Previously On DALLAS:
---------------Afton was plagued by horrible nightmares about her stalker.
---------------John Ross called Jeremy Lord in San Francisco, and Lord informed him that Katherine was in town meeting with the Ewings' enemy, Richard Channing.
---------------Brad continued to be plagued by curiosity that Cliff could be his father.
---------------Ann paid a visit to a less than friendly Sharon Smith, who told her she didn't know where Mark was. After Ann left, Sharon called Mark, who later showed up at his mother's home in Gilmer.
---------------Afton's pianist Jesse Matthews became the prime suspect in her stalking case.
---------------One of the detectives investigating Afton's stalker turned out to be Bum's son. Steven Jones, Jr.
---------------After drinking some tea, Afton began to feel strangely. She found another gift box outside her door, and upon opening it, she was horrified to find that the box contained black snakes!
Cliff and Afton's apartment.......evening
"Afton," he calls to her as he kneels beside her. "Afton?" Cliff gently touches her face and she begins to wake up. "Hey, Afton, come on."
She opens her eyes. Terrified when she sees the open box in front of her, Afton screams.
"Hey, hey, come on," says Cliff. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"Snakes......Cliff, the snakes!" Afton says, pointing at the box.
"What?" Cliff stands and walks over to the open box.
"Cliff, be careful....there were snakes!"
Looking down at the box, Cliff sees three rubber snakes . "Uh, Afton, are these the snakes you're talking about?" He asks, picking one of the rubber snakes up.
"No. Cliff, these were live snakes. They were coming out of the box."
"Afton, honey, calm down. These are the only snakes here. What happened to you? Did this box arrive while I was at Pamela's?"
"Yes. It was sitting in the hallway."
"I don't know, Cliff, I haven't seen any guard."
"Are you okay? You don't look well at all."
"I'm frightened out of my wits, and I feel dizzy."
"Okay, come on. I'm taking you to the hospital."
"Cliff, I don't need to go to the hospital," Afton says.
"Yes, you do," says Cliff. "You were out cold when I came in here, now come on. I'm taking you to the hospital and I'm not taking no for an answer. Let's go."
Afton sighs. "Cliff, what's wrong with me? I know those snakes were alive. Am I losing my mind?"
"No, Afton, you're not. Now let's go. And when we get to the hospital I'm calling the cops."
Reluctantly, Afton grabs her jacket from the coat rack near the door and leaves with Cliff.
Dallas Police Department....
"I thought you went home," Scott says.
"Nah. I was going to, but I had some paper work I needed to finish up," Steven says.
"Hey, Steve, you okay?" Scott asks. "You haven't been yourself since early this afternoon."
"Yeah. What about it?"
"When I was in the restaurant, as I was leaving, I saw someone I haven't seen in a long time. It kinda threw me."
"Hmmmm.......an old girlfriend?" Scott asks.
"No. I saw my father."
"Your father? I take it you and your old man aren't close."
"That's putting it very mildly," Steven says.
"You never talk much about your family," says Scott. "What's the story with you and your old man?"
Steven sighs. "I'd really rather not talk about it, Scott."
"You sure? Might help to get it off your chest. It's obvious that seeing him has upset you."
Before Steven can say anymore, the phone rings. Scott walks over to his desk and picks the phone up to answer.
"Detective Scott Miller," he says. "Yeah." Scott is silent for a moment as he listens to the person on the other end of the line. "Okay, we'll be right there." He hangs up the phone. "Well, looks like we're gonna get a little overtime."
"Why, what's up?"
"That was about Afton Cooper. She received another gift tonight, and it upset her so much that she's at Texas Health Presbyterian getting checked out. Come on, let's get over there and ask some questions."
"Let's go," Steven says, standing to his feet. "I need a distraction tonight."
Brad Stone's apartment....
"Chase, come in," Brad says.
Chase walks into the apartment carrying a folder. Brad closes the door behind him. "Well, here is the information you asked me to compile on Cliff Barnes," Chase says. He hands Brad the folder.
"I see he had political ambitions, as well," says Brad.
"Yep. Barnes ran for the state senate back in 1978, but, his campaign was derailed when news came out about something that happened in Barnes's past. A girlfriend of his from when he was in law school, a girl named Jennie Ames, got pregnant, and had an abortion, which was illegal at the time. The girl died from complications of the abortion, and when this came out, his campaign for the senate came to a screeching halt."
