JR glanced at the small package. “It's probably a letter bomb from that fool Wendell.”

Sly looked at JR with wide eyes, part of her job was to open his mail. The contents of this particular package had been quite a surprise, indeed. “No, but I didn't know what to make of it. You should look at it right away.” JR tossed the papers he had been looking over to the side and opened the package. As he quickly glanced through it's contents, he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

JR's eyes almost glazed over as he saw the handwritten confession by Gregor, Rex's right hand man. The document clearly and calmly stated that JR was the intended target, and that Clayton was accidentally shot in JR's place.

JR had known that that bastard Wentworth probably had something to do with Clayton's death and it had bothered him to no end that he hadn't been able to prove a damn thing.

But it wasn't the confession that convinced JR that with this little package, he could smash Rex Wentworth once and for all; there were photos of a black clad man going into the Southfork main house and late at night. The internal date imprint coincided with the date Clayton was shot.

Just plain weird. Why did I get this? he thought, and why did someone take these pictures to begin with?

JR continued to sort through the contents of the small package until finally, he found the most damning evidence of all: a cashier's check stub from a French company, which JR knew was owned by Rex. His eyes went large as he saw the name 'Klaus' on the check.”

JR's men on the investigation knew that Klaus was the one who had shot Clayton, but they never found anything to tie the murder to anyone else.

JR picked up a small picture of Ellie Ewing on the Southfork Patio, and he felt a deep heat build in his body. He wanted Wentworth nailed to a wall for this. He continued to stare at the picture, the same picture that Clayton's killer had, no doubt looked at.

“Just wait, mama. If that bastard is behind Clayton's death…” JR said in a determined and threatening tone.

JR slammed the intercom button. “Sly! I need you in here now.”

Sly rapidly made it through the door. “Yes, JR? Want me to call the police? I saw the package…”

JR shook his head vigorously. “Hell no, get in here. Shut that door.”

Sly obediently shut the door.

“I have information that may finally close the case on Clayton's death.”

Sly nodded. “I know, JR! I noticed the pictures in the package when I opened it for you. But why don't you want me to call the police?”

“Well Sly, I want you to put Ol' Doug Avant on this. I may not have been able to help him close the case when it happened…but I'm damn sure he can find out what he needs to know to do it now.”

Sly jotted notes onto her steno pad. “All right, JR. I'll get on that. Do you want me to get Miss Ellie on the phone?”

JR thought for a moment and shook his head again. “No, I want to make sure. Then…well, like my daddy always used to say… 'We don't need to let the police handle family business'. And this is family business if I ever saw it.”

With a growing fear in her mind, Helen believed that Ellie might be suspicious of her sudden change of heart.

Helen had decided that the best way to avoid confrontation for now was to avoid one of the typical Southfork dinners that she had heard Teresa mention. So Raul had delivered her tray for the evening, and Helen was just finishing the last bite of prime rib when there was a knock on her door.

“Come in,” she said.

As the door to her room opened she glimpsed Wade on the other side of the door, nervously turning his cowboy hat in his hands in front of him.

“Now, Wade Sawyer,” she scolded playfully, “how many times does a Momma have to tell her boy that twirling a hat around like that is a sign of pure nervousness, and that to be taken seriously—“

Wade cut in before his mother could say more.

“Momma, this isn't the time for one of your tidbits of advice. There's something serious we need to discuss.”

Helen looked momentarily alarmed, but quickly regained her composure.

“Well, what is it, Wade?”

“Amelia and I have both been talking today, and we agree that there is something different about you in the last week or so since y'all moved in here at Southfork.”

“Well, I suppose you are right about that.”

“I am?” Wade wasn't accustomed to his mother agreeing with him so quickly, and without a fight.

“It is a totally different world here. I never did realize before how nice the Ewings could be.”

“That's just it, Momma,” Wade said as he moved into the room and took a seat on the chaise lounge across from Helen. “Last week, before the barbecue, you wanted nothing to do with this family or their 'world', you thought Miss Ellie was a horrible person; you didn't even want me working here at Southfork. Then, as quick as a light bulb goin' on, everything changed. That's not in character for you, and you know it.”

