Previously on DALLAS:
--------------Afton's suspicions of Jesse continued to grow, and he, too was brought in for questioning in Jan''s death.
--------------Jay Smithfield, representing Jesse, warned Jesse not to take the law into his own hands.
--------------Krystina became more suspicious of John Ross's secretive behavior.
--------------Katherine and her new husband Richard Channing showed up in Dallas to help Austin.
--------------After receiving a strange phone call, Austin went to an old abandoned motel, where he found the murdered body of Jesse Matthews, just as the police showed up.
Dallas Police Department....afternoon
Jay and Jill's apartment......
"So do I," Jay says. "Especially when neither of us has work that we bring home over the weekend."
"How many times has THAT happened since we've been married?" Jill asks.
"I honestly think this is the first time."
"What's that?"
"It's a little late this week, but next weekend, we should take a little trip."
"A trip?" Jay asks. "Where to?"
"I dunno. We can go anywhere we want."
"Well, I have an even better idea. How about in a couple weeks we both take a week's vacation and go somewhere."
"I like that idea," Jill says.
"Anyplace in particular you wanna go?" Jay asks.
"Well, I've never been to Hawaii."
"Okay then, Hawaii it is," Jay says as his phone rings.
"Oh, don't answer it," Jill says.
"I have to. Could be important." Jay reaches over and picks the phone up and answers. "Jay Smithfield. Yeah?" Jay listens for a moment to the person on the other end of the line. "When? Yeah. Okay, thanks for calling. Bye." Jay hangs up the phone and sits up in bed, a worried look on his face.
"Honey, what is it? Bad news?"
"Yeah. One of my clients is dead."
"Oh, no, what happened?"
"He was murdered."
"What? Oh my God. Does it have anything to do with whatever case you were representing him on?"
Jay looks at her. "Yeah, I'm sure of it," he replies.
Southfork....
"Want some lemonade, guys?" She asks.
"Said he had some business in town and he'd be back soon," says Krystina, pouring her stepson a glass of lemonade. She hands it to him.
"Thanks."
She pours another glass and hands it to Shawn.
"You're welcome, Shawn. You boys have fun." Krystina smiles, then walks back to the house and joins Ann.
Shawn watches Krystina as she walks away, then turns to Alex. "Dude, your Mom is smokin' hot."
Alex laughs. "She's not my Mom. Krystina's my stepmom."
"Lucky, bro. Wish I had a stepmother who looked like her."
"I sure am glad Alex and Shawn have hit it off so well," says Ann.
"So am I. From what I understand, some of the friends Alex has been hanging around with at school were bad influences."
"Well, now that school is about to be out for summer, John Ross shouldn't have that to worry about. Maybe Alex and Shawn can spend a lot of time together here at the ranch this summer and get to be good friends."
"I hope so. Your nephew seems like a good kid," Krystina says.
"Yes he does."
"Must feel strange, your brother coming back into your life after more than twenty years."
"Strange isn't a word I would use to describe it. It's actually wonderful. I can't tell you how happy I am that Mark is back in my life and that he seems to be doin' so well now. And hopefully he can find a job soon and settle down in Dallas."
"I hope so," Krystina says. "That'd be nice for you."
Sue Ellen's car drives up at that moment and comes to a stop. She gets out of the car and walks over to the patio where Ann and Krystina are seated.
"Well, hello," Ann says.
"Hello, you two," says Sue Ellen.
"I'm surprised to see you out here on a Saturday afternoon," Krystina says. "I figured you'd be with that handsome Catlin."
"Well, we are glad you came over," Ann says. "Have some lemonade."
"Thank you," Sue Ellen says, taking a seat at the table. "Krystina, where's John Ross?"
"Business. He had some meeting or something in town. He'll be back soon."
"Business? On a lovely Saturday afternoon?"
Krystina sighs. "Well, what can I say? Your son is very dedicated to Ewing Oil."
"Yes," Sue Ellen says, a worried look coming over her face as she and Ann exchange looks, both hoping that John Ross had not reverted back to his old ways, and hoping that he really was at a business meeting.
Dallas Police Department....
"Hello, Austin," Jim says.
"Hi," the frightened young man says.
Jim takes a seat across from him. "Okay, you wanna tell me what happened?"
Austin sighs. "Someone called me. They told me they knew who killed Jan Pierce, and if I wanted to know, then for me to meet them at that old motel."
"Someone? Man or woman?"
"It sounded like a man."
"The voice, it was weird. Like, the person was trying to disguise their voice or something."
"Okay, and what did they say?"
"I already told you. They said that they knew who murdered Jan, and if I wanted to know, then I would meet them at that old motel. I should've known going there was a terrible idea. God, why did I have to be so STUPID?"
"And what happened after you got there, Austin?" Jim asks. "Did you see anyone? Hear anything?"
"What kind of noises?"
"I don't know. Like, someone was there. I heard like a bump in one of the rooms. The room I went into."
"The room where you discovered the body of Jesse Matthews?
"Yes. I went into that room, and, I looked around. Then, I heard something in the closet. I went over and opened the closet door and that's when.......that's when that guy fell out of the closet on top of me. He was bleeding all over me."
"And you didn't see anyone else at the motel?" Jim asks.
"No. Mr. Tatum, I didn't kill him. I didn't kill that guy. I didn't even know who he was. I swear to you......I didn't kill him. And I didn't kill Jan."
"Alright, Austin. I believe you. If I didn't, I wouldn't be here right now. The police have your cell phone?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, there has to be a record of that call on the phone then."
"It was an unknown number. That's what it said."
The phone company could help. Austin, try not to worry."
"That's easy for you to say. You're not the one sitting in jail with two murder charges hanging over your head."
Meanwhile....
"I wish I COULD calm down," she says. "I'm so worried about my son."
"I know," Richard says, walking over to Katherine and embracing her. At that moment, Jim Tatum walks into the room.
"Jim?" Katherine says. "How is he? How's my son?"
"Physically, Austin is fine, Katherine. Emotionally......he's really shaken up."
"Well who wouldn't be, under the circumstances?" Asks Richard.
"I'm going to do everything I can to help him."
"What was he doing there in the first place?"
"He said he received a call and the person told him he......or she........knew who Jan Pierce's real killer is, and wanted Austin to meet them at that old abandoned motel."
"This person who phoned Austin.........do you think it was the real killer?" Richard asks.
"I'd bet my life on it, Mr. Channing," Jim replies. "This has all the classic earmarks of a setup."
"But who?" Katherine asks. "Who would frame my son for two murders?"
"That's what we have to find out," says Jim.
Cliff and Afton's apartment.....evening
"Cliff, I told you, I'm not hungry," Afton says.
"Afton, come on. Ya gotta eat. You have to keep up your strength, or you're gonna get sick."
Afton sighs. "Alright, I'll try. Cliff, I'm worried about Pamela. I don't think with everything else she has going on right now that you should've sprung the news on her that she has a brother."
"Pamela will be fine. Our girl is a lot stronger than you give her credit for. And the baby is doing much better."
"I know. Right now, I'm mostly worried about those flowers she received, and that note. I cannot believe this creep who's been stalking me all these months is sending our daughter gifts now."
"Yeah, well, the police are on the case," Cliff says as the doorbell rings. "You just eat up. I'll see who that is."
He walks to the door and opens it to find Detectives Scott Miller and Steven Jones. "Well, Detectives."
"Mr. Barnes," Steven Jones says. "Is Miss Cooper at home?"
"Yeah, she is. Come in."
The two young detectives walk into the apartment. "Miss Cooper," Scott Miller says. "We went by your club first, but it was closed."
"Yes," says Afton. "I decided to close down for the weekend because of Jan's death. It just didn't seem appropriate to open so soon afterward."
"I guess you're here to ask us questions about the flowers my daughter received from this sicko stalker," Cliff says. "Or have you arrested that guy Jesse for stalking Afton?"
"What?" Asks a surprised Afton. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because, Miss Cooper," Steven says. "Jesse Matthews is dead."
"What? Jesse's dead?"
"That's right."
"What the hell happened?" Cliff asks.
"Matthews was murdered, same as Jan Pierce," replies Scott.
"Afton, you couldn't have known," Cliff says. "I mean, the guy did look guilty. So what are you cops doing to find this killer?"
"Mr. Barnes, we actually do have a suspect in custody," Scott says
"Who?" Afton asks. "Who is it?"
