EPISODE 141 - Love And Murder

 Sue Ellen, Catlin, John Ross, Krystina, Bobby, Ann, Jay, Jill, Blaine, and Sandy gather at Sue Ellen's home after court, and Catlin is talking to a Dallas sheriff's deputy.

 

"Mr. Ewing, we'll definitely keep our eyes and ears open for this guy Peter Love,"  the deputy tells Catlin in a thick, southern drawl.  "But, far as we know, Love hadn't committed any crimes, and he itn't wanted for anything, so there's not a whole lot we can do."

 

"Don't you understand?"  Catlin asks.  "Peter Love murdered my wife Brittany and then framed Sue Ellen for the crime."

 

"But you don't have any proof of that."

 

"I KNOW he did it."

 

"Mr. Ewing, you said that Love was at the courthouse durin' Miz Ewing's trial,"  says the deputy.  "Now if he was the real killer of your wife, then why would he be at the trial instead of on the run?  That duttin' make any sense."

 

"I don't know, I can't answer that.  All I know is, the ONLY reason Peter would have to be at that trial was if he had something to do with Brittany's murder."

 

"Look, Deputy, we would all be very grateful if the sheriff's department, and the Dallas PD would do what they could to find this man,"  Bobby says.

 

"We'll do what we can, Mr. Ewing,"  the deputy says.  "Y'all have a good night,"

 

"Good night,"  Catlin says as the deputy leaves.

 

"Catlin, are you alright?"  Blaine asks her brother.

 

"No, I'm not.  I'm mad as hell.  I know Peter Love is the one who killed Brittany, and we have to find him before Sue Ellen's trial ends."

 

"But how?"  Krystina asks.  

 

"If Love was in that courtroom, and if he knows Sandy spotted him, he's probably long gone by now,"  Ann says.

 

"Maybe not,"  John Ross says.  "I'm gonna call Bum.  I had him do some background checkin' on Peter Love.  If anybody can find the man, it's Bum."  John Ross takes his phone from his pocket and walks into the dining room.  Sue Ellen follows him.

 

"John Ross," she calls to him as he enters the dining room.  He turns to face his mother.  "John Ross, I'm so sorry that you had hear all of that stuff in court today, about the night Nicholas Pearce died."

 

 "Y'know, I always knew you hated my father,"  John Ross says.  "But I never thought you really wanted him dead."

 

"John Ross, your father and I had a very......complicated........relationship to say the least.  I loved J.R. for so many years, and, there were times when I absolutely hated him, but I never wanted him dead.  That night, that.......horrible night so long ago.  It's something I've tried so hard to forget."

 

"I remember when Lucy came to that school and picked me up,"  John Ross says.  "When I got home and I found out that you had shot my Daddy, I.........I kept thinkin', this must be some mistake.  No way would my mother shoot my father.  Then I found out it was true, but I STILL gave you the benefit of the doubt."

 

"Your father and I tried so hard to shield you from most of the ugliness that went on in our lives when you were growing up," Sue Ellen says.  "Unfortunately, we didn't always do a very good job of it."

 

"Nothin' can be done about it now,"  John Ross says.

 

"John Ross, no matter what problems your father and I had, we always loved you, and, in our own bizarre way, we always loved each other."

 

John Ross looks at his mother.  "I better make this call," he says, then walks into the next room, leaving Sue Ellen alone in the dining room, wondering if her son would ever truly forgive her for the past.

 

A moment later, Sue Ellen returns to the living room, where Catlin is on his phone, listening to C.J.'s ringtone as he waits for his son to answer.  "Damn," he finally says in frustration, putting his phone down.

 

"No answer from C.J.?"  Blaine asks.

 

"No, and I'm really worried, with Peter Love in Dallas."

 

"Catlin, do you really think Peter Love would go after C.J.?"  Bobby asks.

 

"I wouldn't put it past him, Bobby,"  Catlin replies.  "I'm convinced that Peter killed Brittany, for whatever reason, and he's always hated me.  C.J. is our son, so with Brittany gone, Peter might try to hurt me by going after my son."

 

"Catlin, what about Love's sister, Donna?"  Jay asks. "Do you think she would know if her brother were in Dallas?"

 

"I really have no idea, Jay.  But I think I should give her a call and try and find out,"  Catlin says.  "And Jay, I know I was against this idea at first, but, I think it's time now that you subpoena Donna Love."

 

"Consider it done,"  says Jay.

 

"I'm gonna call Donna, and try and get her to come to Dallas voluntarily,"  Catlin says.

 

"Wait, wouldn't calling this guy's sister tip him off that you know he's in Dallas and probably involved in your wife's murder?"  Jill asks.  "She's bound to try and reach him to let him know that you're looking for him."

 

"Peter has to already know that we know he's here,"  Sandy says.  "I know that was him I saw in that courtroom, and Peter saw me looking at him.  I'm sure that's why he fled."

 

"Of course it is,"  Catlin says, again picking up his phone.  He dials Donna Love's number and waits impatiently for an answer.  After a few rings, just as Catlin is about to hang up, the woman answers.  "Donna, this is Catlin Ewing, I'm glad that I caught you.  Donna, I need a favor from you.  A big one.  I need you to come to Dallas as soon as possible."

Pamela's apartment....

 Pamela opens the door of her apartment and lets Justin in.  "Hey," he says, kissing her as he enters the apartment.  

 

"Hi."

 

"How'd it go with your Daddy this mornin' after I left?"  

 

"Well, naturally, he was upset, and not very willing to listen to me, so I asked him to leave."

 

Justin sighs.  "Pamela, I am sorry."

 

"You have nothing to be sorry for,"  Pamela says, walking up to him.  "Justin, I don't regret my decision.  Not in the least.  I knew that my father would find out about us sooner or later, and it just happened sooner.  I also knew that he would be upset, but, if he doesn't like or accept our relationship, then, so be it.  All that matters is that WE are happy."

 

"There may be one other problem,"  says Justin.

 

"The Ewings?  I know.  They aren't going to be any happier than my father about us."

 

"No, I don't mean the Ewings.  I mean Tripp McKay.  "I know he itn't too happy about you seein' me."

 

"That's his problem.  I've already filed for divorce from Tripp."

 

"I know, but he IS the father of your son.  He could cause some problems."

 

"Tripp walked out on me while I was pregnant because he couldn't handle my decision not to have an abortion.  I was raped, Justin, and pregnant as a result of that rape, and when I needed Tripp the most, all he could think about was himself.  Trust me, Tripp won't be a problem.  He can see Hunter whenever he likes, but he has absolutely no right to tell me who I can and can't see."

 

Justin looks at her and smiles.  "Ya know somethin'?"

 

"What?"

 

"You're awful cute when ya get worked up like that."

 

Pamela laughs.  "Well, thank you."

 

"I have news for you, too.  My divorce hearin' from Amanda is in a couple days.  I called a judge who was a friend of J.R.'s, and he went ahead and put it on the calendar.  The sooner I get this marriage behind me, the better.  And the sooner I can get on with my life."

 

Afton comes down the stairs of the apartment she shares with Cliff the next morning, just as he comes out of the kitchen.  "Well," he says.  "I waited up for you last night."

 

"I was busy at the club until really late," Afton says.

 

"Yeah, well, we have a situation on our hands."

 

"What kind of a situation?"

 

"You'll never guess who I found half naked and coming out of the shower in our daughter's apartment yesterday morning," says Cliff.

 

"Justin Ewing?"  Afton asks.

 

A look of surprise comes over Cliff's face.  "Wait, you KNEW about this?"

 

"I knew she's been seeing him.  I had no idea how far things had gone between them."

 

"Afton, you knew and you didn't call me in California and tell me?"

 

"What could you have done?"

 

"I would've hopped a plane and flown back here as fast as I could."

 

"And what would you have done, Cliff?"  Afton asks.  "I don't like Pamela seeing him anymore than you do, but our daughter is a grown woman, free to see whomever she chooses."

 

"So you're just gonna accept this?"  

 

"What choice do I have?  Pamela is not 15 anymore, Cliff.  I can't forbid her to see someone just because he's a Ewing.  Besides, maybe we're misjudging him because he IS a Ewing.  We don't even know Justin yet."

 

"I don't have to know him,"  Cliff says.  "He's J.R. Ewing's son, and that's all I need to know.  We have to do something to end this little, whatever the hell it is between our daughter and J.R.'s son."

 

"Cliff, I want you to listen to me, and listen good,"  says Afton.  "Now our daughter has been through hell this past year.  She almost lost Hunter when he was born, then there was the kidnapping, and she was raped by that monster Scott Van Buren. She became pregnant with Scott's child, and instead of supporting her as he should have, her husband walked out on her and abandoned her when she needed him most.  Now I don't like the fact that Pamela is becoming involved with John Ross's brother, but if he is what makes her happy, then I have to accept that, and so do you."

 

"But....."

 

"And I will NOT allow you to ruin our daughter's happiness, Cliff. Just leave Pamela and Justin alone."  Without another word to him, Afton brushes past Cliff and goes into the kitchen, leaving Cliff alone in the middle of the living room, a stunned look on his face.

 

"I leave town for a couple of weeks and the whole damned world has gone crazy!"  Cliff says.

Southfork....

"Maybe your Mama can come back and visit real soon," Ann says.

 

"I sure hope so.  I loved having her around."

 

"Courtney, when is your custody case goin' to court?"  Heather asks.

 

"They haven't set a court date yet, but soon, I hope."

 

"Sure will be nice havin' another little boy runnin' around Southfork," Ann says.

 

"And a new playmate for Michael,"  says Lucy.  

 

"You'll like that, won't ya, buddy?"  Heather asks her son.

 

Michael smiles and nods.

 

"Krystina told me last night that she's gonna be filling in at Ewing Oil for a while," Heather says.

 

"Yeah, while the rest of us are preoccupied with Sue Ellen's trial,"  says Bobby.

 

"Since Krystina's so experienced in the oil business already, maybe you guys will give her a permanent position in the company,"  Lucas says.  

 

"Making decisions about Ewing Oil now, too, Lucas?" Christopher asks.

 

"No, I'm not, Christopher, Lucas says.  "I have nothing to do with Ewing Oil.  And if that wise crack was in reference to me selling Ewing Records to Justin, well, maybe you've forgotten, but that company was mine to do with as I pleased.  You gave it to me, remember?"

 

"Yeah, well, maybe that was a mistake."

 

"Mistake or not, there's not a damned thing you can do about it now, is there?"  Lucas angrily asks.

 

"Alright, that's enough!"  Bobby says.  "Look, I don't know what the hell's goin' on between the two of you, but I suggest you take care of it."

 

"I have to get to the office, anyway,"  Christopher says.  He quickly gets up from the table and leaves, the rest of the family exchanging looks of concern.

