EPISODE 140 - Sue Ellen's Trial, Part 2

Rumbles of thunder can be heard in the distance as a rainy, stormy morning begins at Southfork.  The morning is also unseasonably cool for spring time due to a cold front pushing through with the storms.  John Ross comes out of the house and onto the patio, heading to work.  Krystina follows him out of the house.

"John Ross?"  She calls to him.

He stops on the patio and turns back to his wife.  "Yeah, darlin'?"

"Are you sure you're okay?  You're leaving for the office so early, and you didn't even have breakfast."

"I'm just not hungry,"  John Ross says.  

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm just worried about this trial."

"I know.  We all are.  But you know, Sue Ellen has one of the best, if not THE best attorney in Dallas."

"I know,"  John Ross says.  "But sometimes even the best lawyers can't get somebody off. I keep thinkin' about what Catlin Ewing said to me outside that courtroom the other day. All this time I been blamin' him for this whole mess, but, maybe he's right.  If I hadn't tracked Brittany down and brought her to Dallas, none of this woulda happened and Mama wouldn't be standin' trial for murder."

"John Ross, don't do this to yourself,"  says Krystina.  "What matters right now is that we're all there for Sue Ellen.  You blaming yourself isn't going to help your mother."

John Ross nods.  "I know.  I have to go into the office for a little while.  I'll see you later in court, darlin'."

"I love you,"  Krystina says, kissing him.

"I love you, too."

"John Ross, you know, if you guys need anyone to step in at Ewing Oil while the trial is going on, I do have experience running an oil company."

He looks at her and smiles.  "You interested in gettin' back into the oil business?"

"Well, maybe,"  Krystina says.  "As much as I love being a stay at home mom to Little John, I really miss the oil business and being a part of it."

"You just gave me an idea,"  says John Ross.  "Ewing Oil could always use another good brain, and I would love nothin' better than to have my beautiful wife at my side."

"You're really serious?"  Krystina asks.  "You really want me to join Ewing Oil?  I mean, I was offering to step in and help while the rest of your are occupied with Sue Ellen's trial, but....."

"But what?  Krystina, I don't know why I didn't think of this before.  You already ran Denver Carrington, so you have the experience.  I can't think of anyone better qualified to join the fam'ly business."

"How do you think Bobby, Sue Ellen, Christopher, and Jill would feel about that?"

"Darlin', my whole fam'ly loves you.  And they will be on board with this idea.  Listen, I gotta go.  I'll see you at the courthouse in a couple hours."

"Okay,"  Krystina says.  John Ross gives her another quick kiss, then heads to his car as a smiling Krystina watches him.  

Dallas County Courthouse.....later

"Steven Jones, Jr., I'm a detective with the Dallas Police Department."

"You and Detective Craig Anderson are partners, correct?"

"Yes, that's correct,"  Steven replies.  

"Detective, were you not one of the first officers on the scene at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on New Years, the night Brittany Ewing was murdered?"

"I was."

"Would you please describe the events of that night, and what you found when you arrived at the Hyatt Regency that night?"

"That was the night of the Oil Baron's Ball.  I received a call that a body had been discovered in one of the restrooms just off the hotel ballroom, and it was believed that foul play was involved."

"And when you and other law enforcement got to the hotel, you immediately secured the area surrounding the scene of the crime?"  Todd asks.

"Yes, we secured the entire hotel,"  Steven replies.  "No one was allowed in or out of the ballroom until we questioned everyone in attendance at the ball."

"That must have taken quite some time."

"It did.  But we put every available officer to work questioning guests at the ball."

"Detective Jones, did you question Sue Ellen Ewing that night?"  Todd asks.

"I did."

"And in what state of mind did you find Mrs. Ewing?"

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Jay says, standing.  "This question calls for speculation on the part of the witness.  There's no way this witness could have known the exact state of mind of anyone present at the scene."

"Sustained,"  Judge Flynn says.  

"I'll rephrase the question,"  says Todd.  "How did Mrs. Ewing SEEM to you when you questioned her?  Did she seem nervous?"

"Yes, but, not exactly."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Mrs. Ewing was incoherent.  She appeared to be intoxicated."

"Intoxicated,"  Todd says.  

"Yes, but it was later discovered that......"

"So Sue Ellen Ewing appeared intoxicated that night, a woman with a very well known history of alcoholism,"  Todd says, interrupting Steven.

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Jay says.

"Your Honor, I'm merely trying to establish that the defendant in this case is a known alcoholic, and the detective  has stated that she appeared to have been drinking on the night of the murder."

"Objection overruled,"  says Judge Flynn.  

As the testimony continues, Sue Ellen sits beside Jay at the defense table, an almost dazed expression on her face, feeling as though she were living a nightmare instead of reality.

Later.... 

As Todd takes his seat upon concluding his questioning of Steven Jones, Jay stands and approaches the detective to cross-examine him.   "Good morning, Detective Jones."

"Good morning."

"Detective, you stated earlier that Mrs. Ewing appeared to be intoxicated when you questioned her on the night of the murder,"  Jay says.  "But was Mrs. Ewing, in fact, intoxicated that night?"

"Mrs. Ewing swore that she had touched a drop of alcohol."

"And why, then, Detective Jones, did Mrs. Ewing give the appearance of being intoxicated that night?  Or, let me rephrase.  What was Mrs. Ewing's explanation for her bizarre behavior on the night of the murder?"  Jay asks.

"At the time, she said that she had no idea what was wrong with her,"  Steven replies.  

"Detective, wasn't it later believed that my client was drugged on the night Brittany Ewing was murdered?"

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Todd interrupts.  "The theory that Sue Ellen Ewing was drugged that night is just that......a THEORY."

"A so called theory that will later be backed up by testimony,"  Jay says.

"Objection sustained,"  says Judge Flynn.

"No further questions, Your Honor,"  Jay says, returning to his seat.  

"You may step down, Detective Jones,"  Judge Flynn says.

Steven nods at the judge, then exits the witness stand, eventually leaving the courtroom.  

"Mr. Baxter, call your next witness,"  the Judge instructs.

Todd stands.  "The State calls Dr. Michael Prescott to the stand."

Motel 6 in Dallas....

"Dylan, you shouldn't have done that," Amanda says.

"Why not.  Like I said, I like doing things for you."

"And I really appreciate it, more than you know. But, Dylan, you can't keep paying for this room for me."

Dylan puts his arms around her.  "Amanda, come on.  It's MY money.  I can do whatever I want with it.  Besides, where else are you gonna go?"

"I'm going to take care of that,"  Amanda says.

"Wait, Amanda, what are you saying?"  Dylan asks.  "You don't wanna see me anymore?"

Amanda looks at him for a second.  "Dylan, I can't.....I WON'T keep using you."

"You haven't been using me."

"We've been using each other, Dylan,"  Amanda says.  "For comfort.  For sex.  For someone to be there.  And I can't do that anymore.  I honestly thought that I had broken this cycle I was in, but what do I do, first thing?  I sleep with another Ewing man."

"Amanda, I'm a Baxter,"  Dylan says.

"And Jimmy's last name is technically Beaumont, but you both still have that damned Ewing blood coursing through your veins."

"So that's what this is about?  You don't wanna see me anymore because of whose blood I have in my veins?"

"Dylan, I'm married to your cousin."

"Amanda, the two of you are separated.  He had you arrested, remember?  Amanda, I've been there for you, I've tried to help you,"  Dylan says, fighting back tears.

"I know, and you don't know how much I appreciate it.  And I never meant to hurt you.  That's the last thing in the world I ever wanted.  But I think that you want more out of this than I can give you."

"No, no.  Okay, you wanna keep things just no strings attached, Amanda, I can DO that.  Look, I know that I've been coming over here every day for the past couple weeks, but, I'll back off.  I'll give you your space.  Please, just don't push me away."  

Amanda looks at him, her heart breaking.  "I am SO sorry, Dylan.  But you deserve so much more.  We have to end this, now."

Dylan begins to cry.  "Amanda, please.....don't.  I'll do anything."

"I'm sorry,"  Amanda says, in tears herself.  

Dylan looks at her, tears streaming down his face.  After a moment, he walks to the door, pauses, and turns back to her.  "The room's paid for for another week.  You might as well use it," he says in tears.  He gives her one more quick look, then leaves. 

Amanda walks over and puts her hand on the door. "I'm so sorry," she whispers.  

Outside in the hallway, Dylan leans against the wall next to Amanda's door.  Crying uncontrollably, the boy slowly slides down to the floor, his knees drawn up to his chest, and buries his face in his hands as he cries.  A few seconds later, he pulls himself together and gets to his feet.  He looks at the door to Amanda's room.  He fights the urge to wait for her to come out so that he can plead his case to her once again.  Instead, Dylan knows what he wants.  What he NEEDS.  A drink.  A drink to forget how awful he feels.  He walks away, headed off to find some place to drown his sorrows.

Dallas County Courthouse....afternoon

"Mr. Lindsey, you are a manager at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, is that correct?"  Todd asks his next witness, John Lindsey.

"Yes I am,"  Lindsey replies.  

"Back in early February of this year, it was one of your maids who found the knife which was later proven to be the weapon used in the murder of Brittany Ewing, correct?"

"That's right."

"Mr. Lindsey, would you describe the events of that morning, please?"

"Well, I was in my office at the hotel, doing some paper work, when one of my maids, Abby Wilson, knocked on my door.  She told me she had found something and wanted me to come and take a look."

"And did you?"  Todd asks.

"Yes, I followed Miss Wilson into the laundry room, and showed me what she had found," says Lindsey.  "It was a knife from the hotel kitchen, and it was lying on the floor under the edge of one of the dryers in the laundry room."

"Did you pick this knife up and look at it?"  

"I used a napkin to pick it up, and I saw that the knife had what looked like blood on both the blade and the handle.  I realized that we had probably found the knife used in the murder on New Year's Eve."

"And what did you do?"  Todd asks.

"Miss Wilson and I immediately placed the knife in a plastic bag, and then took it down to the police station."

A short time later....

Todd's next witness is Abby Wilson, the maid who had found the murder weapon, who is telling her story on the stand:  "And as soon as I saw the handle of the knife sticking out from under the dryer, I immediately went and got Mr. Lindsey," she says.

"Had you ever seen this knife before, Miss Wilson?"  Todd asks.

"Yes.  Well, one similar.  It was from the hotel kitchen."