"Austin Wentworth," replies Steven.
"Austin Wentworth," says Cliff. "So, Katherine's crazy son was suspected of being Jan Pierce's killer, and you let him OUT of jail, and poor Jesse Matthews ends up dead, and my daughter receives a gift from this stalker."
"This still doesn't make any sense to me," says Afton. "I've never even met Katherine's son. Why would he be doing this?"
"Austin is as nutty as Katherine," Cliff says. "A kid like that doesn't need a reason to do something this crazy."
"It could be that Wentworth has some sort of fixation on you, Miss Cooper," Scott says. "Some obsession. It's fairly common."
"Is it, Cliff?" Asks Afton. "I wish I could be so sure. But somehow, I have a feeling this isn't over yet."
Dallas Police Department....
"How are you?" Jeremy asks. "I know, that was a stupid question."
"I'm scared, and confused."
"Son, what happened?"
"Someone set me up. I don't know who, and I don't why."
"I'm going to do all I can to get you out of here," Jeremy says.
"I don't even think that's possible now. My attorney, Mr. Tatum, he said he's gonna try, but, the cops arrested me for the murder of this guy, Jesse, while I was already out on bail. I'm really scared."
"I know, son. Just sit tight. I have a lot of connections," Jeremy says. "And I'll use every one of them if need be."
Southfork.....
Meanwhile....in Dallas
Southfork....
Dallas....
Southfork....
Dallas....
Southfork....
He turns to face her. "Oh, hey, darlin'. Didn't hear you come in."
"I know. So who was that on the phone?"
"Just a business associate. Nobody you know."
"I heard you say something about meeting someone tomorrow morning at 9:30?"
John Ross looks at his wife. "Yeah. A business meetin'," he says.
"I thought you had a business meeting today," Krystina says. "You're having another one tomorrow, too? You do realize this is the weekend, don't you?"
"Sweetheart, I know it's the weekend," John Ross says. "But some business is best conducted outside the hustle and bustle of the weekly workday at the office. But hey, this shouldn't take long, and when I get back tomorrow, how about you and me take Alex and Little John and go over to Six Flags for the rest of the day? Sound good?"
"Yeah, sounds good," Krystina says, trying to fake a smile.
"I love ya, darlin'," John Ross says, kissing his wife. "We'd best get some sleep. Got a big day comin' up tomorrow." He smiles, then walks away from her and into the bathroom.
"Yeah," Krystina says sadly. "Big day." In her heart, she wants to trust her husband and believe that he really has a business meeting tomorrow, but her brain keeps reminding her of John Ross's past history of cheating on his previous two wives.
Lee Park in Dallas.....the next morning
"Hello, John Ross," Jeremy says. "Thank you for coming."
"And what kinda help would that be?"
"My son, Austin. He is in jail."
"Austin in jail? For what?"
"My son is being framed for two murders."
"Framed?" John Ross asks. "I'm gonna need more details than that. What's goin' on?"
"A couple of nights ago, Austin was arrested as a suspect in the death of a young woman he was spending the night with. He was released on bail, and then yesterday, he received a call from someone offering him information on the identity of the girl's real killer, but Austin would have to meet this person at some run down, abandoned building on the outskirts of town."
"And let me guess.......it was some sort of trap and your son was dumb enough to fall for it."
"He went to meet this person, only to discover a second dead body. And then the police arrived."
John Ross lets out a laugh as he shakes his head. "Well, obviously that kid of yours inherited some of his Uncle Cliff's stupidity. So what is it you want from me?"
"Because my son was arrested for this second murder soon after getting out of jail, he's being held without bail. Since Dallas is not my territory, I have no influence here, John Ross. But you do have. I need for you to intercede on Austin's behalf and pulls some strings with a judge. Get my son out of that damned jail."
John Ross smiles. "Jeremy, even if I could, what makes you think that I WOULD help Austin Wentworth?"
"Because he's my son, and because you owe me," Jeremy says.
"He's also Katherine Wentworth's son. And I don't owe you a damned thing, Jeremy. After all, if it weren't for me, you'd still be thinkin' that son of yours died 22 years ago."
"Well, let me put it another way, John Ross. You owe me for my keeping my mouth shut about our little partnership to bring down my dear brother Richard Channing. Richard and everyone else already knows who I really am now, and about my plan to take from Richard what should have been half mine to begin with. So I have absolutely nothing to lose while you, John Ross, have everything to lose. You see, I recorded all of our conversations. All the evidence is there of your collusion with me, right down to your knowledge of my plan to sabotage Falcon Crest wine in order to make the company more vulnerable."
"You threatenin' me, Lord? Because if you're even thinkin' about threatenin', you'd best think again. Because I don't respond too kindly to threats."
"And I don't respond very kindly to people who refuse a request that I have made of them. If Richard Channing were to discover that you were involved with me, then his son Michael and Michael's wife would also discover that fact. And, if memory serves me, Elena Channing is the mother of your infant son. You
"I'm simply asking for you help, John Ross. For my son. I want Austin out of that jail, and you can pull some strings and make that happen. You help my son, I keep quiet about our little partnership, and your custody of your son remains safe."
"Even if the Channings did know about us, that duttin' mean Elena would be able to take my son."
"But would you really want to take the chance?" Jeremy asks.
"Alright. I'll help that little weasel of a son of yours. In exchange for one thing."
"And that being?"
"Any and ALL evidence of you and me workin' together."
"Done. As soon as my son walks out of that jail on bail, I'll turn any evidence of our partnership over to you."
"You best not try to double cross me, Jeremy."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Jeremy says with a smile.
"Good. Glad we understand each other." John Ross turns and walks away from the man.
The Channing mansion, Tuscany Valley, California....
"Hey, Michael, it's Josh."
"Hey man, what's up?" Michael asks.
"I've been keeping an eye on John Ross Ewing like you asked, and I have some information you might wanna know."
"Well let's hear it."
"You'll never believe who Ewing just met with in a park here in Dallas. None other than Jeremy Lord."
A look of surprise comes to Michael's face. "Lord? What the hell is John Ross doing meeting with him? And what's Lord doing in Dallas, anyway?"
"You want me to try to find out?" Josh asks.
"Yeah," Michael replies. "Yeah, you do that, Josh. I don't like the sound of this one bit, especially not since my Dad is in Dallas right now with his new wife. Find out what Lord is doing there, and what his connection to John Ross is. Get back to me ASAP."
"Will do, man. Bye."
"Michael, what's wrong?" She asks. "Who was that on the phone? Bad news?"
Michael turns and looks at her. "Could be. Very well could be. Honey, would you excuse me? I have to call my father. There's something he needs to know."
"Sure," Elena says, a worried look on her face while Michael again takes his cell phone from his pocket and dials his father's number as he walks out of the room.
A lake park in Braddock.......afternoon
"Quitter," Amanda teases her husband as he heads for the shore.
Jill hands Justin a towel and he begins to dry himself off, then takes a seat beside her. "Ya should've joined us out there. That was a lotta fun," he says.
"I know. I'm sorry I'm not very good company today."
"What's wrong, sis?" Justin asks. "Worried about Jay? How come he didn't come with us?"
"Damn, what happened?" Justin asks.
"He was murdered."
"Oh wow. Does it have anything to do with the case Jay was workin' on?"
"Jay thinks so, which scares the hell out of me. He's taking it pretty hard. This is the first time something like this is happened to him since he's been practicing law."
"Yeah, especially since this was the SECOND murder connected to this case," Jill says. "I really am worried about Jay. This whole thing it feels......too close to home. And you'll never guess who the victim in this stalking case is."
"Who?"
"Afton Cooper."
"Pamela McKay's mother?" Justin asks.
"The one and the same."
"Your husband's a smart guy, sis," Justin says. "Jay's not gonna get involved in anything that's gonna put him in danger."
"I sure hope you're right," Jill says. "I couldn't stand it if anything happened to him."
Meanwhile....
"Hey, guys, I'm gonna get out now," Amanda tells Jimmy and Katelyn.
"Come on, not giving up now, are ya?" Jimmy asks playfully.
"Yes, I'm gonna sit out for a while. You guys keep playing," Amanda says, walking toward where Justin and Jill are sitting on the shore.
"Yeah, I guess so," Jimmy says.
"You want a rematch?"
