EPISODE 153 - Closer To The Truth

 

 

Another hot Texas morning dawns partly cloudy skies.  A few days had now passed since Peter Love's daring capture and C.J.'s shooting at the Four Seasons Motel.  At Southfork, Lucas, Heather, and Michael are enjoying an early morning swim in the pool with Alex and Shawn as Jimmy comes onto the patio. 

 "Jimmy, you comin' in?"  Michael asks.

 

"You bet,"  replies Jimmy.

 

"Yeah, I want a rematch on that race so I can win my twenty bucks back,"  Alex says.

 

"Hey, what's this about?"  Lucas asks.

 

"Jimmy beat Alex in a race the other day,"  says Michael.

 

"Dude, seriously?"  Shawn asks Alex.  "You let him beat you?  And you're goin' out for the swim team this year?"

 

"Bro, I was tired, okay?"

 

"What a lame excuse,"  Lucas says.  

 

"Well, come on, Michael, time to get out,"  Heather says as she walks up the steps out of the pool.  

 

"Awwww, Mom, come on.  Can't I stay in a little longer?"  The little boy asks.

 

"No, you heard your mother,"  Lucas says.  "Come on, get out.  I have to get dressed myself and get to work.  I've got a lot to do on the ranch today."

 

"Lucas, could you use an extra hand today?"  Jimmy asks.

 

"Yeah, I sure could, Jimmy, thanks."

 

"I'll get dressed then."

 

"Nah, no real hurry.  Why don't you swim a couple laps first?"

 

 

 

 

"Mom, can we visit C.J. in the hospital today?"  Michael asks.

 

"Sure, I don't see why not,"  replies Heather.  "But first, I have to take you into Braddock this morning and get pick up your schedule for school, AND buy you a few new school outfits."

 

"Darn, I was trying to forget it's almost time to go back to school,"  Michael says, a sad look on his face.

 

 

 

 

 

"It's almost that time, now come on,"  Heather tells her son.  "Get out of the pool and go get dressed so we can head into town."

 

The little boy sighs deeply, then obeys his mother and climbs out of the pool. Heather grabs a towel and dries her son off a little, then herself so they could go into the house.  On their way in, they meet Ann, who is coming out of the house.  Ann greets them with a smile, and lovingly touches Michael on the head as her step-grandson passes by her.  Ann walks onto the patio and approaches Jimmy.

 

"Mornin'," she says to Jimmy.

 

"Good morning."

 

 

"You seem a lot happier since you've been stayin' here at Southfork."

 

"I am,"  Jimmy replies.  "It feels good to see here, surrounded by family, and the kids.  Makes me feel safe.  And it's also nice to feel that this family actually cares about me, even after some of the things I've done in the past.  I always kinda felt like the blacksheep of this family until now."

 

"Oh, Jimmy, you never had to feel that way,"  Ann says.  "We all love you, and we're happy you're here."

 

"Y'know, Ann, my bein' here is all because of you,"  says Jimmy.  "And I've not really properly thanked you for that.  If you hadn't remember the things you did about Katherine Wentworth and her daughter Katelyn, I probably would've died in that stinking cage in that basement. You saved my life."

 

Ann looks at the young man.  "I just can't get over the fact that you were down there, that whole time I was upstairs with Katherine.  Thank God we both survived that ordeal."

 

"Yeah,"  Jimmy says.  "As hard as I've been trying to put it out of my mind, I just can't.  That's why I've been doing a lot of stuff here on the ranch, so I can keep my mind occupied, and hopefully, images of Katelyn Spencer won't pop into my head so often.  But I really won't feel better.......or totally safe......until both Katelyn and that whack job mother of hers are caught and behind bars where they belong.  Is Uncle Bobby still tryin' to find Katherine and Katelyn?"

 

"Yes, he is,"  Ann says.  "He's usin' every resource at his disposal to try and make sure those two, as well as Katherine's two sons, are caught and brought to justice."

 

"Good.  Can't happen soon enough for me.  And I know you must feel the same way."

 

"Actually, Jimmy, NO, I don't,"  Ann says.  

 

"What?  Ann, why not, after everything Katherine Wentworth did to you?"

 

"Katherine Wentworth is probably long gone by now, with all her money and resources, so I wish Bobby would just let it go.  You need to, as well."

 

"Ann....."

 

"Believe me, Jimmy.  Nothin' good can come out of draggin' Katherine Wentworth back to Dallas."  Ann turns and walks away from him, heading back to the house, leaving Jimmy to wonder why she doesn't want to see Katherine, a woman who tried to kill her, brought back to face punishment.

 

 

C.J. is asleep in his room at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital later when someone knocks on the door.  A few seconds later, the door opens, and little Michael pokes his head in.  Heather opens the door.  "Shhh,"  Heather tells her son upon seeing C.J. asleep.  "He's sleepin'.  Let's not wake him up."

 

As Heather and Michael start to leave, C.J. wakes up and opens his eyes.  "Heather?"  He says, seeing them as they are leaving.

 

"C.J., I am SO sorry,"  Heather says.  "We were tryin' not to wake you."

 

"No, it's okay.  Please, come in."

 

"Michael wanted to come and see you."

 

 

"Well, I'm glad that he did, and I really appreciate you bringin' him.  This visit is just the medicine I need," C.J. says with a smile.

 

"How you feelin'?"  Michael asks.

 

"Well, buddy, I'm pretty sore, but, I'm definitely doin' better than I was a few days ago,"  C.J. replies.

 

 

 

 

 

"So, was it scary when you got shot?"  Michael asks.

 

"Oh, yeah, it was REAL scary."

 

"What was it like?"

 

"Michael,"  Heather says.  "You shouldn't ask questions like that."

 

"No, it's okay,"  says C.J.  "It was pretty awful.  It hurt, a lot, and then I passed out.  It's not something I would recommend, so, I hope that you realize how dangerous guns can be."

 

"Don't worry, my parents have already lectured me about guns, and told me not to play with them.  My Dad's gonna teach me how to use one when I'm old enough.  But they say that about EVERYTHING."

 

"Good, I'm glad to hear that."

 

"C.J., we're really glad that you're feeling better,"  Heather says.  "You look tired, so we're gonna get out of here and let you get some rest."

 

"Mom, can't we stay just a little longer?"  Michael asks.

 

"No, C.J. needs his rest."

 

"But don't worry, buddy,"  says C.J.  "As soon as I'm out of here and back on my feet, I promise I'll come to Southfork and hang out."

 

Michael smiles.  "Awesome."

 

"You get well soon,"  Heather.

 

"I will, and thanks for coming by."

 

"You're welcome.  Let's go, Michael."

 

"I'll see you later, C.J.,"  Michael says.  

 

"Later, man,"  C.J. says as Heather and Michael leave.  After they are gone, C.J. reaches over to the table beside his bed, opens the top drawer, and pulls out his wallet, wincing in pain as he pushes the drawer closed again.  Opening his wallet, he takes out a photo of himself with his parents Catlin and Brittany, taken when he was 15.  C.J. looks at the photo of his family in happier times, a tear falling down his cheek as he looks at his mother in the picture.

Ewing Oil....

 John Ross is working at his desk when his intercom buzzes.  "Yes, Sally?"