Todd walks over to the exhibit table and picks up a plastic bag containing the knife, and walks back to the witness stand.  "Miss Wilson, is this the knife you discovered in the laundry room at the Hyatt regency Hotel back in February?"

"Yes, that's it?"

"Let the record show that this witness has identified exhibit B, the weapon used in the murder of Brittany Peterson Ewing.  I have no further questions, Your Honor."

As Todd returns to his seat, Jay stands and approaches the witness stand.  "Miss Wilson, 

how often is the laundry room at the Hyatt Regency cleaned?"  He asks.

"It's supposed to be cleaned twice a week,"  Miss Wilson replies.

"How long have you worked at the Hyatt?"

"About eight months now."

"And you are one of the maids in charge of cleaning the laundry room, the bathrooms on the ground floor, and areas such as that?"  Jay asks.

"Yes."

"Had the laundry room been cleaned between New Year's Eve and early February?"

"Yes, many times."

"In cleaning the laundry room, do the maids generally clean UNDER the washers and dryers, or only clean around them?"

"We're supposed to clean under them, as well as around,"  Abby replies.

"And the particular dryer where the knife was found.......was it cleaned, underneath?"

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Todd says.  "There's no way that this witness could possibly know that."

"Your Honor, I'm merely trying to establish whether it was possible the area underneath the dryer in question could have been cleaned prior to the discovery of the knife."

"Objection overruled,"  says Judge Flynn.  

"Miss Wilson?"  Jay says.

"Yes.  The floor underneath all the dryers had been thoroughly cleaned the week before."

"And you know this.....how?"

"Because I cleaned the floors.  Myself, and another maid, Patty Henderson."

"And in cleaning the laundry room, you found NO knife?"  Jay asks.

"No.  There was nothing there,"  Miss Wilson replies, to audible gasps in the courtroom.

"Thank you, Miss Wilson.  No further questions."

"You may step down, Miss Wilson,"  Judge Flynn instructs.

Jay returns to his seat beside Sue Ellen.  

A bar in Dallas....

A sad, dejected, and drunken Dylan lays still on his bed, the sound of rain outside of his bedroom window.  Dylan is all alone in the Krebbs home since Donna is down in Austin, Ray is out somewhere, and Conner is at Sue Ellen's trial with C.J.  Dylan is staring straight up at his ceiling, thinking about Amanda and the things she said to him earlier that day.  After several drinks, Dylan is numb.  Finally, he begins to move, then 

 sits up in bed, with a bit of difficulty due to his intoxicated state.  After sitting up, he leans down, reaches under his bed, pulls out a bottle of vodka, and opens it, then takes a drink. He pauses, then takes a second drink from the bottle, and a third.  Suddenly, the numbness he

had been feeling suddenly begins to lift, and the pain of Amanda's rejection returns, once again crushing Dylan's heart and spirit. He takes another sip of the vodka, then another.  He looks around and the room is spinning.  His emotions begin to come to the surface, and he starts to cry.  Amanda had been something good that had finally happened in his life, and now Dylan is struggling to understand why she pushed him away, and what he had done to make

her not want to see him anymore.  Dylan takes another sip of the vodka from the bottle in his hand, then another.  Dylan simply wants to drink and drink until all the pain is gone.  

Sue Ellen's home....evening

  Sue Ellen, Catlin, John Ross, Krystina, Blaine, and Sandy Cory walk into Sue Ellen's home after court that evening.  "Certainly feels good to be home,"  Sue Ellen says.

"I thought Jay did an excellent job today when he brought up the fact that the knife could've been planted in that laundry room,"  Krystina says.

"So did I,"  Catlin agrees.  

"Yes, Jay is definitely a wonderful attorney,"  says Sue Ellen.  "John Ross, are you alright?"

"I'm fine,"  John Ross says, giving Catlin an angry glare, a glare which Catlin returns.  

Sue Ellen looks at both of them.  "Look, I know that the two of you have issues with one another.  But I love you both, and I would appreciate it very much if you would put those differences aside for my sake, at least for now."

"Your mother is right, John Ross,"  Catlin says.  "Whatever problems you and I have with each other, the fact of the matter is, we both love your mother, and we need to be here to support her during this trial right now.  So, what do you say we call a truce?"  Catlin extends his hand.

John Ross looks at him for a moment, then nods.  "Fine," he says, reluctantly shaking Catlin's hand.

Sue Ellen smiles.  "Thank you both."

Catlin walks over to her.  "We're going to get through this," he says.  "Jay has cast some doubt in the juror's minds that the knife that killed Brittany was simply discarded in the laundry room on the night of the murder, and I have my P.I. and all of his men working over time to find Peter Love."

"Peter Love?"  John Ross asks.  "Where the hell have I heard that name before?"

"Well, John Ross, since you're the one who tracked down my estranged wife and brought her to Dallas, and did an extensive background check on both Brittany and myself, I'm not surprised that you've heard Peter's name."

"Wait, this Love guy was married to Brittany at one time, am I right?"  John Ross asks.

"Yes, that's right.  Back in 1986.  Brittany was also involved with Peter again just before you brought her to Dallas."

"Catlin, are you saying that you think this man could be the real killer?"  Krystina asks.

"I think it's possible,"  Catlin replies.  "Especially since Peter Love now seems to be missing without a trace.  I went to see his sister in Bay City, Illinois, and she hasn't heard from him in a while.  So I think, as soon as we find Peter........we've found Brittany's killer."

John Ross looks at Sue Ellen, then at Catlin.

A short time later....

Outside his mother's home a short time later, John Ross takes his cell phone out of his pocket and dials a number.  "Bum, it's me," he says once the private detective answers.  "I got a job for you. I want you to find anything you can on Peter Love.  Yeah, Brittany Ewing's ex.  Find out any and all information you can on Love........and then, find Love himself.   I want that man found and brought to Dallas.......anyway you have to do it."

The Krebbs Ranch....

Conner walks into the Krebbs home that evening.  Seeing that Ray and Donna still were not home, he heads upstairs.  "Dylan!  Hey, you home?"  He calls to his brother.  Going upstairs, he knocks on his brother's door.  "Dylan?"  He calls again, then opens the door and walks into the room.  Conner is shocked when he finds his brother sprawled across the bed, his head and arms hanging off one side of the bed, and an empty bottle on the floor.  "Dylan?  Oh my God!"  Says a worried Conner, rushing over to him.  "Dylan?"  He turns Dylan onto his back, and touches his face.  Conner breathes a sigh of relief when he realizes that Dylan 

has simply fallen asleep or passed out drunk.  Conner picks the bottle up and looks at it.  Vodka.  He looks at his brother, the sadness showing in his face.  "Oh, Dylan," he says quietly.  "Why, little brother?  Why are you doing this to yourself?  And how do I help you?"  Conner gently pulls the covers over his brother, then stands, his heart hurting for his brother.  Conner takes the empty bottle and leaves the room, turning off the light and closing the door behind him.

Dallas County Courthouse....the next morning

"June 3, 1986?"  Todd asks.  "So let me get this straight.  Your son, Catlin, Jr., was born June 3, 1986, just a short time after you married Sally Frame, and after your divorce from Brittany Peterson?"

"That's right,"  Catlin replies, becoming annoyed by Todd's line of questioning.

"My math was never that great, Mr. Ewing, but, that would mean that you and Brittany Peterson had sex after your divorce?"

"Yes."  

"What were the circumstances leading up to you hooking up with your ex-wife while you were in love with another woman?"  Todd asks.

"That's none of your damned business,"  an angry Catlin snaps.

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Jay says.  "This line of question is totally irrelevant to this case."

"Objection sustained,"  says Judge Flynn.  "Mr. Baxter, stick to the subject at hand.  I'll not warn you again."

"My apologies, Your Honor.  Mr. Ewing, you must have loved Brittany Peterson very much at one time."

"I did.  Brittany was my sweetheart when we were teenagers.  My first love, and the mother of both of my sons."  

"After the death of your wife Sally, you and Brittany reunited and married again?"  Todd asks.

"Yes, but not right away.  Brittany was still married to Peter Love."

"When were Brittany and Peter Love divorced?"  

"December of 1986."

"How soon after the divorce did you and Brittany remarry?"

"Brittany and I were not remarried until the fall of 1987.  She had been arrested and convicted of the shooting of Peter Love in late '86."

"Her husband?"

"Yes, that's right,"  Catlin replies.

The Krebbs Ranch....

Dylan is awakened that morning by a knock at his door.  He opens his eyes and looks around his bedroom, confused at first about where he is.  The knock comes again.  After a couple of seconds, Dylan sits up in bed.

"Dylan, are you awake?" Conner asks through the door.

Dylan realizes that his clothes and his bedsheets are all completely drenched in sweat.  He sits up on his bed, a confused look on his face, his head throbbing as he tries to remember the night before.  

Conner walks into the room.  "Glad you're awake," he says.  "How you feelin'?"

"Like I fell off the back of a truck and then got dragged behind it for several miles,"  Dylan replies.

"I'm not surprised,"  says Conner.  "Do you remember anything?"

"No, not really."

"Dylan, I came home last night and found you passed out drunk.  I found an empty vodka bottle on the floor.  What the hell is going on with you?"

"Do Ray and Donna know?"  Dylan asks.

"No, they don't.  I told them that you were sick, AGAIN.  Donna thinks you ought to see a doctor because you're so 'sick' all the time.  But you and I know the truth, don't we, little brother?  You're not sick, you're DRUNK all the time.  Why?"

"Oh my God, can't you EVER just get off my back?"  Dylan asks, standing to his feet.  

"No.  No I can't, Dylan, because I'm worried to death about you.  So far, I've kept my mouth shut about your drinking.  But after last night, it's obvious it's getting out of control, and maybe Ray and Donna need to know what's going on."

"Nothing is out of control, Conner,"  Dylan says.  "Look, something happened yesterday that really upset and depressed me, and yeah, I had a little too much to drink."

"So what happened?"  Conner asks.

"It's not important."

"It IS important, Dylan, if it upset you enough that you got totally wasted last night.  Now tell me......what happened?  Does this have something to do with this girl you've been seeing?"

Dylan turns away from his brother and lowers his head.  "She broke up with me."

"Dylan, I'm.....man, I'm sorry.  You wanna talk about it?  What happened?"

"I don't know what happened,"  Dylan replies, his voice shaky. "I don't know what I did wrong.  Everything was going great and then all of a sudden, she didn't wanna see me anymore."

"I'm really sorry,"  Conner says.  "You know, you probably didn't do anything.  Girls can just be weird sometimes."