Dallas County Courthouse....later

 "All rise," the bailiff says as Sue Ellen's trial resumes that morning.  "Court is now in session, the Honorable Judge Thomas Flynn presiding."

 

Judge Flynn enters the courtroom and takes his place on the bench.  "Be seated," he instructs the jury and spectators.  "Mr. Smithfield, are you ready to proceed?"

 

"Yes I am, Your Honor,"  Jay replies.  

 

"Mrs. Ewing, please retake the stand,"  says the Judge.

 

A nervous Sue Ellen gets up and makes her way to the witness stand and takes her seat.

 

"Please remember that you're still under oath," Judge Flynn tells her.

 

"Mrs. Ewing, when we left off yesterday, you were saying that you were remembering something,"  Jay says.  "Flashes of memory of the night Brittany Ewing was murdered."

 

"Yes."

 

"Could you please describe those flashes of memory?"

 

"I wish that I could.  But I'm really not sure.  The memories......none of them are very clear, and I can't even be sure that memories are what they are.  It almost feels more like a dream."

 

"Do you believe your inability to remember clearly the details of the night of December 31, 2016, to be the result of the drug you were given that night by Brittany Ewing?"

 

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Todd says.  "No concrete proof has been given that Brittany Ewing drugged the defendant on the night of her murder."

 

"Objection sustained."

Katelyn Spencer's apartment....

 Brian Jeffries comes out of the bathroom at Katelyn's apartment that morning after taking a shower, a towel around his waist.  Since Katelyn isn't home, having gone to her classes at SMU, Brian doesn't bother to get dressed.  He walks into the living room, takes a seat on the sofa, and picks up the remote, switching on the television.  He leans back on the sofa, putting his feet up on the coffee table as he switches channels in an attempt to find something to watch.  He finally stops the channels on the Dallas Morning news, where the news anchor is reporting a story about a house fire the previous night:  "And no one was injured in that fire on Franklin Avenue, which authorities say took place between midnight and 1 a.m. this morning.  Two adults and three children were at home when the blaze started, but all escaped unharmed.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  In other news, there was a drive by shooting late last evening in the vicinity of Lee Park.  Dallas Police are expressing concern over the growing number of drive by shootings that have taken place within the city limits in recent months....."

 

As the anchor begins talking about the increase in drive by shootings and gang violence Dallas has seen this year, Brian mutes the tv, gets up from his seat, walks into the kitchen and takes a carton of milk from the refrigerator, then picks up a box of Frosted Flakes cereal from the counter.  Taking a bowl from the cupboard, he pours himself a bowl of cereal and then pours milk in.  After he replaces the milk in the refrigerator, he take a spoon and his bowl of cereal and goes back into the living room, putting his cereal down on the coffee table.  He then picks up his shirt on a chair and slips it on.  As he does, he is struck by what he sees on the TV.......his own photo, and the anchor talking about him.  Dropping the bowl of cereal to the floor, Brian runs over and grabs the remote, turning up the volume on the

TV as the news anchor speaks:  "Police in San Francisco have issued a nationwide all points bulletin for this man (a second photo of Brian shows up on the screen), who most recently has been using the name Brian Jeffries.  His real name is Brian Christopher Manning, age 23.  Manning is wanted in San Francisco as a possible suspect in an explosion at the home of multi-millionaire newspaper publisher and businessman Richard Channing.  The explosion left three people dead, and scores of others injured.  Manning is believed to be in central Texas, possibly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  Police and FBI agents urge anyone who sees this man to contact local law enforcement immediately and do not approach, as the suspect could be armed and dangerous....."

  Amanda buzzes Brad's office.  "Brad, Tripp McKay is here to see you."

 

"Thank you, Amanda.  Send him in." Brad stands from his seat at his desk.  A few seconds later, Tripp walks in.  "Hello, Tripp."

 

"Brad."

 

"Would you like a drink?"

 

"No, thank you."

 

"So what brings you by?"  Brad asks, walking to his bar.

 

"Well, before we talk, are you ABSOLUTELY sure there aren't any bugs in your office?"  Tripp asks.

 

"No way.  I have this office swept for bugs and my office checked for wiretaps every night and every morning now by my own private team.  We're safe here."

 

"And what about HER?"  Tripp asks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"By HER, I assume you're referring to my new secretary, Amanda?"  Brad asks.

 

"Yeah, Amanda EWING,"  Tripp says.  "She is John Ross's brother's wife, man.  What the hell is wrong with you?  How could you hire her, knowing who she is and that we're at war with the Ewings?"

 

"Tripp, just calm down.  Amanda and her husband are separated."

 

"Yeah, I know that, because her husband happens to be spending a lot of time with my wife.  But that's beside the point.  How can you have a EWING working in your company?"

 

"Amanda was down on her luck,"  Brad says. "Justin Ewing had kicked her out and left her with nothing.  She was about to be kicked out of her hotel.  I needed a secretary since I had to fire Brenda, so......"

 

"So you offered the job to a Ewing.  Just great."

 

"I trust her, man."

 

"Yeah, well, you trusted your last secretary, too, and it turned out she was spying on you and giving all your secrets to John Ross, so forgive me if I don't have a whole lotta faith in your judgement."

 

Brad lowers his head, turns, and walks back to his desk.

 

"Look, I'm sorry,"  Tripp says.  "I shouldn't have said that."

 

"No.  No, you're right.  My judgement lately hasn't been the best.  First, my getting involved with Brittany Ewing, and then, I blindly trusted Brenda.  That's why I have my own personal team do a sweep of this office every morning and every night.  Now, let's get down to why I asked you here.  To talk about YOUR judgement.  It's been a couple of weeks, Tripp.  Just what the hell are you gonna do about your kid brother?  How long before you confront him about the bugs he planted in your apartment?"

 

"I have a better idea,"  says Tripp.  "I've been thinking.  My brother doesn't know that I suspect him.  He thinks I still trust him."

 

"And?"  Brad asks.

"And........we can use that.  We can use that to both find out if my brother really was the one who planted those listening devices, and to bring John Ross down."

 

"I think I get what you're saying.  You feed false information to your brother?"

 

"Yeah.  We make up some bogus deal, I talk to Shawn about it, and if that information gets back to John Ross, then I'll know without a doubt that Shawn betrayed me, and I'll also know how to deal with that."

 

"So what about this bogus deal?"  Brad asks.

 

"I already started the ball rolling on that,"  replies Tripp.  "And I'm gonna need your help."

 

"If it means bringing John Ross to his knees, then I'm in,"  says Brad.

Katelyn's apartment....afternoon

 Katelyn walks into her apartment that afternoon and finds her brother, Brian, hurriedly packing some things.  "Brian, what's going on?"  She asks.

 

"I gotta get outta here,"  he says.

 

"Get out?  But why?"

 

"You haven't seen the news?"

 

"Of course not, I've been in class and in the library all day,"  Katelyn says.  "Brian, what's going on?"

 

"The cops in California know I'm in Texas,"  replies Brian.  "They've put out a manhunt for me."

 

"Then you can't leave,"  Katelyn says.  "Brian, if the police are looking for you, then right here is the safest place for you."

 

"It's not safe for either of us for me to stay here.  Katie, it's only a matter of time before the cops track me down, put two and two together, and figure out that you're my sister.  I'm not gonna stay and put you in any danger.  You could get into some serious trouble for hiding me."

 

"Brian, please.  Please, just stay here.  I'll take my chances with the police, but I will NOT lose my brother,"  Katelyn says.

 

Brian walks up to her.  "Katie, I'm not gonna put you in any danger.  I have to get out of here, and I have to go NOW."

 

"Where are you gonna go?"

 

"I.....I don't know.  But I have to get out of Texas."

 

"Just wait,"  Katelyn says.  "Let me go and buy you a phone so I can reach you and so you can let me know where you are, and that you're okay.  Just give me an hour.  No one knows that you're here, so no one will look for you here."

 

Brian looks at her for a few seconds.  "Okay, ONE hour, and then I'm gone."

 

"Okay.  I love you.  I'll be back soon.  Just stay put for now."  Katelyn kisses her brother on the cheek, then quickly leaves.

 

Brian sighs deeply, his heart pounding with fear as he realizes after all these months, the walls are closing in on him.

An office in Dallas....

 Donna and Margaret are looking around an empty office in downtown Dallas that afternoon as Donna is searching for space to rent to move her office to Dallas.  "Well, what do you think?"  Donna asks her daughter.

 

"I like it,"  Margaret replies. "I think it's the nicest office we've looked at."

 

Donna smiles.  "And I agree.  I think this is the one I'm gonna take for my office here in Dallas. And darling, thank you so much for coming up from Austin to help me look for an office."

 

"It was my pleasure, Mom.  I know you really needed an office here because it was hard commuting back and forth to Austin, but, I'm really gonna miss dropping into your office and having lunch with you every day."

 

"I'm gonna miss that, too,"  Donna says.  "But ya know, I will still be coming to Austin on a regular basis whenever I'm needed there for meetings or what have you, so we'll still have our lunches.  And you and my grandson can fly up from Austin anytime you want."

 

"I'll probably be doing that since Matt is so busy these days."

 

"Good,"  Donna says.

 

"Mom, is something wrong?"  Margaret asks.  "All day you've acted as though something were bothering you.  Is everything alright with Dad?"

 

"Sure, everything's fine.  I'm just worried about Dylan."

 

"Dylan?  What's the matter with Dylan?"

 

"I'm not real sure.  He's been acting very strange lately, and he's been sick for several days, or so he and Conner say."

 

"You think they're lying about him being sick?"  Margaret asks.

 

"I don't know, I just get this feeling that there's more to it than that, and you know my intuition is usually right."

 

Margaret smiles.  "Yes, I certainly do know that.  Mom, umm, what about Heath?"

 

"What about him?"  Donna asks.

 

"He and Dad are spending a lot of time together these days, aren't they?"

 

"Yes, they are.  And that concerns me, too."

 

"You don't trust Heath, do you?"  Margaret asks.

 "Here you go,"  Katelyn tells the cashier at a Verizon store not far from her apartment as she pays for a phone she has just purchased for Brian.  The cashier gives Katelyn back her change.

 

"And, here's your change, ma'am,"  the cashier says.  "Hope you enjoy your new phone, and come back to see us soon."

 

"Thanks, I will,"  she says.  Taking the bag with the phone, Katelyn hurries out of the store. As she is heading to her car parked in front, Austin Wentworth comes out of the Starbucks next to Verizon.  Spotting Katelyn, Austin rushes out to catch up to her.

 

"Katelyn?"  He calls.  "Katelyn Spencer?"

 

Hearing her name, Katelyn turns around to see Austin approaching her.  "Oh, Austin, hi."