"So how'd the story come out?" Brad asks. "I would think Barnes would've done everything he could to keep something like that hidden."
"To answer your question about how the story came out.......J.R. Ewing."
"J.R. Ewing?"
"Barnes had previously served as legal counsel for the senate ethics committee investigating Ewing Oil. So naturally the Ewings wanted to do everything they could to keep Barnes OUT of the state legislature."
"So J.R. Ewing ruined Barnes's political career," Brad says. "No wonder Barnes hated the Ewings so much. Chase, thanks, I really appreciate this a lot."
"No problem, Brad. Anything else I can do for you?"
"Nothing I can think of at the moment, but if there is, I'll give you a call."
"Well, I'll be seeing you," Chase says.
"Night, Chase," Brad says as Chase leaves. Brad closes the door behind him, then looks at the folder he holds in his hand. He walks over and takes a seat on his sofa. Opening the folder, he begins to read over the details of Cliff's life.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital....
"Miss Cooper," Detective Scott Miller says, walking in. "How do you feel?"
"How the hell do you think she feels?" Asks an angry Cliff. "She's scared to death after what happened tonight."
"Can you tell us what happened, Miss Cooper?" Detective Jones asks.
"Yes," Afton replies with a sigh. "I was at home alone, and I had just gotten comfortable to relax and watch an old movie on TV. And then the doorbell rang. I got up to answer it, and no one was there, but a box was sitting in the hall in front of the door."
"And this box, you picked it up?" Scott Miller asks.
"Yes. I picked it up and took into the apartment. Then I opened it, and........" Afton begins crying.
"Afton, it's okay," Cliff says, putting his arms around her.
"And what happened when you opened the box, Miss Cooper?" Miller asks.
"There were........there were these snakes. Black snakes. They came crawling out at me. I felt really dizzy and weird, and I........I must have passed out then."
"Yes," cries Afton.
"Mr. Barnes, when you arrived home and found Miss Cooper unconscious, did you see any snakes?"
"No, I didn't," answers Cliff. "All I saw were three black RUBBER snakes."
"Those snakes were ALIVE when I saw them," says an upset Afton. "They crawled out of that box."
"It's alright, Miss Cooper," says Detective Scott Miller. "We have some officers at your apartment as we speak, going over the place with a fine tooth comb."
"Miss Cooper, you said you feeling dizzy and strange just before you passed out?" Detective Steven Jones asks.
"Yes. Lightheaded. And my vision was blurry, like my eyes wouldn't focus, but I know that I did NOT imagine those snakes."
"Did you take any medication before?" Jones asks.
"No," replies Afton.
"Did you have anything to eat or to drink?" Miller asks.
"Yes, I had some tea," Afton says.
"Ice tea? Herbal tea?" Jones asks.
"Ice tea. Jan Pierce, a girl who works for me at my lounge, brought it over to me."
"A few months," Afton replies. "She came to work for me last November."
"This tea she brought you, Miss Cooper," says Scott Miller. "You said after you drank it, you felt lightheaded, and your vision became blurred?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Did you drink all of the tea?" Steven asks.
"No. Only a couple glass fulls."
"We need to have that tea analyzed," Scott says.
"What? Why?" Afton asks. "You can't think the tea was spiked, can you?"
"It's possible," replies Scott. "We need to make sure. We'd also like to ask Jan Pierce a few questions."
Cliff and Afton exchange worried looks, and Afton sighs deeply, not wanting to believe that her trusted employee Jan could have anything to do with what happened to her.
Southfork.....the next morning
"Good mornin', fam'ly," John Ross says as he takes his usual seat at the table.
"Good mornin'," Ann says.
"You're sure in a good mood this morning," says Lucy.
John Ross looks at his cousin and smiles. "I've got every reason to be. My beautiful wife is comin' home today."
"Well, that IS good news," Christopher says.
"John Ross are you coming into the office today?" Bobby asks.
"I'll be there. Krystina itn't due in until this afternoon."
"Good. I think the three of us and Sue Ellen need to have a meeting to discuss finding a new tanker comp'ny to ship our crude since Ted Griffin turned out to be so unreliable."
"Yeah, thanks to Katherine Wentworth," Christopher says.
"If you guys need any help, I'll do whatever I can," Lucas says.
"What the heck can YOU do?" John Ross asks. "Unless you know somebody that owns a shippin' comp'ny."