“I don't think you are in any position to describe my character, Wade Sawyer. I'm you're mother…and I deserve your respect without question.”

“Momma, please—“

“If you came here to lecture me, Wade, I have better things to do. I'll see you in the morning.”

Wade was beginning to grow very impatient.

“Just tell me the truth, Momma, what is really going on with you?”

“You may go now, Wade.”

Wade shook his head in disgust as he slowly left the room. While he stood in the upstairs hallway of Southfork wondering what she would do next, Helen scrambled to the phone in her room and made a call.

“This is Helen Sawyer. It's time to move ahead as I suggested,” she told the person on the other end.

Kaitlin came in, and his day was instantly better.

She walked to his bed and kissed him on the forehead. “Hey you. I was just curious about how things were going.”

Rex's eyes looked kindly toward her. “Could be…better.”

“I know. Rex, you should know…the last time that I was here, and I got you to sign that proxy of your West Star stock…the papers got destroyed.”

Rex's eyes went wide, then relaxed. “All right…make new ones. I'll sign.”

Kaitlin smiled and kissed his forehead again. “Okay, then. How is the food here?”

As Rex opened his mouth, the door to his room opened wide and two men in suits stood there. One held a large sheaf of papers in his hand. Kaitlin glared at the men.

“Do you mind? This is a private conversation!”

“No ma'am, don't mind at all. This will only take a second”, he said as he went over to Rex's bed.

The injured man glared at him. “What….do you…want?” he rasped loudly.

“Just here to present you with your check. You should know sir, that West Star Oil has used its buyout right, and has bought back your 40% stake in the company for par value, which is…well, you can see.”

Rex's eyes went wide as he saw the shockingly small amount on the check. “What?…Not worth 2% of stock!”

Kaitlin grabbed the papers and looked them over. “What in the hell is this? I don't know anything about this, and I serve on the West Star board!”

“Easy, Ms. Ryan. Just following orders”, he said to her. “Now then, Mr. Wentworth, you'll find this is all legal and above board, and that your check is the exact amount of par value per share. So as you can see, you no longer have any involvement with the operation or management of West Star, officially.”

Kaitlin seethed with anger. “Did Jeremy Wendell order this?

“Who else, Ms. Ryan? West Star only has one CEO…” He looked to Rex, “Now.”

Rex started breathing harder and harder and Kaitlin called for the nurse as the two men left. Kaitlin was promptly pushed out of the room by the doctors and orderlies, and she was left alone to watch through the window of the room.

“Ohhh, Daddy. I'm going to wait. And I'm going to watch. And when I'm done…you're going to be so sorry that you underestimated me, and you underestimated Rex.”

She put her hand on the window, and Rex saw her. He raised his to her, and tried to smile as the doctors looked over his life support devices.

Kaitlin mouthed, “I love you” to him. He winked in response.

They had arranged for the children's nurse to return home the day before, having never been away from home for very long, she had been incredibly home sick. Besides, Savannah was doing well. They thought they'd have no problem at all navigating the airport and customs with the two girls. That's what they'd thought anyway.

Suddenly, Gracie's cries filled the room as she fell off of a chair that Pamela had just told her to stay off of. Bobby looked over in time to see Pam already at her side, comforting and admonishing her both at the same time. He caught Pam's eye and smiled encouragingly, but he could tell she was getting tired and he still worried about her overdoing it.

He tried once again to get the attention of the Chinese lady behind the counter. This time, she actually glanced his way.

“American sir, I tell you again, you wait for turn.”

Bobby sighed, he was aware that in the current world climate any wisecracks in the customs line were a sure ticket for a strip search, so he tried his best to stay calm, though their wait there was coming up on two hours.

A few people behind Bobby, Estefan Stamos stood with his own luggage. He wasn't concerned about time, or even catching his plane. He was only concerned with catching his prey and she was only a few feet away from him now.

Leaving their luggage in line, Bobby stepped over to where Pamela sat. He lifted Grace out of her arms. “Daddy! Did you see me jump out of the chair?”

Bobby couldn't help but smile at her cherubic little face and big brown eyes. “Jump? I thought you fell.”

Grace shook her head, brown curls flying, and said loudly, “NO! I meant to do it. I was jumping out of an airplane before it crashed.”

