EPISODE 250 - NOVEMBER SURPRISES!

"Chad, I want you or some of the boys to patrol the perimeter of the ranch at least every half hour or so,"   Bobby says to his ranch foreman.  "I'm having a private security firm send a couple men out here to guard all the entrances to the ranch."

 

"You really think Katherine Wentworth would try and get on Southfork, Mr. Ewing?"  Chad asks.  "I mean, I would think she'd be headed either out of state  or to the border where there'd be less chance of her gettin' caught."

 

"Chad, you don't know Katherine Wentworth.  The woman is crazy, and she's driven by this sick and twisted desire for revenge against this family.  After everything she's done to me and to my family over the years, I'm not taking any chances.  Let's hope  Katherine is far away from here by now,  but, it's better to be safe than sorry."

 

"I'll take care of everything, Mr. Ewing,"  Chad says.

 

"Thank you, Chad,"   Bobby says.  "Oh, and Chad, one other thing."

 

"Yes, Mr. Ewing?"

 

"I don't want Miguel or the other younger hands patrolling the perimeter alone.  Make sure they're always accompanied by one of the older hands."

 

"You got it, Mr. Ewing,"  Chad says, and walks away.

 

Bobby looks out over the horizon of the ranch for a few seconds, then he goes into the house.  A 

 moment later, Bobby comes into the foyer just as John Ross is coming down the stairs.  "John Ross,"  Bobby says.

 

"Uncle  Bobby, what's goin' on?  Did I see the Sheriff leavin' a few minutes ago?"

 

"Yes, John Ross, you did.  We got some news  last night."

 

"News?  And that's why you and Ann didn't come to Matt Culver's fundraiser?"  John Ross asks.

 

"Yes."

 

"What was the news?"

 

"Katherine Wentworth escaped from prison yesterday,"  Bobby replies.

 

"Escaped?"  A stunned John Ross asks.  "How the hell did that happen? I thought she was in a maximum security prison."

 

 

 

"She was supposed to be,"  says Bobby.  "But apparently she was being transferred to another prison and the bus was ambushed.  Someone helped Katherine escape and I'm sure gonna find out who it was and make sure that they spend a very long time in prison themselves."

 

John Ross is about to say something when Ann comes into the foyer from the living room.  "Bobby, John Ross,"  she says.  I think you both need to come hear this."

 

Bobby and John Ross exchange looks of curiosity.  A second later, they follow Ann into the living room, where she is watching the morning news.  Ann picks up the remote control from the coffee table and turns up the volume.  Bobby and John Ross set their eyes on the TV with great interest as the news anchor speaks.....

"In our top story this morning, Senator Matt Culver of Texas was arrested last night at a fundraiser for his campaign.  According to the Associated Press, the Senator, who is in the middle of his re-election campaign, was arrested for the murder of his former campaign manager, 40-year-old Peter Stanton, whose body was found near the Trinity River in Dallas just a few days ago.  Sources close to the Culver campaign told Fox 4 News that Senator Culver had recently fired Stanton for unknown reasons, and that the two men, who had been friends since their childhood, had parted ways on bad terms.  Senator Matt Culver, a Republican, first came to the  United States Senate nearly a decade ago when he was appointed to fill the seat in the Senate once held by his late father, Senator Dave Culver.  He was elected to a full term in his own right in 2016.  The Senator is the grandson of former Texas governor and United States Senator Sam Culver.  We will bring to you further details of this dramatic unfolding story as they become available.  It is unknown how this arrest will affect Senator Culver's bid for re-election."

 

"Oh my God,"  Bobby says.  

 

"I can't believe it,"  says Ann.  "John Ross, you were at that fundraiser last night."

 

"Yes.  Matt was called away, and I didn't see him for the rest of the night.  Now I guess I know why."

 

"There's no way in hell Matt killed anyone,"  Bobby says.

 

"This smells of a set up,"  says John Ross.

 

"Who would do somethin' like that?"  Ann asks.

 

"Just think about it.  Matt was beating Barnes in all the polls, and he was projected to win that election,"  John Ross replies.  "But the Barnes campaign...........they're not about to let that happen."

 

"Especially if Jeremy Wendell is backing Barnes,"  Bobby says.  "Wendell is ruthless enough to try and frame Matt for murder just to cause him to lose that election to Barnes."

 

John Ross turns and looks at his uncle.  "Well, we can't let that happen.  Somehow, I WILL stop Brad Barnes from winnin' that election......any way I have to."

 

Bobby looks at his nephew with a worried expression.

Dallas Police Department....

 Meanwhile, at the Dallas Police Department, Matt is seated in a room at a table with Margaret and with attorney David Smithfield, who has been called in to represent Matt.  

 

"David, I really wanna thank you for coming down here like this,"  Matt says.  

 

"Matt, it's no problem at all.  I know you originally called for Jay to come represent you, but my son is out of town working on a case down in Waco and he won't be back until day after tomorrow at the earliest."

 

"It's fine."

 

"And to be perfectly honest, Mr. Smithfield, it might be best if you handle Matt's case,"  says Margaret.  "Jay is a wonderful attorney, but you have a lot more experience."

 

David smiles.  "Well, thank you, Margaret.  And no matter which of us ends up being the primary defense counsel on this case, Jay and I will work together, and Cass as well, if necessary.  Now then, Matt, tell me a little about the background of your relationship with Peter Stanton."

 

"I met Peter when we were kids, at prep school,"  Matt replies.  "We became friends pretty fast."

 

"Good friends?"  David asks.

 

"The best.  Peter use to spend weekends at my family's home in Austin, and sometimes I would go home with him for a weekend.  Peter was a great guy and a great friend."

 

"What happened between you that recently strained your friendship?"

 

Matt looks at Margaret briefly, then lowers his head.  After a short pause, he sighs deeply, then looks at David.  "I found out that Peter was betraying me.  He was working to undermine my re-election campaign."

 

"And how did you find out this information?"

 

"My cousin, John Ross Ewing,"  Margaret says.  

 

"John Ross's private investigator had been tailing a man named Craig Ewing,"  says Matt.

 

"Ewing?"  David asks.  "Any relation?"

 

"Yes,"   Margaret replies.  "Craig Ewing is a second cousin or something of my father's and my Uncle Bobby's."

 

"David, it's a very long and complicated story,"  says Matt.  It'll take some time to tell.  But the point is, Peter was working with the campaign of my opponent, Brad Barnes, to undermine me and sabotage my chances of winning re-election to the Senate.  There's a very rich and very powerful man bankrolling Barnes's campaign, and this man wants to basically gain control of many of this country's largest and most important corporations.  Craig Ewing works for this man, and they had blackmailed Peter into working for them against me."

 

"Blackmailing him?"  David asks.  "Do you know what they had on Stanton?"

 

"Oh, yes.  I know exactly what they had on Peter to force him to work for them."

 

"What?"

 

"His love for his wife and kids."

 

"Meaning what?"  David asks.

 Craig Ewing, his wife Ali, and their son Cameron are having breakfast that morning in their apartment when the doorbell rings. 

 

"I'll get that on my way out," Cameron says.

 

"Have a good day at school, sweetheart,"  Ali says.

 

"I will, Mom."  The young man gets up from the table, grabs his book bag from the chair next to him, and makes his way through the living room to the front door.  Cameron opens the door to Brad.  

 

"I need to speak to your father,"  Brad says.  "Is he here?"

 

"He's here.  Go on in, Mr. Barnes,"  Cameron says, walking past Brad and leaving for school.

 

Craig and Ali come into the living room as Brad enters the apartment.  "Barnes,"  Craig says.  "What brings you over so early?"

 

"We need to talk.  In private."

 

Craig looks at his wife.  "Ali, could you leave us alone?"

 

"More........secret business, my darling?"  Ali asks, her tone laced with sarcasm.  "Seems like all your business is secret."

 

Craig looks at her again, this time with a stern, disapproving look.  "Leave us alone?"

 

"Fine,"  Ali says.  "Think I'll go back to bed for a while."

 

"Yeah, why don't you do that?"  Craig asks as his wife leaves the room.  He waits for a moment until he hears his wife's bedroom door close, then he turns to Brad.  "So what's on your mind?"

 

"Matt Culver's arrest for the murder of Peter Stanton,"  Brad replies.  

 

Craig smiles.  "Yeah, I heard about that.  It's a damned shame.......for Culver, anyway."

 

 

"Courtesy of you and Wendell, no doubt," says Brad.  

 

Craig smiles.  "Now how do you know Culver didn't really kill his campaign manager?  He was pretty pissed when he found out Stanton was working for us."

 

"You and I both know Matt Culver no more murdered Peter Stanton than the man in the moon."

 

"Well, no matter,"  Craig says.  "At any rate, this legal mess he's gotten himself into will likely make it hard for Culver to win that election."  Craig stands from his seat and walks over to Brad.  "Cheer up, Barnes.  This election will be over in a little more than a week and you will be Texas's new United States Senator."

 

"But at what price?  My soul?"  Brad asks.

 

"Barnes, with all the power that's about to be layed at your feet..........your soul is a small price to pay,"  Craig says with a devious smile.

 Krystina is sitting at her mother's bedside at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.  Krystina looks down at her mother in the bed, sleeping, and smiles as her mind travels back in time to a memory of a day long ago.....

 

Late that evening, Clay is having a meeting at Ewing Oil with the Cartel.  "I'm telling you, guys, this is the deal of a lifetime and it will make a hell of a lot of money for all of us,"  Clay tells the assembled group, which includes Catlin Ewing, Samantha Chambers, Brandon Harwood, Jason Lee,  and Jordan Lee III.  "McCallister Oil has some of the richest reserves in South East Texas.  Now Lon McCallister came to me with this deal because he was an old friend of my grandfather J.R.'s, but.........Ewing Oil can't afford to go it alone on this. and, I also feel that if we all partner up in this, it'll help re-establish the ties between Ewing Oil and the Cartel......ties that have been weakened in recent months."

 

"This sounds like a good deal to me," Jason Lee says.  "I've heard a lot of good things about McCallister Oil.  It's one of the largest companies in Houston."

 

"I'm still not sure about this,"  Samantha Chambers says.  "My company has been going through some difficult times of late, and I'm not sure if we can afford such a huge investment right now.  I'm also have some concerns about doing business with Ewing Oil again."

 

"Why?  Because you don't trust me?"  Clay asks.

 

"It's not that, exactly,"  Samantha replies.

 

"Then what, EXACTLY, is the problem?"

"Who was THAT?"  Michelle asks.

 

"Samantha Chambers," Clay replies.  "She's a member of the Cartel."

 

"She's very beautiful."

 

Clay walks over to her.  "Yes she is.  So?  Don't tell me you're jealous.  Come on, Michelle.  Samantha Chambers is NOT my type."

 

"That's not how it looked when I came in."

 

Clay sighs.  "You wanna know what happened?  I'll tell you.  She came on to me, I turned her down, she tried to slap me, and I grabbed her hand.  That's when you walked in.   And that's all there was to it."

 

Michelle  nods.  "Okay."

 

Clay walks to the desk and grabs his jacket.  "Let's go to dinner.  I'm starved.  I had meetings all day and all I had time to eat for lunch was a sandwich."  Clay kisses Michelle, then the two leave the office together.

Southfork.....the next morning....

Michael comes down the stairs at Southfork the next morning as Lucas comes into the foyer from the living room.  "Michael,"  Lucas says.  "We need to talk."

 

"I'm busy," the boy says, brushing past his father.

 

Lucas grabs his son by the arm.  "Damn it, Michael, talk to me!"

 

"Why should I?"  Michael asks.  

 

"Because I'm your father, that's why!"

 

"I tried for months to talk to you, but you were too busy getting drunk to even notice I was alive."

 

"I know, and I'm sorry.  Look, Michael, I have no excuses for the way I've been acting.  After your mother died, I felt like I just couldn't go on.  It destroyed me."

 

"And how do you think I felt?"  Michael asks.  "Just leave me alone."

 

"Michael,"  Lucas calls to his son as the boy walks away from him and out of the foyer.  "Damn it!"  Lucas says, shaking his head in frustration.  

The Patio....

 Bobby, Ann, John Ross, Krystina, Alex, and Little John are having breakfast on the patio on this particularly pleasant autumn morning when Michael comes out of the house.  "Well, good morning,"  Bobby says to his grandson.  

 

"Morning," the boy replies, and starts to walk away.

 

"Aren't you gonna have some breakfast?"  Ann asks.

 

"No, I'm gonna go for a ride,"  Michael says.

 

"Want some company?"  Alex asks.

 

"No, I wanna be by myself,"  Michael replies, somewhat rudely and walks away.

 

"What's the matter with him?"  John Ross asks.

 

"I wish I knew," says Bobby.  "Lately, that boy has been moody and he snaps at everybody."

 

"He's a typical teenager," Ann says.  

 

"Yeah, I was like that when I was his age," Alex says.

 

"No, you were a hell of a lot worse," says John Ross.

 

Alex laughs.

 

"Hey, Dad, can we go to Six Flags on Tuesday?"  Little John asks.

 

"Six Flags?"

 

"Yeah, they've got a haunted house, and my friend Tommy says it's better this year than ever."

"And what about school that day?"  John Ross asks.

 

"The kids are out of school next week on fall break," Krystina says.