 

"Hey, I thought that was you I saw coming out of Verizon."

 

"What are you doing here?  I thought you'd still be at your office."

 

"I had a business meeting down the street earlier, so, I just stopped by here for some of my favorite coffee,"  says Austin.  "Listen, if you're not busy right now, why don't you join me for some coffee and a little conversation?"

 

"Actually, I AM busy right now,"  Katelyn says.  

 

"Oh, bought you a new phone?"

 

"Yeah. Umm, my old one died on me.  Austin, look, I'm in a hurry, and I really have to go."

 

"Yeah, sure,"  Austin says.  "Well, we should get together. Call or text me."

 

"Yeah, I will.  I have to go,"  Katelyn says, then quickly hurries away from him and to her car in the parking lot.  She gets into the car quickly and in her haste, accidentally drops her change purse.  Austin notices, but before he can run over to the car to let her know, Katelyn quickly drives off.  Austin walks over and picks up the purse.  He opens the purse, which contains a few one dollar bills, some coin change, and Katelyn's driver's license.  Austin smiles, then hurries to his own car, parked in front of Starbucks.

The Krebbs Ranch....

 Dylan is cleaning out the stalls at the Krebbs Ranch that afternoon.  As he continued to work, Dylan wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.  He noticed his hand was shaking.  Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a small flask, opens it, and takes a drink from it.  He quickly slips the flask back into his pocket and returns to his work just as Conner walks into the barn carrying two pails of corn, one in each hand, for the horses.

 

"Dylan,"  Conner says.  

 

Dylan turns around to face his brother.  "Conner.  What are you doing here?  I thought you were working on the fence."

 

"Yeah, I finished.  So, I thought I'd come help you in here."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Did you come to help me.....or to spy on me?"  Dylan asks.

 "Did I come to spy on you?"  Conner asks.  "Of course I didn't come to spy on you.  Dude, where's that even coming from?"

 

"Sorry,"  Dylan says.  "If you wanna help, fine."

 

 

"You okay, Dylan?"  Conner asks.

"I'm just kinda sick of being asked that question.  Donna asked if me was I okay twice before she left this morning.  Ray asked me if was I okay, and you ask me about 20 times a day."

 

"It's only because we care about you, Dylan."

 

"Well I appreciate it, but I'm FINE,"  Dylan says.  He turns his back on Conner and resumes his work.  

 

Conner watches his brother for a few seconds, then walks over and picks up a shovel and begins cleaning of the stalls Dylan hadn't gotten to yet.  Almost a whole minute of silence goes by, then Conner looks at his brother again.  "Y'know, I really meant what I said the other day,"  Conner finally says, breaking the silence.  

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"When I told you that you could come to me to talk.  About anything."

 

Dylan looks at him and sighs.  "Thanks.  I just don't feel like talking."

 

"Look, if you wanna talk about Amanda....."

 

"I don't, Conner,"  Dylan says, somewhat angrily.  "I DON'T wanna talk about Amanda.  Whatever I thought I had with her, it's over.  I just wanna forget about it and accept the fact that I'll never have anyone.  I'm gonna go take a break."  Dylan throws his shovel to the ground.

 

"Yeah, go ahead, I'll finish up in here,"  Conner says as Dylan walks past him and out of the barn.  Conner watches his brother as Dylan walks out of the barn.  He lets out a sigh, deeply worried about Dylan and unsure of how to help him through this heartbreak.

Katelyn's apartment....

"Austin?  Wha......what are you doing here?"  Katelyn asks nervously.

 

"You dropped this when you got into your car,"  he replies, handing her the change purse.

 

"Oh, thank you.  How did you know where I lived?"

 

"Your license is in the purse."

 

"Oh,"  Katelyn says.

 

"Well, aren't you gonna invite me in?"  Austin asks.

 

"I'm sorry, look, this really isn't a good time."

 

"Are you okay?"  Austin asks.

 

"I'm fine,"  Katelyn replies.

 

Meanwhile, Brian is standing in the doorway of Katelyn's bedroom, with her door slightly ajar, listening to his brother and sister's conversation in the living room.

 

"You sure?"  Brian hears Austin ask Katelyn.  "You seem kinda jumpy."

 

As a nervous Brian moves, his foot accidentally bumps a table beside the door, making a noise, which Austin and Katelyn hear in the living room.  

 

"Hey, what was that?"  Austin asks.

 

"What was what?"  Katelyn asks.  

 

"Don't tell me you didn't hear that.  Sounds like it came from the next room."

 

"I didn't hear anything,"  Katelyn lies.

 

Back in the bedroom, Brian quickly walks over to the nightstand beside his sister's bed and opens the top drawer, taking out a revolver Katelyn kept for protection.  He hurries back to the door, gun in hand, and listens again....

 

"Austin, you really should leave,"  Katelyn says.

 

"Katie, are you SURE everything's okay?"  Austin asks.  "Are you here alone, or is someone in there with you?"

 

Katelyn hesitates a moment before answering.  "I have a friend over."

 

"Oh, I see.  A guy?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Oh.  You didn't tell me you were seeing someone,"  Austin says.

 

"Well, I am," says Katelyn.  "So you should go."

 

"Okay, fine.  I'm going.  Take care."

 

"You, too,"  Katelyn says, closing the door as Austin leaves.  After he's gone, Katelyn breathes a sigh of relief.  She waits a few seconds to make sure Austin isn't coming back and locks the front door, then walks into the bedroom, where Brian is standing with the gun next to the bedroom door.  "Why do you have my gun?  I got rid of him."

 

"And it's a good thing for him you did,"  Brian says.  "What the hell was Austin doing here, Katie?  What was he doing here?"

 

"I dropped my wallet when I went to buy that phone.  He picked it up and brought it to me."

 

"How does he even know you?  You've been socializing with him or something?"

 

"I've seen him a few times.  Had coffee with him, and lunch with him."

 

"Are you KIDDING me?"  Asks an angry Brian.  "Austin, of all people?  Our BROTHER?  I thought we were supposed to be keeping our identities a secret."

 

"And we have.  I HAVE!"  Katelyn says.  "Austin knows me as Katelyn Spencer. He has no idea who I really am."

 

"And don't you think it's only a matter of time before he finds out.  I don't know what kind of a game you're playing with brother dearest, but it has to end."

 

"I'm not playing any games.  I was only curious what he was like, that's all."

 

"Well you know what they say curiosity did to the cat, don't you?"  Brian asks, ominously.

 

"I won't see him again,"  Katelyn says.

 

"No, wait a minute.  Waaaait a minute.  Maybe you SHOULD see Austin again."

 

"What are you talking about?  You just said that......"

 

"I know what I said.   But on second thought, our brother could be my ticket out of this town and out of this state."

 

"Brian, what are you thinking of doing?"  Katelyn asks, worried.

 

"Our brother is gonna help me get away from here."

 

"How?"  

 

"Bum, ya gotta do a better job than you been doin' so far of findin' Peter Love,"  John Ross tells Bum in his office that evening.  "Mama's trial will come to an end in a couple days and that jury will go out to deliberate."

 

"I'm workin' on it, John Ross, but it's a lot easier said than done,"  says Bum.  "Peter Love is a rich man, and he's probably long gone from Dallas by now if he thought he was spotted at Sue Ellen's trial."

 

"Damn it, Bum, I need results, not excuses,"  John Ross says.  

 

"I have every man in my firm working on finding Peter Love."

 

"Well it itn't enough.  We need the cops involved.  But the cops won't do anything because they don't have any evidence of Love's involvement in Brittany's murder. But you can help with that."

 

"How so?"  Bum asks.

 

"Your son is a detective with the Dallas PD.  Convince him to get involved and put out some sorta APB on this Love character."

 

"Without any hard core evidence, there's very little the police can do,"  says Bum.  "And I can't ask Steven to put his neck on the line again and investigate this case without official involvement from the department.  Last time he did that, trackin' down Scott Van Buren to Canada after he kidnapped Afton and Pamela, he almost lost his life, and his job.  He just got off probation with the department last month for all the rules he broke."

 

"Look, I'm not askin' him to go off half cocked to Canada again.  Just to do a little investigatin' on the side, even in his off duty hours, to find Peter Love.  I'll make it worth his while."

 

"Won't work.  Steven couldn't care less about the money."

 

John Ross looks at his friend.  "You SURE he's your son?"

 

"I'll talk to him.  Maybe I can convince him to get the department to do a little more."

 

"Fine, I'd appreciate that,"  John Ross says.

 

Bum stands from his seat.  "I'll go talk to him right now."

 

"Let me know what he says."

 

"Will do,"  Bum says.  As he starts to leave, he runs into Krystina coming into her husband's office.  

 

"Oh, evening, Bum," he says.

 

"Evening, Krystina.  You two have a good evening,"  Bum says, then leaves.

 

"Yeah, you, too,"  says John Ross.

 

"Is everything okay?"

 

"Yeah.  Just touchin' base with Bum on the search for this guy Peter Love."

 

"Any luck?"  Krystina asks.

 

"Nope, not yet.  So how 'bout you?  How was your first day on board at Ewing Oil?"

 

Krystina smile.  "It was quiet.  Not much going on around here today, so today was easy."

 

"Sure feels like it was a long day to me."

 

"Well, then, why don't we get out of here, go grab a bite to eat, and go home?"

 

"That's a good idea,"  John Ross says with a sigh.

 

"Hey,"  Krystina says.  "I know it's hard, but try to have faith that everything's gonna be okay.  Jay is working around the clock to get your Mom acquitted."

 

"I know.  I'm just scared, darlin'.  REAL scared.  I don't wanna see my Mama spend the rest of her days in prison for somethin' I know she didn't do.  Damn that Todd Baxter.  Krystina, I swear to you, when this trial is over, no matter how it goes.........I'm gonna make Todd Baxter sorry for the day he was born."

 

"If it wasn't Baxter, it'd be some other D.A. prosecuting this case,"  Krystina says.

 

"Yeah, but another D.A. wouldn't enjoy this so much.  I can't wait to wipe that smirk off that son of a bitch's face and make damn sure Baxter never works in the legal profession again, in Texas or anywhere else."

 

Krystina puts her hands on John Ross's chest.  "Come on.  Let's get out of here, and try and forget about Todd Baxter and the trial.  At least for tonight."

 

John Ross looks at his wife and nods.  He walks over to his desk, grabs his jacket from the back of his chair, and the two leave together.

The Wentworth mansion....

"Are you okay?" Austin asks.  "You seemed pretty upset when you called and asked if you could come over, and I could tell something was wrong when I stopped by your apartment earlier to return your purse."

 

"I'm.....okay," Katelyn says.  "I just needed someone to talk to, and I kinda needed some company, too."

 

"Your boyfriend?"  Austin asks.  