Several people around them quickly looked up at her comment and a few began fidgeting nervously.

Bobby and Pam noticed the reactions and both looked at each other stifling smiles at the small stir Grace had caused.

“This is taking even longer than I expected.” Bobby said.

“Me too. I hope we won't miss our flight. I heard some one saying that it doesn't matter whether your flight is leaving or not. They hold you here until they're done.”

Bobby glanced around at all of the international travelers. It seemed every country was represented. He glanced back at Pam, who now had Savannah lying on her lap and a soft pink receiving blanket on her shoulder. He quickly did a double take as she began to unbutton the top button of her blouse. “Pam! You aren't going to try to breast feed her right here, are you?”

This had been an issue for them recently. Savannah was strong enough to breast-feed now, and though Bobby was all for it, he hated her doing it in public. Pamela, on the other hand, took the view that it was perfectly natural and as long as she was discreet, she thought there was nothing wrong with it. Bobby kept making the 'what if the blanket falls off your shoulder?' argument.

“Bobby, she's hungry. What do you expect me to do?”

“American Sir?” The woman at the counter was finally ready to check them through.

“I've got to get over there before she moves on to some one else.” He took a card out of his pocket. They had a membership with the airlines they were using, which allowed them access to luxury lounges between flights in various airports around the world. “Here, why don't you go to the Golden Club International Lounge? They have practically everything there, and you and the baby can relax; they probably even have some of those private nursing rooms.”

“But Bobby…”

“Pam, go, please. I'll even keep Gracie here with me.”

“Sir, I am going on.” The woman at the counter was now getting impatient waiting for him.

Bobby leaned over and brushed Pam's lips with a quick kiss. “I'll meet you there as soon as they're finished here.” Then he walked off with Grace in his arms.

Pamela understood Bobby's protectiveness, but occasionally, it was downright inconvenient. Pam watched them for a moment, until Bobby sat Grace up on the counter in front of him while the Chinese woman began a long list of questions, which were really insignificant, since they were searching all of the carry-ons by hand and most of the other luggage as well. The moment she placed hungry little Savannah in the stroller, she began to cry. But since she was still so small, her cry wasn't much louder than a kitten's mewing. Pam finished loading everything else into the stroller and started off to find the lounge.

Bobby was busy trying to explain a particular gift Pam was trying to take back to the states, so he didn't see her go, but behind him, Estefan was watching intently. As Pam exited, he nonchalantly simply left his luggage where it was and began to walk away after her.

He had barely gotten three feet away, when, “Sir? Where you go? You are up.” It was the male Chinese customs agent behind the counter.

Estefan didn't stop. He also didn't quicken his pace; he simply continued to walk in the direction Pamela had gone as though he didn't hear the man.

“Sir!! Come back! I do my job!” The man was beginning to get frantic.

The man's yelling had caught Bobby's attention, he quickly swept Gracie off the counter top and went after the man. “Hey, hey….” Bobby reached him and grabbed his arm.

Estefan turned around with anger burning in his eyes.

But when he saw it was Bobby who stopped him, he quickly recovered. He knew how important it was that Bobby not notice anything unusual about him that would make him stick out in his memory.

He stared blankly at Bobby. “Is there a problem?”

“You left your luggage at the counter.”

“I… know…. I was going to find the men's room.”

“Well, better wait on that. You don't want to lose your place in line.”

“No, I guess I wouldn't want that, would I.”

Bobby had already returned to the counter. Estefan glared at his back as he returned to the counter.

“Claim anything sir?” The customs agent asked.

“No, nothing. I only have the one suitcase.”

“No carry on?”

“No.”

The man smiled. He liked the easy ones. He took a cursory glance inside the bag. “You okay. We put bag on plane. You go now.”

Estefan nodded and pretended to begin to walk away before turning quickly. “Wait!”

The man was in the process of tossing Estefan's bag onto a loader.

“Stop. I need something out of my bag. Some medicine.”

The customs agent sat the bag back on the table and allowed Estefan to remove a bag labeled: Glucose Monitor. Estefan smiled his thanks as he quickly took the bag.

As least that had gone well. He hated to ever be without a weapon, and it was getting harder and harder to travel with one these days.