 

"So can we go, Dad?"  Little John asks.

 

"Y'know, that sounds like a good idea," says John Ross.  "I haven't been to Six Flags in a long time."

, 

"Neither have I," says Alex.

 

"Well, then, why don't you come along?"  John Ross asks.  "We've never taken Ellie before, and we've never all actually done somethin' together as a family, me, my beautiful wife and all three of my kids."

 Michael comes out to one of the horse barns at Southfork, where Miguel Trevino is cleaning a large saddle.  "Hey, Miguel,"  Michael says.

 

 A short while later, Michael rides out to a secluded area of the ranch.  He climbs down off his horse and ties the reins of the animal to a tree on the edge of a pasture.  After securing the horse, he makes his way down a

"I'm worried about Michael,"  Bobby replies.

 

"He hasn't been gone that long."

 

"I know.  But with Katherine Wentworth on the loose, it worries me.  Never should've let him go out ridin' by himself."

"Bobby, you've got the hands patrollin' the perimeter of the ranch 24 hours a day and you've hired all that extra security,"  says Ann.  "There's no way Katherine Wentworth is gettin' onto this ranch.  She's probably a long way from here by now."

 

"You're probably right, but I won't feel better until Katherine is back behind bars where she belongs.  And since she had help escaping, there's no telling when or if that'll ever happen."

 

"They'll catch her, Bobby,"  Ann says.  "There's a statewide manhunt out for her.  They'll find her, and when they do, she'll be facin' more charges with the murders of that prison guard and that other inmate.  She'll never see the outside of a prison again."

 

Bobby sighs.  "Until that happens, no one in this family is safe."

 

Ann goes over to Bobby and puts her arms around him.  "I have an idea.  To take your mind off Katherine, how about takin' me for a walk?  We haven't done that in a long time."

 

Bobby looks at Ann and then takes her by the hand.  The two exchange smiles and head off on their walk.

A building in Dallas....

 Katherine is pacing around in a comfortably furnished apartment in Dallas.  Suddenly, she hears the front door of the apartment open.  Two tall men enter the apartment, followed by Jeremy Wendell.   "Katherine," Jeremy says.

 

"Jeremy.."

 

"Enjoying your new surroundings?  I would imagine this is a vast improvement over that prison."

 

"What's going on?"  Katherine asks.  "Where the hell am I?  I was blindfolded when I was brought here"

 

"That was for your own protection.  You're in Dallas, in MY building."

 

"Are you crazy?  If someone finds me here......."

 

"They won't,"  Jeremy says.  "No one knows about this place except for a very few of my most loyal employees.  This apartment is actually located in a bunker deep underneath this building, which I own.  I had this bunker constructed when I bought the building.  I thought it might come in handy one day."

 

"So basically I traded one prison for another.  You broke me out of jail only to make me YOUR prisoner."

 

"You're not a prisoner here," Jeremy says.  "You're my guest, and you're free to leave any time you want.  But if you decide to do that, then realize that you're on your own, and it'll only be a matter of time before you're caught and sent back.  I'm sure that this very well hidden and secure apartment is much more comfortable than that prison you were in.  Here you can have any food or beverage you desire, and any the place has all the comforts of home."

 

"When you came to me at the prison a while back, you said you wanted me to help you destroy the Ewings."

 

"That's right, I do.  Help me destroy the Ewings once and for all, and I'll make sure that you will never again have to see the inside of a prison or jail.  I'll also make sure that you're reunited with your daughter."

 

"Katelyn."

 

"Yes.  Your daughter is in a mental health facility just outside of New Orleans.  Once the task of utterly destroying the Ewing family, and Ewing Oil are complete, I'll make sure that you and your daughter Katelyn are together, and that you're also reunited with your grandson, Katelyn's young son."

 

"How?"  Katherine asks.  "That baby was taken from Katelyn as soon as she gave birth to it."

 

"Yes, and placed with a family right here in Texas.  Do everything I say, Katherine, and you will be with your daughter and your little grandson.  But if you disappoint me as so many others have, then I'll make certain you never see either of them, nor will you ever again see either of your sons.  Your son Austin, the one you were particularly close to, is now living in San Francisco with his father, I understand.  Very handsome young man, as I recall.  I certainly would hate to see him meet with some........tragic accident."

 

Katherine looks at him.  "What the hell are you driving at?  Are you threatening my children?"

 

"I'm merely giving you an incentive never to double cross me."

 

"Jeremy, I think you're forgetting who you're dealing with.  I can be every bit as ruthless and dangerous as you.  As you know, I'm capable of murder."

 

Jeremy smiles.  "Is that supposed to impress me?  Let's not forget who holds all the power here, shall we.  You really have no choice but to do as I say, if you want your children to live."

 

"You evil old son of a bitch,"  Katherine says.  "If you harm so much as a hair on any of my children's heads, I swear, I'll kill you."

 

"A fine threat coming from a woman who is essentially my prisoner."

 

"You said I was free to leave here any time I please."

 

Jeremy looks at her and smiles.  "I lied."

 

"You son of a......"  Katherine rushes toward Jeremy, but one of his bodyguards steps in front of her and points a gun at her chest.  Katherine stops abruptly and looks at the gun.

 

"Katherine, may I present Jax.  He's very good with that gun and won't hesitate to pull the trigger."

 

Katherine looks at Jax, then at Jeremy.  "You are the most vile......."

 

"You might as well know the truth of why you're really here,"  Jeremy says.  "You see, Katherine, I not only want certain members of the Ewing family destroyed........I want them dead.  Those would include Bobby, his sons Christopher and Lucas, Sue Ellen, and John Ross and his brother Justin, J.R.'s sons.  The rest of that family is insignificant to me.  Bobby and J.R. had me sent to prison for years.  I sat in my cell every day swearing I would one day get my revenge.  Unfortunately, J.R. is no longer with us, so I can't exact my revenge on him.  But I can see that the woman he loved and his sons pay for his sins.  And of course Bobby and his sons will pay for his part in my downfall."

 

"Christopher is my nephew.  You expect me to kill him?"  Katherine asks.

 

"Your nephew?  Oh, yes.  And we know how loving you were towards Christopher's mother, your sister Pam,  don't we?  You kill them for me, and your own children will be spared."

 

"Why me?  If you want the Ewings dead, just hire a hit man."

 

"No, a hit man would too easily throw suspicion on to me given my history with that family.  But if you kill them.......everyone knows about your decades long obsession with Bobby Ewing, and that you tried to kill him twice before.  You simply waited all these years to get your revenge."

 

"And how am I supposed to carry this out?"

 

"I think it would be best to get them all together, perhaps at Southfork.  And once they're all together, well, I'll let you decide how to  carry out the massacre.  I would suggest shooting them, but you might prefer a knife instead  I don't care who else is there and is also eliminated, just as long as Bobby, Sue Ellen, and their sons die.

 

"My God, you're even more twisted and crazy than I am,"  Katherine says.  

 

"I want this carried out soon, Katherine.  Within the next month, or one of your children will die.  I haven't decided yet, but it will probably be Austin since he's the one you chose to keep instead of abandoning as you did the others."  Jeremy looks at his watch.  "Well, I must be going.  I have a busy afternoon ahead.  I'll see you soon."  Jeremy and his two bodyguards go to the door and start to leave.  

 

"Jeremy,"  Katherine says.  Wendell stops at the door and turns back to her.  Katherine moves closer to him.  "Mark my words........I meant what I said.  Any harm comes to either of my children, and I WILL kill you.  Somehow, I'll find a way out of here and I'll kill you and anyone who stands in my way."

 

Jeremy looks at her and smiles.  "I'll keep that in mind,"  he says, and leaves with his two bodyguards.  

 

"Damn you, Wendell,"  Katherine says after they leave.  "I'll make you pay for threatening my children.  I swear on my mother's grave, I'll make you pay."

The Tower Club....evening....

 Alex and Bridget are having dinner that evening at The Tower Club in Dallas.  "Mmmm, this place has the best steak in town,"  Alex says.  

 

"Their chicken is pretty good, too," Bridget says, noticing that Alex is looking around the room, as if he is expecting to see someone.  "I can't wait for that trip to Six Flags with your family."

 

"What?"  Alex asks, having been so distracted he didn't hear what she said.  

 

"Alex, you haven't heard one word I've said all evening.  I may as well be talking to the wall."

 

"I'm sorry.  I guess I'm a little distracted."

 

"Yes, I can tell," Bridget says.  "I guess she must be off tonight."

 

"Who?"  Alex asks.  

 

"You know who.  That Megan Richards girl.  That's who you're looking for, isn't it?"

 

"No.  Why would I be looking for Megan Richards?"

 

"I dunno.  You tell me."

 

"Bridget, I don't know what you're talking about.  Why don't we just enjoy our dinner, okay?"

 

Meanwhile, Craig Ewing and his son Cameron walk into The Tower Club.  They are greeted by a young hostess, and led to a table.  On the way to their table, Craig spots Alex and Bridget dining across the room.  "Excuse us for a minute,"  Craig says to the young woman.  "Cameron, come with me.  There's someone I'd like you to meet."  Craig and his son make their way across the room to Alex and Bridget's table.  "Excuse me," Craig says.  "You're Alex Ewing, aren't you?"

 

"Yes, I am,"  Alex replies.  

 

"I'm Craig Ewing.  And this is my son, Cameron.  Cam, meet a cousin of ours, Alex Ewing."

 

The two young men exchange nods.

 

"I suppose you've heard of me,"  Craig says.

 

"As a matter of fact, I have,"  says Alex.  "But none of what I heard was good."

 

Craig smiles.  "No, I imagine it wasn't.  I seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot with your family."

 

"Well, what do you expect when you're working with my family's worst enemy to take over our company?"

 

"Son, those stories are greatly exaggerated."

 

"You deny you're working with Jeremy Wendell and Adam Carrington?"  Alex asks.  

 

Craig looks at the young couple and smiles.  "You two enjoy your evening,"  he says, and walks away.

 

"Umm, nice meeting you,"  Cameron awkwardly says, then he follows his father away.

 

"So that's the Craig Ewing I've heard so much about,"  Bridget says.

 

"Yeah.  A real snake in the grass if I ever saw one."

 

Craig and Cameron take their seats at their table across the room.  The hostess hands them each a menu.  "Thank you,"  Craig says..

 

"You're welcome.  Can I get you anything to drink?"

 

"I'll have red wine,"  replies Craig.

 

"Sweet tea,"  says Cameron.  

 

"Coming right up,"  the young woman says, and walks away.

 

"What the heck was that all about?"  Cameron asks.

 

Craig smiles.  "Nothing you need to worry about."

 

"Y'know, it's really weird.  Since I came here to Dallas, I find out we have all these new relatives here I'd never heard of before, and you don't seem to get along with any of them.  Is what that Alex guy said true?  You're conspiring with your relatives' enemies to take over their company?"

 

"Maybe it's time you knew the truth,"  Craig says.

 

"The truth about what?"

 

"About why I really came to Dallas.  The Dallas Ewings own a piece of property here in Texas, in Cherokee County, that sits atop one of the richest pools of oil in the entire state.........in the entire southern United States.  That land originally belonged to my great-grandfather, Charles Ewing, who, at that time, of course, had no idea there was oil on it or how valuable oil would become.  When he died, Charles split that land up between his three sons, Leander, Jesse, and my grandfather, Ben Ewing.  My grandfather eventually ended up owning the entire property, but after he died, his sister, dear Great-Aunt Mary, cheated my grandmother and my father, who was only ten-years-old, out of that land, which was my father's birthright.  My father grew up dirt poor and as a result he became an abusive alcoholic.  Oh, the many nights I lay awake in bed, filled with terror, listening to him and my Mom fight, scared out of my wits that he would come into my room and take his anger out on me."

 

"That's why you don't ever talk about your father?"  Cameron asks.  "Why you don't have a relationship with him?"

 

"Exactly.  Growing up in poverty turned my father into an angry and bitter man.  Meanwhile, after Aunt Mary died, her son inherited that land here in Texas and he eventually sold it to two of his cousins, Larry and Catlin Ewing, Jesse Ewing's grandsons.  After his brother Larry died, Catlin came here to Dallas to find Leander's grandson, Bobby, and he sold half that property to him.  Ewing Oil and Catlin Oil, which is Catlin Ewing's company, are now pumping oil off that land and making hundreds of millions of dollars from land that was my father's birthright.  Land that should rightfully now belong to us."

 

Cameron sighs.  "Wow."

 

"A few years ago, I found a man who hated the Dallas Ewings.  A man whose ultimate goal is to destroy them and their company.  So I went into a business partnership with him.  Our deal is,  help him destroy my cousins, and in return he helps me take back the land that once belonged to our branch of the Ewing family.  Son. I'm telling you this because you're 17 now, old enough to know the truth.  And because I want you to join me.  When I take back what is rightfully ours, I'm going to take Ewing Oil from the Dallas Ewings, and I want you and I to run that company together.  Cameron, it's what I've dreamed of."

 

Cameron looks at his father and smiles, then nods slightly.  Cameron looks at his watch.  "I wonder where Mom is.  She should've been here by now."

 

"Knowing your mother, she's probably still primping and trying to make herself look beautiful.  You know how vain she is."