"I'm sorry about last night."  Dylan turns back to his brother.  "Conner, just don't tell Ray and Donna.  Please.  I don't them disappointed in me."

"Dylan......"

"Conner, I won't let it happen again.  Last night, I was really upset and I needed to get it out of my system."

"Okay.  I won't say anything, but, dude, you have GOT to get your drinking under control.  Mixing alcohol and your antidepressant medication is dangerous.  When I came in here last night, I was scared to death.  You're my brother, Dylan.  I don't wanna lose you.  If this happens again, I WILL tell Ray and Donna."

"It won't."

"Okay, you get dressed.  Donna left for town.  She's looking for some office space to rent so she can have an office in Dallas and not have to commute back and forth to Austin so much, and Ray went to meet that friend of his he ran into at the cattle auction.  I saved you some breakfast.  Eat something, and you and I will go into town and spend the day together."

"I thought you were going to court to be there with C.J.,"  Dylan says.

"C.J. will understand.  You're my brother, Dylan, and I think you need me today.  So hurry up and get dressed and take a shower."

"Yeah, I guess I could use one."

"Yeah, you sure could,"  Conner says.  After a brief pauses, he turns and walks out of the room.  

After his brother leaves, Dylan walks to the mirror and looks at himself.  He begins to cry.  "Amanda," he says quietly.  

Southern Methodist University....

"I'm great.  I tried to catch up to you after class.  I've been wanting to get together with you for a while,"  says Sage. "Y'know, we never did get to have a bite to eat at the campus cafe, since we were so rudely interrupted that day.  So, I was wondering, would you like to?"

"You mean you really want to after what happened last time?"  Jimmy asks with a smile.

"Well, sure,"  Sage replies.  "Unless you have other plans for the afternoon?"

"No, as a matter of fact, I don't.  I'm done with class for the day, and I was just heading home."

"Well, I'm done with class for the day, too.  So, how about it?  Campus cafe?"

"Yeah.  I'd like that,"  Jimmy says.  "And it'll be my treat."

Sage smiles.  "Jimmy, you don't have to do that.  I asked YOU, remember?"

"I insist,"  Jimmy says.  "Let's go."

As Jimmy and Sage walk away, headed for the Campus Cafe, Katelyn is walking toward Dallas Hall and sees them.  She stops and watches Jimmy and Sage for several seconds as they walk away, laughing together, appearing to be engaging in intimate conversation.  The jealousy and anger immediately rises up inside of Katelyn as she watches Jimmy and this other girl.  For a moment, Katelyn has almost the same look of anger on her face that her mother Katherine often gets when she is crossed.

Stone Oil....

 Amanda is sitting at her new desk at Stone Oil when Brad comes out of his office.  "So, how's it going?" He asks.  "You getting the hang of the job?"

"Yeah, well, it's basically the same thing I've done before, although I am a little rusty."

"Well, don't worry, it'll all come back to you,"  Brad says.

"I'm sure it will, Mr. Stone."

"Hey, call me Brad."

"Okay.....Brad,"  Amanda says.  "I really can't thank you enough for giving me this job."

"Hey, no thanks necessary,"  Brad says.  "You needed a job, and I needed a secretary, so this works out for both of us. Are you getting hungry?"

"Yes, I am."

"Then why don't I take you to lunch?" 

"You really don't have to do that."

"It's okay, I WANT to.  We both have to eat, and I'd rather have some company over lunch than to eat alone."

"So would I."

"Good, then, let me just grab my jacket, and we'll go.  How's Perry's?"

"One of my favorite restaurants,"  Amanda says.

"Terrific.  Mine, too," Brad says, then goes into his office.

Amanda smiles, grateful for the sudden turn of her luck from bad to good.

Campus Cafe at SMU....

Taking their trays of food, Jimmy and Sage find an empty table at the Campus Cafe and take seats.  

"Mmmm, this looks and smells so good,"  Sage says.  "I haven't eaten all day."

"Neither have I."

"So, Jimmy, how did everything work out, I mean, you know, with......"

"With my arrest?"  Jimmy asks.

"Yeah.  I've been wondering about that for weeks, and I wanted to ask you, but, we haven't had a chance to talk."

"I know.  I kinda thought you've been avoiding me all these weeks since I was dragged off campus in handcuffs right in front of you."

"No, not at all,"  says Sage.  "I've been extremely busy, and I just didn't wanna seem like I was being nosy."

"Well, I had to spend that night in jail, and my father bailed me out the next day."

"Are the charges still......."

"Yeah, they are.  My attorney is busy with another case right now, so, he's managed to postpone any court stuff having to do with my case for a while, until this other case is over. The other case just happens to be my step-grandmother."

"What?"  Sage asks with a slight laugh.

"Yeah, she's on trial for murder."

"Wow, Jimmy, you have quite a family."

"Yeah, tell me about it,"  Jimmy says as Katelyn walks into the cafe.  She looks around until she spots Jimmy and Sage across the dining room.  She watches them for a few seconds, her anger again rising up as she sees Jimmy and this other girl laughing and appearing to be too friendly.  She then walks over to their table.  

"Well, Jimmy,"  Katelyn says.  "Imagine seeing you here."

"Katie,"  Jimmy says, surprised to see her.  "Hi."

"Hi, yourself.  I just came in for a milk shake."

"I love the shakes they have here,"  Sage says.

"So do I.  Jimmy, aren't you gonna introduce us?"  

"Oh, sorry.  Sage Griffin, this is Katelyn Spencer."

"Hi, Katelyn, it's nice to meet you,"  Sage says, smiling at the other girl.

"Yeah, you, too,"  Katelyn says, a rude tone in her voice.  "Jimmy, I'll see you later.  Call me."

"Sure, I will,"  Jimmy says as Katelyn walks away.  Jimmy watches her as she leaves the cafe, puzzled by the fact that Katelyn said she came in for a milk shake, yet left without ordering one.  

Sage notices the awkward expression on Jimmy's face.  "Umm, was that your girlfriend?"

"No, no of course not," he replies.  "I don't have a girlfriend.  Katie's just a friend."

"Well does SHE know that?  From the way that girl looked at you, and how bothered she seemed by seeing us together, I'd say she has it bad for you, Jimmy."

"Yeah,"  Jimmy says sadly, realizing that he had once again hurt Katelyn without meaning to.

Perry's Steakhouse and Grille....

 Meanwhile, Brad and Amanda are having lunch at Perry's that afternoon.  Brad watches Amanda with a smile as she devours her steak.  "You're really enjoying that steak, huh?"

"Yeah, sorry," she says.  "It's just been so long since I've eaten here, and quite a while since I've had steak, too.  Lately my meals have consisted of the $4.99 menu at McDonald's."

Brad laughs.  "Well, now that you're a working girl again, hopefully that'll change."

"Yes, and again, I can't thank you enough."

"It's my pleasure."

Meanwhile, Justin and Pamela walk into the restaurant and are greeted by the hostess.  The girl begins to lead them to a table across the room when Justin spots Amanda and Brad.  He stops and looks at them.

"Justin, what's wrong?"  Pamela asks.

"I just don't believe it," Justin replies.  "Look who's here."

Pamela looks over and sees her half brother with Justin's wife.  "Do you wanna go someplace else?" 

Justin smiles.  "Not on your life.  Come on.  Let's go say hi."  Justin heads over to Brad and Amanda's table, followed by a reluctant Pamela.  

"Well, now, would ya just look who's here,"  Justin says.  

"Justin,"  Amanda says, surprised to see her estranged husband.

"Amanda.  You sure didn't waste any time movin' on to another man, did ya?  Or was Jimmy just unavailable today?"

"Hi, Pamela,"  Brad says.

"Hello, Brad."

"Wait, you two know each other?"  Justin asks.

"Yes we do,"  Pamela replies.  "Brad is my brother."

"Oh, so YOU'RE Brad Stone."

"That's right, I am.  And you are Justin Ewing, Amanda's husband."

"Amanda's soon-to-be ex-husband,"  says Justin.  "And not a moment too soon, either.  So, what, are you datin' my soon-to-be ex-wife now?"

"Not that it's ANY of your business at all, but Brad gave me a job as his secretary,"  Amanda says.   "I had to do something since you completely cut me off financially."

Justin laughs.  "Oh, wow.  So, Stone, you hired her as your secretary, but do you always take your secretaries out to lunch?"

"And what if I do?"

"Well, I just hope ya know what you're gettin' into,"  says Justin.  "Today, she's your secretary, but, in another day or two, she'll be tryin' her best to get into your bed, 'cuz that's just the kinda woman she is.  She can't help herself."

"You're a fine one to talk,"  Amanda says.  "Do you never get tired of pursuing women your brother has been married to?"

"Well, I gotta hand it to you, Amanda,"  Justin says.  "At least this time you're not goin' for another Ewing man.  After John Ross, Christopher, me, and Jimmy, I'm real surprised ya didn't try to sleep with my cousin Lucas, too, or even Uncle Bobby......."

"Alright, that's enough, Ewing,"  Brad says, standing to face Justin.  "Why don't you just get the hell outta here?"

"Why don't you just sit down, because this is between me and this tramp I married."

"Well I'm making it between me and you," says Brad.

"Alright, stop it, both of you,"  Pamela says.  "Justin, come on, let's go to our table."

Justin looks at Brad, then at Amanda.  "Stone, a word of warnin'........watch out for her.  She'll steal your heart, then break it, and then she'll want you dead so she can have all your money, your house, everything."

"You know DAMNED well that's not true!"  Amanda says.  

"You might need to start lookin' for a new secretary.  Pretty soon.....this one's gonna be in jail,"  Justin says, then he and Pamela walk away.  

After a few seconds, Brad retakes his seat.  Amanda begins to cry.  "I'm so sorry about that."

"Hey, it's okay, don't worry about it.  That guy's a jerk.  Typical Ewing.  Be glad you're rid of him."

"Oh, I am,"  Amanda says.  

Brad reaches across the table and takes her hand in an attempt to comfort Amanda as she cries.  Meanwhile, Conner and Dylan walk into the restaurant for lunch.  The two brothers are met at the door by the hostess.  

"Good afternoon, welcome to Perry's,"  the young woman says.  "How many today?"

"Two,"  Conner replies.

The girl grabs two menus.  "Right this way," she says.

As she is leading Conner and Dylan to a table, Dylan stops when he sees Amanda with Brad across the crowded restaurant.  Dylan's heart is crushed when he witnesses Brad touch Amanda's hand across the table.  