He looked around for Bobby Ewing, but he was nowhere in sight. That didn't trouble Estefan either. They would all be on the same plane. If there was one thing he had learned, it was to bide your time. If one set up didn't work out, there was always another. No one in the world could stay safe forever, not if some one was really out to do a person in. There were just too many ways to do it. Gunshots out of nowhere, freak electrical accidents and poisons that left no trace, not to mention those pesky brakes that were always going out on cars. Those who got too anxious were the ones who got killed, or worse, caught.

“Mom, you've met Manny…he's going to be staying with us for a while.”

Donna gave Margaret a surprised look and then looked at Manny and her look turned to a smile. “Well in that case, welcome to our house Manny.” Donna didn't want to embarrass Manny and ask what had happened while he was standing there, but she'd ask Margaret later.

“I guess you can stay with Lucas, I'm sure he wouldn't mind the company,” Donna said. “I'd offer you the guest bedroom, but we don't have one,” she said with a slight smile. “Ray had this place built to be as cozy as possible.”

Margaret grabbed Manny by the arm and pulled him toward the stairs. “C'mon, let's get your stuff moved in…”

Manny was hesitant. “Are you sure about this? Lucas might not like the idea of finding me all moved in his room when he gets back.”

“Don't be silly! He won't care. If anything, he'll be glad that he's got somebody to play video games with now.”

Margaret led Manny to Lucas' door, which she barged through without knocking. “Hey Lucas, Manny's gonna be staying over here for a while and he's staying in here with you, if that's alright.”

Lucas swiveled around in his computer chair, completely caught off-guard. “Wanna run that by me one more time, maybe a little slower this time?”

“I said, Manny doesn't have a place to stay because dear uncle J.R. kicked him off Southfork, so we're letting him stay here, but he's going to have to bunk with you, if that's okay.”

Lucas looked at Manny, still surprised. “There's only one bed,” was all he could think to spit out.

“Well,” Manny broke in. “If that's a problem, it's okay. I could sleep on the floor, or maybe your mom would let me have the couch?” he asked, looking at Margaret.

Lucas looked from the bed, to Manny, then to Margaret. “Well…it's a big bed. I don't have a problem with it if you don't…as long as you don't snore or sleepwalk or anything crazy like that.”

Manny smiled, exposing dimples at both corners of his mouth. Lucas found himself blushing and wanted desperately to hide it…but the situation was all so sudden and Manny was so…cute. Manny shook his head. “Nope, no snoring from me and I don't think I sleepwalk. My mom always told me that I sometimes say some crazy stuff in my sleep though.”

Margaret found herself silently thanking God that Lucas was accepting this. Manny would be here, sleeping in the same house. Right now, she couldn't think of anything cooler than that.

“Oil Baron found dead!” It was really something. After they turned up all that dirt on McKay…whoever they were, McKay finished himself off. JR thought for a moment about how he had come so close to killing Mac in 1991 when McKay, that idiot Farlow, and Mac's trashy wife all brought him down. No Ewing Oil. No West Star. Hell, if things went the way he was plotting now, he would soon have them both!

“Poor bastard”, JR smirked. The paper said that McKay's wishes were to be cremated privately. JR asked around, and it turned out that his own daughter didn't even make it to the ceremony.

“Now me, I had a hell of a funeral!” JR laughed to himself as he finished up his orange juice. He set the empty glass onto the table, and decided it was time to talk with his son about a deal he had in the works. JR walked up the steps briskly and came to his son's room. He knocked.

“John Ross”, JR said through the door, “ do you have a minute to talk?”

John Ross came to the door in some flannel pajama pants and a white t-shirt. JR had woken him up.

“Morning dad,” John Ross said with a yawn, “ what's up?”

JR grinned his infamous grin and patted his son on the shoulder.

“Mind if I talk a little business with you?” JR asked as he gently pushed past John Ross and into the room.

John Ross yawned again and sighed at the same time. “Sure, dad.”

“Great! Well, let me cut to the chase. Not too long ago, your mama and I bought a company called Davis Oil & Gas. Davis was a small company, not too much to it. So then I got to thinking. I realized that my son, my namesake, has no interest in oil at all.”