Meanwhile....Brad's apartment....

Brad is laying on his sofa in his apartment that night with Craig's wife, Alexandra "Alli" Ewing after making love.  Brad is gently stroking Alli's hair while she lays her head om his chest, a smile on her face.  "You okay?"  Brad asks.

 

"Mmmmm......perfect."

 

"Yeah, perfect,"  Brad says.  

 

"You're so different from my husband,"  Alli says.  "You're gentle and patient and loving.  Craig is, well, let's just say he's more interested in fulfilling his own needs than mine.  I guess selfish would be the proper word."

 

"But you must have loved him at one time.  You've been married to him all these years and you have two kids."

 

Alli raises her head and looks at him.  "I did love him, a long time ago.  When I first met Craig Ewing, I thought he was the most handsome man I'd ever seen.  He was suave and mysterious.  And he was quite a sweet talker.  I fell in love, and when he asked me to marry him, I didn't hesitate to say yes.  And then the twins came along.  I thought my life was perfect.  Little did I know how things would turn out."  

 

"If things are that bad, why don't you just leave him?"  Brad asks.

 

Alli smiles.  "Leave him?  No one just leaves Craig Ewing."

 

"You afraid of him?  Is that why you stay in such a miserable marriage?"

 

"No, I'm not afraid of him.  At least not physically.  But I am afraid of what he can do.  What he WILL do."

 

"Meaning what?"

 

"My son worships his father.  He idolizes Craig for whatever reason,  And I never could bring myself to tell Cameron just what kind of man his father really is.  At this point he probably wouldn't believe me anyway.  But if I did leave Craig, the first thing he would do is turn my son against me so completely that Cameron would probably never wanna see me again."

 

"How could he do that?"  Brad asks.

 

"You don't know Craig.  He'd find a way."  Alli sits up, a somber look on her face.  "Brad, sometimes.......... sometimes I wish he were dead.  Can you believe that?  I wish the man I've spent the last twenty years of my life with, the father of my children, was dead. Amazing how you can go from loving someone to hating them."

 

Brad puts his arms around her.  "Yes, it is.  I still think you should leave him."

 

"If only I could."

 

"You CAN.  Alli, it's obvious you're miserable married to him, and knowing Craig Ewing the way that I do I can understand why you're miserable.  "Now if it's your son you're worried about, then find a way to prove to him what kind of man his father is.  You said that you were worried Cameron is gonna follow in Craig's footsteps.  Well if that's the case, then you have to do something."

 

"You're right, I do."

 

"Look, there has to be proof of Craig's involvement in criminal activity,"  Brad says.  "Surely he must keep records or ledgers."

 

"If he does, he hides them well,"  Alli.  

 

"Alli, first chance you get, I want you to look for something, ANYTHING we can use against Craig."

 

Alli looks at him.  "You sound like you want Craig out of your life, too."

 

"You're damned right, I do,"  says Brad.  

 

Seriously thinking about what Brad just said, Alli lays her head on his chest again.  

Westar Oil....the next morning....

 Justin and Pamela step off the elevator and walk into the offices of Westar the next morning, smiling.  "Morning Carla,"  Pamela says to her secretary.  

 

"Morning, Pamela.  I'm glad you're here."

 

"Why, is something wrong?"

 

Carla looks at her and sighs.  "You could say that,"  she replies.  She picks up a piece of paper from her desk and hands it to Pamela, who takes the paper and looks at it.  The smile fades from her face and is replaced with a worried expression.

 

"Pamela, what is it?"  Justin asks. 

 

"Someone has just bought up ten shares of Westar stock on the open market."

 

"What?  Who do you think sold that much stock?"

 

"It's not who sold that much stock that worries me," Pamela replies.  "It's who bought it, and if they'll try to buy more."

 

Justin looks at his wife.  "You thinkin' Wendell?"

 

"Who else would want that much Westar stock all at once?  Carla, get in touch with all the members of the board and ask them to be here at 11 this morning.  Tell them it's urgent.  I'm calling an emergency board meeting."  Pamela and Justin quickly hurry into her office while Carla  picks up the phone to begin contacting members of the Westar board.

Ewing Oil....

 Clay steps off the elevator at Ewing Oil that morning and approaches his office.  "Morning, Clay,"  Sly says.

 

"Morning, Sly.  Any calls or messages this morning?"  

 

"Actually, Clay........you have a visitor,"  Sly says.

 

"A visitor?  First thing in the morning?"

 

"Yes.  It's Samantha Chambers.  I told her she had to wait out here, but she insisted on waiting in your office."

 

Clay sighs deeply.  "Great.  She's about the last thing I need to deal with this morning.  Thanks, Sly."  Clay goes over to his office door, pauses, and looks at Sly, who flashes him a smile of encouragement.  Bracing himself, Clay walks into his office, where he finds Samantha sitting on his sofa.  "Samantha, what are you doing here this early in the morning?"

 

"What?  I don't even get a 'good morning'?"  Samantha asks.

 

"I asked you a question, Samantha.  What are you doing in my office?"  Clay asks.

 

"I just came by to apologize,"  Samantha says, getting up from her seat.  "I realize I was a little forward the other night."

 

"A little?"  Clay asks.

 

"Okay, so I was VERY forward.  But subtlety was never  one of my strong suits."

 

"Yeah, so I've heard,"  says Clay.  

 

"Can't blame a girl for trying.  You ARE a very attractive man, after all."

 

"I'm also a man who's very involved with a woman I happen to be very much in love with.  So now that you've apologized, I'm sure you'll excuse me.  I have a lot of work to do this morning."

 

"Clay, no offense, but that........woman..........you say you're involved with.  She's just a girl.  How old is she, anyway?  17?"

 

"She's 23."

 

"23?  Really?  Hmm, you could've fooled me.  Well, she's still a girl."

 

"Look, Samantha,"  Clay says.  "I really don't know what your problem is, aside from a hyper active libido, but how do I make you understand......I'm NOT interested.  Even if I wasn't in a relationship, you and I are business partners, and I never mix business with pleasure."

 

Samantha laughs.  "Oh, Clay.  You're still new to the oil business.  And sooner or later you're gonna find out that mixing business with pleasure is sometimes the only way to strike a deal."

 

"I don't do business that way.  Now, have a nice day.  You can show yourself out."  Clay walks over to his desk and takes a seat, where he turns on his computer.  

 

Samantha looks at him for a few seconds, then she goes to the door and starts to leave.

 

"Samantha,"  Clay says.

 

"Yes,"   Samantha says, stopping in the doorway and turning back to him.  

 

"Don't ever throw yourself at me like that again.  It's really VERY unattractive,"  Clay says, then begins working at his computer.  Samantha looks at him with anger,  fuming over his rejection of her.  After a brief pause, she storms out of the office.

The Krebbs Ranch....

 

 

A horde of reporters are gathered in front of the Krebbs Ranch later, hoping to catch a glimpse of embattled Senator Matt Culver.

 Matt is standing at the living room window looking out at all the reporters gathered outside the front gate.  Donna comes into the room carrying a tray.  "Well, here's lunch,"  she says.  "Chicken Alfredo and shrimp cocktail."

 

Matt continues to stare out the window.  Donna comes over to him.

 

"Matt, why don't you come away from that window?"  Donna asks.

 

"Must be at least 50 to 75 reporters out there."

 

"Maybe we should make a statement.  Would you like for me to take care of it?"

 

"The statement really should come from me,"  says Matt.

 

"I think you're right, but I don't think you should go out there and talk to that bunch.  If you went out there, it'd turn into even more of a circus.  And they'd expect you to answer questions."

 

"I can't avoid the media forever, Donna,"  Matt says.

 

"No, but you need to face them in a more controlled setting.  A setting that WE control, not an impromptu front yard press conference."

 

"So you think we should call a press conference?"  Matt asks.

 

"Yes.  I'll phone all the networks and set it up for, let's say, 7 o'clock tonight.  We prepare a statement addressing what happened between you and Peter, why you dismissed him as your campaign manager, and we address these charges."

 

"Mom, are you KIDDING me"?  Margaret asks, walking into the room.  "You want Matt to call a press conference and talk to the media about his murder charge?"

 

"Yes, sweetheart.  Look, it's better that we get ahead of this.  The longer Matt hides from the media, the worse it's going to look for him not only in the eyes of the media, but in the eyes of the public, as well."

 

"Honey, your Mom's right,"  Matt says.  "If I don't address this with the media, then they and the public are gonna think I have something to hide, and that's only gonna make me look guilty."

 

"This is SO unfair,"  Margaret says, near tears.  "You should be out there campaigning, not preparing a statement to the press about this bogus murder charge."

 

"I agree,"  says Donna.  "But we have to play the cards we're dealt."

 

Matt is about to say something when the doorbell rings.  "I hope that's not another reporter,"  Matt says.

 

"It shouldn't be,"  says Donna.  "Ray has a couple of the hands stationed at the front gate in case any of them tried to get in,  I'll see who it is."  Donna goes into the foyer and opens the front door to find  David Smithfield and Cass Winthrop.

 

"Hello, Donna,"  says David.

 

"Gentlemen, come in,"  Donna says.  

 

The two men walk into the house.  "That's quite a media circus out there at your front gate,"  Cass says.

 

"Yes, it is."

 

"Donna, I asked Cass to come along with me, since he'll be assisting me on the case,"  David Smithfield says.  "Unfortunately, Jay is gonna be tied up on this case he's working on for a while longer."

 

"David, Cass,"  Matt says, he and Margaret coming into the foyer.  

 

"Matt, how are you doing?"  David asks.

 

"Considering that I haven't slept since this whole nightmare began, I guess I'm doin' okay."

 

"Well, don't worry,"  Cass says.  "I've been going over the evidence David gave me, and everything they have on you is circumstantial and shaky at best."

 

"And I've got a private detective working on piecing together a timeline of Peter Stanton's last hours,"  David says.

 

Matt looks at the three men and smiles.  "I really appreciate everything."

 

"Well, we can't let the best United States Senator Texas has had since Dave Culver lose this election and go to prison,"  David says.  

 

 

"Donna and I think I should face the media head on,"  says Matt.  "I'm gonna prepare a statement and call a press conference for this evening."

 

"I think that's a good idea,"  says Cass.

 

"So do I,"  David says.  "It's best to get out in front of this.  If you talk to the press, and make your statement directly to the  voters, then that could make all the difference in the world."

Donna's cell phone rings.  She takes it from her pocket and looks at it.  "Excuse me, I have to take this,"  she says, quickly leaving the room.  

 

"Matt was framed for Peter's murder,"  Margaret says.  "And I'd be willing to bet the people who killed Peter and framed Matt are the same ones responsible for forcing Peter to betray Matt........Craig Ewing, Jeremy Wendell, Adam Carrington, and I wouldn't even be surprised if Brad Barnes was in on it, too."

 

"I agree,"  says Cass.  "Only trouble is, we can't prove it.  Not yet, at least."

 

"What about Adam Carrington?"  Matt asks.  

 

"What about him?"  Cass asks.

 

"I was just thinking, if John Ross or Krystina would go and talk to him, maybe he'd be willing to help us."

 

"I doubt that,"  says David.  "From everything Cass and you have told me, Carrington is an accomplice in all of this, which means if he talks, not only would he be incriminating himself, but he could also be placing himself in danger, especially if Jeremy Wendell is involved in this."

 

Donna returns to the room, a somber look on her face.  

 

"Mom, what's wrong?"  Margaret asks.

 

"Donna?"  Says Matt.

 

Donna looks at them.  "That was Matt Renaldi on the phone."

 

"Matt Renaldi?"  Margaret asks.

 

"Donna, who's Matt Renaldi?"  Cass asks.

 

"Matt Renaldi is the chairman of the Republican party here in Texas,"  Donna replies.  

 

"Let me guess.....MORE bad news?"  Matt asks.

 

"A movement has been started, thanks to pressure from within the party, to have you removed from the ballot in the November election."

 

"What?"  A stunned Margaret asks.  "Can they do that?"

 

Donna nods.  "They can.   Question is, will they?  Renaldi said that there are some powerful people within the party, mostly the old line establishment wing of the party, who feel that it would harm Republicans' future chances at winning to have Matt continue on as a candidate in this mid-term election.  For what it's worth, Renaldi assured me that he has Matt's back, but if the pressure becomes too great and Renaldi fears being replaced as chairman of the party, he could very well cave."

 

"If I'm removed from the ballot, it's too late for the party to come up with another candidate.  That means that Barnes would be handed this election.  How's that NOT gonna hurt the party?"

 

"Maybe removing Matt from the equation was the plan all along,"  says Cass.  "Talk about stealing an election."

 

"Mom, we can't let that happen,"  Margaret says.

 

"I have no intention of letting it happen," says a determined Donna.  "I'm going to call that press conference for this evening.  Matt, I want you to prepare a statement in your own words.  In the meantime, I'm going to fly to Austin to see Renaldi myself, and speak with some of those Republicans who are trying to hand this election to Brad Barnes on a silver platter."

A condo in Dallas....

 

John Ross is pouring two glasses of bourbon at a posh condo in Dallas owned by Ewing Oil when the doorbell rings.  He picks up the two glasses, walks over to a coffee table in front of the sofa and sits the two glasses down.  He goes to the door and opens it to a smiling Samantha Chambers.  "Come in,"  John Ross says.