"Dylan?"  Conner says.  "Dylan, are you okay?"

The young man remains silent.  

"Nothing, just take me home."

"The girl that you've been seeing......Dylan, for God's sake, PLEASE tell me it wasn't Amanda Ewing."

Dylan looks at his brother, but says nothing.

"Oh my God, are you OUT of your mind?  Dude, she's married!  To our COUSIN!"

"Justin kicked her out, Conner.  He was done with her."

"And did you ever once stop to wonder why?" Conner asks.  "Justin kicked her out, so she hooked up with you, and now, she's having what looked like a real intimate lunch with some other guy!  Dylan......"

"Conner, please, just take me home!"  Dylan says in tears.  "Just stop talking and take me home, or I'll walk."

Without saying another word to his brother, Conner starts the car and the two drive off.

Dallas County Courthouse....late afternoon

  "And what did your wife say when you told her that you were planning on divorcing her, Mr. Ewing?"  Jay asks in his cross-examination of Catlin, who has spent an entire grueling day on the witness stand testifying.

"She refused to grant me a divorce,"  Catlin answers.  "She said that she was going to fight me every step of the way."

"Mr. Ewing, after your wife arrived in Dallas sometime in the late spring of last year, did she become involved with anyone?  A man, for instance?"  Jay asks.

"Yes she did."

"And who the man Brittany was involved with?"  Jay asks.

As Sue Ellen and the rest of the assembled Ewings look on in court, Catlin pauses for a moment before answering the question.  

"Mr. Ewing, I'll repeat the question,"  Jay says.  "Who was the man your estranged wife Brittany Ewing had an affair with after arriving in Dallas last year?"

"It was John Ross Ewing,"  Catlin replies, amid audible gasps of shock from the courtroom spectators.

"John Ross Ewing, the son of the defendant, and your......what?  Second cousin once removed?"

"Yes,"  Catlin says.

"And wasn't it also John Ross Ewing who paid your wife to come to Dallas in order to break up your relationship with his mother?"

"Yes."

"In much the same way Brittany had been used by Peter Love more than thirty years ago to end your relationship with Sally Frame, correct?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Objection, Your Honor, this line of questioning is totally irrelevant,"  Todd says, standing.

"You're a little late with your objection, Mr. Baxter," Judge Flynn says.  "You're supposed to object BEFORE the witness answers.  But, in light of the late hour, court is adjourned until 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, at which time, Mr. Smithfield, you may continue and conclude your cross examination of Mr. Ewing."  Judge Flynn bangs his gavel, signaling the end of court for the day.

The Ewings as well as the rest of the courtroom stand as Catlin leaves the witness stand and joins Sue Ellen and Jay, while Bobby, Ann, Christopher, and Courtney walk over to them.  Blaine and Sandy join them.

"Catlin, are you okay?"  Bobby asks.  

"I'm fine, Bobby, just exhausted after that very LONG day on that witness stand."

"Well, I only have a few more questions for you, Catlin, and then your testimony should be over and done with."

Catlin sighs.  "I sure hope so.  It's not a good feeling having to tell the story of your entire life in open court in front of a bunch of strangers, as well as family,"

"Well I think you did great,"  Blaine tells her brother.

"And so do I,"  says Sue Ellen.

"Listen, I'm meeting Jill for dinner, so I have to get going,"  Jay says.  "Sue Ellen, keep your head up, and I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Jay,"  Sue Ellen says as Jay walks away.  

"Well is everybody ready to get out of here?"  Ann asks.

"Past ready,"  Sue Ellen replies.

A few moments later, Jay walks out of the courthouse, John Ross following, with Krystina behind him.  "John Ross, where are you going?"  Krystina asks.

"Gotta have a word with our brother-in-law,"  John Ross replies as he hurries to catch Jay before he reaches his car parked on the street in front of the courthouse.  "Smithfield!"  John Ross calls to him.

Jay turns around to face him as John Ross approaches.  "John Ross, what is it?"

"Smithfield, what the hell was the point of those questions about me and Brittany?"  John Ross asks.

"The jury had to know the circumstances surrounding Brittany's arrival in Dallas, John Ross,"  Jay replies.

"Alright, fine, but was it necessary to bring up my affair with that woman and embarrass my wife in court?"

"John Ross, my job is to defend Sue Ellen to the best of my ability, NOT protect you from being embarrassed by one of your little indiscretions coming out in court,"  Jay says.  "Now I'm gonna do my job and defend your mother, and if there are any skeletons in ANYONE'S closet, then so be it. My first priority is to get my client acquitted.  Now if you will excuse me, your sister is waiting for me."  Jay walks away from John Ross, who watches as the attorney gets into his car and drives away.  

Krystina walks up to her husband.  "I'm sorry you had to be reminded of my indiscretion with Brittany Ewing,,"  John Ross says.

"John Ross, the Brad and Brittany chapter is a very painful, and .....shameful......part of our lives, but, it happened, and we can't erase it.  All we can do after this trial is over is just try and forget about it."

"Come on.  Let's go.  I could use a drink,"  John Ross says, then he and Krystina walk away.

Southfork.....night

Christopher is sitting up in bed reading some reports from Ewing Oil that night while Courtney is in the bathroom.  When she finishes, she switches off the bathroom light, comes into the bedroom, and joins her husband in bed. 

"You okay?"  Christopher asks her.

"I'm fine.  Just thinking about my Mom, and how much I miss her."

"She only left today."

"I know, but I still miss her."

Christopher looks at his wife and smiles.  "I really love the relationship you have with your mother.  So close."

"It's the same kind of relationship that you and Bobby have,"  Courtney says.

"You're right.  I don't know what I'd do without my Dad."  After a second, the smile fades from Christopher's face, then he places the papers he had been reading on the nightstand beside the bed.  "Courtney, sweetheart, y'know, we can't put this off any longer.  You HAVE to tell Joseph Gioberti about Jacob.  Drew wants to get this case scheduled for a court date as soon as possible."

Courtney sighs.  "I know.  I just dread telling him so much, and telling Drew."

"Well Drew keeps pressuring me for the identity of your son's father, and he's beginning to question why you won't reveal the truth."

"It's not that simple, Christopher.  I was 15-years-old, and Joseph was like 24 when we had sex.  I lied about my age, but, Joseph could still get into a lot of trouble for having sex with a minor, and I don't want that to happen."

"Well, we're gonna have to tell the truth Courtney.  That is, IF you want custody of Jacob.  The boy's father HAS to be involved.  I really wish that you and I had known each other ten years ago.  If we had, then, we could just say that I'm the father."

"Christopher, that would only make things worse,"  Courtney says.  "You're a year OLDER than Joseph is.  If we lied and said that you and I had sex when I was 15 and you were 25, then YOU'D be the one who could face charges for sex with a minor."

"My God, I didn't even think of that,"  says Christopher.  

"There's only one solution.  I have to name Chase as Jacob's father.  It's the only way.  Joseph wouldn't get into any trouble, and neither would Chase, since Chase was also a minor then."

"You sure you wanna do that?"  Christopher asks.  "Y'know, there's a chance that Chase could decide he wants to have a place in Jacob's life.  He could even turn around and try to fight US for custody of Jacob just out of anger because you kept the child's existence from him all these years."

"This is just a no win situation,"  Courtney says as she begins to cry.  "If I name Joseph as the father, then I run the risk of getting him into trouble for having sex with a minor.  And if I name his brother Chase as the father, then I run the risk of Chase wanting to take my little boy away."

"Well, I would never let that happen,"  Christopher says.  "And that, I can promise you.  If Chase decided to fight us, then I'd fight back just as hard and dirty as I had to."

Courtney kisses her husband, then lays her head on his chest.  Christoper reaches over and turns off the light on the nightstand and begins kissing her.

The Krebbs Ranch....the next morning

 Dylan lays in bed in his darkened bedroom the next morning after not having slept at all the night before.  He is simply staring straight ahead, his face wet with tears and his eyes puffy from crying, his mind filled with thoughts of Amanda.  He is startled by a knock at his door.   A second later, Conner walks in.  

"Dylan, you awake?"  Conner asks.

"I'm awake,"  Dylan replies in a low voice.

"Ray and Donna just left.  Donna wanted to come up and check on you, but I told her you were still asleep, knocked out by cold medicine.  They're worried about you.  They still think you're sick, and Donna said that if you aren't feeling any better by this afternoon, she was gonna make you an appointment with a doctor for tomorrow morning, so, I suggest you kinda pull yourself together and put in an appearance at dinner so that doesn't happen."  When Dylan doesn't respond, Conner walks over to his brother's bed and takes a seat on the side beside him, Dylan laying with his back to him.  "Dylan, I know you're hurt.  Trust me, I've been there.  But whatever you and Amanda were doing, it wasn't gonna last.  She's older than you, and married.  And it doesn't matter if she and Justin are getting divorced, she's still our cousin's wife for now."

"I loved her,"  Dylan says.  

"Yeah.  I'm sorry, man,"  Conner says.  "But Dylan, you'll find another girl."

"No, I won't Conner.  I never found one before."

"What?"  Conner asks.

Dylan turns over on his back and looks up at his brother.  "I've never had a girlfriend before."

"You've gotta be kidding."

"I'm not kidding,"  Dylan says, sitting up in bed.  "I was so ashamed to tell you or anyone, 

but I just don't care anymore.  Growing up in that family.....the Baxters and the Smithfields.......it really messed me up, man.  I was always so shy, especially around girls.  I never knew how to talk to them.  And the first girl I ever really had a crush on, in 5th grade, I wrote her a note.  A long note, and she wrote me back saying she didn't like me that way.  She even said I was weird.  So, from then on, I never approached another girl to tell her I liked her because I felt like they all thought I was some weird, shy geek. I had friends who were girls, but I never made it outta that awful friend zone.  I think my parents always thought that I was the one who was gay, instead of Todd."

"What about prom?  Dates?"