 

"John Ross, your Uncle Bobby wants to see you in his office."

 

John Ross sighs deeply.  "Okay, tell him I'll be right in."  He hesitates, then gets up from his desk and leaves the office.  A moment later, he walks into Bobby's office.  "Uncle Bobby, Sally said you wanted to see me."

 

"Yes, John Ross, I do,"  says Bobby.  "What's this I hear about you making an offer to buy Cal Archer's refinery?"

 

"It's true.  I did."

 "John Ross, what the hell were you thinking?"  Bobby asks.  "Why would you plan to spend tens of millions of this company's money to buy a refinery when we already have a refinery?"

 

"I had my reasons,"  John Ross says.

 

"You had your reasons?"  Bobby asks.  "That's all you have to say about this?  I'm sorry, John Ross, but that's not gonna cut it.  There must be some reason that buying this refinery was so important to you, and why didn't you tell me or your mother about this?"

 

"I didn't tell you or Mama because you both had a hell of a lot goin' on in your personal lives.  But don't worry, the deal fell through, and I didn't get the refinery.  Westar did."

 

"Yes, I know,"  Bobby says.   "But I'd still like an explanation."

 

"Okay.  I got wind that Brad Stone and Cliff Barnes had made an offer to Archer to buy his refinery."

 

"And let me guess......you decided to buy the refinery to keep Cliff and his son from getting it, am I right?"

 

"Yes, you're right."

 

"John Ross, that was a hell of a lotta money to spend just to keep Barnes and Stone from getting their hands on a refinery."

 

"Uncle Bobby, my plan was to buy that refinery to keep those two from gettin' it, then we would turn around and  sell it.  But then Tripp McKay at Westar just swooped in and stole the damned deal right out from under me."

 

"You think McKay did it on behalf of Cliff and Stone?"  Bobby asks.

 

"I'm sure of it."

 

Bobby looks at his nephew.  "Well, at any rate, the refinery belongs to Westar now, and John Ross.........don't ever do this again.  I will not have this company suffer financially to settle some personal score you have with Brad Stone.  Is that understood?"

 

"Understood."

 

"Alright.  Now John Ross, I'm gonna have to fly to California for Christopher and Courtney's custody hearing, and I'm not sure if your mother is gonna be up to comin' back to work right now, so can I trust you to handle things around here while I'm gone?  Or will I have to worry that you're gonna hatch some other cockamamie scheme that could backfire?"

 

 

 

"You have my word, Uncle Bobby,"  John Ross says.  "I'll hold the forte while you're in California."

 

"And no more crazy schemes?" 

 

"No more crazy schemes."

 

"Good.  I know how much you wanna settle the score with Stone for what he did to you and Krystina.  But we'll take care of Cliff and his son another way."

 

"I have no doubt of that, Uncle Bobby.  Because I plan on payin' Stone back in spades."

 

"John Ross, you're so much like your Daddy that it's scary sometimes,"  Bobby says.  "But there's one big difference between you and J.R.  He was careful, and even though he sometimes made careless mistakes that backfired, J.R. usually played it smart and exercised patience.  You, on the other hand.........you're almost always careless.  If there's one thing above everything else you should've learned from J.R. it's that, when dealing with enemies, using patience is the key.  Cliff Barnes was always impulsive, which is why he usually lost to J.R.  I know this itn't what you wanna hear, but you need to start being more like your father, and less like Cliff Barnes when it comes to business.  Now, that's all."

 

John Ross nods, then turns and leaves.  Outside of Bobby's office, he pauses a moment and thinks about what his uncle has just said to him.  "You're right  about that, Uncle Bobby," he says quietly to himself.  "It's time I did start usin' a little patience.......and a few more of J.R.'s tactics in dealin' with my enemies."  John Ross smiles slightly, then heads back to his own office.

Southfork.....afternoon 

 Ann comes onto the patio at Southfork that afternoon carrying a spray bottle, and begins spraying liberal amounts of water on her plants.  Jimmy walks onto the patio while Ann is watering her plants.  After a brief pause, he approaches her.

 

"Ann," he says.

 

"Hello, Jimmy."

 

"Listen, I'd like to apologize for this morning."

 

"This morning?"  Ann asks.

 

"Yeah.  I didn't mean to upset you this morning by talking about finding Katherine Wentworth and Katelyn Spencer."

 

 

 

"You didn't upset me, Jimmy,"  Ann says.

 

"You sure could've fooled me.  Ann, I would think you would want those two to pay for what they did, same as I do.  I just don't understand why you said you don't want them brought to justice."

 

"Jimmy, I just don't wanna relive what happened, that's all.  Like I said this mornin', they're probably long gone by now.  We both made it out alive, and we're safe.  It's best we just put this behind us and move on."

 

 

"You can really do that?  And what about the hell they put both of us through?"  Jimmy asks.  "Ann, Katherine Wentworth almost killed you.  Her daughter held me prisoner in that dark, stinking basement for days.  Katherine's son killed your brother.  Can you honestly stand there and tell me that you don't want them to pay for what they've done?  Well maybe you can just forget it and move on, but I can't."

 

"Hey, what's going on?"  Emma asks, walking up to the patio holding the baby.  

 

"Nothin',"  Ann replies.  "Jimmy and I were just talkin'.  But we're done."  She looks at Jimmy, then at the baby and smiles.  "Let me hold my grandson."  Ann walks over and takes the baby from Emma's arms.  

 

Jimmy gives Ann a puzzled look, still unable to understand why she is reacting this way to the mention of Katherine and her evil spawn being brought to justice.  "Well, I have to go into town for a while," he says.  "I'll see you both later."  He turns and walks away.

 

"I'll be right back,"  Emma says, as she walks after him while Ann holds baby Logan.  "Jimmy, wait up,"  Emma calls to him as he heads to his car in the parking area.  Jimmy stops and turns to face her.  "What was that all about?  With you and my mother?"  Emma asks.

 

"I don't understand her, Emma,"  Jimmy replies.  "After what Katherine Wentworth put your mother through, you would think she'd be the first one screaming for Katherine's head on a platter, but instead, she says we should all just let this go and move on with our lives.  I'm sorry, but I can't do that.  I was kidnapped.  Locked in a cage, and if the police hadn't found me when they did, I would've starved to death in there.  And I won't rest until I see Katelyn Spencer and her crazy mother rotting in a prison cell, just the way they had me locked in that cage."  Jimmy quickly gets into his car and Emma watches as he speeds away.

 

Emma returns to her mother on the patio.  "Jimmy really wants Katherine and her daughter to be caught and pay for what they did,"  Emma says.

 

"I know,"  says Ann.  "I want them to pay too, but, you and I both know that if Katherine Wentworth is ever caught and brought back here to face charges........she could blow us both out of the water by tellin' what she knows about who Logan's father is.  And that's a secret that can never come out, or a lot of people are gonna be hurt."

 

As Ann and Emma talk, they are unaware that their conversation is being listened to by Alex, who is standing by the slightly open window in the kitchen and overhears what Ann has said.  A confused look comes over the boy's face.  So, Kevin Channing wasn't Logan's father?  Alex wonders to himself.  He then begins to contemplate how he might be able to use this information against Emma.