 

Samantha walks in, closing the door behind her.  Immediately, she sees the two glasses on the table.  "Well, I see you read my mind."

 

"Not exactly,"  John Ross says.  "Just hopin' you'll give me some news worthy of celebration."

 

"Wish I could but, sorry, John Ross.  He didn't take the bait."

 "You gotta be kiddin' me,"  John Ross says.  

 

"No, I'm not.  Your nephew isn't as easily seduced as you, John Ross.  He made it very clear to me that he's in a happily committed relationship."

 

"Hmm.  Real boy scout, itn't he?"  John Ross asks sarcastically.  "Well, darlin', you're just gonna have to try harder.  I'm sure if you keep workin' those feminine wiles of yours, you'll wear Clay Beaumont down."

 

"John Ross, you never told me why you're doing all this,"  Samantha says.  "And since I'm doing all the work here, don't you think I have a right to know?"

 

"Of course, you do.  You gettin' Clay Beaumont into bed is gonna be my first step in takin' Ewing Oil back from that usurper."

 

"John Ross, I don't see the connection.  How is my getting Clay into bed gonna help you get Ewing Oil back?"

 

John Ross looks at her and smiles.  "You let me worry about that.  You just keep workin' on seducin' that boy scout and causin' as much trouble between him and Michelle McKinnon as possible, and I'll take it from there."

 

"Well, if it's trouble between Clay and his girlfriend you want, then I think I can pull that off."

 

"Good.  I knew I could count on you."

 

Smiling, Samantha moves closer to him and places her hand on his chest.  "You can always count on me, John Ross.  For anything,"  she says, and kisses him.  

 

"Samantha, you know I'm a married man."

 

"NOW who's acting like a boy scout?"  Samantha asks.  "You were married the first time we made love, remember?  And the second, and the third......"  Samantha kisses John Ross passionately again.  After a moment, she looks at him and smiles.  

 

"Damn, you are one persuasive lady,"  John Ross says.  

 

"I pride myself on my persuasiveness, among other things,"  Samantha says.  She and John Ross begin kissing again.  After a few seconds, they move to the sofa, still locked in the kiss as they begin undressing.

Westar Oil....

 "It's come to our attention that someone has recently purchased a rather sizeable chunk of Westar stock," Pamela says to the assembled members of Westar's board of directors during their meeting early that afternoon.  

 

"How sizeable?"  Asks a young man, a member of the board.  

 

"Ten shares,"  Pamela replies.

 

"Ten shares?"  Another board member asks.  "Do you know who purchased the stock?"

 

"No, but we have a pretty good idea of who it might be,"  Justin replies.

 

"Who?"  The board member asks.

 

"Jeremy Wendell,"  replies Pamela.  

 

"Wendell?"

 

"Yes.  Wendell was basically kicked out of Westar, along with all of his proxies he had installed on the board.  Who else would anonymously buy up that much stock in the company."

 

"You believe Wendell is orchestrating some hostile takeover of the company?"  A female board member asks.

 

"Yes.  But we won't let that happen.  We need to find out who sold that stock.  I also need a pledge from each one of you who sits on this board of directors.  Everyone in this room, between us, own the vast majority of shares in this company.  We can prevent Wendell from moving to gain enough stock for a takeover by holding tight to our shares.  I need every member of the board to pledge that you won't sell your shares in Westar to ANYONE.  Wendell is too smart to purchase the stock in his own name, or even under an assumed name himself.  He would get someone else to purchase it for him.  And that could be just about anyone."

 

"I, for one, have no intention of selling my stock,"  says one member of the board.

 

"Neither do I,"  says another.

 

"I certainly have no plans to sell my shares,"  yet another board member says.

 

Pamela looks around the table at the assembled board members.  "Thank you all.  If this IS Jeremy Wendell attempting to orchestrate a hostile takeover of Westar by secretly buying up shares of stock, he won't succeed.  Together, we will stop him.

 

All the assembled board members nod in agreement. 

The Tower Club....afternoon.... 

Bobby and Lucas walk into the Tower Club Restaurant that afternoon, where they are greeted by a young hostess.  She leads the two men across the crowded restaurant to a table near the window.  Bobby and Lucas take their seats, and the hostess hands them two menus.  "Thank you,"  Bobby says.

 

"You're welcome, Mr. Ewing.  Can I start you gentlemen off with something to drink?"

 

"Sure,"  Bobby says.  He starts to say something, but he stops short and looks at Lucas across the table.  "I'll have a club soda."

 

"And you, sir?"  The young woman asks Lucas.

 

"Umm, I'll have a lemonade."

 

The young woman smiles.  "Coming right up.  Your server will be with you in a moment,"  she says, and walks away.  

 

"You've never been here have you, son?"  Bobby asks after the hostess walks away.  

 

"No.  I had planned to bring Heather right after this place opened, but we never got the chance."

 

"I'm sorry.  I'm very happy that you agreed to join me for lunch.  Been a long time since the two of us have had lunch together."

 

Lucas nods.  "  Yeah, it has,"  he says.  

 

Megan Richards comes over to their table carrying two glasses and places them on the table.  "Hello, Mr. Ewing," the girl says with a smile.  

"Well, hello, uh........"

 

"Megan.  Megan Richards.  I'll be your server today.  I met you at the Ewing Barbecue a while back."

 

"Oh, yes, now I remember,"  Bobby says.  "You're Peter Richards's daughter, aren't you?"

 

"Yes, sir, I sure am."

 

"How's your father doing?"

 

"He's fine,"  Megan replies with a smile.  "He works all the time.  I hardly ever see him.  Are you guys ready to order?"

 

"I am,"  Bobby says.  "Lucas?"

 

"Yeah, me, too."

 

"Okay, what can I get for you?"  Megan asks.  

 

"I'll have the Lobster Thermidor,"  says Bobby.  

 

"And I'll have the Shrimp Scampi with rice,"  says Lucas.  

 

"Yes, sir,"  Megan says, taking their menus.  "Your orders will be up shortly."

 

"Thank you, Megan,"  Bobby says as she walks away.  "She's a real nice girl."

 

"Yeah.  Her father is Dr. Richards, right?"

 

"Yes, that's right,"  Bobby replies.  "From what I've heard, he's very good.  He really helped Alex heal after what he went through with Shawn Smith."

 

"I know.  Sounds like you're hinting at something, Dad."

 

"Son, it might not be a bad idea for you to make an appointment with Peter and talk to him.  I know therapy with Ryan helped you a lot a few years ago."

 

"You're right, it did,"  Lucas says.  "Okay.  I'll give Dr. Richards a call.  All these months I still haven't really dealt with Heather's death.   I tried to drown my grief in alcohol and the only thing THAT did was drive Michael away from me.  And now my son won't even talk to me."

 

"Michael is hurting, son.  I think Peter could help both you and Michael heal from the tragedy you've both been through."

 

"Well, look who's here,"  Jeremy Wendell says, walking up to their table.  "Bobby."

 

"I really thought this place catered to a higher class of people,"  Bobby says, looking up at Jeremy.  "But I see they let just any kind of trash in here."

 

"I was thinking the same thing the moment I saw you and Junior here."

 

"You sorry son of a bitch,"  Lucas says, standing to face Jeremy.  "You murdered my wife."

 

"I have no idea what you're talking about,"  says Jeremy. 

 

"Wendell, for your own safety, I'd suggest moving along,"  Bobby says.

 

"Still high and mighty as ever, I see.  Well, enjoy that while you can,  Bobby.  Because your days of being high and mighty are numbered."

Bobby stands from his seat and looks Jeremy in the eye.  "What the hell do you mean by that?"

 

"I meant exactly what I said.  I vowed years ago that I would destroy you and your family once and for all.  And I intend to do just that."

 

"You're never gonna get the chance, old man,"  Lucas says.  He lunges toward Jeremy, but Bobby quickly gets up and stands between his son and Jeremy, holding Lucas back as other patrons in the restaurant begin to stare at them.

 

"You listen to me, you decrepit piece of scum,"  Bobby says.  "If another member of my family comes to any harm and I even suspect that you're the cause.......I'll kill you with my bare hands, and that's a promise, Wendell."  

 

"Mr. Ewing, is everything alright?"  Megan Richards asks, returning to Bobby and Lucas's table.

 

"Yes, Megan, everything is fine,"  Bobby replies.  "But you can cancel mine and my son's orders.  We'll come back another time when there isn't such a bad smell in here."

 

"Yes, sir,"  Megan says, awkwardly.  

 

"If I were you, I wouldn't cancel my lunch, Bobby,"  Jeremy says.  "Soon, you might not be able to afford dining at such a fine establishment as this."

 

"Wendell,"  Bobby says.  "Your age is the only thing keeping me from beating the hell out of you right now."

 

"Yeah, well I don't have any problem beating this murdering son of a bitch to a pulp,"  Lucas says as another man comes over to the group.  

 

"Excuse me, is there a problem here?"  The man asks.

 

"No problem,"  Bobby replies.  "My son and I are leaving."

 

"These gentlemen may not have a problem, but I certainly do,"  Jeremy says.  "They just threatened me right here in front of all these witnesses."

 

"Do you wish to call the police, Mr. Wendell?"  The man asks.

 

Jeremy looks at Bobby and Lucas with a slight smile.  "That won't be necessary, Joseph.  Not if these men leave right now.  And Joseph.......Mr. Ewing and his son are no welcome in this place of business.  If they so much as set foot in this building, I want them arrested."

 

"Yes, sir,"  the man says, much to Bobby's and Lucas's surprise.

 

"You see, Bobby, I own this restaurant, as well as numerous other business around Dallas.  And you are now trespassing on my property."

 

"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you gentlemen to leave,"  Joseph says.  "Or I'll have to have you escorted out by security."

 

"We're going,"  Bobby says, an angry look on his face as he is barely able to control his rage toward Jeremy.  "Wendell, this isn't over.  Not by a long shot."

 

"You're right, it's not,"  says Jeremy.  "It won't be over until I have my revenge against you and your family."

 

"YOU SICK SON OF A BITCH!!!"  Lucas yells. lunging at Jeremy as stunned onlookers gasp in shock.  Joseph grabs Lucas and holds him back.  "I'LL KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID TO MY WIFE!!"

 

"Get these two degenerates out of my restaurant and out of my sight," Jeremy says as Lucas continues to struggle against Joseph's grasp to get to Wendell.

 

"Take your hands off my son,"  Bobby tells Joseph.  "Lucas, let's go."

 

Lucas stops struggling, and after a few seconds, Joseph releases him from his grasp.  Lucas angrily glares at Jeremy.  "I'm gonna get you, old man.  If it's the last thing I ever do, I swear to GOD, I'll get you."

 

Bobby grabs his son by the arm, and the two turn and leave, Lucas looking back at Jeremy.  Everyone in the room watches as Bobby and Lucas get on the elevator to leave.  After the elevator closes behind them, Jeremy smiles triumphantly, while young Megan Richards looks both afraid and confused over the dramatic scene she has just witnessed.

Brad's apartment....

 Brad and Alli are sleeping in his bed at his apartment that afternoon.  Brad opens his eyes, yawns, then leans over to Alli.  "Hey,"  she says softly into her ear.  "Alli?"

 

"Hmmm???"

 

"It's getting late.  I have a campaign event to get to in an hour, so we should be getting up.  I need to hop in the shower."

 

"I wish we could just stay like this for the rest of the day,"  Alli says.

 

"So do I, but I do still have a campaign to run,"  says Brad.  "And speaking of which......."  Brad reaches 

over and picks up his cell phone from the bedside table.  He looks at the phone and smiles.  "Good news.  My poll numbers are up three more points.  In one poll I'm even up 2 points on Culver.  His getting arrested for the murder of his former campaign manager is really hurting him."

 

"Do you really think he killed that man?"  Alli asks.

 

Brad puts his phone down and sighs.  "That's not up to me to decide."

 

"That's not what I asked."

 

"Alli, I don't know."

 

Alli looks at him.  "I've never met Senator Culver, but I did do some research on him after I heard about his arrest on the news.  The man has an absolutely sterling reputation.  Never even had so much as a traffic ticket.  He just doesn't seem the type to kill someone, does he?"

 

"Why ask me?"  Brad sits up in bed.

 

Alli sits up in bed beside him.  "Brad, I'm asking you this because.........look, I'm not saying that you had anything to do with this."

 

"To do with what?"  Brad asks, an angry tone in his voice.

 

"With framing Senator Culver for the murder of that man."

 

Brad looks at her.  "What?  Alli, what the hell are you talking about?"

 

"I'm talking about Craig.  Brad, I know my husband.  I know what he's capable of.  He and those people he's working for........they wanted Culver beaten in that race and they want YOU to be the next United States Senator from Texas.  Framing Matt Culver for murder so that he either loses that election or he's forced to drop out is EXACTLY the kind of thing Craig would do, especially if he feared that you didn't have a chance of beating Culver in a legitimate election."

 

"I don't wanna hear anymore of this,"  Brad says, getting out of bed.  

 

"Why?  Because you're afraid it might be true?"