"I never had a real date, man.  And when prom happened, both junior and senior prom, I made sure that I got sick those nights so I had an excuse to stay home because I didn't have a date.  Pretty pathetic, huh?  I hoped things would be different as soon as I started college, but then, what happens?  Lucky me, I have a mental breakdown and try to turn John Ross Ewing into road kill.  Boy, that REALLY killed my chances of any girl wanting to date me.  No one wants to go out with a kid who's been committed for trying to kill someone.  That's why, when you started seeing Selena Collier, I was jealous.  I kept thinking, well, my brother can get a girl, why can't I?  It's not fair." 

 downstairs.  He waits a few seconds until he hears Conner's car start, then, looking through the window,  he sees Conner driving away.  Now alone in the house, Dylan walks into the den and makes his way to the liquor cabinet.  Having seen where Ray and Donna keep the key to the cabinet.  Taking the key from its 'secret' place, Dylan unlocks the liquor cabinet, opens it, and takes out a bottle of Bourbon.  He quickly opens the bottle and takes a sip. After breathing a sigh of relief, he closes the cabinet, locks it, and replaces the key in its spot.  He takes another sip of the Bourbon, savoring how good it feels after not having had a drink since early the previous day.

Dallas County Courthouse....

"Catlin Ewing, Jr., Vice-President of Catlin Oil Company in Dallas."

"Mr. Ewing, you are the son of the victim in this case, Brittany Peterson Ewing and her husband, Catlin Ewing, is that correct?"

"Yes, I am."

"On behalf of the court, Mr. Ewing, let me express my deepest sympathies for the loss of your mother."

"Thank you,"  C.J. says.

"Mr. Ewing, how close are you to the defendant in this case, Sue Ellen Ewing?  I mean, the two of you share the same last name, so, there's a family connection?"

"Yes.  Sue Ellen's late husband, J.R. Ewing, and my father, were second cousins."

"And is that the only connection?"  Todd asks.

"No.  Sue Ellen is now dating my father."

"How does that make you feel, Mr. Ewing?  That your father is now romantically involved with the woman who is on trial for the stabbing death of your mother?"  Todd asks.

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Jay quickly says.  "That question is not only irrelevant, but ridiculous and insensitive."

"Objection sustained.  Mr. Baxter, stick to the subject at hand.  I won't warn you again."

"I apologize, Your Honor,"  Todd says, giving a sly look to Jay and Sue Ellen.

Southfork....

 "You sayin' what I hope you're sayin'?"  A smiling Lucas asks.  "You're gonna take me up on it?"

"I sure am,"  Justin says.  "I think maybe it's time I really do somethin' with my life.  Jill's been handlin' the J.R. Ewing Foundation since my accident, and, I'm kinda bored with ranchin', especially since me and Amanda split up, and I bought that ranch for us."

"Not gonna sell your ranch, are ya?"  Lucas asks.

"Nah.  I like it there.  But I can always hire a hand to run it.  I really wanna try my hand at runnin' a business.  See if I inherited my Daddy's talent for business."

"Justin, I can't tell you how happy you just made me, cousin.  Well, then, I already talked to our cousin Bobby in California, and he's cool with it.  Now, we just have to tell my Dad and Christopher about your decision, and Ewing Records is all yours."

"Lucas, how were you figurin' on handlin' this?"  Justin asks.  "I mean, you wanna sell me the comp'ny outright, or you wanna hold on to a piece of it?"

"Justin, I was gonna GIVE you the company."

"No, way.  Lucas, I can't let ya do that.  I wanna buy 80% of Ewing Records from you."

"80%?  Why 80%?"

"Because, I really would like for you to hang on to 10% of the comp'ny.  That way, even though you won't be involved in the day to day operations, you can still share in some of the profits and still have a piece of it if you ever change your mind."

"Okay, agreed,"  says Lucas.  "But what about the other 10%?"

"I got plans for that 10%,"  Justin replies.

"Fair enough,"  says Lucas.  "Y'know, you were wondering if you'd inherited Uncle J.R.'s business sense.......but I think you just proved that you did."

The two cousins look at each other and laugh as they shake hands on their deal.

Dallas County Courthouse....

"With Dad and Sue Ellen?"  C.J. asks.

"No, sweety, just the four of us,"  replies Blaine.

"Thank you, then, I'd love to."

"Blaine, thank you, but, actually, I have to get going for a while,"  Conner says.  "I have something I need to take care of."

"Alright, well, another time then."

"Sure.  C.J., I'll see you in a while.  I'll be back in an hour,"  Conner says.

"Alright,"  C.J. says as Conner rushes out of the courtroom behind John Ross.

In the hallway outside, Conner sees John Ross about to get on the elevator.  "John Ross!"  He calls to him.  

John Ross turns to face him.  "Yeah, what the hell do you want?"  He asks.

"I need to talk to you for a second.  I need your brother Justin's phone number."

"What the hell for?"  John Ross asks.

"It's personal,"  replies Conner.  "Come on, John Ross, this is important.  Please give me Justin's number?"

John Ross looks at the young man and smiles.  "Well, since ya said please."  He takes his cell phone from his pocket, opens his contacts, and scrolls down to Justin's name.  "Here it is. 214-296-3515."

"Okay, thanks,"  Conner says, walking away.  He takes his cell phone out and immediately 

dials the number John Ross just gave him. On the fourth ring, Justin answers.  "Hello?"

"Justin, hey, man, this is Conner Ewing."

"Conner, hey, what's up, man?"  

"Not much, man, I'm just here at the courthouse for Sue Ellen's trial, but court just recessed for lunch."

"Oh, how's the trial goin'?"

"Well, it's kinda hard to tell,"  Conner says. "Justin, the reason I called is, and this may sound strange, but, would you happen to know where I could find your wife Amanda?"

"Amanda?  What do you want with HER?"   Justin asks.

"I just need to talk to her, man.  It's kind of important.  It's about my little brother, Dylan."

"Yeah.  You might find Amanda at Stone Oil.  She got a job there workin' as Brad Stone's secretary.  Unless he's fired her by now."

"Stone Oil?  Justin, thanks, man, I really appreciate it,"  Conner says, then quickly hangs up and hurries toward the courthouse elevator.

Meanwhile....Justin's truck....

Driving down the country road on his way back home from Southfork, Justin puts down his phone and sighs.  "About his little brother, Dylan,"  Justin says to himself after his conversation with Conner.  "Oh, no.  Amanda, you didn't," he says, shaking his head.  

Back at the courthouse....

Jay, Sue Ellen, and Catlin are coming out of the courtroom.  "Catlin, I know you didn't wanna do this, but I really think our best option when we begin presenting our case is to subpoena Donna Love and question her about her brother Peter."

"Jay, I REALLY hate to drag Donna Love into this,"  Catlin says.  "I'm convinced she was telling me the truth when she said she hadn't spoken to Peter in quite some time."

"What makes you so sure she was telling the truth?"  Jay asks.

"Just a feeling I got."

"Well, if we can get her on the stand, maybe we can determine if your feeling was correct.  Unless, of course, we can find Peter Love himself."

"I'm beginning to wonder if Peter Love will ever be found,"  Sue Ellen says.  

"Sue Ellen, don't give up,"  Catlin says.  "I have the best P.I. I know working on finding Peter. Now there's no way a man can just disappear off the face of the earth, even with all of Peter's money and resources."

"Catlin, I hate to say it, but I wouldn't be too sure,"  Jay says.  "Look how long it took the entire U.S. military to find Osama Bin Laden.  If someone wants to stay hidden.....they can. Now come on, let's go get some lunch."

Ewing Oil....

 "Okay, let's have it,"  John Ross says, taking a seat at his desk.  

"Peter Love was born in Bay City, Illinois, in 1957, son of Reginald and Elizabeth Love.  He has two sisters, Donna and Nicole Love.  The Love family was very wealthy.  They came from a long line of bankers.  Elizabeth Love died in a fire in 1969, and her death was ruled a suicide."

"I could think of a hundred ways to commit suicide, but fire would never be my choice,"  John Ross says.  

"Peter was known as a timid boy, and he and his father Reginald had a very difficult and strained relationship, at best.  Peter went on to law school and graduated with honors. Almost fresh out of law school he became the attorney for Cory Publishing, headquartered in Bay City."

"Cory?"  John Ross asks.  "Any relation to Blaine Ewing's husband's fam'ly?"

"Oh yes,"  Bum replies.  "Blaine's father-in-law, Mackenzie Cory, owned the company.  Peter Love served in that capacity for a few years."

"What about his relationship with Brittany?  Now, I heard some of it in court when Catlin was on the stand."

"Peter was in love, pardon the pun, with a girl named Sally Frame, whom he had been engaged to in 1983.  The relationship ended, and Sally moved on to your cousin, Catlin Ewing. But Peter was still in love with Sally and refused to give her up without a fight.  So, he tracked down Brittany Peterson, who was married to Catlin, and brought her to Bay City to break up Catlin and Sally's little romance."

"Apparently he wuttin' successful, since Catlin and Sally got married anyway."

"No, he wasn't.  Anyway, skipping the information you already know, Peter and Brittany became involved, and he fell in love with her, and he married her.  but, she cheated on him with Catlin Ewing.  Brittany had only married Peter for his money.  When Brittany learned that she was pregnant, Peter thought the baby was his."

"The baby......Catlin, Jr., better known as C.J.?"  John Ross asks.

"That's the one.  After Catlin, Jr. was born in the summer of '86, the truth came out about the child's paternity, and the marriage turned sour real quick.  Eventually, Brittany ended up shooting Peter."

"Quite a history.  What about AFTER Brittany and Catlin left Bay City together?  What happened to Love after that?"

"Love left Bay City in 1987, not long after Brittany and Catlin.  He ended up in New York City,where he practiced law for several more years.  Eventually, he moved his sister Nicole there after she suffered a mental breakdown and had to be institutionalized."

"Nice fam'ly."

"Love lived in New York for about 10 years, then in late 1999, he moved to Washington, D.C,.where he got a job working in the legal department of a investment firm.   He stayed there until 2005, then started his own firm, Love International, which he headquartered in San Francisco."

"Love International?"  John Ross asks.  "I've heard of that.  One of the top investment firms in California."

"It was until about four years ago,"  Bum continues.  "In 2013, Love International began having serious financial difficulties.  Difficulties that had began around 2011, but, REALLY got out of control by the middle of 2013.  The years 2011 to 2015 are hard to find information on.  Love kept a real low profile during that time."

"That would've been durin' his second affiliation with the deceased Brittany."

"That's right.  The rest is a mystery."

John Ross lets out a deep sigh.  "And nobody has seen or heard from Love recently?"

"Nope.  Not his family, nor anyone at his firm in San Francisco, which is sinking fast and on the verge of financial collapse."

"Sounds like ol' Peter Love abandoned a sinkin' ship.  Thank ya,, Bum.  I'd appreciate it if you'd keep diggin'."