"Nah. Not as much fun without teams."
"You afraid that I'll show you up?" Katelyn asks with a smile.
"No, I'm just tired of playing, that's all."
"Jimmy, what's your problem with me?"
"What do you mean? I don't have a problem with you."
"Well you sure act like it," says Katelyn. "Jimmy, we've supposedly been 'dating' now for a couple of months, yet, we've never had sex, and it's not for lack of my trying. You just act like you're totally NOT into me at all."
"You sure that's it?" Katelyn asks. "You're not ready for a relationship with me, but........what about Amanda? What if SHE were free?"
"Come on, Jimmy. It's pretty obvious you have a thing for Amanda. I've seen the way you look at her. She's married to your best friend, Jimmy. And pretty soon, Justin's gonna figure it out, too." Katelyn turns and walks away from him, leaving Jimmy angry, but also realizing that what Katelyn said was true. An angry Katelyn walks past Amanda.
"Katie, where are you going?" Amanda asks.
"I don't wanna talk about it," the young woman snaps, as she keeps walking past.
Amanda watches her for a moment, then turns and looks at Jimmy, who is standing alone in the water, an angry look on his own face. Amanda wades into the water and makes her way over to him. "Jimmy, what's going on?" She asks. "Katie seems pretty upset. You guys have a fight?"
"What about?"
Jimmy looks at her and hesitates before answering. "Nothing you'd wanna know about," he says, leaving Amanda confused.
Cliff and Afton's apartment....late afternoon
"Mom, you couldn't have known it wasn't him," Pamela says.
"Afton, the guy sure as hell looked guilty," Cliff says.
"I know."
"But at the same time, I really can't see Austin Wentworth being behind this, either," says Tripp.
"I agree with Tripp," Pamela says. "What would be Austin's motive? He doesn't even know Mom?"
"I've met Wentworth, and the kid may be a little crazy and a little ruthless, but he sure didn't strike me as being a stalker and a cold blooded killer."
"Yeah, well, knowing what I know about Katherine, I can believe her loony son is capable of anything."
At that moment, the doorbell rings. "I'll get that," Tripp says. He stands and walks to the door and opens it. Jay Smithfield is standing in the hall. "Jay," Tripp says, surprised to see his boss's husband.
"Hello, Tripp, is Afton Cooper at home?" Jay asks.
"Yeah, she is. Come in."
"Thanks," Jay says, walking into the apartment. "Miss Cooper?"
"Yes," Afton says.
"Yeah, we know who you are," Cliff says. "You're married to John Ross's sister. What do you want here?"
"I was representing Jesse Matthews," Jay replies.
"Jesse?" Asks Afton.
"Yes, ma'am. Early today after I learned of Jesse's death, a letter in a large envelope was delivered to me by special delivery. Inside was a second letter in a sealed envelope and addressed to you. Jesse wrote the one to me yesterday, shortly before he was murdered, and he asked that, if anything were to happen to him, I was to deliver this letter to you." Jay reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a long, sealed envelope.
"Oh my God," Afton says, taking the envelope. "A letter from Jesse."
"You said he wrote a letter to you YESTERDAY?" Cliff asks.
"That's right."
"I think he DID know," Jay says.
"Aren't you gonna read it, Mom?"
Afton looks at her daughter, then at the letter she holds in her hand, with her name written on the envelope in Jesse's own handwriting. After a brief pause, she rips the envelope open, takes the letter out, and begins reading aloud: "Dear Afton, if you are reading this letter, then it means that I'm dead. There were so many things I wanted to say to you during all these months I've been working at your club, but it never seemed the right time, or the appropriate time."
"My God," Cliff says. "The kid was in love with her."
Afton continues reading: "I felt that, if I told you the truth about myself that you wouldn't believe me. At least not at first, and I didn't want to cause any problems in your life, or the lives of your family. And then, as I was on the verge of telling you, you started receiving these strange gifts from the crazy stalker. Afton, I believe I know who your stalker in. The cops are trying to pin your stalking and Jan's death on me because, having a criminal record myself, I'm an easy fallguy. But Afton, I swear to you on everything I hold dear, I am not behind this, and I will prove it by exposing the real stalker and Jan's killer, who is the same person. I just don't have proof, at least not yet. That is why I am writing this letter. Because, in case anything does happen to me for getting too close to the truth, I want you to know who I really am. And now, hopefully, you will have no reason to disbelieve my story. I was born in Stockbridge, Georgia. My mother, Joanna Pearce, worked as a nurse at the Atlanta Community Hospital Burn Center in the early and mid-1980s. And that's where she met my father. The two of them dated for quite some time." Afton stops reading for a moment
"You know her, Mom?" Pamela asks.
"That name sounds SO familiar, but I just can't place where I know it from."
"Could she be somehow connected or related to Jan Pierce?" Cliff wonders.
"I doubt it," replies Afton. "The two names are spelled differently. It seems I heard that name a long time ago, but, I honestly can't remember where."
"Read on," Tripp suggests. "Maybe the rest of Jesse's letter will jog your memory."
Afton again continues reading: "The two of them dated for quite some time, until his former wife came back into his life. My father ended his relationship with my mother and remarried his ex." Afton looks up from the letter and gasps. "Joanna Pearce. Oh my God. Now I remember where I've heard that name."
"Where?" Cliff asks.
"Joanna Pearce was a nurse who dated my brother just before he remarried Lucy."
"Mom........what are you saying?" Pamela ask.
Again, Afton begins reading from Jesse's letter. "After my father remarried his ex-wife, my mother learned that she was pregnant with me." Afton pauses as she chokes back tears. "Afton, my father's name was Dr. Mitchell Cooper. Your brother."
The mouths of Cliff, Pamela, and Tripp all fall open in shock. "What?" Asks a stunned Cliff. "Jesse Matthews was your brother Mitch's son?"
Now in tears, Afton reads on: "My father never knew my mother was pregnant because....." Again she pauses, then continues on: "Because his wife learned of the pregnancy first, and paid my mother a very large sum of money to go away and never reveal that she was carrying Mitch's child. My mother was intimidated by Mitch's wife, into taking the money and never revealing that she was pregnant. She moved to Stockbridge, where I was born, then shortly afterward, she moved to Florida. My mother married a man named Terry Matthews, who adopted me and gave me his last name. I didn't learn who my biological father was until two years ago. I began searching for Mitch Cooper, and found him. But, I saw that he was married and had two other children, and I couldn't bring myself to approach him. Then I learned that his sister was Afton Cooper, a singer I had admired since I was a young boy, never even suspecting that you were my father's sister. So, I wanted to get to know you. I created a whole history for myself, got a job with your club, and came to love you. I wanted to tell you the truth, but then, this whole nightmare began with your stalker, and the time wasn't right. But I am determined to find out who this maniac is and keep you and your family safe. I'm very sorry, Afton. I wish that I had been honest with you from the beginning, but would you have believed my story?"
"Oh, Mom," Pamela sighs, walking over to her mother.
"Jesse was my brother's son," Afton says, crying. Then, a look of anger crosses her face. "Lucy," she says angrily. "Lucy Ewing. Damn her. She kept Mitch from his son. How could she have done that?"
Ignoring Cliff's comment about his wife, Jay turns to Afton. "Miss Cooper, you need to turn that letter over to the police immediately. It all but proves that Jesse Matthews was murdered by the same person who killed Jan Pierce, and the same person responsible for stalking you."
"And that person is in jail," Cliff says. "And his name is Austin Wentworth."
Hyatt Regency Hotel......
"Well, that really was a great weekend, Dad," Catlin, Jr. says.
"Certainly was. I'm glad we could spend the time together. We don't do nearly as much together as we use to."
"Well, the company keeps us pretty busy, especially since we're in the process of moving the operation here to Dallas."
"That's still no excuse. I have to find time to spend with my family."
Catlin, Jr. smiles. "And with a certain lovely lady, also named Ewing?"
"Yes," Catlin replies as they reach his suite. "You wanna come for a drink?"
"Nah," Catlin, Jr. says. "I'm pretty wiped out. Think I'm gonna go take a nap before I have dinner."
"Okay. I'll see you later."
"Sure, Dad. Get some rest, old man, it was busy weekend."
"Hey, you're the one talking about taking a nap before dinner," Catlin jokes as he unlocks his door and his son walks away. He walks into his suite and puts a bag down. Then as he looks up, he is stunned to find his estranged wife Brittany sitting on his sofa.