 

 

 

 

A parking lot in Dallas....

 A restless Krystina is pacing anxiously at the park that afternoon, checking her watch every minute or so, as she waits for her cousin Trevor to show up.  Krystina is about to give up and leave when she sees him walking toward her.  

 

"Glad to see you made it,"  says Trevor.  

 

"Where the hell have you been?"

 

"Well, you kept me waiting last time, so, just thought I'd return the favor.  Got my money?"

 

Krystina reaches into her purse and pulls out an envelope.  Trevor takes it from her, opens it, and smiles at the site of a huge wad of cash.  

 

"I know you probably were a little scared coming here with this much cash, but, not to worry," he says.  "I was watching you from right over there.  If anyone had tried to mug you and take my money, I'd have come to the rescue."

 

"This is the last time, Trevor,"  Krystina says.  "I'm not paying you another cent.  I've already given you hundreds of thousands of dollars, and now this million, in addition to which I've added an extra fifty thousand."

 

"An extra fifty grand, huh?"  Trevor asks.   "Well, I must say, that's very generous of you, but I have to ask, WHY are you being so generous to me?"

 

"The extra fifty thousand is for you to go away,"  says Krystina.  "With the money I've given you, you have more than enough to live very comfortably for the rest of your life.  So go do it.  Live comfortably, Trevor, but far away from here."

 

"Now, don't tell me you're trying to get rid of your cousin."

 

"I'm giving you a choice, Trevor.  You can take that money and go somewhere and live a nice, quiet, peaceful life.  Or, if you continue to harass me, I can use some of my money to make you disappear.  Forever."

 

"You're threatening me?"  Trevor asks.  "Krystina, I hold all the cards here."

 

 

"No, Trevor.  You DON'T, and do you wanna know why?"  Krystina asks.  "Because if you don't leave Dallas, I will find you, and I will make sure that you leave and never come back.  And if you so much as think about going to my husband or my mother..........I'll see to it that you never walk straight again."

 

Trevor laughs.  "You know,  you're darned cute when you try to be tough, Krystina.  Your little threats don't scare me, but the information I have DOES scare you, or you never would've paid me a penny."

 

"If you think I'm kidding, just try me.  I learned a lot from my father about how to deal with enemies.  And in the two years I've been married to him, I've also learned a lot from my husband.  So if you don't think I'm serious, then go ahead.  Press your luck, Trevor.  Sure, I'll suffer a little embarrassment and my mother will be deeply hurt.  But I'll make sure that you suffer for the rest of your miserable life if you don't leave me the hell alone.  It'll take every penny that you've bled from me for your doctor bills."

 

"You really are Blake Carrington's daughter.  That's exactly the kind of threat he would make."

 

"Just get lost, Trevor, or you'll find out just how much like my father I can be."  Krystina turns and walks away as an angry Trevor watches her.  

 

Once Krystina is out of sight, Trevor sighs, then takes his cell phone out.  As he dials a number, he is being watched

from a distance by a young man with a camera, who had been snapping photos of him and Krystina.  The young man takes several photos of Trevor, then a few of Krystina walking away from Trevor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southfork....that evening

 There is a full table at Southfork that night, as Bobby, Ann, John Ross, Krystina, Alex, Lucas, Heather, Michael, and Lucy gather for dinner.  The room is noisy, as various conversations are taking place around the table.

 

"Bobby, when are you and Ann leaving for California?"  Lucy asks.

 

"First thing tomorrow morning,"  Bobby replies.  "Lucy, why don't you come with us?  I'm sure you'd love to see your parents."

 

Lucy smiles.  "I thought you'd never ask.  I'd love to."

 

"Then you'd better get some sleep tonight, because we're leavin' EARLY,"  says Ann.

 

"I sure do hope Courtney and Christopher win custody of her little boy,"  Heather says.

 

"Me, too,"  Bobby says.  

 

"Well, I never thought I'd say this, but, I'll kinda be glad when Christopher and Courtney get this all taken care of and finally come home,"  says John Ross.

 

Bobby looks at his nephew with a smile.  "John Ross, you mean to tell me that you actually miss Christopher and all the fights you two have?"

 

"I admit it, I do.  But if anybody here tells him I said that, I'll swear you're lyin'."

 

"John Ross, I always knew you had a heart,"  Lucas says.

 

"I can't wait to meet Courtney's son Jacob,"  Michael says.  "It'll be great having someone my own age around here to play here."

 

"Yeah, then maybe you won't have to bug me all the time,"  Alex says.  

 

"Where's Jimmy tonight?"  Lucas asks.

 

"I have no idea,"  Bobby replies.

 

"He told me he wasn't hungry.  He was just gonna grab a snack later,"  Alex says.  "Maybe he's hanging out with Emma.  The two of them seem to be getting pretty close lately."

 

"Jimmy and Emma?"  John Ross asks.  "You gotta be kiddin' me."

 

"Nope.  He's been spending a lot of time with her since she's been at Southfork," Alex says.

 

Shawn walks into the foyer and comes to the doorway of the dining room.  

 

"Oh, Shawn, hello,"  Ann says, noticing her nephew.

 

"Hi."

 

"Shawn, didn't know you were comin' over this evenin',"  says John Ross.

 

"Yeah, I asked him to come over and hang out for a while,"  Alex says, standing to his feet.  

 

"Shawn, you wanna join us for dinner?"  Ann asks.

 

"No, thanks, Aunt Ann, I already ate."

 

"Come on up to my room,"  Alex says, walking over to his friend.  "I got this cool new game I wanna show you."

 

"Yeah, okay,"  Shawn says, following Alex up the stairs.  

 

"Well,"  Lucy says.  "If I'm gonna fly to California with you guys in the morning, I've gotta get packed.  Excuse me."  Smiling, Lucy gets up from the table and leaves the room.  

 

Meanwhile, Alex and Shawn walk into Alex's bedroom upstairs.  

 

"Thanks for coming over, dude,"  Alex says.

 

"Yeah, no problem.  So what's this new game you got, and why was it so important you show it to me TONIGHT?"

 

"Dude, I didn't ask you to come over here to show you a game."

 

 

"You think John Ross is the father, don't you?"  Shawn asks.

 

"That's what I wanna find out.  It's the only thing that makes sense.  Why else would Ann and Emma wanna keep this a secret, especially with Kevin dead?"

 

"And what if he is?"

 

Alex lets out a sigh.  "Then, one way or another........Emma's got to go.  It took me a long time to accept John Ross as my father, but now, I love him almost as much as I loved the man I always thought was my father.  And Krystina is an awesome stepmother.  Emma Ryland is a tramp and a homewrecker, and there's no way in HELL I'm gonna let her and that baby screw up John Ross and Krystina's marriage."

 

"Okay, then I'll help you,"  Shawn says.  "We'll find out who Emma's baby daddy is."

 

Alex looks at his friend, smiles, and nods his head.

Knots Landing, California....the home of Gary and Valene Ewing....the next morning

 

 

Courtney comes down the stairs at the home of Gary and Valene Ewing in Knots Landing, California the next morning.  Valene Ewing is in the living room.  She smiles when she sees Courtney.  "Well, good morning," Val says.