"Will do, John Ross."  Bum nods, then turns and leaves.  After he's gone, John Ross leans back in his chair.

Stone Oil....

 Amanda walks into the front lobby of the office building downtown that houses Stone Oil. As she walks up to the elevator and presses the button, Conner walks into the building.  Seeing Amanda at the elevator, he rushes to catch up to her.  "Amanda?"  He calls.

Hearing her name, she turns around and is surprised to see him there.  

"Hey,"  Conner says, walking up to her.  "I don't know if you remember me, but I'm......"

"Conner Ewing,"  Amanda says.  "Yes, I know."

"I was just on my way up to see you."

"Why?"

 Sue Ellen, Catlin, Blaine, and her husband Sandy Cory walk into Sue Ellen's home that evening after court has adjourned for the day.  

"Sue Ellen, how do you feel?"  Catlin asks.

"You must be exhausted,"  Sandy says.

"Exhausted would be putting it very mildly,"  says Sue Ellen.  "I think I'm gonna go upstairs and change."

"Sue Ellen, why don't you let us order in some dinner?"  Blaine asks.  "I'll take care of it. You rest for a while."

"Blaine, thank you.  I think I will."  Sue Ellen smiles at them, and then heads up the stairs.

"Catlin, we need to talk,"  Blaine says.  

"Alright, let's go in here."  Catlin walks into the living room, followed by his sister and brother-in-law.  "You two want a club soda or a regular soda?"

"No, thanks, I'll wait til dinner,"  Sandy replies.

"Me, too,"  says Blaine.  "Although I would love something stronger."

Catlin smiles.  "So would I, but, Sue Ellen being an alcoholic, we don't keep any alcohol in the house.  She especially doesn't need to be tempted now, with all the stress from the trial.  So what is it you wanted to talk about?"

"Sandy and I had lunch with C.J. today.  Catlin, have you ever told C.J. the exact circumstances surrounding his conception and birth?"  Blaine asks.  "Does he know that, while Brittany was pregnant, everyone thought that Peter Love was the father?"

"No.  I never told him,"  Catlin replies.

"Don't you think you should?"  Blaine asks.

"Catlin, I may be overstepping my bounds here as just a lowly brother-in-law,"  Sandy says.  "But, I agree with Blaine.  Sue Ellen's attorney could bring this up again when he presents her defense, in an attempt to establish the kind of volatile relationship Brittany had with both you and Peter Love.  The surface has already been scratched when that prosecuting attorney brought it up.  What if Smithfield does subpoena Donna Love?  That whole ugly episode concerning Brittany, Peter, and your son's paternity could come out in open court."

"Sandy's right,"  says Blaine.  "And the last thing you would want is for C.J. to find out the ugly truth that way, before you can tell him yourself."

"I know,"  Catlin says.  "You're both absolutely right.  I just thought all this stuff was behind me a long time ago.  More than thirty years have gone by, and I didn't think what happened back then was even relevant to my life, anymore.  Peter Love is a a name I hadn't heard in years and a man I hadn't given one single thought to in years, until just recently.  I just can't believe that Brittany hooked up with that man again after everything he put her through when they were married.  I guess I never really knew the woman I married. She had so many secrets."

Blaine and Sandy exchanged worried looks.  "Well, there's another secret that you don't know,"  Sandy says.  "About Brittany and about Peter."

"What are you talking about?"  Catlin asks.

Sandy looks at his wife.  "Go ahead and tell him,"  Blaine says.  

"Catlin, years ago, back in 1994, during the time that you and Brittany were apart......"

"Yes, when she went back home to Wyoming,"  Catlin says.  "She was taking care of her aunt who was terminally ill."

"Brittany wasn't in Wyoming that whole time,"  Blaine says.

"What?"

"I ran into Brittany in San Francisco,"  says Sandy.  "I was having a business lunch, and she was there, at the restaurant.  With Peter Love."

"What?"  Asks a stunned Catlin.  "Brittany was with Peter in San Francisco in 1994?"

"Yeah."

"Did you say anything to her?"

"I did.  Later.  I watched them, and as soon as she and Peter parted ways, I confronted her.  Catlin, she begged me not to say anything to you.  She claimed that she just had some unfinished business with Peter from the old days in Bay City, and, that she was on her way back to Wyoming, and was never gonna see Peter again."

"Did you know about this?"  Catlin asks his sister.

"Sandy told me, but, not until years later, after Brittany walked out on you the last time.  I was very angry that he had kept this from me for so long."

"Sandy, why the hell didn't you tell me this?"  Catlin asks.

"I didn't wanna hurt you, Catlin.  I actually had planned to tell you, but then, several months later, Brittany was back home with you and C.J. after her aunt died, and everything seemed fine.  So, I thought it best never to mention it."

"Oh my God,"  Catlin says.  "Could my wife have been secretly involved with Peter all along?  Ever since we all left Bay City thirty years ago?"

"I think this is all the more reason why you have to tell C.J. the truth about his mother, NOW,"  Blaine says.  "Before he finds out in court or some other way."

"Yeah, you're right,"  Catlin says.  "Especially if Jay puts Donna Love on that stand.  The woman hated Brittany and she would not be very kind at all in describing her in court."

Pamela's apartment.....night

"Well, as of today, I became the owner of 80% of a comp'ny that I have big plans for,"  Justin says.

"Really?  What company?"

"Ewing Records.  I bought 80% of it from my cousin Lucas."

"Ewing Records, I've never heard of it,"  says Pamela.

"Of course not, it hadn't been launched yet.  But it will, REAL soon."

"With Justin Ewing, young entrepreneur, as the owner,"  Pamela says, moving closer to him.

"I been thinkin' about this for a while now, wantin' to try my hand at business to see if I got my Daddy's brains, as well as his good looks and his charm."

"Well you certainly inherited J.R.'s confidence, if nothing else,"  says Pamela.

"Darlin', I learned a long time ago, you want anything in life, you gotta have confidence."

"You said that you bought 80% of the company?  Did Lucas hang on to the other 20%?"

"I asked Lucas to keep 10%.  I actually bought 90% of the company from him outright.  I only plan on keepin' 80% for myself, and maybe later, that percentage might shrink."

"Justin, what are you talking about?"  Pamela asks.

"I got plans for the other 10%.  Plans that include a really lovely lady.  Pamela, if you want 'em, and I sure hope ya do, I want YOU to have 10% of Ewing Records."

"You're serious?  You want ME.....a Barnes......to have 10% ownership of a Ewing company?"

"Sure, why not?"  Justin asks.  "After all, you did own a percentage of Ewing Energies, or Ewing Global, or whatever the hell it was before it became Wentworth Industries again."

"Yes, but that was when I was married to a Ewing, first Christopher, and then John Ross."

"I know.  And now........you're in my life.  Pamela these last couple months we been spendin' together have been, well........all I can say is I been happier'n I been in a long time, and that's because of you.  Pamela, what I'm tryin' to say is, I'm fallin' in love with you.  No, wait, I take that back.  I'm not fallin' in love with you.  I've already FALLEN in love you.  And I can definitely see this relationship goin' somewhere."

"I feel the same."

Justin smiles.  "I am SO happy you said that, because, I was afraid you were gonna react negatively to me sayin' I was in love with you, and kick me right outta here."

"I would never do that,"  Pamela says, touching his face.  "Justin, after my marriage to Tripp blew up, you were there for me.  You brought my little boy into the world.  And you have made me believe that not all men, and not all Ewings, are the same.  And I love you, too."

Justin puts his arms around her.  "Those are beautiful words.  Pamela, up until now, we've kept this relationship strictly platonic.  Strictly friends.  I'd really like to change that."

"Mr. Ewing, are you saying that you'd like to spend the night?"

"I've spent the night before, but, always on the couch.  I was thinkin' maybe tonight, I could NOT sleep on the couch?"

Pamela kisses him.  After several seconds, she looks at him.  "I think we could arrange 

that,"  Pamela says in a seductive voice. 

Justin smiles at her, then the two begin kissing again.

Only seconds later, Justin and Pamela make their way into her bedroom, still locked in the kiss, Justin backing slowly toward the bed.  He takes off his top shirt, then his under shirt. Pamela also takes off her top shirt.  Pamela places her hands on Justin's chest and pushes him down on the bed, on his back.  She then gets on top of him and begins   

 Bobby and Christopher follow Lucas and Heather into the den at Southfork the next morning.  "Alright, son, we're here,"  Bobby says.  "What is it you and Heather wanted to talk to us about?"

"Not me, just my handsome hubby,"  Heather says.  "I'm only here as an observer."

"I already talked to Heather about this, and she's on board with this,"  Lucas says.

"I'm not sure I like the sound of that,"  says Christopher.

"Neither do I,"  says Bobby.  "Almost sounds like you're plannin' to leave Southfork or somethin'."

"Not at all.  Just the opposite.  I've been thinking about this for a while now.  Christopher, you're busy with Ewing Oil, which is why you turned Ewing Records over to me.  But, I have decided that I don't want to run a subsidiary record company.  What I really wanna do is run Southfork.  I've been working on the ranch for a long while now, and I love it.  I absolutely LOVE it.  Dad, I guess I inherited that from you."

Bobby smiles.  "And I couldn't be prouder that both of my sons have a love for this land that's been in our family for generations."

"I do love Southfork,"  Lucas says.  "Heather and I both do.  John Ross may own half this ranch, but he really doesn't care about the land.  All he cares about is oil.  And Christopher, since you're involved in Ewing Oil so heavily now, I'm the logical Ewing to run the ranch.  But I want the two of you to be completely in agreement with this."

"Son, of course, I am,"  Bobby says.  "I couldn't be happier about this.  I know that with you in charge, I never have to worry about Southfork."

"Christopher?"  Lucas says.

"Well, I think it's great, too, but, what about Ewing Records?" Christopher asks.  "The company is set to be officially launched in a couple weeks."

"Don't worry.  Ewing Records is also in good hands.  I sold the majority of the company yesterday."

"Sold it?  To who?"  Christopher asks.

"To Justin.  He was as excited about this as me.  He wanted to try his hand at business, and I wanted to run Southfork, so it's a win--win situation for both of us."

"Lucas, why didn't you discuss this with me first?"  Christopher demands to know.

"I didn't think I needed your permission, Chris."

"Bobby and I founded that company....."

"And you didn't want it because of Ewing Oil, so you turned it over to me."

"Did you even bother to tell Bobby what you were doing?"  Christopher asks.