 

Brad looks at her and is about to say something when his doorbell rings.  "Who the hell could that be?"  He asks.  "You'd better get up and get dressed."  Brad slips on his pants, then a shirt.  He gives Alli a glance, then he leaves the bedroom as the doorbell rings a second time.  "Alright, hold on, I'm coming,"  he says.  Brad opens the door and he is stunned to find Craig.  "What the hell are you doing here?"  Brad asks.

 

"I went by your campaign office and you weren't there,"  Craig says, brushing past Brad and walking into the apartment.  "I've also been calling you all afternoon and you weren't answering your phone."

 

"I've been busy,"  Brad says.

 

"Busy doing what?  Deliberately trying to lose this election?  Barnes, you can have all the time you want for playing around or whatever it is you were doing AFTER the election is over and you've won.  But until then, you have no time for a private life.  Now, I suppose you're wondering why I'm here.  I don't know whether you've heard or not, but Senator Culver is going to be giving a press conference tonight to address these very serious charges against him."

 

"So?"  Brad asks.  

 

"So..........you're going to have a press conference of your own.  I've already set it up for this evening."

 

"You had no right to do that without checking with me first."

 

"Can't check with you if I can't reach you,"  Craig says.

 

As the men talk, Alli is standing at the door inside Brad's bedroom, listening to their conversation with interest.

 

"Barnes, let me make one thing perfectly clear,"  Craig continues.  "We have a lot riding on this.  We're doing everything possible to make sure you win this election.  But if you blow it, you'll be begging to join Peter Stanton in the here after."

 

"Now let ME make one thing perfectly clear,"  says Brad.  "I don't like being threatened.  Nor do I respond well to threats.  You need to remember who really has the upper hand here.  I know enough about you and Jeremy Wendell to send you both to prison for a very long time."

 

"You really think Jeremy would let that happen?  You're a fool if you believe that, Barnes.  You'd be the one rotting in prison for the rest of your life.  Right alongside Matt Culver.  Be at your office at your campaign headquarters in one hour.  You have to start preparing for your press conference tonight."  Craig starts to leave, but he pauses at the door and then looks at Brad.  "I'll see you at your office in a little while."  Craig smiles at Brad, and then leaves.

 

Brad is fuming with anger.  Unable to control the anger he feels toward Craig, Jeremy, and this entire situation, Brad picks up a  vase and throws it against the wall, smashing it.

 

Still listening at the bedroom door, Alli is startled by the sound of the vase smashing.  A worried and frightened look comes over her face as she realizes she was right in her assumption that her husband was behind Peter Stanton's murder.  

Southfork....later....

"Bum, I want you to do some diggin' for me," John Ross says.  "I wanna know everything you can find out about Craig Ewing.  I know you already did a detailed investigation on him, but, I kinda feel like there's somethin' we missed.  There's gotta be somethin' in that man's background that can be used against him.  I want you to dig into his family.  Find out any and everything you can about Ewing's parents, and his younger brother, and also his wife and kids.  And I do mean EVERYTHING, right down to their grade school records.  And Bum, I also want you to find out anything you can on Jeremy Wendell.  I've read everything I could pull up on him from the internet, but it's not much."

 

"I'll do my best, John Ross,"  Bum says,  

 

"I know you will, Bum.  And, I need this information just as fast as you can get it.  Keep me informed."  John Ross ends the call and tosses his cell phone onto the bed just as Krystina comes into the room.  

 

"Hey, what are you doing?"  Krystina asks.

 

"I was lookin' through everything I could find on Jeremy Wendell."

 

"Wendell?  Why?"

 

"Wendell has made himself this family's most dangerous enemy, and in order to defeat your enemy, you have to know a little about them."

 

"Find anything that might be of use?"

 

"No,"  John Ross replies with a sigh.  "Aside from the charges brought against him when he and Carter McKay started that range war here at Southfork, Wendell has kept his nose surprisingly clean.  And he's kept a really low profile.  He's a very private man, and he's managed to keep most of his private life out of the press.  Never married, so he never had any marital scandal or anything like that.  Other than that affair he had with his secretary back in the 60s.  You know, his daughter Sharon's mama.  And he managed to keep that such a secret that nobody even knew he had a daughter until she showed in Dallas several years ago."

 

"That's kind of strange, isn't it?"  Krystina asks.  

 

"What's that?"

 

"A man like Wendell, with such a public job as CEO of the largest oil company in Texas, and yet, very little was known of his personal life.  I just think it's strange that he was able to keep the fact that he had a daughter with his secretary such a secret all those years."

 

John Ross sighs again.  "Yeah, it's a shame Sharon Smith's mother died so long ago.  If she were still alive, she might be of some use in providin' some information about Wendell.  I asked Bum to look into Wendell's background to see what he can find. Hell, I couldn't even find out the names of Wendell's parents."

 

 

"Really?  That's pretty strange, too, isn't it?"

 

"I thought so, too.  A man with as public an image as Jeremy Wendell.........you'd think there'd be some information about his life, his childhood, or his family.  Well, if anybody can find what I need, Bum can."

 

Krystina looks at her husband and slightly nods.  

Sheraton Hotel, Dallas......later....

A large group of reporters are gathered in the ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Dallas that evening awaiting the beginning of the press conference Matt had called.  The chatter of various conversations fills the room as the press awaits the arrival of the embattled senator.  Finally, after the reporters had been waiting for several minutes, Matt enters the room, along with Margaret, Donna, Ray, and Matt's mother, Luann Culver.  Silence falls over the room as Matt steps up to a podium to speak.  

 

"Thank you all for coming,"  Matt begins.  "I realize that this press conference was called on very short notice, but after conferring with my family and my attorney, I feel that it is important that I address these charges that have been brought against me, and that I directly address my supporters.  I will make a statement, and then I'll take questions from the press.  This speech was not rehearsed, so please just bear with me as I speak to you all in my own words, as frankly and honestly as I can.  As all of you know, several days ago, my former campaign manager and longtime friend, Peter Stanton, was murdered.  As you also know, I was arrested and charged with Peter's murder.  I am here to tell you here and now, as God as my witness, I am innocent of these grave charges that have been leveled against me.  Peter Stanton was my friend.  I had known him since we met in grade school, and his death was a terrible shock and a terrible blow to me.  Many of my supporters know me very well.  You know my family well.  For more than 80 years, the Culver family has served the state of Texas, beginning with my grandfather, Sam Culver, when he first ran for the state senate back in the early 1940s.  My father, Dave Culver, continued that tradition of public service, and he instilled in me a sense of duty, a sense of honor, a love for the state of Texas and the people in this state, and a passion for service.  That is why I accepted when I was asked to fill my father's former seat in the United States Senate more than a decade ago, it is why I ran for election in my own right in 2016, and why I'm running for re-election now.  I began this job with a determination to get things done for the people of Texas.  That job is not finished.  Some of my detractors and supporters of my opponent have called for me to withdraw from this Senate race, and to resign from the United States Senate, but I'm here to tell you right now......I have NO intention of resigning, or withdrawing from this race.  I intend to stay in this race, and to win re-election and defeat my democratic opponent.  I have every confidence that I will be exonerated for these charges that have been brought against me, and that the truth will come out that I am innocent.  With that said, I want to thank those who have remained loyal supporters, those who have encouraged me to stay in this race and continue fighting.  I want to thank my new campaign manager, Donna Krebbs, for her tireless work in this campaign, and for believing in  me.  I want to thank the Sheraton Hotel for making their ballroom available for this press conference this evening.  I want to thank those who have donated to my campaign.  But most of all, I want to thank my beautiful and loving wife, Margaret, without whose love and support I wouldn't be standing here speaking to you this evening.  And now, I'll take your questions, but one thing I want to make clear........because of my pending case, at my attorney's urging, I am unable to answer questions dealing with the legal aspect of the case against me."  Matt points to a female reporter on the first row.  "Yes, you?"

 

The woman stands from her seat.  "Good evening, Senator.  Susan Mitchell, NBC News.  Senator, you recently fired your former campaign manager, Peter Stanton.  Can you tell us what led up to you and your friend Mr. Stanton having a parting of ways?"

 

"Due to the nature of the case, I'm unfortunately able to go into specifics, but I will just say that Peter and I had a difference of opinion, which led to Peter's leaving his job as my campaign manager,"  Matt replies.  "Next.......yes, on the second row?"

 

A male reporter stands.  "Senator, John Kemp, Fox News.  The latest  polls show that, since your arrest, your numbers have dropped.  Do you think your legal troubles will affect your chances in the election?"

 

"Well, John, all I can say on that is, that's up to the voters.  The people in this state know me and they know what I stand for.  I'm going to remain in this race and I'm gonna fight to win on the issues.  And if the voters elect to send me back to the Senate, my solemn promise is that I will continue to stand up for and fight for the people of Texas, and for the issues and values that they care about."

Meanwhile......Southfork....

 

 

 

Bobby and Ann are sitting in the living room at Southfork that night watching Matt's press conference on TV with great interest.

 

John Ross comes into the room.  

 "What's goin' on?"  John Ross asks.

 

"Matt's holdin' a press conference," Ann replies.  " He's talkin' about the charges against him, as well as about his campaign."

 

"He sayin' anything interesting?"

 

"Well, he says he's not gonna resign, thank goodness," says Bobby.  "Of course, him being Dave Culver's son, I never doubted for a minute that he'd stay in this race and fight it out."

 

"Uncle Bobby, I hate to interrupt, but, could we have a word?"  John Ross asks.  "It's important."

 

"Sure, John Ross."

 

"Well, I guess that's my cue,"  Ann says.  "I'll go make us all some tea."

 

"Thank you, honey,"  Bobby says as his wife gets up and leaves the room.  

 

Bobby picks up the remote and turns the volume on the television down a little.  "What's on your mind, John Ross?"

 

"Uncle Bobby..........just how much do you know about Jeremy Wendell?"  

 

"Wendell?"  Bobby asks, his nephew's question taking him somewhat by surprise.  "Why do you ask?"

 

"Well, I mean, you knew him a lot of years, right?"

 

"Yes.  I didn't really Wendell until I became heavily involved in the day to day operations at Ewing Oil, but I knew of him because he'd been running Westar for quite a few years by that time.  J.R. knew Wendell much better than I did, at least in the beginning."

 

"So you don't really know anything about him?"  John Ross asks.  "Like, his  background?  Where's he's from?  Anything about his family?"

 

"No, not really,"  Bobby replies.  

 

"There's never been a biography written about him either, has there?"

 

"Not that I know of.  John Ross, why this sudden interest in Jeremy Wendell's life story?"

 

"Because, Uncle Bobby.  You and my father underestimated Wendell not once, but twice.  I don't intend to do that.  I wanna find out everything I can about that man.  Somewhere, there's gotta be a weakness.  A weakness we can use to destroy him, once and for all."

 

Bobby sighs.  "Yeah, I keep hopin' that old age and the natural progression of time would take care of that for us eventually, but after seeing Wendell at the Tower Club, I think that son of a bitch is gonna live forever.  He doesn't seem to be weakened at all by age.  If anything, he's even more dangerous now than he ever was."

 

"Which is why we need to find out everything we can about him," says John Ross.

 

"Well, good luck with THAT.  Wendell has always been a very private man.  He doesn't grant interviews, he keeps a low profile, and he's managed to keep most of his personal life hidden from the press and the public.  But there might be one person who could tell you a little bit about him, and that's his daughter Sharon."

 

"Yeah, I was thinkin' the same thing.  That is, IF she'll even talk to me.  Not only does Sharon Smith hate her father, but, I got the feelin' that she blamed us for her son Shawn's death."

 

"Sharon is the only one I know of who might be able to shed some light on the enigma that is Jeremy Wendell,"  Bobby says.  "Far as I know, he doesn't have any other family besides Sharon."

 

John Ross nods.  "I think I'll go see her right now.  I'll let you know how it goes."  He starts to leave the room.

 

"John Ross,"  Bobby says to him.  

 

John Ross stops in the door way and turns back to his uncle.  

 

"Good luck,"  Bobby says.  

 

"Thanks,"  John Ross says, and leaves.  

Sharon Smith's apartment....half an hour later....

 Sharon Smith is in her kitchen that evening when her doorbell rings.  Placing a bowl on her kitchen table, Sharon walks into her living room to answer the door as the bell rings a second time.  "I'm coming!"  She says loudly.  Sharon opens the door and is shocked to see John Ross.  "What the HELL are you doing here?" She angrily asks.

 

"I need to talk to you."

 

"There is absolutely nothing you have to say that I wanna hear,"  Sharon says.  She starts to close the door in his face.

 

"Then you talk, and I'll listen,"  John Ross says, grabbing the door.  He forces his way into the apartment and closes the door behind him.

 

"How dare you come bursting into my home like this," Sharon says.  "Get out of here, or I'm calling the police."

 

"Just hold your horses.  I need some information."

 

"What sort of information?"

"Information about your father."

 

"Jeremy Wendell and the Ewings cost me all three of my sons.  Why should I help you?"  

 "Well, first of all, my family had nothin' to do with the deaths of your three sons.  They brought that all on themselves.  But let's get back to why I'm here, and why you should help me.  I know that you hate your father every bit as much as my family does.  Jeremy Wendell is head of a very powerful organization that's hell bent on takin' over most of the largest and most influential companies in the United States in an attempt to control this country's economy."

 

"That's ridiculous.  You're out of your mind."