John Ross sat down on his bed and watched his father warily.

“Dad, I used to own 25% of Ewing Oil! I'm just not that into working in oil.”

“Now son, we both know that you have the blood of Oil Barons in your veins! Hell, you're my boy, and Jock Ewing's grandson. You belong in the Oil Business, John Ross.”

John Ross thought for a second and looked his father over.

“Dad, you do know that I have an oil company already. Jerrickson Oil. I never resold it after the…business a few years back with you and Uncle Gary.”

“John Ross, I do know, and I think that you were sharp on that deal. I tried to torpedo Ol' Gary's business, and you ended up keeping the company I told you to buy for Ewing Oil, and you sold your stake in the company to your mama, which is why we're working together running the company. And don't get me wrong, I'm glad that you did, because I love your mama. Being with her at Ewing Oil forced us to be together all the time. Without that, we probably wouldn't be getting married again right now. That's another thing to think about, John Ross, your mama's done real good at helping run Ewing oil, so you see, you really have oil in your veins – on both sides.”

JR came over to his son.

“But dammit son, you're a Ewing. You haven't done anything with that company. I think that with time and the proper training, you can take your place next to your granddaddy, next to me, hell, even your Uncle Bobby!”

John Ross smiled a little. His dad had definitely mellowed since he got back with his mom. No way would he ever willingly share Ewing Oil with someone he didn't love.

“Dad, you make sense and everything, but I like the Jerrickson arrangement. I get the checks, and I have someone running the company on a percentage. It's a solid deal. Besides, I don't want to live in planes flying out there all the time!”

“Well, John Ross...I have a business proposal for you.” John Ross noticed his father's stance tightened as he began to think in his business mode.

“Ewing Oil has a long range plan to acquire smaller companies. Something like West Star did under Wendell and McKay in the mid to late 1980s. The very first one that comes to mind is Jerrickson.”

JR came around and put his hands on John Ross' shoulders. Slowly, JR's plan seemed to sink in.

“Jerrickson is a fine company. But what kind of growth have you seen on your investment, son? Three percent? Five? That's why I'm prepared to make you an offer on it.”

John Ross whirled around, and stared his father down.

“Dad, Jerrickson is MY company, not yours. It's none of your damn business what I do with it! And even if I did sell, how the hell does that get me into the oil business?”

JR looked his son over, and smiled.

“Damn, you're my son. John Ross, this isn't a cash deal. Not completely. You sell Jerrickson to Ewing Oil… to your mama and I, I might add, and Ewing Oil develops the fields. Every fiscal quarter, you get a 10% chunk of the profits from the company, and I promise you, we have the capital to make the fields grow, and you'll see serious money.”

John Ross couldn't believe it. There was a catch, there had to be. He listened more intently as JR went on, and he sat down on the bed again.

“Now, you receive cash from the buyout, and you get the quarterly bonus. Now, here's the catch. You will use your funds to build up Davis Oil.”

“Huh?”

“You will use your money that you get from the sale, and your money that you have already to work at building up Davis Oil. In fact, the deal calls for you to run Davis Oil for no less than one year. At the end of that year, you can do whatever you want. But, if you want to stay along, and I think that you will, your mama and I will make you a Vice President of Ewing Oil and give you total control over Davis Oil. With…” he grinned, “ many perks.”

“So, I use money you give me to run a tiny business and build it up?”

“John Ross, you gotta start somewhere. Davis Oil is small potatoes, but with the sum we're offering, you can really start to build it up. Besides, if you ever need any help, remember that you're a Ewing Oil division President and you're my son. It isn't like you don't have advantages here.”

John Ross thought about it. This was a pretty solid deal. Except for one thing.

“What about money?”

JR grinned. “That's my boy! You get a third of all the money that Davis makes this time a year from now. So in a way, you're getting a lot of your investment back. At the end of the year, you get 50% of Davis and Ewing Oil still retains half ownership of the company. It's a win-win deal, John Ross.”

“I don't know, dad. I don't know if I can run a business all by myself.”

JR came over and took his son by the shoulders. “John Ross, the way that you're living is no way to live. I know you miss your son, but…there's more to life than mourning.”

JR's eyes went to the picture of Jock on John Ross' bureau.