"Yes I did.  I called Bobby before I talked to Justin about it,"  Lucas says.

"And before you bothered to talk this over with me."

"Like I said, I didn't think I had to,"  Lucas says, now becoming angry at his brother's manner.  "You turned that company over to me."

"Now wait a minute, guys,"  Bobby says.  "Christopher, do you have a problem with Justin now having control of Ewing Records?"

"No, I don't, Dad.  What I DO have a problem with is Lucas doing this without consulting me first,"  Christopher says, then turns and angrily leaves the room.

"What is his problem?"  Heather asks.

"I don't know,"  Lucas replies.  "But it doesn't matter what he says.  It's a done deal, and I don't need his permission to do what I want with a company that he turned over to me."

Bobby looks on in silence, privately worried at this seemingly minor disagreement between his sons, and hoping this doesn't develop into something larger between Christopher and Lucas.

C.J.'s apartment....

  C.J. comes down his stairs that morning to answer his ringing doorbell.  He opens the door and is surprised to see his father.  "Dad," he says.

"Hello, son.  Can I come in?"

"Sure,"  C.J. says.  He steps aside, Catlin enters the apartment, and C.J. closes the door behind him.  "What brings you by so early?"

"I needed to talk to you,"  Catlin says.  

"Okay."

"C.J., I know that things have been strained between us ever since Sue Ellen was arrested, and I'm sorry for that.  I only hope that what I have to say won't cause that divide between us."

"I get the feeling I'm not gonna like this.  Whatever it is, just tell me."

"This is very hard for me to say.  But there are some things about your mother that you didn't know.  Things about both of us that I've never told you.  And I wanna tell you now, before all of this comes out in court."

"Sounds bad,"  C.J. says.  

"It's not very pleasant, son.  Of course you know that when I moved to Bay City, Illinois back in 1984 to find my family and get to know your Uncle Larry and Aunt Blaine, I thought that your mother was dead."

"Yes, I know that.  I also know that Peter Love, who Mom later married, found her and brought her back into your life."

"Yes.  To break up my relationship with Sally Frame.  Peter was in love with her."

"Yeah, Dad, I know all of this already,"  C.J. says.

"Well, there are things you don't know,"  Catlin says.  "I was in love with Sally and I wanted to marry her very much.  Sally and I were married, but then when your mother turned up alive, the marriage wasn't legal.  But your mother wasn't going to let go of our marriage easily.  But, eventually, we did divorce, to make a long story short.  Afterward, Brittany became involved with Peter Love, and Sally and I resumed our plans to marry.  But, during a moment of weakness, Brittany and I got together again and made love.  That was the day that you were conceived.  Brittany, however, lied about your paternity."

"She lied?"  C.J. asks.

"Yes.  Brittany told Peter Love that he was your father, and she talked him into marrying her.  In truth, she only wanted his money.  When you were born, you were originally named Peter Love, Jr."

Finding this painful history hard to hear, C.J. turns his back to his father and walks to the window.  

Catlin continues:  "I knew, or rather, I SUSPECTED that I was your father, and I confronted Brittany.  She confessed the truth me.  The baby was mine.  It wasn't long before Peter found out the truth, and, the knowledge that you were my son and that Brittany had married him only for his money sent Peter over the edge.  Rather than divorce your mother and risk disgracing his family, especially his twisted father, Peter stayed married her and became abusive."

"Abusive?"  C.J. asks, a tear falling down his face.  "He hit her?"

"Yes,"  replies Catlin.  "Peter was abusive to your mother both physically and verbally.  Eventually the truth about your paternity got around town.  One day, several months after you were born, Peter and your mother were in the Love stables, and, when Peter took a shot at a horse that had gone mad, Brittany, fearing that he was aiming at her, shot Peter.  He almost died.  Brittany was arrested and charged with her husband's attempted murder.  She went on trial and, afraid that she would be convicted and sent to prison, Brittany finally revealed to the world that I was your father and not Peter because she didn't want him raising you.  Peter's own father, Reginald Love, was a bitter and cruel man.  A true tyrant who berated his son at every turn.  In his eyes, Peter becoming a father and providing him with a Love heir was the one thing his son had gotten right in his pathetic life.  Well, after Reginald Love found out the truth, that you weren't really his grandson, he decided to punish Peter by handing you over to me."

"He handed me over to you?"  C.J. asks.  

"Yes.  Your mother and I reconciled, and we left Bay City together, with you.  You were just 7 months old."

  "Dad, why did you wait all this time, all these YEARS, to tell me this?"  C.J. asks.

"Because I thought that all of this was behind us,"  replies Catlin.  "I never thought any of that stuff that happened so long ago would come back to haunt us now.  But Sue Ellen's attorney, Jay Smithfield, is considering calling Peter's sister Donna to testify.  If she takes the stand then all of this could come out.  I didn't want you hurt by it."

"Too late for that,"  C.J. says, walking across the room.  "Y'know, Dad, this guy, Peter Love.... that's a name that I never gave much thought to.  I knew Mom had been briefly married to him at one time, but, other than that, I didn't think he was even important.  Now, I find out that Mom was involved with him in the last few years after she left us, and that Love once believed himself to be my father.  I'm just not sure what to think about all this.  If you don't mind, Dad, I'm gonna skip court today.  I just don't wanna be there."

"C.J., I'm sorry, son.  Sorry I never told you all of this, but, I honestly never thought any of this would affect our lives.  Look, why don't I stay here for a while?  We can talk some more."

"No.  I'd really like to be alone now,"  C.J. says, tears streaming down his face.  

"Alright.  But if you need me, call me."

C.J. nods.  Catlin looks at his son for a moment, then turns and leaves.  C.J. walks over and takes a seat on his sofa, burying his face in his hands.  

Outside the apartment, Catlin takes his cell phone from his pockket and dials a number.  After the second ring, someone answers.  "Conner, hey, this is Catlin.  Listen, I know that you and my son have become very good friends.  I would appreciate it if you would drop by C.J.'s apartment this morning.  No, he won't be in court.  My son just received some very upsetting news, and, he could really use a friend right now, Conner."

Pamela's apartment....

Justin and Pamela are laying in bed that morning shortly after waking up in each others' arms.  The two look at each other and smile.  "Good mornin',"  Justin says.

"Good morning to you.  I love waking up in your arms."

"I love havin' you wake up in my arms.  Bein' with you last night was incredible."

"Yes it was,"  Pamela says.  "Last night was one of the most incredible nights of my life.  How did this happen, Justin?"

"Well, let's see, I came over here last night, we finally gave in to our urges, we came in here to the bed, and from there.........."  Justin looks at her and smiles.  

"What I mean is.....how did THIS happen?  This........whatever it is we have between us."

"Well, darlin', I hope what we have between us is called a relationship,"  Justin says.  

"I guess the Ewings and the Barnes are just destined to always be intertwined in some way, huh?"  Pamela asks.

"Yeah I guess so."

Pamela sits up in bed and looks a him.  "This isn't gonna be easy, y'know.  They won't make it easy, your family or mine.  Especially my father."

Justin sits up and touches her face.  "I can handle your Daddy.  I can handle the Ewings, too. You, and what we've found together, is worth it."  He leans over and kisses her.  

"I'd better check on the babies, and then, how about some breakfast?"

"Breakfast sounds great,"  Justin says.  "I think I'll go take a shower while you feed the kids."

Pamela kisses him, then gets out of bed.  Justin also gets out of bed.  Pamela watches him as he grabs his boxers from the floor and slips them on.  He winks and smiles at her, then walks into the bathroom.  A second later, Pamela hears the water in the shower start. Putting on her robe, she leaves the bedroom.  She goes into the nursery and checks on her two infant sons.  Hunter is still sleeping, but little Randall is wide awake. Pamela smiles as she looks down at the infant.  "Hi, sweetheart," she says, picking her baby up. "Are you ready for your breakfast?  Come on, then, let's go."  As she carries the baby into the living room, the doorbell rings.  She opens the door and Cliff walks in.

"Hello," sweetheart,"  Cliff says, kissing his daughter on the cheek.

"Daddy, you're back,"  says Pamela.

 "Yes I am.  Back, and feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after some much needed, and very productive travels,"  Cliff says.

"Where exactly did you go?  I mean, other than to California to see Emma?"

"Well, after I left San Francisco, I spent a few days at a nice little vacation house I rented in Malibu.  had a nice time relaxing on the beach, and then, after that, I made a stop over in Denver before heading back home to Dallas."

"Denver?"  Pamela asks, putting the baby down in a crib in the living room.  "Why Denver?"

"Hey, Pamela, do you have any shampoo?  There's none in the bathroom......"  Justin says as he walks into the living room, dripping wet, only a towel wrapped around his waist.  He stops short when he sees Cliff.  

A completely stunned Cliff looks at the young man with his mouth open in shock and disbelief at the sight of J.R. Ewing's half naked son in his daughter's living room.  Cliff looks at Pamela, who buries her face in her hands and shakes her head in embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Justin simply stands there, embarrassed and not sure what to say.

Southern Methodist University....

they head toward the coffee house on campus, Katelyn is walking toward Dallas Hall and sees them.  Once again, her jealousy rises up within her at the sight of the man she loves with another woman. Feeling both anger and heartbreak, Katelyn continues to watch as Jimmy and Sage head off, arm in arm, looking too cozy for comfort.  

Pamela's apartment....

 "I'll call you later,"  Pamela tells Justin as she walks him to the door of her apartment, an angry Cliff pacing in the living room.  

"Okay,"  Justin says.  "I love you."

"I love you, too,"  Pamela says.  "Bye."  She closes the door as Justin leaves, then after a brief pauses, she turns to face her father.  

"Please tell me that wasn't what it looked like,"  Cliff says.  "Please tell me that J.R.'s spawn spilled something on himself and that's why he was taking a shower at your apartment."

"Sorry, Daddy, but I can't tell you that."

"Are.........are you out of your mind?"  Cliff asks, trying to remain calm.  "J.R. Ewing's son?  John Ross's BROTHER?  Haven't you had enough of that damned family yet?"

"Justin is nothing like John Ross or his father,"  Pamela says.

"A Ewing is a Ewing is a Ewing.  They're all the same.  Pammy, this relationship has to end, and it has to end NOW!"

"That isn't your decision to make,"  says an irritated Pamela.

"Honey, you're my daughter, I love you, and I'm worried about you,"  says Cliff.

"There's nothing to worry about."