 

"Yeah, Jimmy,"  Katelyn lies.  "Things were kind of tense earlier when you came bv,"

 

"You wanna talk about it?"

 

"I'd love to.  Umm, over drinks?  It would help me relax."

 

Austin smiles.  "Okay.  What'll you have?  I've got scotch, bourbon, and......cold beer."

 

"Scotch,"  Katelyn replies. 

 

"Coming right up,"  Austin says, heading to his bar in the living room.

 

 

"Hey, tell you what.  Why don't I fix us a couple drinks while you go and dry off and change out of that wet swim suit?"  Katelyn asks.  "I wouldn't want you to catch cold."

 

"Yeah, you're probably right,"  Austin says with a smile.  "Okay, well, you fix us a couple drinks, and I'll be down in a few minutes."

 

"Okay.  What do you want to drink?"

 

"I'll have a scotch, too,"  Austin says as he hurries up the stairs.  

 

Katelyn watches him until he reaches the top of the stairs, then goes down the hall and out of sight.  She breathes a sigh of relief.  "Damn, this is gonna be easier than I thought," she says quietly to herself.  She walks over to the bar, where she picks up two glasses.  She pours two drinks into the glasses, then takes two cubes of ice, placing one in each glass.  After finishing with the ice, Katelyn reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small vial of clear liquid.  Opening the vial, she pours the liquid into one of the glasses of scotch, then quickly shoves the now empty vial back into her pocket.  She picks up the glass with the contents of the vial and shakes it, making sure to mix the mysterious liquid well in the scotch.  Taking the two glasses, she walks over to the sofa and places the glasses down on each end of the coffee table.  While waiting for Austin to return, Katelyn looks around the spacious mansion, her anger and envy rising up inside of her as she remember the dismal childhood she and Brian had while their brother Austin grew up in wealth and opulence.  On a table, Katelyn sees a framed photo of Katherine and Austin.  

"Well, uh, there really isn't much more to tell than I've already shared with you,"  Austin says, beginning to feel some of the effects of the drug he had been given in his drink.  He puts his scotch down on the coffee table.  

 

"There must be something more to Austin Wentworth than meets the eye,"  Katelyn says.  "I mean, a young, good looking guy who's CEO of one of the largest corporations in the country.  You must have a lot of girlfriends.  Or at least a lot of girls chasing you."

 

"What?  Uhhhh,"  Austin says, looking at Katelyn, his vision beginning to blur.  "No, I, Uhh, I'm sorry."

 

"Austin, what's wrong?"  

 

"I........I really don't know.  All of a sudden, I........I don't feel well.  I feel, uh, strange.  Dizzy."

 

"Well, just sit back and take it easy,"  Katelyn says.

 

"No, I have to.....I, uh......"  Rubbing his head, Austin stands to his feet, but is so dizzy that he stumbles and almost falls, managing to catch himself by grabbing onto the coffee table.  "Katelyn, I.....I don't......I don't know what's wrong with me.....I feel so.......weird."

 

"Maybe you should sit back down,"  Katelyn says, looking at him, her tone one of unconcern at Austin's condition.  

 

"I'm gonna......." Before Austin can get another word out, he collapses, falling to the floor on his side, unconscious.  

 

Katelyn gets up and rushes over to him, getting on her knees beside him.  "Austin?"  She says, touching his shoulder.  When he doesn't answer, Katelyn rolls Austin over onto his back.  She touches his face.  "Austin?"  She calls to him again, making sure he's really out. Once she's certain the drug she gave him has worked, she stands and rushes to the front door, opening it.  She motions for Brian, who is hiding outside, to come in.  Brian enters the house and Katelyn closes the door, locking it.  "You were right," she says.  "That drug worked really fast."

 

"Never fails,"  Brian says, looking at his unconscious brother on the floor.  "Well, so that's our brother, the powerful Austin Wentworth.  Doesn't look so powerful now, does he?  Laying on the floor like that."

 

"Brian, how long is he gonna be out?"  Katelyn asks.  

 

"Long enough."

 

"What about that maid?"

 

"When's she coming back?"  Brian asks.

 

"Austin gave her the night off.  Told her he'd see her in the morning."

 

"Don't worry.  He'll be out for several hours, but, he'll be awake enough by morning to call his housekeeper and give her a nice long vacation.  And then, he'll call Mommy Dearest and get her back to Dallas so that we can take care of some family business."

 

"Brian, what if he refuses?"

 

 

 

 

 

Brian looks at his sister, then at Austin on the floor.  "That wouldn't be good," he replies, looking down at Austin.  "This is a beautiful house, isn't it?  Be a real shame if our brother refused to cooperate with me. This is waaay too nice a house to have his brains splattered all over the walls."

 

 

 

 

 

Sue Ellen's home....later

 At Sue Ellen's home that night, Catlin and Sue Ellen, Blaine and Sandy walk Bobby and Ann to the door as they are about to leave.

 

"Look, why don't Ann and I stop by C.J.'s apartment and check on him on our way home?"  Bobby asks Catlin.

 

"Bobby I would REALLY appreciate that,"  Catlin says.  "Especially since my son wants very little to do with me these days."

 

"C.J. will come around in time,"  Blaine tells her brother.

 

"Of course, he will,"  Bobby says.  "When Lucas found out that I was his father, he was angry, and for a while, things were pretty bad between us.  Lucas was very bitter toward his 

mother, Ray, and I for keeping the secret of his paternity from him all his life.  But eventually, he came around and today my son and I are very close."

 

"And I had a similar situation with my daughter Emma,"  Ann says.  "So Bobby and I both speak from personal experience.  You and C.J. will work this out."

 

"I hope you're right,"  says Catlin.  "I thought I was protecting my son by keeping all this ugly stuff from the past a secret from him.  But, I guess keeping secrets is never a good idea, no matter what the reason.  You think you're protecting someone by keeping an ugly truth from them, but, when that truth eventually comes out, which it always does, it's worth than if the truth had been told in the first place."

 

"You're certainly right about that."  Sandy says.

 

Catlin and Sandy's words leave Bobby and Ann feeling awkward and uncomfortable, each of them reminded of the ugly secrets they are both keeping in their attempts at protecting people they love.  

 

"Well, we'd better be going,"  Bobby says.  

 

"Bobby, Ann, thank you for coming over,"  says Sue Ellen, she and Ann exchanging hugs.

 

"We'll see you tomorrow mornin',"  Ann says.

 

"Alright."

 

"Goodnight,"  Bobby says as he and Ann leave.

 

Catlin sighs deeply after they're gone.  "Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I am exhausted."

 

"We'd better hit the hay,"  Sandy says.  

 

"Yes, we have a big day ahead tomorrow,"  says Sandy.

 

"Yes,"  Catlin says. "Donna will arrive tomorrow to testify, and hopefully, we can get some answers about Peter."

 

"Catlin, what if Donna Love doesn't show up to testify tomorrow?"  Sue Ellen asks.

 

"She's been subpoenaed.  She has no choice but to come to Dallas and testify.  And hopefully, Peter is still in Dallas and if he gets wind that his sister is in town, it'll smoke him out."

Meanwhile....

As Bobby and Ann get into Bobby's car and drive away from Sue Ellen's home, Peter Love sits in his car across the street, watching the house. After a few minutes, the lights are turned out on the ground floor of the house, signaling that the occupants are heading to bed.  Peter lays his head against the head rest of the seat and lets out a deep breath.  His mind thinks back in time to New Year's Eve......just hours before Brittany was killed......

************************************FLASHBACK************************************

"You really are a pathetic excuse for a man, Peter,"  Brittany says.  "Why I ever left Catlin for you is beyond me."

 

"You KNOW why," Peter says angrily.  "You and I not only share a long history, but we also share something else.  Something you never wanted Catlin or your son to find out about."

 

"And why should I even care, anymore?"  Brittany asks.  "Catlin wants a divorce from me anyway, so why should he even care about the time we spent in San Francisco all those  years ago?"

 

"And what about your son?"  Peter asks.  "How do you think Catlin, Jr. will take it when he finds out just what kind of a woman his mother really is?"

 

"You listen to me, Peter.  You say ONE word to my son about any of this, and I swear, I'll blow the whistle on all your dirty little schemes.  I'll make sure you spend the rest of your miserable life where you belong......in prison!"

 

Peter angrily grabs Brittany by the arms.  "You even THINK about doing that and I can promise, it'll be the last thing you EVER do, Brittany."

 

"Let go of me, Peter, you're hurting me!"  Brittany says, struggling against his grip.

 

"You keep your mouth shut or I'll do more than just hurt you.  I'll KILL you!"

****************************RETURN TO PRESENT***********************************

"Damn you, Brittany,"  Peter says angrily.  "Why?  Why couldn't you have just let well enough alone?  Why did you make me do it?"

**********************FLASHBACK TO NEW YEAR'S EVE*******************************

Peter lurks in a hallway just off the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, watching Brittany as she comes out of the Oil Baron's Ball and heads down the hall.  He watches as she goes into the ladies restroom.  Peter looks down at his hand.  He is tightly holding a kitchen knife. After a brief pause, Peter goes down the hall and follows Brittany into the ladies room.  

 

Brittany is washing her hands at a sink in the ladies' room when the door opens.  She pays no attention at first to the sound of footsteps coming up behind her, as she continues washing her hands.  She reaches over and grabs three paper towels from the machine and dries her hands.  Then she looks up into the mirror and sees  Peter standing behind her.  A look of shock comes over her face.  She turns to face him.  "You?  What are you doing in here?"  She asks.  No sooner has she gotten the words out, than a knife plunges into her abdomen, causing her to gasp, then double over in pain.  She reaches down and grabs her abdomen, her hands becoming covered in blood.  Peter plunges the knife in again, just above where Brittany is holding her hands over the first wound.  As she falls to the floor, closing her eyes, Peter looks down at her for a second, then walks out of the ladies' room slowly, leaving Brittany on the floor, bleeding and gasping for breath.

 

In the hallway outside, Peter comes face to face with a groggy and obviously disoriented Sue Ellen Ewing, who appears to be so drunk she can barely stand.  Sue Ellen squints her eyes as she looks at Peter, who immediately recognizes her.

 

"Catlin?  No.....Dusty......is that you?"  She asks, her speech slurred.  Peter realizes that luck is with him, as this woman is so out of it, she is the perfect patsy to take the fall for Brittany's murder.

 

Impulsively, Peter quickly pulls a napkin from his pocket and wipes the blade of the knife. He grabs Sue Ellen's hand and places the bloody knife in it, then hurries away from her, making his escape down the hall and through a door marked 'EXIT.'  