"John Ross, that's enough," Bobby says. "Thank you, Lucas."
"Well, I have to get going," Lucas says, standing from his seat. "I'm picking Michael up and taking him to school this morning."
"Well, you really are just becomin' a regular daddy to that kid, aren't you?" Asks a smug John Ross.
Cliff and Afton's apartment....
Cliff comes in from the kitchen. He pauses a moment as he watches Afton, then walks over to her. "Hey," he says. "I've got breakfast ready. Did you get any sleep?"
"A little. The sleeping pills the doctor at the hospital gave me helped some."
"Good," Cliff says as the doorbell rings. "I'll get that. Why don't you go on in the kitchen and get some breakfast?"
"I'm really not hungry, Cliff."
"I know, but ya gotta eat," Cliff says, walking to the door. He opens the door to find Pamela and Tripp.
Pamela rushes past her father and into the apartment. "Mom, are you okay?" She asks.
"Honey, I'm fine."
"What exactly happened?" Tripp asks.
"What?" Asks Pamela, disturbed at the news. "Mom, are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes, honey, I am. Really. You don't have to worry about me."
"That's easier said than done, especially with this going on."
"Did you call the police?" Tripp asks.
"Of course I did," says Cliff. "And once again, they said there isn't much they can do without physical evidence, but, hopefully, they'll have that evidence soon."
"Why, what do you mean?" Pamela asks.
"The cops have a suspect," Cliff replies.
"Really? Who?"
"That little blonde girl who works at your mother's club."
"That's it," says Cliff. "Jan........Uhh.......Jan Pierce."
"What makes the police suspect her?"
Afton looks at Cliff, then at her daughter. Afton sighs. "Jan brought me over some tea last night, that she had made. And....."
"And after your mother drank some of it, she started to feel ill and then fainted," Cliff says, interrupting Afton.
"Oh my God," Pamela says.
"And you got checked out at the hospital, right?" Tripp asks.
"Yes, I did."
"The cops took that tea Jan brought over to analyze it for any type of poison or anything," Cliff says.
"I mean, what would be her motive?" Tripp asks.
"Isn't it obvious?" Cliff asks. "Whenever Afton is unable to be at the club to perform, Jan is the one who goes on in her place."
"So, you think Jan wants Mom out of the way, so she can grab the spotlight?" Pamela asks.
"Yes, I do," Cliff replies.
Afton looks at Cliff and shakes her head in doubt, but deep down inside, Afton has to admit that Cliff may be right about Jan, and that sweet girl may not be all that she appears to be.
Dallas Police Department....
"Thank you," Jan says, a puzzled expression on her face.
"Have a seat, Miss Pierce," Steven Jones says.
"I really can't imagine what this is all about," Jan says as she takes a seat.
"We just need to ask you a few questions," Scott says, taking a seat across from her.
"About what?"
"About Afton Cooper," replies Steven.
"Miss Pierce, you work for Afton Cooper at Afton's Lounge, right?" Scott asks.
"Yes, I do. I'm her assistant. And also her backup if for some reason she's ever unable to perform."
"How long have you worked for Ms. Cooper?"
"Since November."
"Do you like your job at the club?" Steven asks.
"I love it. Afton and everyone else have been really nice to me. Look, what's this all about?"
"You're aware that for the past several weeks Afton Cooper has been receiving some rather strange gifts and notes, as well as phone calls, from a so called secret admirer," Steven says.
"Of course. But what does that have to do with me? Unless.......wait a minute. You can't possibly think I had something to do with that."
"We just need to ask you a few questions, that's all," says Steven. "Just routine."
"Last evening, did you pay Ms. Cooper a visit at her apartment?" Scott asks.
"Yes, I did," says Jan. "I knew Afton had been upset, so I wanted to see if she was alright."
"Did you bring Ms. Cooper anything?" Steven asks.
"Yeah, I brought her over some tea that I made. Herbal tea."
"Miss Pierce, you said that Afton Cooper has been really nice to you," Steven says. "So how do you feel about her? She's been a good boss to you?"
"Afton has been amazing, and there's no way that I would EVER do anything to hurt her," Jan says adamantly. "But if you're looking for a suspect, I suggest you take a look at Jesse Matthews."
"Jesse Matthews? Ms. Cooper's pianist at the club?" Scott asks.
"Yes. I happen to know that Jesse has a major crush on Afton, and the guy's just plain creepy."