 

"Morning, Val.  Have you seen Christopher this morning?"

 

"Yep.  He's out front playing basketball with Bobby."

 

"But, it's only 7:30."

 

"Christopher was already up when I got up this morning," Val says.

 

"I don't think he slept very well last night.  I wouldn't have if it hadn't been for those sleeping pills you gave me."

 

 

 

 

"Great game, Bob,"  Christopher says, out of breath as he takes a seat on the ground.  

 

"Yeah I wish I could say the same.  You usually play a lot better than that, Chris.  What's going on with you?"

 

"I just got a lot on my mind this morning,"  Christopher replies.  

 

"The custody hearing?"  Bobby II asks.

"Yeah, the custody hearing."

 

"You worried you and Courtney might lose?"  

 

"Yeah.  If that happens, Bobby, I'm not sure my wife will be able to handle that.  She wants so much to win custody of her little boy, and to be able to raise Jacob.  And so do I."

 

"Chris, look, don't worry,"  Bobby II says.  "Meg is about as good an attorney as you could find anywhere."

 

"I have no doubt of that.  But this case is so complicated, especially now with Chase Gioberti involved."

 

"Jacob's father?"

 

"Yeah.  But to be honest, Bob, winning this case isn't the only thing I'm worried about."

 

"What else?"  Bobby II asks.

 

"If we win, and Jacob comes to live with us at Southfork......I can't help but wonder what kind of father I'll make.  I mean, it's not like Jacob is a little baby, he's 10.  I mean, sure I've been around kids.  I spend a lotta time with Michael, Lucas's son.  But that's not like being a parent."

 

"I think you're gonna do fine.  Chris, I think that when you and Courtney take that little boy home to Southfork, being a dad is gonna come natural to you.  You also have the advantage of being adopted, so you'll be able to relate to the kid and how he feels."

 

"I hope so, man,"  Christopher says.  "I wanna do this right.  I HAVE to do this right.  I don't have any room to mess up this time."  Christopher looks at his watch.  "Well, the hearing is in three hours.  Guess I'd better go up and take a shower, and start getting ready."

 

"Alright.  Just remember what I said.  You're gonna do fine.  And me and my parents are gonna be right there in that courtroom rooting for you and Courtney."

 

"Thanks, cousin."

 

Bobby II stands and extends his hand to Christopher and pulls his cousin to his feet, the two then going into the house to prepare for the day ahead.

A restaurant in Dallas....

 Wearing a pair of dark glasses, Emma walks into the Twisted Root Burger Company that morning.  Taking off her sunglasses, she looks around.  Spotting the person she came to meet sitting in a booth, Emma walks over and takes a seat across from him, the young man who had been snapping photos of Krystina and her cousin Trevor the day before.

 

"Thought you'd never get here,"  the young man says.

 

"Sorry, but I do have a baby, you know.  My mother is in California today, so I had to get someone else to keep him.  Did you get anything?"

 

"Oh, I'll let you be the judge of that,"  the young man says.  He picks a large manila envelope from the seat beside him, places it on the table, and slides it over to Emma. 

 

She takes the envelope, opens it, and takes out the photos the young man had taken.  Emma smiles upon seeing the photos of Krystina and the mystery man.  "Who is he?"

 

"I'm gonna need a little more time to find that out," the young man replies.

 

"Well, then, I suggest you get to work,"  Emma says.  "I need to know who this man is, and I need to know, like YESTERDAY."

 

"I'll get right on it."

 

"Good, thank you.  And you did a great job following Krystina Ewing and getting these photos.  I just need to know who this guy is, and what's going on between them.  And don't worry, Ryan, I'll make it worth your while."

 

Ryan smiles.  "You could make it worth my while by finally going on a date with me."

 

"Thanks for the offer, but no thanks.  I just lost my fiance, remember?  I'll pay you well for your services."

 

"Okay, Emma, it was worth a try."

 

"You've been trying since you were 17 and working as a stable boy."

 

"Yeah, and one of these days, I'm gonna finally wear ya down and take you on that date."

 

"Just keep me posted on what you find out about this guy, and about Krystina Ewing's connection to him,"  Emma says as she stands from her seat.  "Do a good job for me, and get that information immediately, and I might just finally give you that date you've been wanting for the last five years."  She smiles, then walks away.

Los Angeles County Courthouse....

 

"Good morning,"  Meg says with a smile.

 

"Morning,"  Courtney greets.

 

"Morning, Meg,"  Christopher says.  "Umm, Meg Kennedy, I'd like for you to meet my father, Bobby Ewing, and my stepmother, Ann."

 

"Meg, it's nice to meet you,"  Bobby says.  "We've heard a lot about you."

 

"Well, thank you, Mr. Ewing, and I've heard a lot about you, too,"  says Meg.  "Christopher has nothing but good things to say about you.  So, are we all ready?"

 

Courtney sighs.  "As ready as we'll ever be, I guess," she says as Chase Gioberti walks into the courtroom with his father Cole and brother Joseph.  Courtney is shaken upon seeing Joseph there.  Chase looks at her, then takes a seat with his father and brother near the back of the courtroom.

 

"Courtney, are you okay?"  Meg asks.

 

"Yeah.  I'm fine."

 

"Would you all excuse us for just a minute?"  Christopher asks.  He takes his wife by the arm and leads her away from the others.  "Courtney, are you sure you're okay?"

 

"Look,"  Adam Reed says to Christopher and Courtney.  "I don't know what the hell you think you're trying to accomplish here, but you're gonna lose.  You're NOT gonna take my son away."

 

"Jacob is not your son,"  Christopher says.  "He's not even your legally adopted son.  As for what we intend to accomplish........we're gonna put Jacob back with his mother, where he belongs, and away from the people who've been abusing him."

 

"You son of a bitch, you have no proof that I've ever laid a hand on my son."

 

"Jacob ending up in the hospital several times over the last two years with bruises and unexplained injuries is all the proof I need,"  Courtney says.

 

"Alright, that's enough,"  Meg says.  "Mr. and Mrs. Reed, I think you should take your seats."

 

"You're not gonna get away with this,"  Adam says.  "I'll make sure of that."

 

"Is that a threat?"  Christopher asks.

 

"Adam, honey, come on,"  Jennifer Reed says, grabbing her husband by the arm.  "Let's sit down."

 

Adam and Christopher angrily glare at each other for a second, then Adam follows his wife to their seats just as their own attorney walks in.  

 

"That guy's a real jerk,"  says Christopher.

 

"Maybe so, but antagonizing him like that is the last thing we wanna do, especially before this hearing even begins,"  Meg says.  

 

Christopher and Adam Reed again exchange angry looks with each other.

Stone Oil....

 Cliff is unpacking his things in his new office at Stone Oil that morning when Brad comes to Cliff's open door and pokes his head in.  "Hey,"  Brad says.

 

"Oh, hi,"  Cliff replies.

 

"So how's it going?"  Brad asks, walking into the office.  "You about to get everything all set up in here?"

 

"Oh, yeah.  Just unpacking and arranging my things, and I can't wait to get to work."

 

"Well, good, because I'm gonna have plenty of work for you to do."