******************************RETURN TO PRESENT********************************

Still sitting in his car, Peter is now in tears.  "You shouldn't have made me do it, Brittany. You shouldn't have crossed me.  Well, you're dead, so you're troubles are over.  But not mine.  If Sue Ellen Ewing remembers what really happened that night.......if she remembers seeing me......but I can't let that happen.  Somehow, I have to make sure she doesn't remember that night."

The Wentworth mansion....early the next morning

 Austin is laying on his bed, his hands and feet tied, and a piece of duct tape over his mouth, as he begins to wake up early the next morning.  He opens his eyes and looks around. He is

slightly disoriented from being drugged the night before. Thinking he is dreaming, he tries to move, but can't.  He then realizes he is tied up.  He looks to his left and sees Brian standing there looking at him.  Austin tries to say something, but can't because of his the tape over his mouth.

 

Brian smiles at him.  "Gooood morning, Austin," he says cheerfully.  "And how are we feeling this fine morning?"

 

Austin again makes an attempt to speak but can't.  

 

"Oh, I'm sorry.  You can't talk right now, can you?  I guess it'd help if I took that piece of tape off your mouth, wouldn't it?"  Brian walks over, grabs one side of the tape, and rips it from Austin's face, causing Austin to moan in pain.  "Ouch, I bet that hurt, didn't it?  I always forget how hard that tape sticks, especially to human skin."

 

"Who......who are you?" Austin asks.  "What do you want?"

 

"Who am I,"  Brian says with a smile.  "That's really the ten million dollar question, isn't it, bro?  Who am I."

 

"Look, man, if it's money you want, I don't have much in the house, but I can get you whatever you want.  I also have a lot of valuable stuff here in the house.  You can take whatever you want."

 

"Now isn't that nice of you?"  Brian asks sarcastically.  "I can take whatever I want?"

 

"Just.....please......don't hurt me."

 

"Now why would I wanna hurt you?  After all, we're part of each other."

 

"Just take whatever, and leave," Austin says.

 

"Not just yet, Austin.  We have some business to take care of, you and me.  First thing's first. Your maid.  She'll be coming to work soon, so, you're gonna stop her."

 

"How?"

 

Brian picks up Austin's cell phone, then unties one of Austin's hands.  "You're gonna call her and tell her not to come to work.  In fact, you're gonna give your maid a nice, LONG vacation, with pay."

 

"No, I'm not........"

 

"You see, those are two words I REALLY don't like, bro,"  Brian says, pulling Katelyn's gun from his pocket and pointing it at him.  "Call the maid and tell her she's on vacation for two weeks, Austin, or, she's gonna make a really gruesome discovery when she arrives for work and finds you splattered all over this beautiful bedroom.  And then, I kill her.  So, make the phone call and save two lives."

 

Reluctantly, Austin takes his phone, and dials Helen's number.  

 

"Oh, and Austin,"  Brian says.  "Sound happy.  Tell her that you're leaving town for a while and she should take the time off. Don't give the maid any reason to be suspicious.  Both your lives depend on her NOT coming to this house today."

 

A tear falling down his face, a frightened Austin holds the phone to his ear and waits for Helen to answer.  Finally, she picks up.  "Helen, hi, this is Mr. Austin," he says, nervously.  "Listen, you know what?  I was thinking, you're due for a vacation, so, why don't you go ahead and take it.  No, Helen, I mean it.  I'm gonna be going out of town for a couple of weeks, so, you take your vacation while I'm gone.  Yeah.  Okay, Helen, you too.  Have fun.  I'll hopefully see you in a couple of weeks.  Yeah.  Bye."  Austin ends the call.

 

Brian takes the phone and laughs as he takes the phone.  "MISTER Austin?"  He says.  "Well, I guess that's better than calling you MISTER Wentworth."  Brian proceeds to retie Austin's hands.  

 

"Okay.  Now what?  Why did you want her away for two weeks?"

 

"Like I said.......we have some business."

 

"What kind of business would I have with you?  I don't even know you,"  Austin says. 

 

"That's very true,"  says Brian.  "But you're gonna get to know me, Austin.  After 23 years, it's time you and I got to know  each other real well.  But first......I could use some breakfast.  How about you?"  Brian smiles at him, then walks out of the room.  Austin looks around, but just then, Brian comes back in.  "Ooops,"  he says.  "Almost forgot."  Brian tears another piece of duct tape from the roll on the table, and again places it over Austin's mouth.  "Now if I could learn to trust you not to yell or scream......we could leave that tape off.  But for now, sorry, bro.  You're just gonna have to be a little uncomfortable.  I'll bring ya some breakfast.  Gonna be a long day, so you're gonna need your strength."  Brian turns and walks out of the room.  Austin struggles against the ropes that bind his hands and feet.  His heart pounds with fear, not knowing what Brian wanted or what he would do to him.

 

Downstairs, Katelyn is in the kitchen making breakfast when Brian walks in.  

 

"Smells good," Brian says.

 

"How's Austin?"

 

"He's fine.  He made the call to the maid and gave her a couple weeks off, so, she won't be showing up."

 

"And what about Wentworth Industries?"  Katelyn asks.  "Brian, he's the company's CEO.  If he doesn't show up for work, someone will come looking for him."

 

"Damn, I forgot all about the company.  Okay, well, I'll just have him call whoever he has to call, and tell them he has to go out of town."

 

 

"Brian, I REALLY don't like this at all,"  Katelyn says. 

 

"Katie, this is what we've been waiting for our whole lives. A chance to make our parents, especially our mother, pay. Not only them, but that guy upstairs, too.  You and I lived with sadistic, hateful parents, living dirt poor, while our brothers lived in the lap of luxury.  Even Jonathon got to live with our father and he had everything he wanted growing up.  What the hell did WE have?  What did we ever get from the people who raised us, Katie?  A beating for asking a simple question?  How many times did I go to bed without supper because I misbehaved?  I wonder how many beatings Austin and Jonathon got growing up. None, I'm sure.  Katherine chose Austin over us.  She kept him and she gave the two of us away just like we were nothing to her.  And that bitch is gonna pay for that, Katie.  Just look at this house.  THIS should be ours!  Hurry with that breakfast.  Meanwhile I'm gonna go and have Austin call his secretary and let her know that he's gonna be gone for a while."  Brian starts to leave the room.

 

"Brian?"  Katelyn calls to him.

 

He stops in the doorway and turns back to her.  

 

"What happens after you get your money from Katherine?  What about Austin?"

 

"Why do you care?"

 

"He's still our brother, Brian."

 

"Our brother?  Austin Wentworth is nothing to us.  I am your brother.  All we have is each other.  Don't forget that."  Brian turns and walks out of the room.  

Dallas County Courthouse....later

"Mr. Smithfield, you may call your next witness,"  Judge Flynn tells Jay as court resumes later that morning.

 

"The defense calls Bradley Stone to the stand,"  Jay says.  

 

A reluctant witness, Brad stands and makes his way to the front of the courtroom.  "Raise your right hand,"  the bailiff tells him.  "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you, God?"

 

"I do,"  Brad answers, then takes his seat on the witness stand.  

 

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

 

"Bradley Stone.  President and CEO of Stone Oil in Dallas."

 

"Mr. Stone, you were friends with Brittany Ewing, is that correct?"  Jay asks.

 

"Yes, I was."

 

"Good friends?  I mean, how close were you and Mrs. Ewing?"  

 

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Todd says.  "This question is irrelevant."

 

"On the contrary, Your Honor,"  says Jay.  "Brittany Ewing was murdered, therefore any and all of her associations and relationships are relevant here."

 

"Overruled,"  Judge Flynn says.  

 

"Mr. Stone, were you and Mrs. Ewing close friends?"

 

"Yes,"  Brad replies.  

 

"Were you and Mrs. Brittany Ewing romantically and sexually involved?"  Jay asks.

 

"Yes."

 

"How did you meet Brittany Ewing?"

 

"I met her at a restaurant,"  Brad replies. "I was having lunch with my father last Fall, and Brittany was there, as were her husband Catlin, and Sue Ellen Ewing."

 

"So what happened?  How did you happen to meet Mrs. Brittany Ewing?"

 

"There was some sort of confrontation between Brittany, her husband, and Sue Ellen Ewing.  After Brittany left the restaurant, I followed her out, and introduced myself."

 

"Why did you do that?  Any particular reason you wanted to meet a total stranger after witnessing a confrontation in a restaurant?"

 

"She seemed like an interesting woman."

 

"Is that the only reason?"  Jay asks.  "Or was it perhaps that you wanted to use Brittany Ewing in your fight against Sue Ellen Ewing's son, John Ross?"

 

"Objection,"  Todd says.  

 

"Sustained."

 

"I'll rephrase the question,"  says Jay.  "You and John Ross Ewing are the bitterest of enemies, is that true?"

 

"Yes, that's true.  Everyone knows that."

 

"Did you and Brittany Ewing team up in any way against John Ross or the other Ewings?"

 

"Brittany came to hate John Ross almost as much as I did."

 

"Brittany and John Ross were lovers at one time.  What changed?"

 

"John Ross had Brittany kicked out of her apartment after their little partnership turned sour.  Then he went so far as to use his influence and power to make it impossible for Brittany to rent another apartment in Dallas."

 

"And you stepped in to help Brittany?"  Jay asks.

 

"Yes I did."

 

"How?"

 

"I invited her to stay at my place,"  replies Brad.

 

"And you became lovers?"

"Yes.  Brittany was a very beautiful woman,"  Brad replies as Marilee watches from her seat in the crowded courtroom.  

 

"And also, quite a bit older than you."

 

"Yeah, so?"

 

"Mr. Stone, on the night of December 31, New Year's Eve, you and Brittany Ewing attended the Oil Baron's Ball together, correct?"  

 

"Yes we did."

 

"On the night in question, the night Brittany Ewing was murdered, did you and Brittany engineer this grand plan to secretly drug Sue Ellen Ewing's drink?  And before you answer, let me remind you that you're under oath."

 

"Yes.  Brittany drugged Sue Ellen's drink that night,"  Brad replies, to audible gasps from the spectators in the courtroom, and a sigh of relief from Sue Ellen.

 

"And did you help her?"  Jay asks.

 

"I plead the 5th."

 

"Okay, without incriminating yourself, can you tell us about that night?  How exactly did Brittany manage to slip something into my client's drink?"

 

"A waiter bumped into Sue Ellen, spilling some wine or champagne or something all over her dress.  This created a diversion, and while everyone was distracted with the dress, Brittany slipped a drug into Sue Ellen's drink."

 

"What sort of drug?"

 

"A sedative of some sort."

 

"Where did Brittany get the drug?"

 

"I really don't know,"  Brad replies.  

 

"What was Brittany's reason for drugging my client that night?"

 

"Brittany hated Sue Ellen Ewing.  She wanted to humiliate Sue Ellen, and make everyone think that Sue Ellen had started drinking again."