“Don't you want to do something for yourself? Don't you want something to call your own?” JR looked in his son's eyes.

“John Ross, I know that you and I haven't had a great past few years. But you're my son. I lived and breathed for you for your entire life. I still live and breathe for you. And I want us to be father and son again. I think this is the first step to us fixing things and it won't hurt to get your mind off your pain? To get out of this room?”

“Yeah…” John Ross whispered as he felt the tears come thinking about Melissa and TJ.

“I love you, son. And I will forever. No matter what you decide.”

The tears were now streaming down his face as he reached out and hugged JR tightly.

“I want to be your son again, dad.”

JR smiled and hugged his son tight. He looked upward to the ceiling and then to Jock's picture.

Well, daddy, JR thought, I'm going to try and bring the boy into our business. I'm going to try like hell to make him as proud to be my son as I am to be yours.

He gave one final shove and quickly closed the trunk before it could all spring out. “Actually, this isn't too bad, you should have seen how much there was before we decided to leave everything we got for you there.”

Christopher gave her his old 'awww, mom' look and they laughed together as he helped her into the car.

Grace was all strapped into her booster seat and ready to go. “Christopher, I like this car seat! It's for a big girl, mine's still for a baby.”

Chris reached back and tousled his sister's brown curls. “I'm sure Megan would love to give it to you, kiddo, since she thinks she's too grown up for it.”

Chris and Bobby both climbed in at the same time. “I can't wait to see the kids.” Bobby said.

Pam settled herself and Savannah in the back seat. “I can't either. The pictures that Karen sent were so cute.”

Chris pulled out of the airport loading area and pointed the car toward the interstate. “Aw, Damn!” He immediately realized his mistake. “Sorry Mom.”

Pamela smiled. Here he was all grown up and with a family of his own, and he still apologized to her when he swore. She started to tell him that it was all right, but decided that she liked it. “What's wrong?”

Chris ran his hand through his hair. “I forgot to leave the car seat for Becky. And it'd be just like her to forget to buy one. She probably won't even think to use a safety lock on the seat belt. At least I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be dumb enough to let Megan ride in the front seat.”

Bobby and Pamela missed most of what he had said; they were still stunned to hear Chris say the name 'Becky'.

Pam spoke up first. “Christopher, what do you mean? Surely you're not talking about Pamela Rebecca.”

Chris nodded. “Unfortunately, I am.”

Pam frowned, “When did she decide to breeze back into town?”

“Not long ago. I guess I need to fill you both in.”

Pam sighed. “I'm afraid I can guess what she's up to already. How much trouble has she caused you and Karen?”

“Actually, she tried to cause a lot. First she just came over and demanded that I hand over Megan.”

“And when that didn't work?”

“She used the boys to help her kidnap her.”

“Christopher, that's horrible! Is Megan okay?”

“Yeah, mom, she's fine. I think she was a little confused at first, but now we're all trying to work things out.”

Pamela leaned forward in her seat. “Pamela Rebecca is willing to try and 'work things out'? That's not the girl I know.”

“Well, mom, let's just say that I gave her a little help making up her mind about that.”

“So what are you doing?”

“For right now I'm letting her take Megan for occasional visits. And if she can prove to me that she can play by the rules, then I'll let her see Megan more often.”

Pamela's instincts told her that trusting Pamela Rebecca wasn't a good idea by a long shot, but she ignored that for the moment. “How are Karen and Megan dealing with that?”

“Neither of us like it, mom. But I can't get around the fact that Becky is Megan's mother and if it's possible, I want her to be able to grow up knowing both her father and her mother.”

Pam sat back quietly for a few minutes. Though he had tried to phrase it gently, the point that Christopher had spent much of his life not knowing his own mother wasn't lost on her. “I think that's a very mature position to take, Christopher. You're right for letting Pamela Rebecca see Megan and I'm proud of you for putting Megan's needs before yours and Karen's own desires.”

“Thanks, mom. I'd like to say that it was an easy decision, but it was one of the hardest I've ever made.”

Bobby patted him on the shoulder. “Did we forget to mention that raising kids wasn't easy?”

“Yeah, but at least I get to actually see my parents suffer through it at the same time I do!”