A smiling Brittany stands to face him. "Hello, Catlin," she says. "It's been a long time."
"Brittany? What the HELL are you doing here?"
"Now is that any way to greet your wife after we haven't seen each other in five years?" Brittany asks.
"How did you get in here?" Catlin asks.
"Oh, I told the desk clerk that I was your wife, and I showed him proof. That, and five hundred dollars."
"Well, I'll just have to talk to the hotel manager about that. So, what ARE you doing here? Did John Ross Ewing dig you up wherever it is you've been hiding these last five years and bring you here to bust up my relationship with Sue Ellen?"
"Cut the crap," says an angry Catlin. "You know exactly who I'm talking about and what I'm talking about. If John Ross didn't bring you here, then how did you know I was in Dallas in the first place?"
"Well, darling, you are a businessman who owns a growing oil company. It wasn't that hard to find out where you are. I simply did some research, and this John Ross......Ewing.......has nothing to do with my being here."
"You must think I'm crazy to buy that load of bull. Oh, and by the way.......you haven't seen or spoken to your own son in five years and you haven't even asked me about him?"
"I know CJ is fine. But I do want to see him."
"That's up to him. I, however, do NOT want to see you, Brittany. So now that you're here, why don't we get this over. I will have new divorce papers drawn up first thing in the morning, and we can sign them."
Brittany smiles. "Not on your life, sweetheart."
"What?" Catlin asks, impatient.
Brittany walks over to him. "I really like being Mrs. Catlin Ewing, and I'm not ready to give that up."
"You and I have not lived together as husband and wife in six years," Catlin says.
"I know. But, regardless of that, I do like being Mrs. Ewing. So, my love, forget any divorce. You and I will remain married until.......as the minister who married us said........until death do us part."
An angry Catlin looks at the woman, the wife he had not seen in five years, the mother of his son, with pure disgust.
Southfork.....evening
Ann walks into the foyer at Southfork that evening to answer the ringing telephone. "Hello?" She says. "Emma, I'm glad you called. How are you? Have you told Kevin the news about the baby yet?"
San Francisco.....
"Yes, I told Kevin about the baby, and....... we're getting married."
"You're what?" Asks a shocked Ann. "Emma you're gettin' married?"
"Yes, that's right," replies Emma. "I told Kevin that I'm pregnant, he asked me to marry him, and I said yes."
Southfork....
"Emma, are you sure you know what you're doin'?" Ann asks. "Honey, you need to think long and hard about this. Marriage is a huge step. And havin' a baby together is not a good basis for a marriage."
San Francisco....
Southfork....
San Francisco....
Southfork....
San Francisco....
Southfork....
San Francisco....
Southfork....
Bobby walks over to her. "Honey, is anything wrong?" He asks. "Is Emma alright?"
"She's fine. She was just callin' to......to invite us to her weddin'."
"Her wedding?" Bobby asks. "Emma is marrying Channing's son?"
"Yes, and she wants us to be there."
"Bobby, I understand how you feel about the Channings," Ann says. "But it would mean the world to me if you would be there with me at Emma's weddin'."
"At Emma's what?" Comes Lucas's voice from behind Bobby. He and Ann turn around to find Lucas, Heather, and Michael standing in the doorway. "Ann, did I hear you right?" Lucas asks. "Emma's getting married?"
Bobby and Ann exchange looks. "Yes," Ann replies. "She just phoned to tell me, and to invite the family to the weddin'. She and Kevin Channing are gettin' married a week from Saturday."
"Well, I hope that Emma will be very happy," Lucas says, his tone sounding unconvincing. "I think I'm gonna take a walk before dinner."
"You want me to come with you?" Heather asks.
"No. You and Michael go on and get washed up for dinner. I'll be back soon." A sad look on his face, Lucas turns and walks out of the room, leaving Heather with a worried look on her face, concerned that news of Emma's impending marriage had upset Lucas so.
Southfork.....that night
"You didn't have much to say at dinner tonight," Krystina says.
"Sorry, my sweet. Just kinda tired after the day we had at the water park. Keepin' up with a toddler and an energetic teenager takes a lot out of man. Plus, I got a big day ahead tomorrow. Lot to do, and a lot on my mind."
"Anything to do with that business meeting you had this morning?" She asks.
"To an extent, yes."
"So, what kind of meeting was it?"
"Is it so wrong of me to be interested in knowing what's happening with my husband?"
"It is if you don't trust me and you think I'm doin' somethin' wrong."
John Ross stands to his feet and walks over to her. "Darlin', NOTHIN' is goin' on. And I don't like what you're implyin'."
"I'm not implying anything."
"Well, it sounds to me like you're implyin' that you think I'm cheatin' on you or somethin'. Is that is, Krystina? You think I'm sleepin' with somebody else?"
"John Ross, I don't wanna think that," Krystina says. "I don't wanna think that at all. But you're always going off to what you say is a business meeting, especially on a Sunday morning, and then you're keeping these secrets and acting strangely, what am I supposed to think?"
"Because of my history, is that it?" John Ross asks. "Because of Pamela, and Amanda? Krystina, I admit, I cheated on them. I made a huge mistake when I was married to Pamela. And my marriage to Amanda was built on nothin' but lies and deception from the start. But with you, it's different. Krystina, I love you, and I am NOT cheatin' on you. I have not done so, and I am not gonna do so. And I am NOT lyin' to you. Look, darlin', I am workin' on some stuff business wise outside of Ewing Oil. That's where I have been goin' and what I have been doin'. Now darlin', you're just gonna have to trust me. Because if you don't, or can't, then I'm afraid we're in for some rough times ahead." Without another word, John Ross turns and walks into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Krystina sighs deeply. As desperately as she wants to trust her husband, she is worried about whether or not she CAN trust John Ross, given his history and nature.
Justin and Amanda's house.....the next morning
"You talked to Katie since yesterday?" Justin asks.
"No. Have you talked to Jimmy?"
"Last night, but he didn't wanna talk about Katie, or what their fight was about. Musta been somethin' pretty serious, though, the way Katie stormed off yesterday and left the park."
"Yeah. Well, whatever it is, I'm sure they'll work it out."
"I hope so," Justin says as Jeremy knocks on the back door. "Come in, Jeremy, it's open," Justin tells him.
Jeremy pulls open the screen door and walks into the house. "Mornin'," he says.
"Mornin'," Justin greets. "Breakfast?"
"Sure. Sausage smells real good," Jeremy says, taking a seat at the table.
Justin smiles. "Well, my beautiful wife, your beautiful sister, has a real way with cookin' sausage."
"I learned from Mom. She use to tell me she was a terrible cook when she was younger, but after she married Cal, she learned how to cook, and eventually, she became the best."
"I remember Jackie use to burn stuff......a LOT," Jeremy says. "She use to burn almost everything she tried to cook. I can remember Daddy bitchin' at her for always burnin' breakfast."
"Well, you should've been around to taste her cooking later on," Amanda says. "Her lasagna was out of this world."
"Musta been nice," Jeremy says bitterly, looking at his sister. "Growing up, havin' a mama. All I had was Daddy and he was drunk most of the time, so I was usually on my own."
"I'm sorry, Jeremy," Amanda says.
"It's okay. Not your fault. Some of us just get lucky in life, and some of us never do amount to anything."
"Jeremy, what do you mean by that?" Justin asks.
"Oh, nothin'," Jeremy says. "Just that, my little sister here, she had a mama, and look at her now, married to a Ewing and livin' in this nice house. Me, I was raised by a drunk, and here I am workin' as a ranch hand for my sister's husband and livin' in a dingy apartment. But don't get me wrong, Justin, I'm real grateful to you for givin' me this job."
"Hey look, man, you've had a rough time of it," Justin says. "But Jeremy, you have amounted to somethin'. You're not a nobody, bro. You're fam'ly. And if you don't like your apartment, then we'll find ya somethin' better."
"Justin, thanks, but, nah. I don't take charity. Anyway, I just came by to give you these receipts," Jeremy says, handing Justin an envelope full of receipts. "I best get to work. Thanks for the sausage." Jeremy gets up from the table and quickly leaves.