 

Jay smiles, realizing that he had finally planted a seed of doubt in the jury's mind.

Meanwhile.....an American Airlines flight coming into Dallas....

 As Brad continues his testimony in court, an American Airlines jet is approaching Dallas. On board that flight is Peter Love's sister, Donna Love, who is coming to Dallas to testify, accompanied by her daughter, Marley Hudson, and granddaughter, Bridgette McKinnon.  As Donna stares blankly out of the window at the approaching city in the distance, Marley looks over at her, concerned.  

 

"Donna, are you okay?"  Marley asks.

 

 

 

"Not really,"  replies Donna.  "I'm not looking forward to testifying at all.  Lord only knows what that attorney will ask."

 

"Couldn't you have just refused to testify?"  Bridgette asks her grandmother.

 

"It's not that simple, darling, especially since I was subpoenaed."

 

 

"Donna, do you think that it's possible that Peter could have been involved in Brittany's murder?"  Marley asks.

 

Donna sighs deeply.  "I don't know.  I have not even wanted to entertain that thought, but, knowing my brother as well as I do, anything is possible.  I had really hoped that eventually, Peter would reach an age in life where he would grow up, and get his life together, but, I suppose that's too much to hope for.  But I really want to thank the two of your for coming with me to Dallas to testify, and, hopefully, find Peter."

 

"It's no problem."  Marley says.  "We all just want Peter found, and want this whole thing to be over."

 

Donna lowers her head and shakes it.  "Brittany.  God, why did my brother have to get himself involved with that woman yet AGAIN?  He didn't learn his lesson the first time, years ago when she almost killed him."

 

"Excuse me,"  Marley asks a stewardess who is walking by.  "How much longer until we land?"

 

"We should be landing at Love Field in Dallas in about five minutes."

 

"Thank you,"  Marley says, and the stewardess walks away.

 

"Five minutes,"  Donna says.  "And in two or three hours, I'll be in that courtroom telling the ugly, sordid details of my brother's history with that little social climbing tramp."

Dallas Police Department....

 Detective Steven Jones is working at his desk later that morning when his partner, Detective Craig Anderson, walks up to him.  

 

"Any luck on locating Peter Love?"  Craig asks.

 

"No,"  Steven replies.  "Love hasn't been seen in San Francisco in months.  And he left Washington, D.C. about three months ago, and no one seems to have seen or heard from him since.  I'm gonna keep looking.  My old man may be onto something.  If Love had nothing to do with Brittany Ewing's murder, then why the hell did he disappear and go underground after she was killed?"

 

"Good question."

 

"Yeah, which is why I wanted to go through all the photographs and video footage taken that night at the Oil Baron's Ball."

 

"Well, you'll be happy to know we just had a couple more people who took photos that night to bring them in.  One guy is waiting for his photos to be printed, because he doesn't wanna leave his phone with us.  But Steven, ya know, this could take a long time to go through all those photos, and even then, we may not be able to prove Peter Love was anywhere in the vicinity of the hotel on New Year's Eve,"

 

"I know,"  Steven says.  "But Craig, we have to try.  Sue Ellen Ewing's trial will be coming to an end soon, and if we can find even the tiniest shred of evidence that could help her, then we have to try."

 

"You seem awfully convinced of Sue Ellen Ewing's innocence,"  Craig says.

 

"It's just a hunch I have.  A feeling."

 

"Because your old man asked you to look into Peter Love?"  Craig asks.

 

"This whole thing about Peter Love got me thinking.  He and Brittany Ewing were married once.  They were involved again, right before she came to Dallas last year, and now, Peter Love is nowhere to be found.  He has a company in San Francisco that he's just abandoned to be run by one of his vice presidents.  Why?"

 

"I really hope that we can find something that would clear, or at least help Sue Ellen Ewing,"  Craig says.  "My family goes way back with the Ewings.  Jock Ewing was my grandfather's best friend, and, I'd hate to see that lady spend the rest of her life in prison if there's even the slightest chance that she's innocent."

 

"So would I,"  Steven says.

 

"Well, then let's get to looking through those photos."

The Cattlemen's Club.... 

 Cliff is sitting at a table at The Cattlemen's Club later, when Justin is led to the table by the restaurant's hostess.  Justin takes a seat across from Cliff.  

 

"Justin, thank you for meeting me,"  Cliff says.

 

"Mr. Barnes.  I was surprised to get your call.  What can I do for you?"  Justin asks.

 

"I wanted to talk to you about my daughter,"  says Cliff.

 

Justin smiles.  "Yeah, I kinda figured ya didn't ask me here to talk about the Dallas Cowboys."

 

Cliff laughs.  "You have your father's wit. Probably the only half way decent quality J.R. had."

 

"What is it you want, Mr. Barnes?"  Justin asks.

 

"I think that would be obvious.  I want you to stop seeing my daughter."

 

Justin smiles.  "And just why would I wanna do that?"

 

"Because nothing good can possibly come of this little relationship between you and Pamela.  The Ewings and the Barnes just don't mix, and there's a LOT of history there that proves it."

 

 

"Because of the Barnes-Ewing feud?"  Justin asks.

 

"Among other things."

 

"How long's this feud of yours been goin' on, anyway?  About a hundred years?"

 

"Close to it."

 

"Well, after all those decades, don't ya think it's time to lay that old war to bed once and for all so that both our families can move on?"

 

"No, I don't,"  Cliff replies.  "The Ewings have taken too much from me for me to just let them get away with it.  If Bobby and John Ross had their way, I'd still be rotting in that Mexican prison for J.R.'s murder, which I did NOT commit."

 

"Come on,"  says Justin.  "You been a free man for close to three years now.  The real killer was caught and he's now servin' a life sentence for killin' my father."

 

"I don't believe for one minute that guy who confessed is the real killer.  I was set up.  Framed for J.R.'s murder, and I'm not gonna rest until I prove it and make the Ewings pay."

 

"Yeah, well, good luck with that one.  Look, Mr. Barnes, this feud of yours has NOTHIN' to do with me.  I happen to love your daughter, and she loves me.  Pamela and I are together, and there's not a damned thing you or anybody else can do about it."

 

"You underestimate me, young man,"  Cliff says.

 

"No, YOU underestimate ME, old man,"  Justin says, his face now serious.  "If you don't like my relationship with your daughter, then that's fine.  You don't have to like it.  In fact, you can hate it with all your heart for all I care.  I think you and I do have one thing in common.  We both love Pamela.  I can understand your concern as her father, so let me assure you.......I'll never do anything to hurt her.  You can count on that.  But you'd damned well better not do anything to interfere with our relationship, or you and me.......we're gonna have some serious problems.  Now if you'll excuse me, I appreciate the lunch invitation, but, I'm really not that hungry.  Good day, Mr. Barnes."  Without another word, Justin gets up from the table and leaves.

 

An angry Cliff watches the young man as Justin walks out.  He shakes his head.  "Every bit as cocky and insufferable as J.R.," he says to himself.  "Well, I'm just gonna have to do ALL I can to make sure that relationship comes to an abrupt end, and soon."

The Wentworth mansion....

"She?"  Austin asks.  "So you have an accomplice?"

 

Brian looks at him and smiles.  "Wow.  You really ARE a smart one.  No wonder your mommy left you in control of a billion dollar company like Wentworth Industries."

 

"Look, man, if you could just tell me what you want, I could give it to you."

 

"No,"  Brian says.  "You could never give me what I really want, or make up to me what I've lost."

 

"You.....you keep saying that.  What you've lost.  What is it that you've lost and what does it have to do with me?"

 

"Has everything to do with you."

 

"How do you even know me?"  Austin asks.  "Have we met before?  Have our paths crossed?"

 

"Oh, we've never actually met until today.  Well, technically last night, but you were unconscious.  But our paths have crossed before.  23 years ago."

 

"23 years ago?  That doesn't make any sense.  I'm only 23-years-old."

 

"I know.  So am I."

 

"I don't understand,"  Austin says.  "What the HELL is this about?"

 

"Just hold that thought,"  Brian says.  He walks to the bedroom door and opens it.  "KATIE?"  He calls down the hall.  "COME UP HERE PLEASE?"

 

"Katie?"  Austin asks.

 

"Yeah, that's right.  My.......accomplice, as you called her."

 

A moment later, Katelyn appears outside of Austin's bedroom door.  

 

"Come on in,"  Brian tells her.

 

"Brian, are you out of your mind?  He can't see me."

 

"Trust me, it's okay.  I think it's time Austin knows the truth, so come IN."  Brian grabs Katelyn by the arm and forces her into the room.

 

Austin's mouth drops open in shock.  "Oh my God.  Katelyn?  You're working with this guy?  What is this about?  Money?  You want money?"

 

"Oh yes,"  Brian says.  "Money, and lots of it.  So here's what we're gonna do.  You're gonna make ANOTHER phone call. This time, to Mommy Dearest.......Katherine, out in California, and you're gonna come up with some story to get her here, to Dallas."

 

"No way in hell,"  Austin says.  "Whatever this is about, you leave my mother out of it."

 

"Either you're lying, or you're both completely insane."

 

"We're neither lying, nor insane, Austin,"  says Katelyn.  "The three of us ARE triplets. Only Katherine decided to keep only one of us."

 

"That's right, and YOU were that lucky one," Brian says.  

 

"It's not true.  You're trying to use this crazy story to extort money from my family, but it's not gonna work."

 

"Don't believe us?  Just ask Mommy when you get her here,"  says Brian.

 

"I'm not gonna do it.  I'm NOT calling my mother!"

 

Without warning, Brian slaps Austin hard across the face, then grabs him by the hair, pulling his head back.  He pulls out a knife and holds the blade to Austin's throat as Katelyn looks on in horror.  "Austin, maybe I didn't make myself clear earlier.  This is not optional.  You're GOING to call Katherine and get her to come to Dallas, without telling her the reason why.  And if you refuse to do this one little thing I ask, then you're gonna force me to do something really, REALLY messy.  I don't like to get my hands dirty, but I WILL cut you to pieces if I have to, and I will find a way to get Katherine here anyway, and you'll both be dead.  So wouldn't it be much better to cooperate and do things my way?"

 

Austin remains silent, further angering Brian.

 

"ANSWER ME, DAMN IT!!"  Brian yells, pulling Austin's head further back by his hair.

 

"Yes!"  Austin cries out.

 

"Good,"  Brian says, releasing his grip on his brother.   "Now, we're gonna put our heads together and come up with a really good reason to get Mom to come to Dallas for our little family reunion."

 

Austin looks first at Brian, then at Katelyn, tears of both pain and fear streaming down his face as he tries to wrap his head around what is happening.  Could these two simply be crazy and out to get money?  Or, is it possible they could be telling the truth?  He wonders to himself. Could he be one of a set of triplets?