 

"Unfortunately, every word of what I'm sayin' is true, Sharon,"  John Ross says.  "And I need your help."

 

"Even if what you're saying is true, how can I help you?  I don't speak to my father, nor do I have any contact with him.  I have absolutely no idea what he's up to."

 

"I just need some information."

"What kind of information?"  Sharon asks.

 

"Anything you can tell me about your father.  Anything you can tell me about his past.  His family.  What do you know about your father's background?"

 

"Nothing, really.  Why are you asking me this?"  

 

"If I know something about the man, maybe I could find a weakness I could use against Wendell, to stop him."

 

Sharon walks across the room and looks out the window of her living room into the darkness.  "Jeremy Wendell HAS no weakness."

 

"Everyone has a weakness,"  says John Ross.  "I wanna find his."

 

Sharon grabs onto the curtains at the window and begins to cry.  "He is the reason my three sons are dead.  He is the reason my mother died long before her time.  She was in love with him, and he treated her like garbage.  That's why she never told him she was pregnant with me after he refused to marry her when she brought up the subject.  She said he cruelly laughed in her face and said that he would never marry a lowly secretary like her.  She was fine to screw around with and use for his own pleasure, but she would never have made him a suitable wife.  So she left and had me in secret, and then she lived in fear that he would find out that I existed and come and take me away from her.  That's what killed her."

 

"I thought your mother died of cancer."

 

"She did.  But I truly believe the cancer was brought on by the stress of all those years of living in fear, and in poverty.  But when she was dying, she knew that she had to tell him the truth for my sake,"  Sharon says.  "When I became involved with Tommy McKay, my mother vehemently disapproved because she knew that Tommy's father worked for Westar.  Then I became pregnant with Tripp and Hunter, and I wanted to marry Tommy, but he was so caught up in his drug addiction that he couldn't see straight.  And then after the twins were born, Tommy was arrested in South America, and sent to prison.  It was Wendell, my father, who set Tommy up so that he could blackmail Carter McKay into helping him go after your family.  He used Tommy.  My mother didn't know any of that when she wrote to Wendell in 1987 and told him that he had a 22-year-old daughter.  She made that decision because, after Tommy went to prison, I was alone with twin boys, and no money.  She thought my father might have changed or mellowed over the years and that he would actually be a real father to me."

 

"Well, he did go lookin' for you back in '87, from what I've heard."

 

Sharon turns to face John Ross and nods.  "Yes.  After he had caused your family to lose Ewing Oil, of course.  When I heard about that, I hated him.  So when he came to see me for the first time, I wanted nothing to do with him.  My father is evil, John Ross.  Pure evil.  I've never once seen any emotion from him.  I've never once seen anything that even resembled a conscience in that man."

 

"Sharon, what do you know about his background?  His parents?  Did he have any brothers or sisters?"

 

"John Ross, to be perfectly honest with you.......I have absolutely no idea.  I don't even know the names of my grandparents.  I hated Jeremy Wendell so much that I never wanted to know anything about him.  I have no idea what kind of childhood he had, or if he even had any siblings.  All I know is, he never mentioned any siblings to me.  Never even mentioned his parents to me, so, I really can't help you."

 

John Ross half way smiles.  "The way you're describin' your father, it almost sound like you're talkin' about the Anti-Christ or somethin'."

 

"If Jeremy Wendell was younger and had any change of going into politics..........I'd swear to it that he is.  John Ross, please.......just go.  I can't help you.  You probably know as much about my father as I do."

 

John Ross nods.  He goes to the door and starts to leave.  He pauses a moment and turns back to her.  "Sharon, for what it's worth.......I really am sorry about all three of your sons."

 

"Don't, John Ross.  I know you hated Hunter, Tripp, and Shawn.  And with good reason, after all they did to you and to your family."

 

"Those boys weren't always bad, Sharon.  I remember when I was 17, 18, and Tripp and Hunter use to ride their bikes over to Southfork after school and play basketball with me and Christopher.  They were only about 10 at the time, but, they sure gave us a run for our money.  And Shawn..........he and my son Alex were the best of friends.  Shawn was a good kid until Wendell got his hooks into him.  I know you wanna blame my family at least in part for their deaths, but, it was their grandfathers who destroyed all three.  Wendell, especially, but Carter McKay's hatred also played a part, especially in Hunter's death.  For what it's worth, if you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask."  John Ross looks at her, and then leaves.  

 

After John Ross is gone, Sharon breaks down in tears, a woman destroyed by a father she barely knew, and haunted by memory of losing three sons to a lust for power she believes was passed down through a tainted bloodline.

Craig Ewing's apartment....later....

 Alli Fowler Ewing is sitting up in bed in her room at Craig's apartment later that night, watching an old Bette Davis movie on television and sipping on a glass of wine.  A knock comes at her door.  "Come in," she says.

 

Alli's son, Cameron, opens the door and steps inside the bedroom.  "Mom, I just wanted to let you know I'm home, and I'm heading for bed."

 

Alli looks at her teenage son and smiles.  "Oh, thanks, honey.  I was waiting until you came home before I went to sleep.  Did you have a good time?"

 

"Yeah, I did.  Well, goodnight."

 

"Night, sweetheart,"  Alli says.

 

Cameron starts to leave, but he pauses at the door for a few seconds, then looks at Alli.  "Mom?  Is everything okay between you and Dad?"  

 

"Why do you ask that?"

 

"Ever since we've been here, things have been really tense between the two of you,"  Cameron says.

 

"Things have been tense between your father and I for years."

 

"Yeah, but lately, it's been worse than ever.  And you guys are sleeping in separate bedrooms."

 

Alli looks at her tall son standing in her bedroom doorway.  "It's nothing you need to worry about, sweetheart.  Everything is going to be.......fine,"  Alli says, a tone of sadness in her voice.

 

"Okay.  Well, I'm pretty beat so, I'll see you in the morning."

 

Alli smiles at the boy and nods.  Cameron leaves the room, closing the door behind him.  Alli lays her head on her pillow and struggles to hold back her tears as she thinks about the horrible state of her life and her family.  Her train of thought is broken when the bedroom door opens and Craig walks in.  

 

"Still awake, I see,"  Craig says.

 

"Don't you know how to knock?"  Alli asks.  "Why are you in here, anyway?  Your bedroom is down the hall."

 

Craig laughs at his wife's comment.  "Well, my darling, I'm in here because this is MY apartments, so I can go wherever the hell I want in it.  You're merely here as my guest.  Did you happen to see Brad Barnes give that brief press conference tonight in response to the one Culver gave?"

 

"No, I missed that one,"  Alli says sarcastically.

 

"Shame.  Barnes really looks like a politician.  I have big plans for that guy, Alli.  BIG plans."

 

Alli looks at her husband, worried about what he has just said.  "What sort of plans?"

 

"The U.S. Senate, and then, in 2028, a run for the presidency.  And he's gonna win, Alli.  He's gonna win both."

 

"You sound so sure.  Like you know something the rest of the country doesn't."

 

Craig turns to his wife and smiles deviously.  "Still underestimating me after all these years.  You know that I never leave anything to chance.  As of today, I'm going to be Barnes's new campaign manager, and with me heading his campaign into the finish line, there's no way he can lose.  Besides that, Texas will never send a murderer to the United States Senate."

 

"Matt Culver hasn't been convicted of anything, or even tried yet,"  says Alli.  "And the election is next week."

 

"Trial and conviction are mere formalities.  Those few days between now and election day, Culver will be tried in the court of public opinion.  That's all we need for him to lose that election to Barnes.  And once Barnes is installed in the Senate, he'll become one of the Senate's most influential members.  And with proper guidance, in four years, he'll be ready to run for president.  After all, Barack Obama only served one term in the U.S. Senate before he was elected president.  And of course, Barnes will need a vice-president."

 

"And let me guess.  You think that will be you?"

 

"Why not?  Barnes and I would make a very good team.  Too ambitious young men eager to serve their country.  I think I would be a very good vice-president, and an even better president, should something happen that prevented Barnes from finishing his term."

 

"And what would happen to prevent him from finishing his term?"  Alli asks.

 

"Life is unpredictable, darling.  Anything can happen,"  Craig replies in an ominous tone, his words sending chills down Alli's spine.  Craig looks at her and smiles again.  "You'd make a damn fine looking First Lady.  Imagine the power that would come with being President of the United States.  By that time, Wendell will be gone, and I, as his heir, with all that money and power, combined with a high political office, I could do what others have only dreamed of doing.  I could truly usher in that New World Order the political elites have been working toward for decades."

 

Alli looks at her husband, an expression of fear on her face.  "You're truly mad,"  she says.  

 

"Mad, am I?  We'll see who's mad when everything I just told you has come to pass.  Men like Matt Culver, with his moral superiority and his idealism may try and stand in our way, but they won't succeed."

 

"It's......it's late, Craig,"  Alli says, her voice trembling.  "I'm tired, and I'd like to get some sleep now."

 

Craig walks over and takes a seat on the bed beside her.  "I'm not tired at all.  In fact, I'm in the mood to make love to my beautiful wife."  He runs his finger her bare shoulder.

 

"Craig, I really don't want to,"  Alli protests.

 

"Perhaps not now, but trust me, you won't regret it,"  Craig says, kissing her.  "Remember how it was in the old days, Alli?  How wonderful it was?"  Craig continues kissing his unwilling wife, but Alli, fearful of her husband, does not resist.  Feeling disgust at Craig's very touch, Alli gives in and lets him make love to her as she endures the ordeal in tears, hating him every moment.

The next morning....

 

Craig is getting dressed the next morning while Alli is sitting up in bed, tears running down her face.  

 

"Why the long face?"  Craig asks as he dresses.  "After last night, I'd think you'd have woken with a big smile on your face."

 

"You forced me,"  Alli says.  "You had no right to do that."

 

"Forced you?  I didn't force you, Alexandra.  You could have stopped me at any time, but did you?  No.  You didn't even utter a word.  You seemed to enjoy our lovemaking, just the way you use to."

 

"Only in your sick, twisted mind,"  Alli says.  

 

Craig walks over and takes a seat on the bed beside his wife.  "Alli, listen to me, and listen very carefully.  You are my wife, and you're going to start acting like a wife, especially now that I'm about to embark on a new career path.  You're going to have everything that you've ever wanted."

 

"Everything except to be rid of you."

 

"If you feel that way, then why did you even come to Dallas?  You could've stayed in Chicago."

 

"Because I was stupid.  Because I was hoping to find something remaining of the man I fell in love with and married."

 

"Well, I'm right here,"  Craig says.

 

"No.  No, the man I loved is dead.  And in his place all I see is a ruthless, power mad tyrant willing to do anything or destroy anyone to get what he wants."

 

"Alexandra, let me explain something to you.  I grew up in absolute poverty.  My father was an abusive alcoholic and my mother was too weak to protect me from him.  I literally had NOTHING growing up.  Now, I have the chance to have everything I've always wanted.  I don't expect you to understand that.  You grew up in a rich family.  I could have grown up in a rich family, with a loving father, had it not been for the Ewings.  My father's aunt stole his birthright and now it's owned by Bobby Ewing and Catlin Ewing, who are getting even richer than they already were on land that should've belonged to my father.  You're right.  You're absolutely right.  I will destroy anyone who stands in the way of me and everything I want.  Including you.  So you need to make your choice, my sweet.  Either you're with me, or you're my enemy.  There is no in between.  Now then, I have to go."  Craig stands to his feet.  "Think about what I said."  Craig grabs his jacket and walks to the door.  He pauses for a moment, smiles, and looks at his wife.  "President Ewing," he says.  "Damn, I love the sound of that."  Craig winks at Alli, and then leaves.  

 

"He's completely out of his mind,"  she says quietly after Craig has gone.  "And he has to be stopped."

A few minutes later....

After waiting until she is sure Craig has left the apartment, Alli comes out of her bedroom.  She slowly makes her way down the hall to Craig's bedroom and opens the door.  She breathes a sigh of relief to see the room empty.  Stepping into the bedroom, she looks around.  Directly across the room, sitting against the wall, is a small safe.  Alli goes to the safe, kneels in front of it, and begins trying to open it, using a variety of combinations she believes her husband may have used to lock the safe.  Unfortunately, none of the combinations work.  After several attempts, she is frustrated.  She begins looking around the room, wondering where Craig may have hidden the combination to the safe, knowing that her husband has a habit of writing everything down.  Alli begins rummaging through Craig's desk drawers, through books, and everything she can find, but to no avail.  Finally, about ready to give up, she suddenly has a revelation as to where Craig may have hidden the combination.  She rushes over to the table beside Craig's bed.  Picking up the lamp on the table, she looks underneath and there it is, taped to the bottom of the lamp is what looks like the combination of a safe.  Memorizing the combination, Alli rushes back to the safe and tries the combination.  She is elated when the combination works and she is able to open the safe.  Reaching inside, Allu pulls out a large stack of papers, as well as a file folder.  She opens the file folder and finds some 

documents.  She begins reading, and after a few moments, a look of shock comes over her face.  "Oh my God,"  she says.  "Craig, what the hell have you gotten yourself, and us, involved in?"  Alli takes the folder and replaces the other papers back into the safe.  She closes and locks the safe, then makes sure her husband's bedroom is in the same order as when she found it.  Alli rushes back to her own bedroom and quickly gets dressed.  After dressing, she runs to her closet, opens it, and takes out her suitcase.  She quickly throws her clothes into the suitcase, then zips it.  Within five minutes, she grabs the file folder she took from Craig's safe and hurries out of the apartment, suitcase in hand.