"Pammy, he is a Ewing, and you know who those people are and what they're like.  Nothing good has EVER come from a Barnes mixing with a Ewing.  The Ewings put your Aunt Pam through years of hell when she was married to Bobby, and are you forgetting what John Ross did to you?"

"Justin is nothing like John Ross,"  Pamela says.

"Like I said.....he's a Ewing.  And what about Tripp?  Are you forgetting about your HUSBAND?"

"My marriage to Tripp is over, Daddy.  I've already filed for divorce."

"You.......you filed for DIVORCE?"  Asks a disappointed Cliff.  

"Yes I did."

"Oh, sweetheart, I really wish you would reconsider that.  Divorce is a big step."

"Tripp made it clear it's what he wants,"  Pamela says.  "And it's what I want, too.  The marriage is over."

"Does that Ewing kid have anything to do with your decision to divorce Tripp?"  Cliff asks.

"Daddy, first of all, Justin is 26, so he's hardly a kid.  And second, no.  Tripp is the reason for my decision, as well as the fact that I want to get on with my life."

"Are you saying you don't love Tripp anymore?"

"Part of me will always care for him, Daddy.  After all, Tripp is Hunter's father.  But he hurt me so badly that what love I had for him died when he tried to force me to make a decision between him and my unborn child."

"Pamela, you're making a very bad decision here,"  says Cliff.  "Especially getting involved with another one of J.R.'s sons....."

"Daddy, I love you.  I really do, despite everything that's happened, and everything that you've done.  But I am a grown woman and I don't need your permission to see whomever I please."

"Pamela....."

"Daddy, I don't wanna talk about this anymore."

"Sweetheart....."

"Daddy, please, just go."

Cliff looks at his daughter for a few seconds.  Realizing there was no use in trying to talk to Pamela right now, Cliff walks to the door and starts to leave.  He opens the door, pauses, then looks back at her.  "Pamela, you're making a really big mistake getting involved with John Ross's brother.  I just hope you wise up before it's too late," he says, then leaves.

Dallas County Courthouse....

 "The state calls Detective William Kane to the stand,"  Todd says, calling his next witness in Sue Ellen's trial.

Kane, an elderly gentleman in his late 70s, stands and makes his way to the front of the courtroom, his step rather spy for a man of his advanced years.  The bailiff greets him.  "Raise your right hand," the bailiff says, holding the Bible in front of him.  "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you, God?"  

"I do,"  Kane replies, then takes his seat on the stand.  

Todd approaches him.  "Please state your name and occupation for the record."

"William Kane, I'm a retired detective with the Dallas Police Department."

"How long were you with the Dallas Police Department?"  Todd asks.

"A total of 39 years, until I retired in 2007."

"Mr. Kane, isn't it true that in 1988, you arrested Sue Ellen Ewing for the attempted murder of her then husband, J.R. Ewing?"

"Miz Ewing was never actually arrested and charged with anything,"  Kane replies.

"Please describe the events of the night of October 28, 1988."

"We received a call.  A report of a double murder that had taken place at a penthouse apartment, which was occupied by J.R. Ewing at the time."

"And who made the call?"  Todd asks.

"Sue Ellen Ewing."

"And when you arrived at the scene, what did you find?"

"Mr. Ewing was laying on the floor of the livin' room of the apartment in a small pool of blood.  Miz Ewing was sitting on the sofa, very shaken and upset by what had just transpired."

"Was anyone else involved, or anyone else present at the apartment that night?"

"The body of another man, identified as Nicholas Pearce, was found on the sidewalk in front of the building, dead.  Mr. Pearce had fallen to his death from J.R. Ewing's balcony after a struggle with Mr. Ewing."

"And what was the relationship between Mr. Pearce and the defendant in this case, Sue Ellen Ewing?"

"It was my understanding at the time that Mr. Pearce and Miz Ewing were involved in a romantic relationship."

"And what were the circumstances leading up to the death of Nicholas Pearce?"  Todd asks.

"Objection, Your Honor,"  says Jay.  "Irrelevant."

"Your Honor, if you will allow me to proceed, the relevance of my line of questioning will become apparent."

"Alright, Mr. Baxter, I'll allow the question,"  says Judge Flynn.  "But proceed with extreme caution.  Objection overruled."

"Thank you, Your Honor,"  Todd says.  "Mr. Kane?  The events leading up to the death of Nicholas Pearce on the night of October 28, 1988?"

"J.R. and Sue Ellen Ewing were separated at the time, and were involved in a very bitter custody fight over their son, John Ross Ewing, who, I believe, was about 9-years-old at the time,"  Kane replies.  

"Yes, that's right."

"And you were the one who found Mrs. Ewing?"

"Yes I did.  I found her and I took her into one of the offices at the hotel."

"In what condition was Mrs. Ewing in when you found her that night?"

"She was in pretty bad shape,"  Bobby replies.  "She was very groggy and incoherent."

"Groggy and incoherent?"  Jay asks.  "In such a state, do you believe that your sister-in-law, Sue Ellen Ewing, was capable of the murder of Brittany Ewing?"

"I object, Your Honor,"  Todd says.  "This question calls for a conclusion on the part of the witness, who is unqualified to make such a judgement."

"Mr. Ewing is probably the MOST qualified of any of the witnesses to make such a judgement on the condition of my client on the night of Brittany Ewing's murder, seeing as he is the one who was with my client in the moments after the murder,"  Jay says.

"Sustained,"  says Judge Flynn.  "Mr. Ewing, you may answer the question."

"Thank you, Judge,"  Bobby says.  "Sue Ellen was so out of it that night she could barely stand up by herself, so no, I don't believe she would've been capable, or even physically able, to kill someone that night."

"Thank you, Mr. Ewing,"  Jay says.  "No further questions."

A hospital in Houston....

 Meanwhile, a nervous Phyllis is waiting in an examining room at Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza in Houston.  Restlessly, Phyllis begins pacing the room, then walks over and looks out the window at the parking lot below.  She is startled when the door opens and a male doctor in his 50s walks in.

"Hello, Mrs. Wapner," he says.  

"Hello, Dr. King."

"Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

"No, that's fine,"  says Phyllis.  "So do you have the results of my tests?"

"Please, have a seat."

Phyllis looks at the doctor for a few seconds, realizing that his tone, and his instructing her to have a seat, probably means that she is about to receive some bad news.  She walks over and takes a seat.  The doctor opens her file and looks at it.  "Well?"  She asks.

"You have three blockages to one of the main arteries carrying blood from your heart to your brain."

"Blockages?"  Phyllis asks.

"Yes.  I'm afraid you're going to require surgery.  A triple bypass."

"A.........a bypass?"

"Yes."

Phyllis chokes back tears.  "There's no other way?"

"I'm afraid not.  Mrs. Wapner, your arteries are almost completely closed.  Without surgery, and soon, you could be facing a massive heart attack or a stroke.  I don't want to frighten you, but, your condition is very serious, especially since you have a family history of heart disease.  From looking at your file, I see that your mother died of a massive heart attack at 57?"

"Yes,"  replies Phyllis, now in tears.  "How soon would I need this surgery?"  

"Soon.  Immediately.  Mrs. Wapner, we need to get you admitted as soon as possible, and prepped for surgery.  Your condition is like a ticking time bomb."

A frightened Phyllis looks at the doctor, tears streaming down her cheek.

Dallas County Courthouse....late afternoon

 As Sue Ellen's trial continues that afternoon, the defendant herself is on the witness stand as Jay questions her about her turbulent marriage to J.R., and that night so long ago when she pumped three bullets into him the night Nicholas Pearce died.  

"Mrs. Ewing, Detective Kane testified earlier today about the night you shot your husband, J.R., in October of 1988,"  Jay says.  "Can you please describe the events of that night for the court?"

"I object, Your Honor,"  Todd says.  "The court has already heard testimony about that night and its relevance to the current proceedings."

"Your Honor, we've heard testimony from a detective who worked the case 29 years ago," Jay argues.  "I feel that it is important to hear my client's version of the events of that night, since Mr. Baxter has brought Mrs. Ewing's past history into these proceedings."

"Objection sustained,"  says Judge Flynn.  "I'll allow this line of questioning, Mr. Baxter, but make sure you get on with it and don't drag this testimony out unnecessarily."

"Of course, Your Honor,"  Jay says.  "Mrs. Ewing, on the night of Friday, October 28, 1988, could you please describe what led up to the tragic events that culminated in the death of Nicholas Pearce, and the shooting of your husband, J.R. Ewing?"

"Yes,"  replies a nervous Sue Ellen.  "My marriage to J.R. was clearly at an end by 1988.  We had separated, and, J.R. had thrown me off of Southfork, our home.  When I tried to get my son, John Ross, I discovered that J.R. had sent him away to a private boarding school.  He wouldn't tell me where my son was.  I was desperate, so, that night, that.....terrible night.... Nicholas Pearce accompanied me to J.R.'s penthouse......"

"Your husband had moved out of the family home at Southfork by that time?"  Jay asks.

"Yes."

"And what happened when you and Mr. Pearce arrived at Mr. Ewing's penthouse?"

Sue Ellen takes in a deep breath, then begins to describe the events of that night from so long ago....

the front lobby and runs to the courthouse exit.  He looks around, but sees no one who looks suspicious.  "Damn it!"  He says angrily.  He again looks around, up and down both directions in front of the courthouse, and across the street.  As Catlin stands on the sidewalk, frustrated, Sue Ellen, Bobby, Ann, Blaine, Sandy, and Jay come out of the courthouse.  

"Catlin?"  Sue Ellen says.

"I didn't see anyone,"  Catlin says.  "If Peter was here, he's gone now."

"What would he be doing here?"  Blaine wonders.

"Isn't it obvious?"  Catlin asks.  "Peter was here keeping tabs on Sue Ellen's trial.  He was here to see if she had remembered what really happened the night Brittany was killed."

"You think this Peter Love murdered Brittany, don't you?"  Bobby asks.

"I only suspected so before,"  replies Catlin.  "But now, I'm absolutely sure of it.  Peter killed Brittany and he framed Sue Ellen for it.  I'm gonna find that son of a bitch and I'm gonna prove it if it's the last thing on earth I ever do."

Ann puts her arm around Sue Ellen, for once, seeing a possible light at the end of this dark tunnel she had been in for all these months.  But Sue Ellen and the others knew that Catlin would be racing against time to find Peter Love before her trial came to an end and the jury deliberated her fate....

END OF EPISODE 140....