Dallas County Courthouse....afternoon

 "Mr. Smithfield, are you ready to call your next witness?"  Judge Flynn asks Jay when court reconvenes after lunch.

 

"I am, Your Honor.  The defense calls Donna Love to the stand."

 

With all eyes on her, Donna Love rises from her seat in the crowded courtroom and makes her way to the front toward the witness stand, where the bailiff meets her, Bible in hand.  

 

"Raise your right hand and repeat after me,"  the bailiff says.  "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

 

"I do,"  Donna replies, then takes her seat on the witness stand.

 

"Good afternoon,"  Jay says, walking up to her.  "Would you please state your name and occupation for the court?"

 

"Donna Love, and I own several businesses in Bay City, Illinois."

 

"Thank you.  Ms. Love, did you know the victim in this case, Brittany Peterson Ewing?"

 

"Yes, I did, unfortunately,"  Donna replies.

 

"How did you know Mrs. Ewing?"  Jay asks.

 

"She was once married to my brother, Peter."

 

"When was that?"

 

"19.......1986."

 

"What was your brother's relationship with Brittany like?"  

 

"Chaotic.  Turbulent.  DISASTROUS, would be good words to describe it."

 

"In the Fall of 1986, isn't it true that your brother was shot and very seriously wounded by Brittany, who was then his wife?"  Jay asks.

 

"Yes, it's true,"  Donna says.  "The little bitch almost killed him."

 

"Ms. Love, I caution you to watch your language," Judge Flynn says.

 

 

"I'm sorry.  Forgive me, Your Honor," Donna says.

 

"Could you please tell us what happened?"  Jay asks.  "What led up to the shooting of your brother by his then wife, Brittany Peterson."

 

"Peter and Brittany's marriage was one huge disaster from the start,"  Donna continues as C.J. sits in the courtroom, Conner sitting beside him, listening to all the ugly details of his mother's past with Peter Love and his family.  "Peter was madly in love with her, but Brittany only married him for his money.  That, and, I suppose, to give her baby the Love name and money."

 

"Brittany was pregnant with her son when she married your brother, correct?"  Jay asks.

 

 Wearing dark glasses, a baseball cap, and a fake mustache, and carrying a bag of groceries consisting of snacks, Peter Love enters a room at a Days Inn Motel in Dallas.  Placing his bag down on a table, he immediately grabs the remote and turns on the television.  General Hospital is on, so uninterested, he turns to another channel, but, also uninterested in watching The Talk, or several other talk shows on in the afternoon, he finally located a local news channel and tosses the remote onto the bed.  As Peter begins unpacking his snacks, he listens to the newscaster report on the latest troubles facing President Trump.  As the reporter continues to talk, Peter becomes uninterested and pays little attention to the TV.  He finishes putting away his food, and starts to go into the bathroom, when another story comes on the news that catches his ear:  "In other news," the anchor woman says, "At the 

Dallas County Courthouse, the highly publicized trial of Sue Ellen Ewing continued today with more high drama from the courtroom.  Prominent Dallas oil man Bradley Stone took the stand earlier today for the defense, followed this afternoon by Donna Love, well known business woman who has flown in from Bay City, Illinois after being subpoenaed to testify by defense attorney Jay Smithfield.  Sue Ellen Ewing is on trial for the murder of Brittany Ewing, who was stabbed to death in a restroom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on New Year's Eve during the annual Oil Baron's Ball...."

 

 

 

 

"Oh my God,"  Peter says, a look of shock on his face. "Donna?  What the hell is she doing here?  Why would that defense attorney call my sister to testify?  This is not good.  This is not good at ALL.  Could Sue Ellen Ewing have remembered seeing me that night?  That's the only reason I can think of for Donna to be called as a witness for the defense.  Damn it. I have to get out of Dallas.  I should've taken care of this long before now.  I should've made damned sure Sue Ellen Ewing stayed quiet about that night."

 

 

 

Dallas County Courthouse....

 Back at the courthouse, Jay continues his questioning of Donna.  "Ms. Love, when was the last time you saw or spoke to your brother Peter?"

 

Donna hesitates a moment before answering the question as she looks over at Catlin.  "I last spoke to Peter.......a couple of weeks ago,"  Donna replies, to Catlin's shock.

 

"Was this before or after Catlin Ewing came to visit you and asked about your brother?"

 

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Todd says.  "What is Mr. Smithfield's reasoning for asking all these questions about the victim's ex-husband?"

 

"My line of questioning is to establish that Brittany Ewing's former husband, Peter Love, had been involved in Mrs. Ewing's life in the days leading up to her death."

 

"Mr. Smithfield is clearly attempting to find another scapegoat for the murder of Brittany Ewing when there was enough evidence against his client for her to be charged and put on trial for the crime."

 

"Mr. Smithfield, I will allow you to continue with your line of questioning......for now,"  says Judge Flynn.  "But proceed with extreme caution, and please try to remember that Mrs. Brittany Ewing's former husband is not on trial here, your client is."

 

"Yes, thank you, Your Honor,"  Jay says as Todd sits down, an angry look on his face.

 

"Ms. Love?  Do I need to repeat the question?"  Jay asks.

 

"No,"  Donna replies.  "I phoned Peter after Catlin Ewing came to see me."

 

"Why?"

 

"To tell Peter that Catlin was looking for him, and to ask him about Brittany."

 

"And what did Peter tell you?"  Jay asks.

 

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Todd says.  "Heresay."

 

"Objection sustained."

 

At that moment, Detectives Steven Jones and Craig Anderson enter the courtroom and Craig whispers something to the bailiff.  The bailiff then approaches Jay as he is about to resume questioning of Donna and whispers something to him.

 

"What is the meaning of this?"  Asks Judge Flynn, annoyed by the interruption.

 

"Your Honor, could I request a short recess to review some information potentially relevant to my client's case?"  Jay asks.  

 

"Yes, Mr. Smithfield.  You can have ten minutes.  But this information you're speaking of better be important enough to interrupt these proceedings.  Everyone please remain in the courtroom. Court is recessed for ten minutes."  Judge Flynn bangs his gavel.  

 

 

 As Jay walks past him, Todd grabs his cousin by the arm.  "What are you trying to do?"  Todd asks.

 

"I'm trying to do my job, which is getting my client acquitted,"  Jay replies.  "And hopefully this new evidence will help me do just that."  

 

Todd watches his cousin as Jay walks past him and out of the courtroom, wondering what new evidence has come to light, and if this new evidence would jeopardize his case against Sue Ellen.

 

Meanwhile, Catlin walks over to Sue Ellen.  "Are you alright?"  He asks.

 

"I'm fine, but what could this interruption be about?"  Sue Ellen wonders.

 

"I don't know, but the way Jay tore outta here, let's hope it's good news."

 

In the hallway outside, Detectives Jones and Anderson are showing Jay the photos of the crowd taken the night of the Oil Baron's Ball.

 

"Jay, take a look at this one,"  Craig Anderson says, showing Jay one photo in particular.  

 

"We had this one blown up and enhanced,"  Steven says.

 

Jay looks at the photo closely.  "Is that who I think it is?"  Jay asks.

 

"It's Peter Love,"  Steven says.  "The guy in this photo matches the photo of Love."

 

"Then this proves Peter Love was at the Hyatt Regency the night of the Oil Baron's Ball.  This could give Judge Flynn a reason to declare a mistrial.  Or at least give me enough to ask for continuance until Peter Love can be found."

 

"Jay, I think this photo placing Peter Love at the hotel the night his ex-wife was murdered gives our department enough evidence to reopen the investigation into the Brittany Ewing murder,"  Craig says.  

 

"Good,"  Jay says.  "That's good.  I'm gonna request a mistrial.  In the meantime, what are you guys doing to find Peter Love?"

 

"We have an APB out on Love, statewide,"  says Steven.

 

"Okay, thanks guys.  You two may have just saved Sue Ellen Ewing."  Jay quickly heads back into the courtroom and approaches the bench, where Judge Flynn is talking to both Todd and the bailiff.  "Your Honor,"  Jay says.  

 

"Mr. Smithfield, are you ready to proceed?"  Judge Flynn asks.

 

"Your Honor, due to new evidence coming to my attention, I request a mistrial."

 

"What?"  Todd asks.  "A mistrial?  Jay, are you kidding?"

 

"I am anything but."

 

"Mr. Smithfield, you'd better have a good reason for requesting a mistrial."

 

"I do, Judge Flynn,"  Jay says.  "As I said, new evidence has come to light, that places Mrs. Brittany Ewing's ex-husband, the now missing Peter Love, at the hotel the night Brittany Ewing was murdered."

 

"You call that evidence?"  Todd asks, angrily.

 

"It's enough to cast a reasonable doubt on my client's guilt.  Here is a photograph, Your Honor, taken the night of the Oil Baron's Ball.  This photo was just delivered to me by Detectives Craig Anderson and Steven Jones, the two detectives in charge of the investigation.  They feel that this warrants a reopening of the case."

 

"Alright, Mr. Smithfield,"  says Judge Flynn.  I'll grant your motion for a mistrial.  You two retake your seats."

 

Jay and Todd exchange looks, then the two attorneys return to their respective seats. 

 

"Jay, what's happening?"  Sue Ellen asks.

 

"Something in our favor."

 

"Ms. Love, you may step down,"  the Judge tells Donna.  A confused Donna exits the witness stand and makes her way back to her seat in the courtroom.  "Court will come to order,"  Judge Flynn says, banging his gavel.  "Order.  Everyone, please take your seats."

 

As Donna retakes her seat, Marley leans over to her mother.  "What's going on?"

 

"I have no idea.  I couldn't hear what they were saying up there,"  Donna replies.

 

"Due to new evidence coming to my attention in this case, I'm declaring a mistrial in this case,"  Judge Flynn says, to the gasps and shock of the jury and the spectators.  "Order in the court.  Now what this means is not that Mrs. Ewing is acquitted or exonerated in this matter, but simply that this new evidence warrants a reopening of this case by the police, and until this investigation can be completed, Mrs. Ewing, you are free to go, and the jury is dismissed.  I want to thank each of you for your service.  Court is adjourned."  Judge Flynn bangs his gavel again, signaling the end of the proceedings.  

 

Catlin, Bobby, Ann, Blaine, Sandy, Christopher, John Ross, and Krystina come up to Sue Ellen and Jay to congratulate them on the mistrial.

 

"Jay, what happened?"  Catlin asks.  "What is this new evidence?"

 

"I'd like to know the answer to that myself,"  says Sue Ellen.

 

"The police reviewed some photos taken the night of the Oil Baron's Ball,"  Jay says.  "Peter Love was in one of those photos."