Smithfield And Bennett Law Firm....

 Cass Winthrop walks into the offices of Smithfield And Bennett Law Firm that morning, his secretary already at her desk.  "Morning, Susan,"  Cass greets his secretary.

 

"Good morning, Mr. Winthrop."

 

"Any calls or messages?"  Cass asks.

 

"No, sir."

 

"Good, because I have a lot of work to do this morning.  Would you fix me a cup of coffee, please?"

 

"Yes, sir,"  Susan says. 

 

"Thank you,"  Cass says, and goes into his office.  Cass proceeds to his desk, where he puts his brief case down, and turns on his computer.  He takes a seat at his desk,  opens the brief case, takes out some papers, and begins reading them.  A moment later, Susan buzzes his desk.  "Yes, Susan?"

 

"Mr. Winthrop, Alexandra Ewing is here to see you."

 

"Alli?  Please, send her in."

 

A few seconds later, Alli walks into the office, followed by Susan.  "Your coffee, Mr. Winthrop,"  Susan says.

 

"Thank you, Susan,"  says Cass, standing from his seat and walking over to greet his friend at the door.  "Alli, how wonderful to see you."

 

"Cass, I hope I'm not disturbing you.  I know it's rather early, but, I really need to speak to you.  It's important."

 

"You could never interrupt me.  Please, have a seat.  Oh, can Susan get you anything?  A cup of coffee?"

 

"Coffee would be nice,"  Alli says.

 

"Coming right up,"  Susan says, and leaves the office.  

 

Cass returns to his desk.  Alli, what can I do for you?"

 

"I wanted to talk to you about Senator Culver."

 

"Oh?  And what about Senator Culver?"  Cass asks.

 

"Cass.......Senator Culver did NOT kill Peter Stanton,"  Alli says.

 

"And just how do you know this?"  Cass asks.

 

"This morning, after Craig left the apartment, I found the combination to his safe where he keeps all his important papers.  I opened the safe and I found this."  Alli reaches into her bag and pulls out the file folder she had taken from Craig's safe.  She hands it to Cass.  "In here is proof that Senator Culver was framed for the murder of Peter Stanton."

 

Cass takes the folder and opens it.  He begins reading.  

 

"My husband has always kept meticulous records."

 

"My God,"  says Cass.  

 

"I hope you can use that to help the Senator,"  Alli says.  

 

"Yes.  Yes, this will definitely help.  Alli, would you be willing to testify to this?  To testify that you found this information in your husband's possession?"

 

Alli begins to cry, then she nods.  "Yes.  Yes, I would."

 

Cass stands from his seat and walks over to her.  "Alli, you do realize what this means, I hope."

 

"Yes.  I understand."

 

"Why are you doing this?"  Cass asks.

 

Alli looks at him, tears running down her face.  "Because I'm married to a madman.  I'm terrified of him, and I hate him, Cass.  And above all, I want to protect my children from him."

 

Cass nods and takes her hand.

Southfork....

 Bobby and Lucas are working with some of the ranch hands that morning, moving some cattle from one pasture to another.  

 

"Son, I sure am glad that you decided to work with us today,"  Bobby says.  "Been way too long."

 

"You're right, it has,"  says Lucas.  "I'm sorry about that."

"I called your campaign headquarters and they told me you were having a rally here,"  David replies.  "I have some news that couldn't wait."

 

"News?"  Matt asks.  He sighs deeply.  "Okay, so let's have it.  What's happened now?"

 

David smiles.  "Well, for once, this is good news.  I got a call from Cass Winthrop.  It seems that new evidence has come to light about Peter Stanton's murder that would exonerate you."

 

"Oh my God, are you serious?"  Margaret asks.

 

"Yes, I  am.  With any luck, the real murderer of Peter Stanton will be arrested before the end of the day."

 

Matt, Margaret, and Donna all happily smile and exchange hugs.  

Braddock High School....

 

Lucas walks into Braddock High School and proceeds the short distance down the front hallway to the principal's office.  He walks in, and sees Michael sitting on a sofa in one area of the outer office.  

 

"May I help you?"  A receptionist asks.

 

"I'm Lucas Ewing.  I received a call about my son, Michael."

 

"I'll let Ms. Davis know that you're here."

 

"Thanks,"  Lucas says.  He walks over and takes a seat on the wall opposite Michael.  He looks over at his son, but Michael avoids looking at his father.  Almost a full minute later, Braddock High's principal, opens the door to his office and looks out.  "Mr. Ewing?"

 

"Yes," Lucas says, standing, surprised to find a very attractive young woman.

 

"I'm Marissa Davis, Braddock High principal.  Please, come into my office."

 

Lucas nods.  He looks over at Michael, then follows the principal into her office.  

 

"Please have a seat,"  Marissa says.  

 

Lucas takes a seat across from her desk.  "I have to tell you, Ms. Davis, I'd heard that Braddock High had a new principal this year, but, I was expecting someone older."

 

"Well, thank you.  But rest assured, Mr. Ewing, I have had eleven years experience as a high school math teacher before I was offered this job as principal."

 

Lucas smiles nervously.  

 

"Mr. Ewing, I understand you're probably a very busy man, so I'll make this as brief as possible.  This morning, Michael and another student got into a fight and Michael punched the other boy, giving him a bloody nose."

 

"I'm sorry.  Do you know what the fight was about?"  Lucas asks.

 

"According to the other boy and several witnesses, the other boy bumped into Michael in hallway, and made Michael drop his books. Michael became very angry......unreasonably angry......and an argument started. Michael shoved the boy into a locker, the other boy pushed him back, and then Michael violently attacked him, punching him repeatedly in the face until a teacher pulled him off the other boy."

 

"I'm sorry,"  Lucas says.  "That doesn't sound like Michael.  But then again, my son has been acting very different lately."

 

"Different in what way?"

 

"Moody.  Angry all the time.  I know he's at that age, but I can't tell if it's normal teenage moodiness or........or something else."

 

"Mr. Ewing, I understand you lost your wife not too long ago?"  

 

Lucas nods.  "Yes.  Heather and Michael were in a car accident, and Heather was killed.  Michael has taken his mother's death hard, but, I feel like what he's going through now is my fault."

 

"Why do you say that?"  Marissa asks.

 

"After Heather's death, I kind of lost my way.  I was drowning in my own grief for months, and I'm afraid I wasn't paying attention to Michael's needs.  And now I guess I'm paying for it."

 

"Have you thought of having Michael see a counselor?"

 

"Yeah," Lucas replies with a nod.  "In fact, I know a good one, and I think it's time I made an appointment for my son to see him.  Umm, Ms. Davis, what's going to happen with Michael now?  I mean, what kind of discipline........"

 

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to suspend Michael for one week,"  Marissa replies.  "He'll be given a worksheet with all his class assignments he'll miss during that week.  May I ask you a question, Mr. Ewing?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Before the death of your wife, were you Michael close?"

 

Lucas manages a weak smile.  "Oh, yes.  We were very close.  Michael and I did a lot together.  Fishing.  Horseback riding.  He often helped me on the ranch."

 

"Would you mind a little advice?"

 

"Of course not.  I could use all the advice I can get right now."

 

"Use that week to spend some time with your son.  Try to connect with him again and see if you can't get back that closeness you had before.  You need each other right now."

 

Lucas looks at the woman and nods, realizing what she is saying is the truth.  

Dallas Civics Club....early afternoon....

 

Brad is campaigning that afternoon at a meet and greet at Dallas's Civics Club.  While Craig Ewing is speaking with the President of the Civics Club, while Brad is mingling and speaking with various club members and potential voters.  After Brad greets and speaks to several people, a woman with a little girl comes up to him.  

 

"Hello,"  Brad says, shaking the woman's hand.  

 

"Mr. Barnes, we can't thank you enough for comin' here today to speak to us," the woman says in a thick Texas drawl.  "I look forward to hearin' your speech."

 

Brad smiles.  "Well, thank you very much, I really appreciate those kind words.  And I hope I can count on your vote next Tuesday."

 

"Oh, you certainly can."  

 

"Mama?"  The little girl says, tugging on her mother's jacket.  

 

"Oh, yes," the woman says.  "My little girl, Macy, would like to have her picture with you, if that's all right."

 

"Of course, it is,"  says Brad.  "Hello, Macy."  Brad picks the little girl up.  

 

"Okay, I'll take the picture," the woman says, taking out her phone.  She takes three photos with the phone.  "There," she says.  "Thank you, Mr. Barnes."

 

"You're more than welcome, Mrs.....?"

 

"Logan."

 

"Mrs. Logan,"  Brad says.  "It was very nice to meet you, and you too, Macy."  Brad puts the little girl down, and she and her mother walk away.  

 

"Mr. Barnes,"  comes a voice from behind him.

 

 

Brad turns around and sees an older woman of about 70 holding on to the arm of a very elderly woman, a woman who looks to be in her 90s.  

 

"Yes, ma'am?"

 

"Mr. Barnes, my name is Brenda Milhouse, and this is my mother, Dorothy Statler."

 

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you ladies,"  Brad says.  

 

"My mother really wanted to come and see you," Brenda Milhouse says.  "She's 96 and it was very important to her."

 

"I knew your father, Clifford Barnes,"  the older woman says. 

 

"Oh, is that a fact?"  Brad asks with a smile.

 

"You see, I'm a retired teacher, and Cliff was a student of mine in my homeroom class when I taught 2nd grade, and a few years later when I was teaching 8th grade social studies, I had your father as a student again. And I must say, he was one of the best students I ever had in my social studies class.  I also had your aunt, Pamela Barnes in my class, and I knew your grandfather, Digger Barnes."

 

"Well, then, it really IS a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Statler."

 

"I kept up with Cliff over the years through newspaper clippings and the news on television, and I was so proud of the success he made of his life."

 

"I'm certain that you had something to do with that,"  Brad says.

 

"Thank you for saying that.  And I must say, you remind me of  both Cliff and your grandfather," Mrs. Statler says with a laugh.  "I tell you, that Digger Barnes was something else."

 

"Yes, so I've heard.  I wish I could have known him."

 

"He would be very proud that his grandson is now a candidate for United States Senate."

 

"Thank you, and I hope I can count on your vote."

 

"You most definitely have my vote, young man."

 

"I really appreciate that,"  Brad says as a man comes over to him and takes him by the arm.

 

"I'm sorry to interrupt,"  the man says.  "But we're ready to begin, Mr. Barnes."

 

"Okay, fine,"  Brad says.  "Mrs. Statler, Mrs. Milhouse, it's truly been a pleasure to meet both of you."

 

"The pleasure has been all mine," Mrs. Statler says.  

 

"Good luck next Tuesday,"  Brenda Milhouse says.

 

"Thank you so much,"  Brad says, then walks away with the other man.  

 

The other man walks to the front of the room and takes the podium.  "Ladies and gentlemen," he says.  "Everyone, may I have your attention?  Thank you.  Please find your seat, as we are about to begin."  The man waits for almost a full minute until everyone in the room makes their way to their seats.  "Thank you.  Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Dallas Civics Club.  Today, we are honored to have with us Mr. Bradley Barnes, democratic candidate for the United States Senate, and opponent of incumbent Republican Senator Matt Culver.  Mr. Barnes was born here in Dallas in 1978, and attended some of the most prestigious boarding and military schools on the east coast.  His roots here in Dallas run deep, as his parents were two of Dallas's most prominent citizens, Marilee Stone and Cliff Barnes, who was also very prominent among the political landscape of Dallas many years ago.  So, without further ado, please give a warm welcome to our next United States Senator from the great state of Texas, Bradley Stone Barnes."

 

The crowd erupts into a thunderous applause as Brad steps to the podium, shakes the man's hand, and waves to the audience.  He waits for almost a full minute until the applause subsides and he is able to begin 

speaking.  "Thank you all so much for that very warm welcome.  Thank you, Mr. Williamson for inviting me here.  Before I begin, I would like to introduce my new campaign manager, Mr. Craig Ewing, who will be bringing my campaign across the finish line these next few days."  As Craig stands from his seat, the audience applauds.  Brad continues once the applause subsides again:  "I entered this campaign because I care deeply about the future of the state of Texas and the future of this country.  My opponent comes from a political dynasty that has held power in the state of Texas for nearly 80, going all the way back to his grandfather, Sam Culver.  And while I greatly admire the Senator's grandfather, as well as his late father, who was a very good friend of my own father's, Matt Culver is cut from a very different cloth than they were.  My opponent belongs to a political party that has become so extreme, so far right that they not only deny that climate change exists, but they would completely close the borders of this nation to all immigration, even LEGAL immigration.  My opponent has made very clear his position on reproductive rights.  Matt Culver does not believe in a woman's right to choose.  In a woman's right to autonomy over her own body......"

 

While Brad is speaking, Detective Steven Jones and another detective enter the room.  The two look around the room, and upon spotting Craig Ewing seated at a table on the front row near the podium where Brad is speaking, Steven nods to his partner.  The two make their way to the table, and Steven taps Craig on the shoulder.  Craig turns around to him.