"Well, darlin', ya know, your brother's had a pretty hard life. Knowin' your Daddy the little bit that I do, I can understand how bein' raised by Cal would make anyone bitter. Darlin', since Jeremy's been here, you two hadn't really spent any time together. Maybe ya should."
"I dunno, Justin. I've tried. But it's like Jeremy resents me or something, and that makes me uncomfortable. Not to mention the fact that he's almost impossible to hold a conversation with."
Justin laughs. "Yeah, well, he IS kinda quiet."
"Justin, I know Jeremy's my brother," Amanda says. "But, I've got this strange feeling about him. Something tells me that he's trouble."
Southfork......
"Is Lucy here?" Afton asks angrily.
"Afton, what are you doin' here?" Ann asks, coming down the stairs.
"I need to see Lucy. And I'm not leaving until I do."
"What's this about?"
"That is between ME and Lucy."
"Maria, would you please let Miss Lucy know that she has a visitor?" Ann asks the maid.
"Yes, Mrs. Ewing," Maria says, then leaves the room.
"Well," says Ann. "Why don't you go on in and have a seat? I'm sure Lucy will be with you in a moment."
Afton looks at Ann, but says nothing, then turns and walks into the den. Ann gives her an angry look, then
"What do you want, Afton?" Lucy asks.
Afton looks at her angrily. "You know, I use to think that you were at least a little different from the rest of the Ewings, but you're not. You're just as ruthless and unfeeling as the rest of your damned family. I can definitely tell you're related to J.R."
"Afton, what are you even talking about? Have you finally lost your mind?"
"What horrible thing, Afton? Would you get to the point, please?" Lucy asks.
"You kept Mitch from ever knowing about his firstborn son. Joanna Pearce. Does THAT name ring a bell, Lucy? Joanna Pearce was pregnant with Mitch's child when you married him for the second time. You paid her, and threatened her to go away and never tell Mitch about the child. You cheated my brother out of ever knowing about his firstborn son! How could you live with yourself?"
"Every day of my life, I have regretted that, Afton. EVERY day."
"Then why did you never tell him?" Afton asks. "Because you're a selfish bitch, that's why!"
"Afton....."
"Just SHUT UP and let me finish!" Afton yells. "31 years ago, you played God with my brother's life by deciding that he didn't have the right to know that he was going to be a father. And now......now Mitch will NEVER have the chance to even meet his son. And do you know why, Lucy? Because Mitch's firstborn son.......his son with Joanna Pearce........is dead."
"Dead?" Lucy gasps.
"Yes, Lucy, he's dead. He was killed day before yesterday. His name was Jesse Matthews and he worked in my club, but never revealed to me who he really was. I still wouldn't know that Jesse was Mitch's son had it not been for a letter Jesse wrote to me before he died. And because of you, I have to call my brother and tell him that the son he never even knew existed, is dead. I hope the knowledge of that haunts you for the rest of your miserable life." Afton brushes past Lucy and storms out of the house.
Once Afton is gone, Lucy begins to cry as she remembers back to a day in 1985 when she visited Mitch Cooper at the Atlanta Community Hospital Burn Center......
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FLASHBACK TO ATLANTA, 1985.......
"You know somethin'?" She asks.
"What?" Asks Mitch.
"Hello, Mitchell," the nurse says, then walks over to the couple.
"Hiii, Joanna," Mitch says. "I would like to introduce you to Lucy Ewing. Lucy, this is Joanna Pearce."
Lucy is caught off guard by the introduction of Joanna. She looks at her for a second, then manages a smile. "Hi," she says.
Joanna simply looks at Lucy and says nothing, then turns to Mitch. "Well I'll talk to you later," she says.
Joanna gives Lucy another look of disdain, then walks away from them.
"Mitch?" Lucy says. "Is, uh, that the lady you've been seeing?"
"Yes," he replies.
"She's pretty. I hope I'm not causing you any trouble being here."
"N'kay," Lucy says as she and Mitch walk away.
Lucy's mind returns to the present as she stands in the middle of the den, now in tears. Then another memory comes to her mind......
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FLASHBACK TO ATLANTA, 1985
"Hello, Mitchell, this is Joanna again. I've tried to reach you a few times. I know you're busy, but please give me a call. I need to see you, to talk to. Mitchell.......I'm pregnant. I'm carrying your baby, and I really need to talk to you about it."
A stunned look comes over Lucy's face upon hearing Joanna's news on the answering machine.
Joanna's apartment....later
"We need to talk," Lucy says.
"You and I have NOTHING to say to each other."
"I think we do. Let me in, Joanna."
Reluctant, after a second's pause, Joanna steps aside and lets Lucy into the apartment. She closes the door and turns to her rival. "Make this quick. I have a shift at the hospital."
"No, you don't," Lucy says. "Not today, not ever again."
"And just what do you mean by that?" Joanna asks.
"It means that you no longer work at the burn center with my husband."
"You.......you got me fired?"
"Not exactly. Well, yes, actually I did, but I have an even better proposition for you than slaving away the rest of your life in a burn center here in Atlanta."
Lucy reaches into her purse and pulls out a check. "This," she says. "A check for two million dollars, more money than you could ever make in a lifetime as a nurse. With this, you can go anywhere you wanted and start a new life, and still continue a career as a nurse if you wanted."
"A bribe?"
"I heard your message you left for my husband. I know about the baby."
"So you're trying to buy me off with two million dollars to what? Leave town? Not tell Mitch he has a child on the way? Give my baby to you to raise?"
"Well you were right about the first two," Lucy says. "I do want you to leave town with this money, and I don't want my husband to ever know that you're carrying his baby. But I don't, however, have any interest in raising your child myself. I just want you, AND your baby.......gone."
"You really have a lot of nerve, you know that?" Joanna asks. "What makes you think you can buy me off?"
"Because you have no other choice. You don't have a job anymore, Joanna. No future here. You see I've already won. I have Mitch. He married me, AGAIN. And you're crazy if you think I won't fight like hell, any way I have to, in order to keep him. So you have a choice. Take this money and go start over somewhere else and have your baby? Or stay here and end up with nothing. No Mitch, no job, no future."
Joanna looks at her. "You bitch. I guess everything Mitchell told me about the Ewings is true. No wonder he divorced you the first time, and honey, you won't be able to hold on to him this time, either. I give this marriage of yours a year, maybe two......"
Once again, Lucy's mind returns her to the present time. "My God," she cries. "Mitch, I'm so sorry. I kept your son from you all these years. Maybe my inability to have a child was my punishment for what I did."
A Mexican restaurant in Dallas.....later
Meanwhile....
"I got a man on it, John Ross," Bum says. "But look, I'm not tryin' to pry into your personal affairs, but as your friend, and Sue Ellen's, I feel I gotta say this. John Ross your mama has been real lonely ever since Dusty Farlow walked out of her life. Do you think it's really fair to try and mess up the happiness she seems to have found with Catlin Ewing?"
The restaurant....
He is greeted at the door by a hostess. He pauses for a moment when he sees John Ross sitting across the room. Brad looks at him with both anger and contempt, then he follows the hostess over to John Ross's table and takes a seat across from him.
"Sorry," Brad says. "I was tied up with business. As an oilman yourself, I'm sure you know how that is."
John Ross nods. "Yes. Yes, I do." "Now, do you have those papers transferrin' ownership of the rest of that field over to me?"
John Ross takes them and looks at them. "Well, everything seems to be in order," he says, taking a pen from his pocket. He signs the three pages of the contract, then slides the papers back to Brad, offering him the pen.
"I prefer to use my own," Brad says, taking his own pen from his coat pocket.
"Suit yourself," says John Ross.
After Brad finishes signing the three pages, he hands a copy to John Ross. "Done," Brad says.
"It's STONE."
"Oh, that's right, I'm sorry. You truly made the right decision. That dirty little secret of yours you been keepin' since college never has to see the light of day now."
"Well I'll let that pass, for now," John Ross says.
"No, thank you. I won't be staying for lunch," Brad says.
"Aww, darn," John Ross says. "And I was hopin' for some good comp'ny durin' lunch."
"And you, sir?" Lauren asks, turning to John Ross.
"I'll have the number four. Two beef tacos with the beef and bean burrito, and more nachos," he replies.
"Oh, excuse me," Lauren says, taking her cell phone from her pocket and laying it on the table next to John Ross's phone, which is identical. "This pen is out," she says, taking a second pen from her pocket. "So, that'll be two beef tacos, and one beef and bean burrito, with nachos?"