"Creepy.....in what way?" Scott asks.
"It's hard to explain. You just have to know the guy. If I were a betting woman, I'd bet my life on Jesse Matthews being behind all these crazy gifts Afton's been getting."
Scott and Steven exchange looks between them.
A doctor's office in Dallas....
"I'm just fine, Dr. Stewart."
"So, now. What can I do for you?"
Emma lets out a deep breath. "I need a pregnancy test."
"So you've been having symptoms? Missed period?" Dr. Stewart asks.
"Yes. I took a home pregnancy test a couple days ago, and it was positive."
"I see. So now you just wanna be sure?"
"That's right," replies Emma. "I'd also like to know how far along I am."
Dr. Stewart smiles. "Well, alright. Let's get some tests done, and you can have your answers very soon."
"Dr. Stewart, this is really important to me. I'd like those results as soon as possible."
"No problem, Emma. I'll put a rush on it."
"Thank you so much, Dr. Stewart," Emma says nervously, anxious to find out how far advanced her pregnancy is.
A horse ranch in Dallas....
"Well hey there," she says.
"Hey there yourself," Lucas says, greeting her with a kiss.
"What brings you all the way out here?" Heather asks.
"I would love that, and I'm absolutely starving right now."
"Can you take your break?"
"Yeah, I can."
"Great. And, do you think you could take the rest of the day off? We could have lunch, then maybe go back to your apartment for an hour or so, and then pick Michael up from school together."
"Come on, why not?"
"Because I have to work for a livin'. I don't have the luxury of all that Ewing money to do as I please."
"Y'know, you don't have to work at a place like this," Lucas says.
"Oh? And what are my alternatives? You take care of me and pay my way?"
"I could, you know."
The smile disappears from Heather's face as she looks at him. "Thanks, Lucas, but NO thanks."
"Heather, look, I didn't mean that in a bad way. Heather, you're the mother of my son. All these years you've been raising Michael and taking care of him pretty much all by yourself, with very little help from that Bo guy and no help from me. But I would've helped if I had known about Michael. I just want a chance to make up for the last seven years."
"Lucas, I appreciate the offer. I do. But, I have always made my own way in the world, and I'll continue to do so."
"But workin' your ass off at a place like this?" Lucas asks.
"I like my job, Lucas. I love the horses, I love workin' outside, and I love workin' hard. Maybe you should try it sometime, rich boy. I remember you use to love a hard day's work, too."
"I still do. I just.......it bothers me to see you slaving away like this when I could easily help you and Michael."
"Lucas, I don't want your money."
"And what about me, Heather?" Lucas asks. "Do you want me?"
"I think you know the answer to that. Yes, I want you. I want you in my life, and I want you in Michael's life."
"But you don't want my financial help."
"Lucas, there's somethin' you and I need to get straight," Heather says. "I really care for you. In fact, I'm fallin' in love with you all over again. You've been just great since we been seein' each other. And you have been awesome with Michael."
"Why do I get this sinking feeling there's a 'but' coming up in there?" Lucas asks.
"There is, but not in a bad way. Lucas, I never had anyone else to rely on but myself. I want us to have a future together. But for now, I'm gonna continue to make my own way, for me, and for Michael."
Lucas looks at her for a moment. "Okay, fair enough. But Heather, just know that, if you ever do need anything......"
"I'll ask," Heather says, kissing him. "In fact, I do have somethin' to ask of you right now."
"Just name it."
"Are you gonna buy me lunch, or what?"
Lucas smiles. "Anything your heart desires."
"Great. Let me go and tell my foreman, and I'll be back." Heather kisses him again, then turns and walks off toward the barn as Lucas watches her.
Dallas Police Department....
"Well how do you feel about Mexican?" Steven asks.
"Mexican?" Scott asks. "Come on, we live in Texas. We eat Mexican food all the time. I'd like something a little different."
"Chinese, then?"
"I like Chinese."
"Great," Steven says. "There's this great little Chinese place I know of over on Brooktree." He is interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone. "Hold on a second, man," he says, taking the phone from his belt clip and looking at it. He quickly answers. "Hello? This is Steven Jones." He listens for a moment to a voice
"Who was that?" Scott asks. "Was it about the Afton Cooper case?"
"No, it wasn't. Look, Scott, I'm gonna have to take a raincheck on lunch. I have to go. I have an errand to run."