 

"Then Love killed Brittany,"  John Ross says.

 

"The police are  looking for him."

 

"What?"  Donna Love asks, standing nearby.  "Did I hear you right?  My brother was there the night Brittany was..........the night she was killed?"

 

"Yes, Ms. Love. I'm sorry."

 

"Just because Peter was there that night doesn't prove that he killed anyone,"  Marley says.

 

"Then why was he there?"  Catlin angrily asks.  "He was obviously there to see Brittany, and he obviously killed her."

 

"Dad, what's going on?"  C.J. asks, he and Conner walking up to the group.

 

"Son, we have new evidence,"  Catlin replies.  "Evidence that implicates Peter Love in your mother's murder."

 

"Oh my God," C.J. says.

 

"Catlin, no matter what you think, my brother may be a lot of things, but Peter is no murderer,"  Donna says.

 

"And neither is my mother,"  John Ross says.

 

At that moment, Jill walks into the courtroom and approaches the group.  Jay sees his wife and walks over to her.  

 

"Well, sweetheart, you're just in time,"  Jay says, greeting his wife with a kiss.  

 

"What's going on?"  Jill asks.

 

"New evidence came up, so, the judge declared a mistrial."

 

"So you think this is over?"  Todd asks, walking over to his cousin and Jill.  "That photo still doesn't prove Sue Ellen Ewing didn't kill Brittany Ewing.  I'm sure we'll be back here, retrying this case real soon.  Until then, cousin."

 

"Todd, wait,"  Jill says.  "I need to talk to both of you."

 

"Jill, what is it?"  Jay asks.  "What's wrong?"

 

Jill looks at her husband.  "Jay, your father called me because he knew you were in court.  I have some bad news.  Your grandmother passed away a little over an hour ago. She died in her sleep."

 

Both Jay and Todd exchange looks, both cousins devastated by the news of their grandmother's death.  

 

"We'd better get over to the house," Jay says.

 

 

 

 

 

"I'm gonna drive out to the Krebbs place and break the news to Dylan,"  says Todd.  "I'll pick him up and we'll meet you guys over at the house in a little while."

 

"Okay,"  Jay says.  "Let's go," he tells his wife, and he and Jill leave the courtroom.

 

Todd makes his way through the crowd to  where Conner and C.J. are standing.  "Conner,"  Todd says.  

 

 

"Yeah, Todd.  What's up?"  Conner asks.

 

"Do you know if Dylan is at the Krebbs place?"

 

"Yeah, he should be.  Why, is anything wrong?"

 

Todd sighs.  "Yeah, there is.  Our grandmother died a little while ago.  I need to break the news to him."

 

"Oh.....my God, I'm so sorry,"  Conner says.  "Yeah, I'll come with you.  Dylan is probably gonna need both of us."  

 

Todd and Conner hurry out of the courtroom.  

 

"Sue Ellen, I am so happy for you,"  Ann says, hugging her friend as they, along with Bobby, Catlin, John Ross, Krystina, Christopher, Blaine, and Sandy leave the courtroom together, followed by Donna Love with her daughter and granddaughter.

 

"Look, I know we're all happy about this, but, just because the judge declared a mistrial doesn't mean this nightmare is over,"  Sandy Cory says.  "Unless the cops can find Peter and prove that he murdered Brittany, Sue Ellen could still be tried and convicted."

 

"Then we have to make sure the cops do everything they can to find Peter,"  says Catlin.

 

"Well in the meantime, let's get out of this courthouse,"  Sue Ellen says.  "I just want to go home."

 

"I think we should celebrate,"  says John Ross.  

 

"We can celebrate, but, at my house, with only the family,"  Sue Ellen says.  

 

"Come on, let's get outta here,"  Bobby says.

 

As Sue Ellen is about to leave with the others, she stops suddenly, a serious look on her face as she begins to have flashes of memory of the night Brittany was killed.  

 

"Sue Ellen, are you alright?"  Catlin asks.

 

She looks at him, and then at the others.  "I.......I think I remember something."

 

"Something about the night Brittany was murdered?"  Catlin asks.

 

"Yes,"  Sue Ellen replies, her mind again flashing back to that night, the memories coming in bits and pieces at first.

 

"Mama, what is it?"  John Ross asks.  "What do you remember?"

 

Sue Ellen looks at her son, then, her mouth falls open in shock.  "Oh my God," she says, almost in tears.  "I remember."

 

"Remember what?"  Catlin asks.

 

"I had blood on my hands," she says, looking at Bobby.  "Blood from the knife."

 

"Blood on your hands?"  Catlin asks.  

 

"Mama, we didn't see any blood when we found you,"  says John Ross.

 

"No, because someone cleaned the blood,"  Sue Ellen says, looking at Bobby.

 

 

"It was me,"  says Bobby. "I cleaned the blood from Sue Ellen's hands."

 

Ann looks at her husband in shock.  "You?  Bobby, what are you sayin'?"

 

"When I found Sue Ellen that night, she was incoherent, and her hands were covered in blood," Bobby says.  "I cleaned it off with some soap, water, and disinfectant before anyone could see it.  Sue Ellen, I was only trying to protect you.  I'd hoped that you'd never remember that blood on your hands."

 

"It's alright, Bobby,"  Sue Ellen says.  "I remember more.  I didn't kill Brittany.  Someone......a man........outside the restroom.  He forced that knife into my hand, and then ran off."

 

"A man?"  Catlin asks.

 

"Sue Ellen, was it Peter?"  Sandy asks.  "You've seen photos of him, right?"

 

"I......don't know.  I can't remember.  The man, he was tall, and had dark hair, with gray in it."

 

"She's describing Peter,"  Catlin says.  

 

"You can't know that,"  Donna Love says, walking up behind Catlin, having overheard part of the conversation.

 

"Donna, I DO know it,"  Catlin angrily says.  "And if you know where your brother is, then you'd damned well better tell us."

 

"She DOESN'T know!"  Marley says.  

 

"And I'm supposed to believe that after your mother lied to me about not talking to Peter for months?"

 

"Catlin, I swear to you, I have no idea where Peter is,"  says Donna.

 

"Catlin, we need to tell Jay and the police about what Sue Ellen has remembered,"  Bobby suggests.

 

"Yes,"  Catlin agrees.  "Let's get out of here and go to tell the police what you've remembered, Sue Ellen."

 

Before leaving, Catlin turns to Donna Love and looks at her angrily.  "I want you to tell your brother somethin' for me.  You tell Peter that when I find him, I'm gonna make him pay for what he's put my family and Sue Ellen through," he says, then leaves with Sue Ellen and the others.  

 

"Grandmother, what are you gonna do?"  Bridgette asks Donna.

 

"I don't know,"  replies Donna.  "Oh my God, I can't believe this is happening."  She takes her cell phone out.  "I need to try to call Peter.  I need to find out where he is and what's going on."

 

"No, Grandmother,"  Bridgette says.  "Uncle Peter has probably gotten rid of his cell phone by now so his location couldn't be traced."

 

"She's right,"  says Marley.  "So, what do we do?"

 

"I don't know, but I am NOT leaving Dallas until my brother is found and this whole thing is over......one way or another.  Come on, let's go to the hotel."

 

As Donna, Marley, and Bridgette head to the elevators down the hall, Detective Steven 

Jones is calling police headquarters:  "This is Detective Steven Jones, homicide," he says.  "I need a city wide all points bulletin issued for Peter Love.  Suspicion of murder.  My partner Detective Anderson is faxing over a photo of the suspect as we speak.  I want road blocks set up, and I want every available officer checking as many hotels and motels in the Dallas area.  Get in touch with all the local news stations.  I want Love's photo plastered all over television screens throughout this city until someone spots him.  I want this guy found ASAP!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wentworth mansion.....

 While Brian takes  a shower in Austin's bathroom, Austin is still tied to the chair, and Katelyn, charged with guarding him, is sitting on the bed reading a book.  Austin looks over at her.  

 

"Katelyn?"  He says.

 

"What."

 

"Why are you doing this to me?"

 

Katelyn looks at him.  "You KNOW why.  Revenge."

 

"If all this is true.  This stuff about you, me, and Brian being triplets........then how can you do this to me?  If it's true, then I'm your brother."

 

"Why do you keep saying IF it's true?"  Katelyn angrily asks, quickly getting off the bed and standing over him.  "It's TRUE, Austin.  I'm your sister."

 

"Then why?  What did I ever do to you?  I didn't even know that you existed.  How can you blame ME because our mother decided to keep one of us and give the other two away?  I had nothing to do with that."

 

"And how would you feel if it had been you who'd been given away to be raised by strangers?"  Katelyn asks.

 

"I......I'd understand.  I wouldn't blame you."

 

"That's bull and you know it."

 

"Look, if all this is true, then why didn't Mom ever tell me?" Austin asks.

 

"Well, Katherine isn't the most honest mother in the world, now is she?  Did you even know about our big brother Jonathon?  Or our father?"

 

"No,"  Austin replies sadly.

 

"Of course not, because the bitch kept the existence of your whole family a secret from you!"

 

The bathroom door opens, and Brian emerges into the bedroom.  He looks at his brother and sister.  "Well now, what's goin' on in here?"  He asks.  "I interrupt a warm, family moment?"

 

"No,"  Katelyn says.  "Nothing is going on."

 

"Well, never mind.  It's time for you to make that call to Mommy Dearest, Austin."

 

"Look, why don't I just give you both some money and you can just leave?"

 

"Nah, bad idea,"  Brian says.  "See, it's not about the money.  I mean, of course money is important.  It's gonna help me get as far away from here as I can and live very comfortably some place where the American authorities can't touch me.  But, this is more about........revenge than anything else.  This is about resolving abandonment issues, and if anybody has a right to have abandonment issues, it's me and Katie.  But you........I bet you never had to want for anything your whole life, did ya, bro?"

 

"I wanted a normal family,"  Austin says.

 

Brian laughs.  "A normal family?  What the hell is that?  Well, if that was your only want, then you did okay.  Me and our sister here.......we wanted for a LOT of things.  New clothes.  New shoes because we had to wear the old ones until the soles wore out.  But most of all, we wanted for love."

 

"Dude, it's not too late now,"  says Austin.  "You have a family."

 

"Oh yeah.  It's WAY too late.  Katie, untie him and give him the phone. And Austin.....I'm only gonna warn you once.  You try anything funny, and I do mean ANYTHING.  You even have a funny look in your eye when you're on that phone, and I will blow your brains out.  You tell her that you have a problem at the company that only she can solve."

 

As Katelyn unties one of his hands, then gives him his cell phone, Austin looks at Brian and realizes he has no choice.  As Katelyn watches, he dials Katherine's cell phone number and waits for an answer.

Days Inn, Dallas....