"Yes, ma'am," replies John Ross.
"Coming right up," Lauren says. While John Ross isn't looking, she reaches down and picks up his phone instead of her own, then exchanges a sly smile with Brad, and walks away.
"John Ross, enjoy this little victory of yours while you can," Brad says, getting up from the table. "Because eventually, somehow, I WILL get back at you for this."
"I wouldn't bet on that, Bradley. Y'know, ya might wanna consider legally changin' your last name from Stone to Barnes. Because you're nothin' but a loser, just like that new found daddy of yours."
"I hope you choke on those tacos," Brad says, then turns and walks away. As he starts to leave the restaurant, he looks back and sees Lauren, the two again exchanging looks.
Meanwhile, back at John Ross's table, another waitress approaches him. "Excuse me, sir?"
"Yes?"
"Could I get you another drink while you're waiting for your food? My name is Candy, and I'll be taking over for Lauren as your server."
"Oh? What happened to the other one?"
"She had to leave. She has another job that she was late for. This is actually my table, but I was busy and asked her to take your order for me."
"Oh, yeah, darlin', thank ya. I would like another tea."
"Sweet or unsweet?" Candy asks.
John Ross looks at her and smiles. "Sweet. Definitely sweet," he says.
A Chick-Fil-A in Dallas....
"Hi," he says.
"Hi, thanks for coming."
"So why'd you want me to meet you here?" Jimmy asks. "To talk some more about the fundraiser this Friday?"
"No," says Amanda. "I asked you to meet me here to talk about you and Katie. I've called and texted her all day, and she hasn't answered either. Jimmy, what happened between the two of you yesterday?"
"Amanda, I already told you, I don't wanna talk about it. It's over between me and Katelyn Spencer. Just accept it and move on."
"And I appreciate it. It just didn't work out."
"Jimmy, we've known each other long enough that I feel like I can talk to you about anything, and ask you anything. Even something personal."
"Yeah, we have," Jimmy says.
Amanda hesitates before continuing. "Katie and I talk. And, she was afraid that you just weren't attracted to her. I mean, she told me that the two of you had never........."
"Never what? Slept together? That's right."
"Did you just not find her attractive?" Amanda asks.
"No, that's not it. I think Katie is a very beautiful girl, and she's a lot of fun."
"Then what is it? Why didn't the two of you click?"
"Because I'm in love with someone else," Jimmy replies very quickly, hearing the words come out of his mouth before he even had time to think."
"Someone else? Who, Jimmy?" Amanda asks, both fearing his answer, and wanting to hear it.
"It's you, Amanda," Jimmy says. "It's you I'm in love with. Katie realized it, and that's why she walked away from me. I've been in love with you for months, and I'm sick of denying it to myself."
Southfork.....afternoon
"Hello?" The sultry female voice on the other end of the line says.
"Ummm, hello? Who am I speaking to, please?" Krystina asks.
"Well, who did you want to speak to?"
"I'm sorry, I must have dialed the wrong number. I thought I was calling my husband, John Ross Ewing."
Elsewhere....
"This is John Ross's phone," Lauren says. "But, I'm afraid he can't talk right now. Can I take a message?"
Southfork....
"No," Krystina says, her heart sinking with fear. "No message." She quickly ends the call and tosses her phone onto the bed. "Oh my God. John Ross, please don't let it be true. But why else would some other woman have your phone?"
Meanwhile.....Ewing Oil
"What the hell?" He asks himself. "This itn't even my phone." Then he remembers back to his lunch at the restaurant. His original waitress had put her phone down beside his. "Damn," he says. "That little waitress grabbed my phone by mistake and I got hers." He sees a Ewing Oil employee heading toward the building, returning to work from lunch. He rushes to catch her. "Hey, Sally," he calls, running up to the young woman.
"Oh, Mr. Ewing, is anything wrong?"
"Sally, can I use your cell phone?" John Ross asks.
"Sure," Sally says, taking out her phone. She unlocks the phone, then hands it to him.
"Thanks. Some waitress at lunch picked up my phone by mistake and I ended up with hers." He dials the number of his cell phone. On the fourth ring, Lauren answers.
"Hello," she says.
"Yes, you are, Mr. Ewing."
"I believe you have my phone, and I accidentally picked yours up by mistake. I was wonderin' if I could meet you right now and exchange phones."
"Well, I could just swing by your work, and grab my phone."
"I'm sorry, but, my boss really wouldn't like that. But, I only work this job part time. I'll be off work in a couple of hours, and you could come by my apartment."
"Okay, fine," John Ross says with a sigh. "What's your address?"
"1189 South Bedford Street, in Dallas," Lauren says. "4:30?"
"Yeah, fine," John Ross says, then hangs up.
Lauren ends the call and smiles. Then, before the phone locks again, she dials Brad's number. He answers on the second ring. "Mr. Stone? Lauren. Your plan worked perfectly. John Ross's wife called his phone and I waited until she called a couple times before I answered. Mrs. Ewing did not sound pleased at all to hear my voice on her husband's phone."
"And what about John Ross? Have you heard from him?" Brad asks.
"I was JUST getting to that. John Ross called right after his wife. He's coming to my house this afternoon to pick up his phone."
Stone Oil....
Elsewhere....
Stone Oil....
Elsewhere....
Stone Oil....
San Francisco....
Stone Oil....
"Hello?" She says, sounding near tears.
"Krystina, hi, this is Brad Stone. Are you okay, you sound as if you've been crying."
Southfork....
Stone Oil....
Southfork....
Krystina is silent for a moment. Then, the thought of John Ross being with another woman at this very moment, crossed her mind. "Actually, Brad," she finally says. "You're right. I could use a friend right now."
Stone Oil....
Southfork....
Stone Oil....
Calvary Hill Funeral Home, Dallas....
That afternoon at the Calvary Hill Funeral Home, Afton stands alone in a room beside a coffin containing the body of Jesse Matthews. She wipes a tear from her eye as she looks down at the young man laying in the coffin. Her brother's firstborn son.
"Jesse," she says. "I am so sorry. Sorry that I ever thought you were the one behind this whole nightmare. I only wish I had known the
As Afton stands at Jesse's casket, Pamela walks in. She pauses in the doorway for a moment and watches her mother, then walks over to Afton.
"Mom," she says.
"Pamela, what are you doing here?"
"Daddy told me this is where you were. I wanted to see if you were okay, and, to pay my respects, too. Jesse was my cousin, and I never got the chance to know him. Have you called Uncle Mitch?"
"Yes. He took the news very hard, and he's taking a flight out of Atlanta tonight."
"I can't even imagine what he must be going through, feeling," Pamela says sadly. "To find out you had a son for 30 years that you never even knew about, and that he's dead. It's been a very strange couple of weeks.
Afton sighs. "I know, sweetheart. My head is spinning from everything that's happened. I feel like I'm going to wake up and these last few months were just a bad dream."
Pamela puts her arm around her mother's shoulder. "Mom, come on. Let's go."
"First, I want to stop by and pay my respects to Jan. Her body's here, at this same funeral home."
"Okay," Pamela says.
A moment later, Afton and Pamela walk into another room, where a blonde woman stands beside a casket containing the body of Jan Pierce. "Excuse me," Afton says.
The woman turns around. "Yes?"
"Are you Jan's mother?"
"Yes, I am," the woman replies.
"I'm Afton Cooper. Jan worked for me, as my assistant. She was also a very good friend."
"As I was her," says Afton. "Mrs. Pierce, this is my daughter, Pamela McKay."
"Hello. You have my deepest sympathies."
"Thank you. Oh, I'm sorry, I'm Loretta Pierce."
"Loretta. That's a lovely name," Afton says.
"Yeah, well, my mother was a huge fan of Loretta Lynn's. In fact, she loved country music, period. My brother's name is Johnny, after Johnny Cash."
"Mrs. Pierce, is there anything I can do for you?" Afton asks.
"No, Miss Cooper. But thank you. Jan and her sister are all I had. My husband ran out on us when Jan was just ten, so I had to raise Jan and her sister Brandy on my own."
"I understand how hard that can be. I was a single mother, too."
Loretta Pierce looks at Afton and her eyes fill with tears. "Who did this to my little girl, Miss Cooper? Who? My Jan was a good girl who never harmed anyone."