 

"Excuse me, are you Craig Ewing?"  Steven asks quietly in an attempt not to disrupt Brad's speech.  

 

"Yes?"  Craig replies in a whisper.  "Can I help you gentlemen?"

 

"We need you to step outside with us, sir,"  Steven's partner says.

 

Confused, Craig gets up from his seat, and leaves the room with the two men.  Watching this play out from the podium, Brad continues with his speech, while at the same time worrying why Detective Steven Jones, who he recognized. has taken his new campaign manager from the room.  

 

Meanwhile, Steven and his partner lead Craig from the room to a hallway outside.  "Look, what's this all about?"  Craig asks.

 

"Mr. Ewing, I'm Detective Steven Jones, Dallas Police Department."

 

"Police?"  A confused Craig asks.  "What's going on here?"

 

"Place your hands behind your back,"  Steven's partner tells Craig.  

 

"Craig Ewing, you are under arrest for the murder of Peter Stanton,"  Steven says as his partner handcuffs Craig.  

 

"What?  Murder?  What the hell is this?"  Asks a frightened Craig.  

 

"You have the right to remain silent,"  Steven says, reading Craig his rights.  "Anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law.  You have the right to an attorney......."

 

As Steven continues reading him his rights, Craig's mind tunes out the detective's voice, as a shock and frightened look comes over his face and he is unable to believe what is happening to him.  Once Steven has finished reading Craig his rights, he and his partner lead him away in handcuffs down the long hallway, out the front door of the building and place him in the back of an awaiting police car out front.

Southfork....

 Lucas and Michael walk in the front door at Southfork.  Michael starts up the stairs.  "Michael, wait,"  Lucas says to his son.  

 

The boy stops on the fourth step and looks at his father.  

 

"You never said a word the whole way home from school,"  Lucas says.  "We need to talk about this."

 

"Talk about what?"  Michael asks.

 

"Michael, you got into a fight.  You got suspended from school."

 

"So?"

 

Lucas tries hard to contain his anger at his disrespectful teenage son.  "Michael, I'm not gonna tolerate this behavior or this attitude any longer."

 

"Just leave me alone,"  the boy says.

 

"No, damn it, I will NOT leave you alone.  We're gonna talk about this behavior of yours!"

 

"When I wanted to talk to you, you were so drunk you didn't even know I existed.  Now I don't wanna talk to you, so just leave me the hell alone!"  Michael angrily says, then he runs up the stairs.

 

"MICHAEL!!"  Lucas yells after his son, but the boy continues up the stairs, almost running into Ann on his way.  "MICHAEL, YOU GET BACK DOWN HERE!!!"

 

"Lucas, what's goin' on?"  Ann asks.

 

"Michael got in a fight at school and he's been suspended,"  Lucas replies.

 

Ann sighs.  "Oh, no."

 

"I swear, Ann, I don't know what I'm gonna do with that kid.  I'm at the end of my rope."

 

Ann places a reassuring hand on her stepson's shoulder.

Brad's campaign headquarters....

 Brad is pacing anxiously around his office at his campaign headquarters later that afternoon as the phones are ringing constantly in the wake of the arrest of his new campaign manager.  One of Brad's campaign aids comes up to him.  "Mr. Barnes?"  The young woman says.  

 

"Yeah?"   Brad responds in an irritable tone.  

 

"The phones have been ringing off the hook.  FOX 5 news, MSNBC, CBS News, even CNN.  They all want a statement from you on Mr. Ewing's arrest."

 

Brad looks at the young woman.  "Just tell them I have no comment at this time."

 

"Yes, sir,"  she replies.  As the young woman walks out of Brad's small office, the front door of the campaign headquarters opens, and a group of reporters begin piling in, shouting questions.  

 

"Mr. Barnes, can you give us a statement on your new campaign manager's arrest for the murder of Senator Culver's campaign manager?"  One reporter asks.

 

 

"Mr. Barnes, what was the connection between Craig Ewing and Peter Stanton?  How did they know each other?"  Another reporter asks.

 

"Mr. Barnes, do you think the arrest of your campaign manager will hurt your chances of winning on Tuesday?"  Still another asks.

 

"Look, I have no comment at this present time except to say that these events have taken me and my campaign staff by surprise,"  Brad says.  "I will issue a statement to the press later, but in the meantime, please allow me and the rest of my staff to process this news and gather our thoughts.  Please."

 

"All of you......OUT!"  Orders one of Brad's staff members.  

 

After the reporters are ushered out, Brad, still in shock over the events of the day, returns to his office and closes the door.  He walks over to his desk and takes a seat, unsure of how to feel or what to say as he imagines all of is hopes and dreams of winning this Senate race going up in smoke in the wake of Craig's arrest.  

Southfork....

 Bobby comes into the foyer at Southfork that afternoon to answer the ringing doorbell.  He opens the door to find Bum.  "Afternoon, Bobby,"  Bum says.

 

"Bum, hello.  Come in."

 

"Thank you,"  Bum says, walking into the house just as John Ross comes down the stairs.  

 

"Bum, I thought I saw your truck turnin' in,"  John Ross says.

 

"I trust you've heard the news?"  Bum asks.

 

"What news?" Bobby asks.

 

"Well, then, you haven't heard."

 

"I just came in from workin' out on the ranch, so I haven't heard anything," says Bobby.

 

"And I was upstairs lyin' down with Krystina,"  John Ross says.  "She's exhausted from stayin' at the hospital with her Mama.  What news are you talkin' about?"

 

"I heard it on the radio drivin' out here,"  says Bum.  "Craig Ewing was arrested this afternoon."

 

"Arrested?  Arrested for what?"  Bobby asks.

 

"The Murder of Peter Stanton."

 

"You're kiddin',"  says John Ross.

 

"Nope.  It's been all over the news."

 

"Well, finally some good news,"  Bobby says.  "I'm sure Matt must be thrilled by that."

 

"I'm sure he is,"  Bum says.  "But look, the reason I came out here was, I have some information."

 

"What kind of information?"  Bobby asks.

 

"John Ross asked me to do some digging into Jeremy Wendell's background.  I found an old article on Wendell that said he was born in Pennsylvania."

 

"Pennsylvania?"  Bobby asks.  "I never knew that."

 

"You find anything out about his parents or family?"  John Ross asks.

 

"Yes I did.  This morning I sent one of my men to the small town of Bradford, Pennsylvania, where Wendell was supposedly raised."

 

"And?  Did he find out anything?"  

 

"Wendell's parents were a couple named Frank and Gloria Wendell.  They were an older couple and they died when Wendell was still in his teens.  My associate spent a couple of hours pouring through courthouse records and birth certificates.  He found Frank and Gloria's marriage license.  The couple was married on October 3, 1906, in Bradford."

 

"1906?"  Asks a surprised Bobby.

 

"I told you they were older.  They married in their early 20s, which would have made them both well into their 40s by the time Jeremy was born.  My associate searched birth records, but he was never able to find Jeremy Wendell's birth certificate."

 

"Maybe Wendell wasn't born in Bradford,"  Bobby says.  "Just because his parents were married there, doesn't mean he couldn't have been born in another town."

 

"Turns out, he was,"  Bum says.  "Truth is, Jeremy wasn't Frank and Gloria Wendell's biological son.  They adopted him when he was less than a month old.  My associate was able to find the adoption decree at the courthouse.  When he wasn't able to find Wendell's birth certificate, he proceeded on a hunch, and his hunch proved to be right."

 

"Wendell was adopted?"  John Ross asks.

 

"Well, that IS a surprise,"  says Bobby.  

 

"Any chance Wendell's real parents' names were on that adoption decree?"  John Ross asks.

 

"Unfortunately no.  But I told my associate I wanted him to follow up on this and try and find out who Wendell's biological parents were."

 

"I wonder if Wendell knows he was adopted,"  Bobby says.  "More importantly, I wonder if he knows who his real parents were.  That might just account for his secrecy concerning his past all these years."

 

"Jeremy Wendell has suddenly become a very interesting character," says John Ross.  "Bum, tell your man to stop at nothing.  To leave no stone unturned.  I wanna know ASAP who Jeremy Wendell really is."

 

"You think it's really that important, John Ross?"  Bobby asks.

 

"I sure do.  Wendell maintained a wall of secrecy around his private life all these years.  His own daughter didn't even know the names of her father's parents.  There's gotta be a reason for all that secrecy.  Could be somethin' we could use against the old man.  His one weakness."

 

"And knowing what a snob Wendell is, it could be it's nothing more than he comes from dirt poor parents, or maybe one of them was guilty of a crime or somethin',"  Bobby says.

 

"Either way, whatever it is, it's information Wendell doesn't want to see the light of day.  But it's got me even more curious about Wendell than ever,"  John Ross says with a smile.  

Dallas Police Department....

  Craig Ewing is sitting on his bunk in his small cell at the Dallas jail that evening, dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit, and an angry look on his face as he clinches his fists, certain that either Brad Barnes or Jeremy Wendell are behind his sudden incarceration for a crime he didn't commit.

 

"Ewing,"  comes the voice of one of the jail guards.  "You have a visitor.  It's your wife."

 

"Thank you," Craig says, standing to his feet.  Craig smiles, hoping Alli has come to show her support for him.  

 

Meanwhile, Alli Ewing is sitting in front of the glass in the visiting area, waiting for her husband.  After almost a minute, Craig is brought into the visiting room on the other side of the glass.  He takes a seat opposite Alli, the two separated by a thick pane of glass, and picks up the telephone to speak to her.  Alli also picks up the phone on her side.  

 

"Alli,"  Craig says.  "Thank you for coming.  I........I wasn't sure you would."

 

"I started not to,"  Alli says.  

 

"I can understand that.  I need you to phone our attorney.  I haven't been able to reach him.  And, what about the kids?  Does Cameron know about this yet?"

 

"Cameron is in Bay City,"  Alli says.

 

"What?  Bay City?  Why?"

 

"I asked my mother to take him back there, to stay with my grandmother, Rachel,"  Alli says.  

 

"Alli, why would you do that?"  Craig asks.  "Alli, you have to know I had nothing to do with Peter Stanton's murder."

 

"Do I?  All that evidence, including the murder weapon, were in YOUR safe at the apartment." 

 

"Did the cops tell you that?"  Craig asks.

 

"No, they didn't.  Craig, the only reason I came here tonight was to tell you that it was me who turned you in,"  Alli says.

 

Craig's mouth falls open in shock.  "What?  You?  YOU did this to me?"

 

"That's right.  After you left this morning, I went searching for the combination to your safe. I found it taped under that lamp next to your bed.  I opened the safe, hoping only to find something to link you to some crime, but I had no idea I would find the gun that killed Peter Stanton, and a letter in your hand writing detailing the crime.  You've hurt me for the last time, Craig."

 

On the other side of the glass, Craig is fuming with anger.  "You stupid BITCH!"  He says.  "Do you have any idea what you've done?  Alli, I am in league with a very powerful and very dangerous man."

 

"Yes, Jeremy Wendell,"  Alli says.  "I know."

 

"You have no idea what Wendell is capable of.  Alli, by doing what you did, you may have just signed not only my death warrant, but yours, and possibly our children's as well."

 

"What?"  Alli asks, stunned at what she is hearing.

 

"Wendell was willing to go to ANY lengths to get Brad Barnes elected to the Senate, and he chose me to help Barnes get there.  You have destroyed his plans, and Wendell is not a man who likes to have his plans derailed.  He will NOT be forgiving.  It's good that you sent Cameron out of Dallas, and out of Texas.  You have to let your grandmother know she has to do anything she has to in order to keep our son safe.  And Alli. I want you to get as far away from here as possible, too.  Tonight!"

 

"Craig, my God, what are you saying?"

 

"Alli, I swear to you......I did NOT kill Stanton, and I have no idea who planted that stuff in my safe, but what you did has put us all in danger.  Now get the hell out of town before Wendell finds out it was you who turned me in."

 

Alli nods.  She hangs up the phone and stands.  She looks at her husband one last time, and the look of fear on Craig's face lets her know he is telling the truth.  She quickly rushes out of the room.

Jeremy Wendell's apartment....

 An angry Jeremy is standing at the window in the living room of his penthouse apartment looking out, fuming with anger over the events of the day surrounding Craig's arrest.  He picks up his cell phone and dials a number.  Someone immediately answers.  "Jack, I wanna know how the hell this happened with Ewing.  I wanna know how that gun ended up in his possession, and what he was planning to do with that gun.  I also wanna know who alerted the police to the contents of Ewing's safe.  I don't give a damn, I want you to find me that information.  Whoever is responsible for this mess likely just cost Barnes that election and has disrupted my plans, and I don't like that at all.  Just find out who is responsible."  Jeremy angrily slams the phone down on his desk just as his doorbell rings.  The look on his face grows even angrier as he is in no mood to see anyone tonight.  A few seconds later, Jeremy's butler comes into the room.  

 

"Excuse me, Mr. Wendell,"  the butler says.  "You have a visitor."

 

 

"I don't want to see anyone tonight, Charles.  Whoever it is, send them away,"  Jeremy says, seated in his chair, his back to his butler.  

 

"Really, Jeremy?"  A woman's voice asks from behind him.