 

"I'm glad to hear that and really eager to get started.  I'm really excited about this, son.  Now that we have our own refinery, thanks to Tripp, we're gonna put Stone-Barnes Oil on the map and make this a company to be reckoned with."

 

"Yes, we are,"  Brad says as Emma knocks on the door.  

 

"Oh, Emma, come in,"  Cliff says.

 

"Hope I'm not interrupting,"  Emma says.

 

"No, no, of course not, come in.  I was just unpacking my new office.  What do you think, sweetheart?"

 

"Very nice."

 

"Emma, how are you?"  Brad asks.  "I was very sorry to hear about what happened to your fiance."

 

"Thank you."

 

 "Brad, I asked Emma to stop by because I was hoping the three of us could maybe have lunch together today," says Cliff.  

 

"Lunch,"  Brad says, looking at his watch.  "Yeah, I have a few things I need to finish first, though."

 

Cliff laughs slightly.  "Well, you go and finish whatever you need to and we'll wait.  In the meantime, Emma can help me unpack in here, and we can have a little chat.  If you have time, of course."

 

"Sure, I have  a little while.  Maria is watching the baby back at Southfork, and she told me I could take all the time I need.  But, I don't wanna be away from him for too long."

 

"Fine."  Cliff says, smiling.  "Brad, I've been wanting to get you and your sister together for quite a while now.  It's high time the two of you got to know one another."

 

"I'd like that very much,"  Brad says.  "Well, if the two of your will excuse me, I have some work I need to be doing. 

 

"Just let us know when you're ready to go to lunch,"  says Cliff.

 

"I will."  Brad says as his cell phone rings.  He takes the phone from his pocket and looks at it.  "Excuse me, I need to take this,"  he says, then walks out of the office.  Leaving Cliff's office, he quickly answers his phone.  "This had better be good if you're calling this number," he says angrily to the person on the other end of the line.  

 

"I need to see you,"  Trevor Carrington says.  "It's urgent."

 

"Be at the apartment at 2 o'clock,"  Brad says, then ends the call, a look of aggravation on his face.  

 

Meanwhile, back in Cliff's office, Emma is helping him place some books on a shelf.  "Brad seems very nice,"  says Emma.

 

"He is.  And I meant what I said.  I want you and your brother to get to know each other and have a relationship.  And Pamela, too.  You saw your sister the other day didn't you?"

 

"Yeah, I did.  I dropped by to see her after Jimmy and I saw you at the park the other day."

 

"And how are things between the two of you?"

 

"Well, I guess you could say that things have improved a lot between us.  Pamela and I had a very nice visit."

 

"I'm very glad to hear that.  I want all three of my children to be close,"  says Cliff.  "I want us to be a real family, like the Ewings.  I'm really glad you could stop by and see my new office, but there's another reason I wanted to see you.  I wanted to offer you a proposition."

 

"A proposition?"  Emma asks.

 

"That's right.  Emma, I know you've been going through a very rough time lately, with Kevin's death.  And I also think it would help you if you had something to occupy your time.  I know you have the baby, but can you honestly say that's enough?"

 

"What kind of proposition are you offering?"

 

"A job."

 

"A job?"  Emma asks.

 

"Yes, a job.  Right here at Stone-Barnes Oil."

 

"A job doing what?"

 

"We'll figure that part out,"  replies Cliff.  "We'll talk to your brother about it over lunch, and I'm sure we can find a place for you here."

 

"Cliff, I really appreciate the offer, but, I don't even know what my plans are yet.  Or if I'll even be staying in Dallas for very long."

 

"Emma, come on, sweetheart,"  Cliff says, walking over to her.  "Now what have you got to go back to in California?  Your family's here.  All you have at Falcon Crest are Kevin's family, and painful memories.  Your whole life is right here, in Dallas.  Me, your brother, your sister.  And.........and your......mother."

 

Emma sighs.  "As much as I hate to admit it, you ARE right.  There really isn't anything for me in California, anymore.  Kevin and I were planning to build a life there together, but, now that's gone."

 

"So, why go back there?  And if you come to work here at Stone-Barnes, it'll give us a chance to work together, and give you and your brother a chance to get to know each other."

 

"Cliff, I really don't know about this.  I'll have to think about it."

 

Cliff smiles.  "Fair enough.  You take some time and think about it, and, then I'll talk to Brad whenever you're ready.  But I hope you take me up on my offer.  Now, then, let's get to work unpacking this office."

 

Emma nods, and manages a slight smile.  Cliff has given her a lot to think about.

Southfork....

 Alex is walking standing betwen two fences at Southfork.  He pulls his cell phone from his pocket and looks at the time, then sighs deeply.  He leans against the fence closest to the house, and a few seconds later, he sees Shawn's car coming up the tree-lined driveway.  As Shawn drives up to the house and comes to a stop, Alex runs over to him.  

 

"Dude, you sure took your time getting here,"  Alex says.

 

"Sorry, bro, I had some stuff I had to do," Shawn says.  "What's so urgent?"

 

"Emma is not home,"  Alex says.  "She left the baby with Maria and went into town.  Nobody's home but Maria and the babies, so now's the perfect time to do a little searching of the cottage and see if maybe there's some clue in her things about the father of her baby. 

 

"Yeah, good thinking.  But how are we gonna get in the cottage?"

 

"Well, there's a window in the back that doesn't lock,"  replies Alex.  "I heard Aunt Ann talking to Uncle Bobby about it yesterday.  She told him he needed to get it fixed."

 

Shawn smiles and nods.  "Then let's do this, bro.  Let's go see if Emma left any kind of clue about who her baby daddy is."

 

"Come on.  We have to keep a watch out for any of the hands looking,"  Alex says, he and Shawn heading toward the cottage.

Los Angeles....

 

"Mrs. Kennedy, you may call your next witness,"  the judge, a woman of about 50, tells Meg as the custody case continues in a Los Angeles courtroom.

 

"Thank you, Your Honor,"  Meg says, standing from her seat.  "Mr. Thomas Feldman."

 

"Mr. Feldman, please take the stand,"  the judge says.

 

Feldman, a middle aged man dressed in a business suit, stands and walks to the witness stand.  A bailiff approaches.  "Raise your right hand," the bailiff says.  "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you, God?"

 

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

 

Meg approaches him.  "Mr. Feldman, you are an attorney for the law firm of Feldman, Reynolds, and Goldman, here in Los Angeles, correct?"

 

"Yes, I am."

 

"Mr. Feldman, did you at one time employ James Sheridan with your firm?"

 

"Yes, Mr. Sheridan was an attorney who worked for our firm."

 

"But not anymore?"

 

"No."

 

"Would you please explain the circumstances surrounding Mr. Sheridan's dismissal from your firm?"  Meg asks.

 

"It was brought to my attention that Mr. Sheridan had handled a case, independently of our firm, and, unfortunately the case involved adoption fraud."

 

"Would you please explain that term.....adoption fraud?"  Meg asks.

 

"Adoption fraud, also known as "wrongful adoption," refers to any form of intentional misrepresentation or illegal act by someone during the adoption process for the purpose of personal or financial gain. Perpetrators of adoption fraud can include adoption agencies, facilitators, birth mothers and, in some cases, potential adoptive parents."