"I really wish I knew, Mrs. Pierce."
"Mom, we'd better go," Pamela says.
"Yes. Mrs. Pierce, I'm so deeply sorry about Jan. And if there's anything I can do, I want you to give me a call," Afton says, handing the woman a card with her name and number.
"Like I said, no, Miss Cooper," Loretta says. "You've already done enough, actually. You're the reason my little girl is dead."
"What?"
"If Jan hadn't been working for you, this wouldn't have happened to her. My daughter would still be alive if some psycho hadn't been after you."
"Mrs. Pierce, I......"
"Please leave," Loretta says, then turns back to her daughter's casket.
"Mom, come on," Pamela says, touching her mother's shoulder.
Afton looks at the grief stricken mother, then reluctantly walks out with Pamela.
Lauren's house......later
John Ross looks at the dog and continues onto the front porch. He rings the doorbell as the dog continues to bark loudly. He rings the bell a second time. Finally, the young waitress from Mariano's comes to the door, only a towel wrapped around her.
"Oh, Mr. Ewing, good afternoon," Lauren says seductively. "I'm sorry, I just got out of the shower a few minutes ago and just finished blow drying my hair. Please, come in."
"You remembered," she says with a smile. "I'm very flattered."
"You picked up my phone at the restaurant by mistake. Now if you'll just get me my phone, you can have yours, and I'll be on my way."
Before Lauren can say anymore, her home phone rings. "Oh, would you excuse me for a minute? That's probably my mother. Please, come in." Lauren quickly walks away from him and back into the house.
John Ross sighs in frustration, then reluctantly walks into the house, closing the door behind him. Sitting across the street in a white car, is Brad's friend and private investigator, Chase Benson. Chase is on the phone as he watches John Ross enter the house.
Meanwhile, Lauren walks into her living room and answers her ringing phone. "Hello," she says. "Oh, hi....."
While Lauren talks on her phone, John Ross walks around the small living room, looking at photos on the walls and on a table.
Across the street, Chase dials another number on his cell phone. On the second ring, Brad answers. "Hey man," Chase says. "John Ross Ewing just walked into Lauren's house."
Meanwhile......Starbucks in Dallas
"I'm glad you came," Brad says as they take their seats.
"I almost didn't," Krystina says. "But I needed to get out of the house."
"And to be with a friend?" Brad asks.
"Yeah. I really needed a friend today."
Krystina looks at him. "Why would you think it's John Ross that has me upset?"
"Because I know his type, and his reputation. I had lunch with John Ross today, or rather, a lunch meeting with him."
"Really? Was it about those fields John Ross bought from your mother?"
"Yes. But, that's beside the point. At the restaurant today, John Ross and I had a young waitress. I saw how the two of them were flirting with each other, and I even got the feeling that John Ross knows her."
"That's.......impossible," Krystina says in an attempt to make herself believe it.
"Is it? Krystina, look, I'm not trying to say anything to hurt you. But you know that John Ross cheated on Pamela when he was married to her. And what about his second wife, Amanda?"
"Brad, I........." Krystina stops talking as she fights back tears.
"Hey, come on," Brad says, reaching over and taking her hands in his. "Talk to me. What's wrong? Krystina, you can trust me. I wanna help."
"Any particular reason you think so?"
"Lately, he's been so........secretive. He's gone off to these so called business meetings a lot, usually on weekends. Even Sunday mornings. And today, right after lunch, I called his phone, and............and a woman answered. She told me that he couldn't come to the phone right now, and asked if I wanted to leave a message."
"Krystina, I'm sorry," Brad says. "If John Ross is cheating on you, then he's a damned fool."
"I called Ewing Oil, and one of the secretaries told me that John Ross had already left for the day, and he won't answer his phone. After what you said about that waitress..........I don't know what to think anymore," Krystina says, now crying.
"Krystina, would you like for me to try and find out for you?" Brad asks.
"How could you do that?"
"A friend of mine manages the restaurant where John Ross and I met for lunch. The waitress's name was Lauren. I could get her address, and..........well, if you want, we could go over and see if John Ross is there."
"Brad, I.......I don't know. I couldn't......."
"Don't you wanna know what your husband is up to? If he's with this woman? Don't you think you DESERVE to know?"
Krystina looks at him and nods. "Yeah. I do."
"Just give me a minute," Brad says. He picks up his phone and dials a number. "Hi, Jerry, this is Brad Stone. I'm fine, how are you? Listen, Jerry, I need a favor. I had lunch at your restaurant today, and I had a young waitress named Lauren. She was dark, I'm not sure if she was Hispanic or Biracial, but she's very pretty. Lauren Rodriguez? Yeah, that's her. Jerry, I know this is asking a lot, and I wouldn't ask if it weren't important, but, could you possibly give me Lauren's address?"
As Brad talks to his friend, Krystina looks at him, wondering if she's doing the right thing by having him check up on this waitress. Maybe she wasn't the girl who answered John Ross's phone earlier.
"Okay, Jerry, got it," Brad says to his friend as he writes an address down on a napkin. "Thanks a lot, bro. I owe ya one. Bye." He puts his phone down and looks at Krystina. "Well, I have this waitress's address. Shall we?"
Krystina looks at him for a moment, then nods. "Yes. I need to know."
"Come on," Brad says.
Dallas Police Department....
Katherine fumes when she sees her ex-husband walk into the room. "What the hell are you two doing here?"
"I am Austin's father," replies Jeremy. "A fact that you very conveniently tried to forget."
"I wish I could forget," Katherine says.
"Jeremy, with all of this........trouble.........concerning Austin, what do you plan to do about your little ultimatum concerning Falcon Crest?" Richard asks.
"Oh, I fully intend on still holding you to that ultimatum, brother," Jeremy says. "But for now, my son is my top priority."
"You know, I wouldn't put it past you to have framed Austin for these murders yourself, Richard," Vicky says. "Just to distract Jeremy from the ultimatum he gave you."
"You really do think me a very powerful and evil man to carry out such a plan as that, don't you, Vicky?"
"Why are you even here?" Katherine asks Vicky. "My son is none of YOUR damned business, or yours either, Jeremy!"
"Austin is my SON, Katherine, and Victoria is my wife. And don't you ever forget that fact."
At that moment, Austin's attorney, Jim Tatum, walks in.
"Well, Jim?" Katherine asks.
Jim sighs. "I'm sorry, Katherine. I spoke to Judge Frank Thatcher myself, and made a personal plea to the district attorney. Judge Thatcher refused to grant Austin bail. He was very adamant about keeping Austin in jail, considering the fact that he was found standing over ANOTHER dead body with the victim's blood on his hands and clothes not even 24 hours after getting out on bail in the first murder case."
"Jim, can this Judge be bought? Or bribed?" Katherine asks. "I'm willing to spend any amount necessary."
"Katherine, don't even try it. Don't even THINK about. Not unless you wanna take up residence in the cell beside Austin. Judge Thatcher is about as honest as they come, and he's tough."
"So, what you're telling us is that, until my son stands trial for these two murders he did not commit, that he will have to stay here, in this jail?"
Jeremy asks.
"I'm afraid so. And there's nothing that any of us can do about it," replies Jim.
As Katherine begins to cry, Richard embraces her.
Meanwhile....24 Hour Fitness Gym
"Steve, you okay?" Scott asks as he takes a seat on a bench.
"There's a lot of evidence against him, Steve," Scott. "Wentworth was right there, standing over both bodies. He was covered in Jesse Matthews's blood."
"I know. That's what I mean. This whole thing, it seems too.......easy. I mean, someone called the police the night Jan Pierce was murdered, and said they heard a disturbance in her apartment. We get there, and Wentworth is with the body. Then, we get ANOTHER call to go to the old Super 8 Motel, and once again, we just happen to find Austin Wentworth standing over Matthews's body, blood all over his clothes and hands."
"You think he's being framed?" Scott asks.
"Come on, Scott, think about this. This whole thing has all the earmarks of a classic frame up."
"Then we have to convince them to keep the case open and let us continue working on it. Austin Wentworth is innocent, Scott. I feel it. I KNOW it. And somehow we've got to prove it. And if the department wants to close the case, then I think I know someone who might be able to help."
"Who?" Scott asks.
"My old man," Steven replies.
"Your old man? I thought you didn't even talk to him."