"I can wait."
"No, you go on ahead. I'll be back in a little while."
"Hey, Steve, are you okay, man?" Scott asks.
Steven looks at his partner for a second before answering. "Yeah. I'm fine. I'll see you in a little while." Without saying another word, he turns and walks out, leaving Scott concerned about his partner.
Southfork....
"Well, darlin', how's it feel to be home?" John Ross asks his wife as he takes her bags out of the car.
"I miss my family already, but I'm happy to be home, with my handsome husband. I missed Southfork, too."
John Ross smiles, kisses her, then takes her by the hand as they make their way toward the house, him carrying her suitcase in his other hand.
"Krystina, welcome home," Ann says, greeting her niece-in-law with a hug.
"Thanks, Ann, it's good to be back."
"How's your nephew?" Ann asks.
"Oh Lord, I'm sorry to hear that," says Ann. "Is it permanent?"
"The doctor doesn't know yet. Hopefully once the swelling around his spine goes down, the paralysis will lift."
"Well I certainly hope so."
"Come on, darlin'," John Ross says. "Let's get you upstairs and settled."
"And I can't wait to see Little John. Ann, I'll talk to you later."
"Okay, sweety. Good to have ya back." Ann gives Krystina a slight hug, then Krystina and John Ross had up the stairs.
"Emma," Ann says with a smile as she greets her daughter with a hug.
"Hi, Mom," Emma says.
"I just thought I'd surprise you," Emma says.
"Well, I hope you're home to stay."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mom. But I'm only here for a visit, and then.......I'm going back to San Francisco to be with Kevin."
The smile disappears from Ann's face. "Emma, I really wish that you'd reconsider. This is your home, and Kevin Channing is....."
"Is what, Mom? All wrong for me? At least he hasn't hurt me the way Lucas did."
"Emma, you know how Bobby and the rest of this fam'ly feels about the Channings. And while you were gone, somethin' happened. Bobby found out that Richard Channing may be conspirin' with Katherine Wentworth against the Ewings, and if that's true, the all hell's gonna break loose between our fam'ly and Kevin's fam'ly, and the last thing I want is for you to get caught in the middle of this."
"I'm not worried about some stupid feud between the Ewings and Kevin's father. And I really didn't come back here to be lectured or to hear you try to convince me to stay. Now, if you don't mind, I'm really tired and I'd like to get some rest."
"Alright," Ann says. "We'll talk about this later."
"As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing to talk about."
"Okay, fine, then. I've missed you and I don't wanna argue with you your first few minutes back. Come on in the house. You must be hungry."
"I could definitely eat," Emma says as Ann picks up her suitcase and the two head for the house.
Twisted Root Beer Bar and Restaurant....
"Okay, I'm here," he says to the other man.
"Thank you for coming, Steven," Bum says. "It's good to see you."
"Yeah, well, I wish I could say the same."
"Even after all these years, you're still so bitter?"
"No amount of time can take away all the pain you caused. By the way, how the hell did you get my cell number?"
"I'm an ex-cop turned private investigator," replies Bum. "It's my job to find things out."
"Just to talk," Bum replies. "After all, we haven't seen one another in seven years. I didn't even know you were back in Dallas. Imagine my surprise when I saw you come in here the other day."
"I've been back in Dallas for almost two years now."
"I also understand that you made detective. Congratulations. I'm real proud of you."
"I don't need your praise," Steven says. "Especially not at this stage of my life. I sure as hell never got it when I was a kid and actually did need it."
"Steven, I'm sorry. Son, I know I was never much of a father to you. I was never there for you or for your mother when you needed me."
"Of course not. You were always out getting drunk or running around with other women. Do you know how many nights I stood outside Mom's bedroom door listening to her cry because you were out with your slut of the week? Do you realize what it was like to be 10-years-old and see your old man come staggering home after a three day drunk and collapse on the couch because he wasn't able to make it upstairs to bed? Do you have any idea what it's like to be ashamed to invite any of your friends over to your house because you're afraid your father will be falling down drunk and embarrass you?"
"As a matter of fact, I know exactly what that's like," says Bum. "My old man was a drunk, too."
"So you decided to follow in his footsteps, huh?"
"Not intentionally, no. Steven, despite what you might think, I really loved your mother, AND you. I still love you, son. And not a day goes by that I don't think about what a failure I was as a father and a husband, and even as a cop. I'll spend the rest of my life regretting what I put you and your mother through."