 

"And this case which Mr. Sheridan handled outside of your firm, this case of an illegal adoption, it was facilitated by the potential adoptive parents?"

 

"Yes, it was."

 

"And those adoptive parents were Adam and Jennifer Reed?"  Meg asks.

 

"Yes, that's correct.  The Reeds paid Mr. Sheridan a large sum of money to handle this case, illegally, as it were.  Sheridan was deeply in dept and in desperate need of money.  So, he occasionally took side cases on his own time."

 

"And when did you discover Mr. Sheridan's involvement in this illegal adoption of Jacob Reed?"  

 

"Earlier this year, when Mr. and Mrs. Ewing sued the Reeds for custody of the child,"  Feldman replies.  

 

"And you immediately fired Mr. Sheridan?"

 

"Oh, I did more than that.  I petitioned to have Sheridan disbarred.  No reputable attorney would involve himself in such a case."

 

Sitting in the courtroom, Christopher and Courtney look at each other, confident that Feldman's testimony that the Reeds had adopted Jacob illegally would help them win custody.

A short time later....

Nearly half an hour later, Meg is questioning her next witness, a man in his late 30s.  "Dr. Mitchell, you are a pediatrician at the children's wing of Los Angeles Medical Center, is that right?"

 

"Yes, I am."

 

"Have you ever treated 10-year-old Jacob Reed?"

 

"I have.  Numerous times."

 

"For what?"  Meg asks.

 

 

"Excuse me,"  the judge says, interrupting Meg as she is about to say something.  "Dr. Mitchell, are you actually telling this court that you reported a suspected case of child abuse to the authorities, and to child protective services on more than one occasion, and no one did ANYTHING?"

 

"Yes, Your Honor, I'm afraid that's exactly what I'm telling you."

 

"Absolutely unbelievable,"  the Judge says, frustrated.

 

 

Southfork....the cottage....

 Meanwhile, back at Southfork, Alex and Shawn are inside the cottage, rummaging through Emma's things to see if they can find a clue to the identity of Logan's father.  After looking through everything they can find and coming up with nothing, Alex sighs.  

 

"I don't think there's anything here,"  Shawn says.

 

"Yeah, me neither.  Damn.  I was hoping I could find something.  Hey, wait,"  Alex says, looking at one corner of the cabin.  

 

"What?"

 

Alex walks over to the corner.  "I don't remember this being here,"  he says, pointing to a small trunk sitting on the floor.  "Dude, this has to be Emma's."

 

"Are you sure?"

 

"Yeah.  This trunk hasn't been here before she came.  It's gotta be hers."

 

"Open it and let's see what's in it."

 

Alex kneels down and tries to open the trunk but can't.  "Damn it, it's locked."

 

"Well there's gotta be a key around here somewhere,"  says Shawn.  He walks over to the dresser and begins looking through the drawers for a key while Alex goes to the table beside the bed and looks.  

 

After looking through all the drawers, Alex again comes up empty handed.  "Nothing.  No key here."

 

"Well, maybe there's no key on your side of the room,"  Shawn says.  "But, take a look at this."

 second.  Alex and Shawn crouch down and hide on the back porch while Emma puts the baby down in his crib. 

 

"There, now,"  she says to the infant.  "I'll bet it feels good to be back in your own crib, doesn't it?"  She lovingly rubs the baby's stomach.  "I went to see your grandfather today, and he gave me a lot to think about.  He wants me to stay here and work for Stone-Barnes Oil.  But I just don't know.  He was right about one thing.  There really is nothing for me back in California now that Kevin's gone.  But how can I stay here, this close to your real daddy?"

 "Okay, what'd you wanna see me about?"  Brad asks, walking into the apartment in Dallas occupied by Trevor Carrington.

 

"It's Krystina."

 

"What about her?  You saw her today, right?  Did she give you the money?"

 

"Oh yeah, she gave me the money. In fact, she gave me fifty grand more than I asked for.  But that's not all she gave me."

 

"You're not making any sense,"  Brad says.

 

"Krystina issued a warning to me.  Well, it was more like a threat."

 

"What kind of threat?"

 

"The extra fifty thousand was for me to get lost, and never bother her again."

 

"That doesn't sound like a threat to me."

 

"Krystina told me that if I didn't take the money and leave Dallas, and leave her alone.......she would make me disappear.  For good.  She meant it, too, and she's got the money and power to make that happen."

 

Brad laughs.  "Don't tell me you're afraid of your cousin."

 

"Krystina's father destroyed my father.  And had my father and I not agreed to leave the country, she and Blake would've had both of us sent to prison for life.  I underestimated my cousin.  Krystina can be just as ruthless as her father if she has to be."

 

"You're not backing out of this, Carrington.  No way in hell."

 

"Look, you wanted me to cause problems for Krystina, in the hope that eventually those problems would spill over into her marriage to that Ewing guy.  But I never counted on Krystina threatening me the way she did.  I never thought she had it in her.  It didn't work, Stone, so find yourself another partner in crime."

 

"Partner?  You and I were never partners in this, Trevor,"  says Brad.  "You work for ME, and you'll quit this plan when I say you can.  NOT before."

 

"Look, I am not going through with this."

 

"Yes, you are, unless you wanna end up right back where you were after your old man died.  On the street, or maybe....... in prison?  I dug you up in Australia after I looked into Krystina's past and found out about you and Ben Carrington being exiled to the outback years ago.  You were banned from ever setting foot in the United States again until I pulled some strings with the State Department to get that ban lifted.  I brought you here on the condition that you would help me destroy Krystina's marriage, AND her husband.  But I can pull some more strings to have you exiled again........this time to Siberia.  Now look, Krystina isn't gonna do a damned thing to you.  I'll make sure she can't touch you or find you.  And as long as you stay in hiding, and have that very embarrassing information on her and her father, you're safe from her.  But me, on the other hand........if you cross me.......then you may as well put a bullet in your brain because I can promise you, Hell is the only place you will be safe from me.  I own you,

Trevor.  Don't forget that."  Brad turns and walks out of the apartment, leaving Trevor both angry and afraid, realizing that he is in an impossible situation now, caught between his cousin and Brad Stone, both of whom have the money and power to completely destroy his life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Los Angeles....

 Back in Los Angeles, the custody case continues as Adam Reed is called to the stand.  Adam takes his seat on the stand, and  Meg approaches him.  "Mr. Reed, you and your wife are the........adoptive parents.......of young Jacob Reed, is that correct?"

 

"Yes, it is.  My wife and I love Jacob very ,much."

 

"Please just answer the question with a yes or no, Mr. Reed.  Is it also true that you and your wife adopted Jacob illegally?"

 

Adam hesitates before answering the incriminating question.  

 

"Answer the question, Mr. Reed,"  the Judge says.

 

"Yes.  Technically, that is true, but......"

 

"Mr. Reed, is it also true that your family has had ties to organized crime in the past?"  Meg asks.

 

"Objection, Your Honor,"  the Reed attorney says.  "Mr. Reed's family's past associations have no bearing on this case."

 

"I submit that those associations DO have a bearing on this, Your Honor,"  says Meg.  "Especially in terms of the safety of the minor child, Jacob Reed."

