justin manages to pull slightly away from John and elbows him as hard as he can in the ribs. As John lets go of him, Justin leaps off the porch, grabs Dylan, and they fall to the ground. As John raises the gun at Conner, Bum sees his chance and fires a shot, hitting John in the left shoulder. John staggers backward, but is still able to raise the gun again and fire a shot, which hits Conner in the abdomen.
"NOOOOOO!!!!!!" Dylan screams. Dylan tries to get up to run toward John, but Justin grabs him and pulls him down. Jim McKinney then fires another shot, hitting John again, causing him to drop the gun and fall to his knees.
Meanwhile, back up the wooded driveway, Bobby and the others hear the shots. The police quickly get into their vehicles and move in, speeding the short distance up the driveway to the cabin. Bobby, Christopher, and Lucas get into Bobby's car and follow. Once they reach the cabin, they see that Bum and Jim have moved in, that John has been subdued, and that Conner is wounded. Bobby gets out of his car and runs to Conner, who lays on his back in the front yard.
Recovering from the shock of what has just happened, Justin and Dylan look up and see that Conner is wounded. Crying, Dylan gets to his feet and walks over to Conner, who is conscious but bleeding badly from a wound in his left side. Dylan and Bobby kneel beside him.
"Conner, just lay still, son," Bobby says. "Don't move. You're gonna be okay."
"Bobby, an ambulance is on it's way," Derrick says.
His eyes filled with tears, Dylan looks down at his new found half-brother, wounded and bleeding, then looks up at John Baxter, the man he had always known as his father, a man he once loved and looked up to, as the Sheriff handcuffs him and pulls him to his feet, forcing him to sit in a chair on the porch. John, bleeding from a wound in each shoulder, looks up at the boy.
"Dylan! I'm sorry, son!" John yells to him. "But, this wasn't my fault. It was the Ewings. They're to blame. This is all their fault."
"Quiet, Baxter," the Sheriff orders.
Justin walks over and also kneels beside Conner. In agonizing pain and barely able to move, Conner
opens his eyes and looks up at Dylan, who takes him by the hand. Through his pain, Conner manages a smile as he looks up at Dylan. "I.....I'm glad I found you," he says, very weakly. "I always....
wanted.......a brother........" Without saying another word, the smile fades from Conner's face and his eyes slowly close.
wanted.......a brother........" Without saying another word, the smile fades from Conner's face and his eyes slowly close.
As Dylan looks at Conner and cries, Bobby puts his arm around the boy to comfort him while Christopher, Lucas, Justin, Bum, and Jim look on....