Steven looks at him for a moment. "Real nice words. But totally meaningless. And totally YEARS too late."
"It doesn't have to be," Bum says. "Steven, I've cleaned up my act. I got control over my drinking, and I have a very successful career now as a private investigator."
"And that's supposed to impress me? Well, Bum, it doesn't. I have a good life now, too. And I'll be damned if there's any place in it for you. I have Mom, and she's the only parent I've ever really had, and the only parent I need now."
"You don't mean that," Bum says.
"Oh, yeah. I DO mean it. As far as I'm concerned, my father died years ago." Without another word, Steven turns and walks away.
Deeply hurt by his son's stinging rejection, Bum watches Steven as he walks out of the place. After a moment's pause, Bum takes a seat at the bar.
"Hey, Bum, what can I get for ya?" The bartender asks.
"Let me have a scotch on the rocks, Harry," Bum says.
"Comin' right up."
Bum reaches into his rear pants pocket and pulls out his wallet. Opening it, he takes out an old photo and
Stone Oil....
Ewing Oil....
"Yes sir, they are."
"And my mother?"
"Yes, she just got back from lunch."
"Please ask Christopher to step into my Uncle's office in about a minute," John Ross says. He walks over to Sue Ellen's office, where he knocks on her door.
"Come in," he hears her say.
John Ross opens his mother's door. "Mama, could I see you in Uncle Bobby's office?"
"Of course, John Ross. What's going on?"
"Just meet me in Uncle Bobby's office and I'll fill you all in at once." John Ross then walks away.
Curious, Sue Ellen gets up from her seat at her desk and follows her son out of her office and over to Bobby's. John Ross knocks on his uncle's door.
"Come in," Bobby says.
Bobby and Sue Ellen walk into the office. "Hey, Uncle Bobby," John Ross says.
"Hello, John Ross. Did you pick Krystina up at the airport?"
"I sure did. I left her at Southfork playin' with the baby."
Christopher walks into the office. "Hey, what's goin' on?" He asks. "John Ross, Courtney said you wanted to see me."
"That's right."
"So what's this all about?" Sue Ellen asks.
"Well, now that I have you all here together, I have some good news. Some REAL good news."
Bobby, Sue Ellen, and Christopher exchange looks between them.
"John Ross, what exactly do you mean?" Bobby asks.
"I had Bum do some checkin' into Katherine's background. Now, those years she was a fugitive are REAL hard to piece together, but, I happen to know that durin' at least part of that time she was on the run, Katherine was using the name Andrea, and while under that alias, she married a rich English businessman by the name of Jeremy Lord."
"Jeremy Lord?" Sue Ellen asks.
"That's right."
"You know him?" Bobby asks.
"John Ross, so you said that Katherine was married to this Jeremy Lord?" Christopher asks.
"That's right. And he is the father of that demon kid of hers, Austin."
"What?" Asks a stunned Sue Ellen.
"You're kidding," says Bobby.
John Ross smiles. "No sir, I am dead serious. Jeremy and Katherine split, and get this........Katherine pulled the exact same stunt on Lord that Elena pulled on me. She told him that his son had died at birth. But THAT is only part of the story. Katherine and Jeremy Lord had not one, but TWO sons together, the older of which is named Jonathon Lord. He now lives in San Francisco, where his father recently relocated his comp'ny from London."
"Did you find all this out while you were in San Francisco recently?" Bobby asks, standing from his seat at his desk.
"Mmmm, not exactly," John Ross says. "Just listen, there's even more juicy details to this sordid little story. Now, since Jeremy Lord has been led to believe for the past 22 years that his son was dead, then he is naturally not gonna be at all pleased with Katherine after findin' out the truth. So, all we gotta do is sit back and let him take her down."
"Alright, but now what about the problem of Richard Channing?" Sue Ellen asks.
"Like I said, there are more juicy details. It would seem that Richard Channing has an illegitimate half-brother. A son born to Channing's father, Douglas Channing, and an English mistress the old man had in the 1950s. And that bastard son is none other........than Jeremy Lord."
The mouths of Bobby, Sue Ellen, and Christopher all fall open in complete shock. "You have GOT to be kidding us now," Bobby says.