 

"Objection overruled,"  the Judge says.  "Answer the question, Mr. Reed."

 

"Yes.  It's true that my father and grandfather had connections to organized crime figures in the past, but I have NEVER had any ties to them."

 

"Weren't you arrested for racketeering in 2005?"  Meg asks.

 

"Yes, but those charges were dropped."

 

"And in 2009, you were arrested AGAIN, this time in connection to illegal gambling operation?"

 

"Yes, but again the charges were dropped for lack of evidence."

 

"Mr. Reed, have you ever had to discipline Jacob?"  Meg asks.

 

"Of course.  What parent hasn't had to discipline their child?"  Adam responds.  

 

"Have you ever spanked Jacob?"

 

Adam again hesitates, as he looks at his wife sitting in the courtroom.

 

"Mr. Reed?"

 

"Yes,"  Adam replies.  "I have spanked my son."

 

"Have you ever hit Jacob in any way other than a spanking?"

 

"NO!"

 

"Then how do you explain the various injuries that have landed Jacob in the emergency room and the hospital over the past couple of years?"  Meg asks.

 

"My son is like any child.  He's had some accidents.  He's fallen off his bike, gotten hurt playing.  But I never beat my son,"  Adam says, barely able to contain his anger at being asked such a question.  

 

"Has child protective services ever been called in to investigate the bruises and other injuries Jacob has sustained while in your care?  And I remind you......you're under oath."

 

"Yes.  They came to see us twice, thanks to some meddlesome doctor who misinterpreted Jacob's injuries,"  Adam says, again in an angry tone.

 

Meg smiles, sure that Reed's demeanor is slowly portraying his possible penchant for violent behavior.

Later....

 

  "You damned right, I am.  Courtney, you kept my son away from me for the past ten years,"  Chase says angrily.  "You even kept Jacob's very existence from me all these years."

 

"Chase, I was 15-years-old,"  says Courtney.  "I was scared, and I didn't know what to do when I found out I was pregnant.  And after I gave Jacob up, I.........I thought that I was doing what was best for everyone.  Including you."

 

"Me?  You were doing what was best for ME?  How's that, Courtney?  You denied me the opportunity to be a father to my son.  Yes, we were young.  But Courtney, we weren't always 15 and 16.  You had ten years to tell me that I had a son, but you never did.  Not until you had to.  If that judge hadn't forced you to tell Jacob's father about him.....then I never would've known that I have a son."

 

"Okay.  Okay, you're right,"  Courtney says.  "But let's put our own feelings aside right now.  Let's put the two of us aside, and think about Jacob.  I've met that little boy three times, and now, Jacob had to be told that I'm his birth mother.  He's having to go through this custody case, and possibly being taken out of yet another home and placed with total strangers.  He's also suffered abuse."

 

"And that's another thing,"  says Chase.  "Sitting in that courtroom listening to accusations that that Reed guy may have abused our son.....it made me wanna puke.  I wanted to kill him, Courtney.  If I had known about Jacob, he never would've had to go through being shuffled from home to home, only to end up in an orphanage that basically sold him to people who abused him.  So, yes, you're damned right I'm gonna try to get my son."

 

"Are you really that bitter and angry at me?  Or are you really that selfish, Chase?"

 

"Selfish?"

 

"Yes, SELFISH.  All you're thinking about right now is yourself and making me pay for keeping this from you all these years.  You're not thinking about that little boy.  Do you really wanna put him through another ugly custody battle?  He's never even met you.  He has at least met me and Christopher.  How do you think he'll feel if another stranger, one he's never laid eyes on or even heard of, shows up and says, 'hey, you're coming home with me'?  He could be traumatized, Chase, even more than he already is.  We can work something out, Chase.  You, me, and Christopher.  If Christopher and I win this case against the Reeds, I won't try to keep Jacob away from you.  You can visit him any time.  But please.....don't make that little boy have to go through this again."

 

Chase lowers his head and sighs, then looks at Courtney.  "You really think you're gonna win this case against the Reeds?"

 

"Yes, I do.  The allegations of abuse, even though they were never proven, as well as Jacob's adoption being illegal, there's no way that judge will let the Reeds keep Jacob."

 

"Don't be too sure of that,"  says Adam Reed, walking up behind Courtney.  "My wife and I have provided a wonderful and loving home for Jacob."

 

"You adopted that child illegally,"  Chase says.  

 

"Because I had no choice!"

 

"Adam, please, let's just go,"  Jennifer Reed says, grabbing her husband's arm.  

 

"Had no choice?"  Chase asks.  "You had a choice before you got involved in criminal activities that made it impossible for you to adopt a child legally."

 

"And just who the hell are you, anyway?"  Adam asks.

 

"I'm Jacob's biological father, that's who, and if I find out that you've been abusing my son....."

 

"Your SON?"  Adam angrily asks.  "I have raised that boy for the last three years.  Where the hell were you?  Where the hell were the TWO of you?"  Adam looks at Courtney.  "You gave that child up, and now that you've scored yourself a rich husband, you think you can just show up and take my son away?"

 

"Jacob is not your son!"  Courtney yells as Christopher walks over.  

 

 

"I have been more of a mother to that little boy than you have ever thought about being,"  says an angry Jennifer Reed.  "Have you even given him a second thought in all these years?"

 

"I have thought of my son every single day since I had to give him up."

 

"HAD to give him up?"  Adam asks.  "Like you had no other choice?"

 

 

"Courtney was 15-years-old when she got pregnant with Jacob," Christopher says.  "She was a scared kid."

 

"Maybe she should've thought of the consequences before she opened her legs,"  Jennifer Reed says.

 

"You BITCH!"  Says Courtney, loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear.

 

"Alright, let's just break this up right now,"  Bobby says as he walks over with Ann and Meg.  

 

"Christopher, Courtney, we should go and get some lunch,"  Meg suggests.  "Come on."

 

"We're gonna win this case, Reed,"  Christopher says.  "And we're gonna get Jacob."

 

"I'll fight you,"  Adam says.  "I'll do whatever I have to do to keep my family together."

 

"Is that a threat?"

 

"Christopher,"  Meg says.  "Let's go......NOW."

 

Christopher and Adam glare at each other for a few seconds, then Christopher walks away with Courtney, Bobby, Ann, and Meg.

 

Adam and Jennifer start to walk away.  "Reed,"  Chase calls to them.  The couple stops and turns back to face him. Chase walks over to the Reeds.  "If I find out that you HAVE been abusing my son, physically or otherwise.......you're gonna be one sorry son of a bitch."

 

"Go to hell,"  Adam says, then walks away with his wife.

 

Chase's older brother, Joseph Gioberti, walks over to him.  "Chase, everything okay?"  

 

"Yeah, everything's fine,"  Chase replies, watching the Reeds as they get onto the elevator down the hall.

 

"Well, come on,"  says Joseph.  "We're gonna go get some lunch before court reconvenes.

 

"Sure,"  Chase says, continuing to watch the Reeds as the elevator doors close behind them.  

 

"You sure you're okay, Chase?"

 

"Just fine.  But I'll tell you one thing, Joseph.  I'm even more determined now than ever to get custody of my son and get to know him,"  Chase says.  After a brief pause, he walks away with his brother.