"I don't. But despite that, he IS the best private detective in Dallas, and maybe that's what we need right now. Someone not involved in the department to work on the outside, especially if the department is ready to close this case, satisfied that we have the killer of Pierce and Matthews. I think I'm gonna give my old man a call."
"Do it," says Scott. "We could use all the help we can get on this. But come on, let's hit the showers so we can get back to the station."
Lauren's house....
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Ewing. I almost forgot about you," Lauren says. "Sally, I'll have to call you back. I have a guest. Bye." She hangs up the phone. "Sorry about that."
"Look, if I could just have my phone now, I'll be on my way."
"Sure. It's in my bedroom. This way." Lauren walks out of the room and into her bedroom down a hall. John Ross follows.
"Now where did I put that darn phone?" Lauren asks playfully.
"I don't know, but I wish you'd find it so I can be on my way."
"Wouldn't you like a drink first?" Lauren asks.
"No, I would not like a drink. All I want is my damned phone, and I'll be outta here."
Lauren sighs. "Okay." She walks over to her dresser and opens a top drawer. She reaches in and brings out John Ross's phone, then takes it over to him. As she hands him the phone, she purposely lets her towel slip and it falls to the floor, leaving Lauren standing naked in front of John Ross. "Ooops," she says with a smile. "So sorry about that."
"What the hell are you doin'?" John Ross asks. "You tryin' to seduce me or somethin'?"
"Would that be so bad? You're a VERY attractive man, Mr. Ewing. And I'll bet you're great in bed." Lauren grabs the back of John Ross's head and pulls him into a passionate kiss.
After a moment, John Ross pulls out of the kiss. "I'm real flattered, Lauren, but, I'm a very happily married man."
"So? I won't tell if you won't," Lauren says, kissing John Ross again as she proceeds to unbutton his shirt.
Meanwhile.....
"I'm sorry," says Brad.
At that moment, they see the front door open, and John Ross walks onto the front porch. Lauren follows him to the door, with only a towel wrapped around her body. John Ross is buttoning his shirt. Krystina and Brad watch as John Ross walks away from the house and gets into his car. A smiling Lauren goes back into the house and closes the door as John Ross drives away. Krystina gets out of the car. Brad follows her.
"Hey, Krystina, where're you going?" Brad asks, grabbing her by the arm.
"You really think that's a good idea? Wasn't John Ross being here with that slut in a towel proof enough?"
"I have to. I have to be sure," Krystina says. She hurries across the street and up to Lauren's house. Once again, the dog begins barking. Brad follows her as Krystina walks onto the porch. After a moment's hesitation, she rings the doorbell. Lauren opens the door a few seconds later, still only dressed in a towel.
"Can I help you?" Lauren asks.
"That man who just left here," Krystina says.
"Oh, you mean John Ross?"
"Yes."
"What about him?" Lauren asks.
"I'm his wife. And I have to know.......are you sleeping with my husband?"
Lauren looks at her for a few seconds. "I'm sorry."
"Just answer my question. Are you having an affair with my husband?"
"Yes," Lauren replies. "Yes, I am."
Krystina begins shaking with anger. Unable to control herself, she quickly slaps Lauren across the face as hard as she can. Then she turns and runs away from the house, back to Brad's car.
"Krystina.....wait!" Brad yells, running after her, catching her at the car. By now, Krystina is in tears. Brad grabs her and turns her to face him. "Krystina, I'm so sorry."
"Brad, get me out of here. Now." Krystina walks over and gets into Brad's car. He looks back at Lauren's house, barely able to contain his elation that his plan had worked even better than he had imagined it would. He smiles slightly, then gets back into his car and drives away with Krystina.
Cliff and Afton's apartment....
"Hello, Cliff."
"It's okay," Cliff tells the security guard. "Mitch, come in."
"Thanks." Mitch walks into the apartment. Seeing her brother, Afton gets up and greets him with a kiss and a hug.
"Mitch, I'm so glad you're here. So glad."
"Me too, sis. Thanks for calling me."
"I'm so sorry," Afton says, pulling out of the hug.
"All because of Lucy," Afton says.
"Hi, Uncle Mitch," Pamela says, walking over to her uncle.
"Pamela, hello, sweetheart," Mitch says, hugging his niece.
"Uncle Mitch, this is my husband, Tripp McKay."
"Hello, Tripp."
"It's very nice to meet you, sir," Tripp says, shaking hands with Mitch. "Pamela's told me a lot about you."
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you too. My sister has told me a lot about you, and I have to say, you're a definite improvement over my niece's last husband."
"Listen, we hate to run, but, Tripp and I were just about to head to the hospital to see the baby," Pamela says.
"Will you be back later?" Afton says.
"Sure. We'll stop by later tonight," Pamela says. She kisses her mother, then she and Tripp leave.
"Yes, I would, sis, thank you. And, I'd also like to see that letter that Jesse wrote to you."
"Alright. Cliff, would you fix Mitch a drink? I'll get the letter."
"Sure," Cliff says.
Afton walks up the stairs to her bedroom to get the letter for Mitch while Cliff pours him a drink from the bar.
Meanwhile....
Southfork......evening
"Krystina......darlin'? What the hell are you doin'? Goin' on a trip?" John Ross asks.
"You might say that," she replies.
"Where? Denver? Somethin' happen with your fam'ly?"
"Yes, something happened with my family, but NOT my family in Denver," Krystina says, turning to face him. "It happened with my family right HERE, John Ross!"
"What are you talkin' about?"
"I saw you. This afternoon, with that girl."
"Girl?" John Ross asks.
"Yes. I called your phone today and she answered. I went to her house later this afternoon and I saw you leaving."
"Krystina, I can explain that........"
"Don't even bother to try. I went up to that house and I talked to her. I asked her if she was sleeping with you and she told me. She said YES!
"Darlin', I don't know why the hell that bitch lied, but I never laid eyes on her before today."
"Sure!"
"It's true. She accidentally picked up my phone at lunch today at the restaurant where she's a waitress. I went to her house to pick up my phone and nothin' else."
"Then why did she tell me she was sleeping with you?"
"I don't know, Krystina, but she LIED! I swear to you, I have never cheated on you!"
She looks at him for a moment. "You know, you're such a good liar that you almost sound believable," she says, zipping her suitcase.
"Krystina, you can't do this. You can't believe some whore of a waitress over your own husband! I am NOT lettin' you leave this house like this."
"Get OUT of my way, John Ross. NOW!" Krystina physically pushes him aside and walks out of the bedroom.
John Ross runs after her. "Krystina, don't do this! I swear I have NEVER cheated on you!"
"After all those secret meetings on weekends and refusal to tell me what was going on, do you honestly expect me to believe that, especially after seeing you with her? The sad part is, I should have known. You cheated on Amanda with me. So I guess this is payback for me once being the other woman." Without saying another word to him, Krystina heads down the stairs and out of the house as a devastated and helpless John Ross watches her go.
An apartment in Dallas....
"It's no problem, Mr. Jones," Brookins says. He takes a passkey and unlocks the door to Steven's apartment. As he opens the door, he and Bum walk in to a shocking sight.......lying on his back in front of the sofa, is Steven, bleeding from what appears to be a gunshot wound to the chest.
"Steven!" Bum says, rushing to his son. "Steven, my God, son. Brookins, call 911! Hurry!"
As Brookins does as he's told, Bum gently feels for a pulse. Thankfully, he feels one. Steven is alive, but barely....
Cliff and Afton's apartment....
"Thank you. Something I learned a long time ago from Cliff's mother, Rebecca Wentworth. I still have the recipe Rebecca wrote for me."
"Really? You never told me that," Cliff says as his cell phone rings. He walks over to the table in the living room and picks it up. "Hello? Pamela? Honey, what's wrong? You sound upset. Oh dear God. Do the cops have any idea who did it?"
Afton and Mitch walk over and listen carefully to Cliff's side of the conversation, with worry.
"Alright, honey, just try and stay calm. Your mother and I will be right there." Cliff ends the call, his face turning pale.
"Cliff, what is it?" Afton asks. "What's wrong?"
"When Pam and Tripp got to the hospital.........the baby was gone."
"Gone? What do you mean, GONE?"
"He's missing, Afton," Cliff replies. "Our grandson has been kidnapped from the hospital."
"Oh, dear God, NO!" Afton gasps. Mitch puts his arms around his sister and embraces her.