"Nope. I met with Lord when I was in California, and he is a man out for revenge. He hates Channing because he believes he was cheated out of his birthright because his old man left everything, including that rag of a newspaper, to Richard. Lord is bound and determined to destroy Channing and take everything away from him."
"John Ross, I don't like the sound of this," Bobby says. "This Jeremy Lord sounds like a dangerous character, and I don't think we should get involved with him."
"The man is on our side, Uncle Bobby. All the way. And what better way for us to take care of BOTH of our major enemies at once? Jeremy Lord is a man who hates both Channing and Katherine, and he has a helluva lotta power."
"And just why the hell would he do that?" John Ross asks.
"Uhh, I dunno, John Ross, maybe just for the sport of it. Come on, we don't know anything about this guy and you wanna trust him to destroy both Richard Channing and Katherine Wentworth for us? So what's in it for him? Or better yet, what's it gonna cost us?"
"Not a damned thing. Jeremy Lord is gonna cooperate with us. He has no choice."
"I don't like the sound of that," says Sue Ellen.
"Neither do I," agrees Bobby. "John Ross, from the way your talkin', I get the sinking feeling that you have something on this Jeremy Lord and you're blackmailing him into being on our side. And if that's the case, then just forget it. I won't deal with a man like that, ESPECIALLY not using blackmail to get him to do our bidding."
The anger rises inside of John Ross. "Well, now how the hell do you like this? I find us a way to take down both of the people who pose the greatest threat to us right now, and I get treated like this."
Bobby sighs. "John Ross, from the way you described the animosity between Lord and Katherine and Channing, it sounds like there's gonna be all out war amongst those three, and I won't have this family or Ewing Oil caught up in the middle of that. We WILL take down both Katherine AND Channing, but we'll do it our way."
An angry John Ross bites his lower lip as he shakes his head. Then, without saying another word to his family, he walks out of Bobby's office, leaving Bobby worried that his rogue nephew might try to do something on his own.
Cliff's apartment....
"Mr. Barnes," Brad says.
"Yes?"
"Not sure if you remember me, but I'm......"
"Bradley Stone, Marilee's son," Cliff says.
"That's right, and I was wondering if I could have a minute of your time."
"Well, I dunno......"
"It's important," Brad says. "I'd really appreciate it."
"Okay, fine, come in," says Cliff, stepping aside.
Brad walks into the apartment and looks around.
Cliff closes the door behind him. "You want a drink or anything?"
"No, thank you, I'm fine."
"Okay, now Mr. Stone. What can I do for you?" Cliff asks.
"Questions? Questions about what?"
"About, uhh........about you and my mother," Brad says.
"About me and Marilee? Okay, what about us?"
"I know this is gonna sound strange, Mr. Barnes. But it's something I need to know. And I'd really appreciate you being honest with me."
"You've got me real curious, young man. Just what is it you need to ask me?"
"Did you ever sleep with my mother?" Brad asks.
"Please, Mr. Barnes. I need an answer. Did you and my mother ever go to bed together?"
"If you're all that curious, then why don't you ask Marilee?"
"Because I'm asking YOU," Brad says.
"Okay, fine. You want an answer. Then your answer is YES. Your mother and I did sleep together. Ya happy now?"
"When?" Brad asks.
"I beg your pardon?"
"When did you two sleep together?"
"It was.......let me see........1984. Yep. It was 1984. I remember because it was right after my big oil strike in the Gulf. Marilee had betrayed me and she thought she could worm her way back into my good graces by offering me her body."
"1984? Was that........was that the ONLY time?"
Cliff looks at the young man for a moment. "Stone, what is it you want from me? Why are you asking me about me and your mother and whether or not Marilee and I were lovers?"
"Mr. Barnes.......was there another time besides 1984? A few years earlier?"
"Alright. Look I know this is gonna be hard for you to hear. But yes. Marilee and I did have a little tryst prior to '84. It was before your father died."
"Late 1977, early '78?"
"Yeah. I don't exactly remember the date, hell that was a long time ago. But it was when I was working as counsel for the senate ethics committee and your mother was involved with the Daughters Of The Alamo. Why is this so important to you?"
"Oh my God," Brad says. "Then it could be true."
"What are you talking about?"
Brad looks at Cliff for a moment. "You wanna know why I'm asking you about your relationship with my mother?"
"Yeah, I do."
"It's because I think there's a chance that you could be my father."
A look of complete shock and bewilderment comes over Cliff's face upon hearing Brad's revelation.