 

Meanwhile, as Adam and Jennifer Reed ride the elevator down to the ground floor of the courthouse, Jennifer begins to cry.  "Honey, it's gonna be okay,"  Adam says in an attempt to comfort his distraught wife.

 

"How?  Adam, it's NOT going to be okay.  My God, they're going to take our little boy."

 

"Shhhh, listen to me,"  Adam says, pressing a button that stops the elevator between floors.  He puts his hands on his wife's shoulders.  "No one is going to take Jacob away from us, and THAT, I promise you."

 

"Adam, what are you talking about?"  Jennifer asks in tears.  "The adoption wasn't legal, and that judge knows it now, and she also knows about Child Protective Services investigating allegations of child abuse.  We don't have a chance of keeping him."

 

"Yes, we do.  If you do exactly as I say.  Jennifer, we're not going back into that courtroom this afternoon."

 

"What?"  Jennifer asks.

 

"We're going to pick up Jacob, and we're leaving,"  Adam replies.  "We're gonna get as far away from here as we possibly can."

 

"Adam, that's crazy.  We can't."

 

"Yes, we can.  You love that little boy, don't you?"

 

"You KNOW I do,"  Jennifer cries.

 

"Then we're NOT giving him up.  We're gonna go and get him, and we're gonna disappear.  We still have plenty of money left, so we can do this.  Go somewhere, and start over.  Just the three of us, where no one will EVER find us and take our son away.  Jennifer, will you do this with me?"

 

After a pause, Jennifer nods.  "Yes.  Yes, I'll do anything.  Anything but give my little boy up."

 

"Good,"  Adam says.  He presses the button to start the elevator again.  Once the elevator opens into the lobby of the courthouse on the ground floor, the Reeds step off and hurry toward the exit.

Back in Dallas....Ewing Oil....later that afternoon

 John Ross's secretary, Sally, buzzes his office.  "John Ross, Leonard Freeman is on line one."

 

"Leonard Freeman?"  John Ross asks.  "Okay, thank ya, Sally."  John Ross picks up his phone and presses the '1' button.  "Leonard, well, this is a surprise.  What the hell can I do for ya?"

Leonard Freeman's office, The Longhorn Bank....

"John Ross, I hated to bother you with this, and it's probably just nothing, but, I had to call and ask if you are aware that your wife has recently made several withdrawals from your joint account.  The most recent of which was one million, fifty thousand dollars."

 

 

Ewing Oil....

 "What?"  Asks John Ross, surprised at the news.  "Krystina withdrew over a million dollars from our joint account?"

 

"Yes she did,"  Freeman replies.  "And she had already made two very sizable withdrawals from her own personal account as well.  John Ross, I don't like to meddle, but as the banker in charge of handling your account, I felt I should check with you and see if you're aware of the withdrawals.  Now, I'm sure I sound pretty old fashioned right now, but, well, I know how women can sometimes be.  I just wanted to make sure that the withdrawals of such large amounts of cash was alright with you."

 

"Yes,"  John Ross says.  "Leonard, whatever my wife wants, is fine with me.  But, I would appreciate it if you'd inform me if Krystina makes another one of these large withdrawals.  And don't tell her anything about talkin' to me."

 

"Consider it done, John Ross."

 

"Thank ya.  Nice to hear from ya, Leonard, and you have a nice weekend,"  John Ross hangs up his phone and sighs.  "A million, fifty thousand?"  He asks to himself.  "Now what in the hell could Krystina want that much cash for?"

Los Angeles....

 Back in Los Angeles, court has been reconvened for nearly half an hour, and the participants in the custody hearing, including the Judge, are impatiently waiting for Adam and Jennifer Reed to return from the lunch break.  Sitting in their seats, Courtney and Christopher are becoming restless.

 

"Where could they be?"  Courtney asks.

 

 "I have no idea,"  replies Christopher.  "Meg, what do you think's going on?"

 

"I wish I knew."

 

On the bench, the judge looks at her watch.  "Ms. Stewart, where are your clients?"  She finally asks the Reeds's attorney.

 

"I really don't know, Your Honor,"  the attorney replies.  "I can't imagine what could be keeping my clients."

 

"Well, if they aren't here within the next fifteen minutes, then I am calling an end to this hearing.  After the testimony I've heard today against the Reeds, I'm tempted to do that anyway."

"Please, Your Honor, just give my clients a few more minutes.  I'll try and call them to see what's keeping them.  There could have been an accident or something."

 

"Fine, but hurry,"  the judge says.  "The Reeds have wasted enough of this court's time."

 

Ms. Stewart takes out her cell phone and dials Adam Reed's number.  The phone rings several times, but no one answers.  Next, she dials Jennifer's cell number.  This time, it goes straight to voicemail.  "No answer on either of their cell phones, Your Honor.  Just let me try their home phone."  The attorney dials the number of the Reed residence.  The phone rings several times, but no one answers.  She ends the call in frustration.  "I'm sorry, Your Honor, no answer there, either."

 

Across the room, Courtney leans over to her husband.  "Christopher, I'm getting a bad feeling about this," she says.

 

"Yeah, so am I,"  he says.  "Meg, what if the Reeds have taken off?"

 

"Then they lose by default.  It wouldn't surprise me, to be honest, as they have to know they don't stand a chance of winning now that it's been stated in open court that Jacob's adoption was illegal."

 

"Oh my God,"  Courtney gasps.

 

"Honey, what is it?"  Christopher asks.

 

"Jacob.  What if the Reeds have skipped town and taken Jacob with them?"

 

Meg stands from her seat.  "May I approach the bench, Your Honor?" 

 

"Yes, counselor, you may."

 

Meg motions to the Reeds's attorney, then the two women walk up to the bench as an antsy courtroom waits.  Near the back of the courtroom, Chase becomes worried.  "What's going on?"  He asks his attorney, Lisa Agretti.

 

"I don't know.  Sit tight, and I'll find out," Lisa replies, standing.  "Your Honor, Lisa Agretti, counsel for Mr. Chase Gioberti, biological father of Jacob Reed.  May I approach the bench?"

 

"Yes, you may."

 

As the spectators watch, Lisa walks to the bench and joins the other women.  Courtney, Christopher, and the others watch as the judge speaks to the three female attorneys at the bench.  The judge motions for the bailiff to approach.  She says something to the bailiff, then he leaves the courtroom.  After a moment, the three attorneys return to their seats.

 

"Meg, what's going on?"  Christopher asks as Meg retakes her seat beside he and Courtney.

 

"The judge is also concerned that the Reeds may have taken flight, so she's ordered that an officer be sent to their residence to see if anyone is there, and another to check on Jacob at his day camp."

 

"My God, I have a bad feeling about this,"  says Courtney.  Christopher puts his arm around his wife as they anxiously wait.

A short time later....

As everyone continues to pat impatiently in the courtroom, a Los Angeles police officer enters the courtroom, then walks up to the bailiff, whispering something to him.  The bailiff and the officer approach the bench and the officer says something to the judge as the spectators watch and wait, Courtney becoming more and more anxious.  After a few words, the judge nods to the officer and the bailiff, who walk away.