Pam and Bobby looked at Gracie and they all laughed, except for her. “Hey, what's so funny? What did I do?”

Pam leaned over and hugged her. “It's not only all the things you've done, honey, it's all the things you're going to do.”

Gracie still didn't understand. She rolled her eyes. “Grown ups!”

“Right this way,” the hostess said while grabbing a menu.

It had only been three days since Cal Stackhouse's fatal heart attack at Southfork, but Cliff had business to tend to, namely, a deal that he'd struck with Cal just weeks before. He wasn't even sure who was handling the affairs of the company right now, but Cliff intended to speak to someone. After all, a good deal couldn't go down the drain just because of the death of one of the parties.

The hostess led Cliff to an empty table in the corner, near a bubbling indoor fountain and Cliff took a seat and scanned the restaurant. He'd assumed the person he was meeting would already be here, considering the lunch meeting was scheduled for noon sharp. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was four minutes after. Cliff tapped his foot impatiently, wondering why no one had offered him a drink yet.

He was annoyed by the time an attractive Asian woman approached his table. “Well it's about time,” Cliff muttered.

“About time? About time for what?” she responded. Her voice was thick with an Asian accent. This woman definitely hadn't been in the states for very long. At least they're authentic, Cliff thought. “About time you came and took my order,” he said. “Good service is getting harder and harder to find these days.”

“Then maybe you look for good service in the wrong place,” she said with a smile.

“Yeah, maybe,” Cliff replied. “I'll take the Eggdrop soup for starters…then maybe the pepper steak…” Cliff looked up and noticed that the woman wasn't writing down his order. “Are you gonna remember this, or should I write it down for you?” he asked, annoyed.

At that moment, another Asian woman approached Cliff's table. “I am so sorry sir, but I was held up in the kitchen. Have you decided what you'd like to have?”

Cliff looked from the first woman to the waitress and then back to the first woman. “Umm, give me just a second please,” he said. The waitress nodded and left Cliff alone with the first woman.

She smiled and bowed to Cliff slightly as she extended her hand. “I am Adrienne Ling-Stackhouse, I come to meet you, Mr. Barnes.”

Cliff turned a bright shade of red as he shook her hand and bowed back to her. “I had no idea, I'm sorry,” Cliff apologized. He looked at the woman, a literal living China-doll. She was probably in her late forties, but could have passed for much younger. Cliff stood up and slid her chair back for her, and then he pushed it back under the table for her as she sat.

Adrienne laughed. “You thought I was waitress?”

Cliff found himself smiling back. “You'll have to forgive me. So how are you related to Cal?”

“He was my step-father, but I hardly knew him. He married my mother years ago, when I was just a baby, then he returned to your country.”

“I see…”

“And now he has left me the most gracious gift of his company.”

“Do you have any experience running an oil company?”

Adrienne shook her head. “No, not at all. I'm afraid I should fail my father and not make him proud. This is only my second day in your country and the executor of my father's will has told me that I will be running Stackhouse Oil.”

“Good grief,” Cliff muttered. “Well…maybe I could help you out.”

Adrienne's face lit up. “You know of the oil business?”

Cliff returned the smile. “Know of the oil business?” he said with a laugh. “I practically started the oil business.”

“Then you help me, Mr. Barnes?”

As Cliff said yes, he wondered if he was doing this because of a few lucrative oil fields that Stackhouse owned that just could end up in his possession if he played his cards right, or if he was doing it just because he wanted to get to know this very interesting woman just a little bit better.

“… So, that's where things stand with the patent work. Everything looks great now and we have companies clamoring to get those drills. I think we're back ordered for over a year.”

Bobby smiled at his son. “Well, sounds like you've been doing a great job holding things together at Wentworth, maybe we should take more extended vacations.” Bobby turned to Pam in the back seat. “What do you think, Honey? We could tour Europe this time.”

They both chuckled when Christopher groaned. “No way! You guys are staying put, at least for a while anyway. I didn't mind helping you out while you were gone, but I'm no businessman.” Bobby let that roll around in his mind for a minute. “You could be, though. You have the instincts for it. I hardly knew anything about the business end of things when I came in off the road. Experience is the real teacher, and I'd be there with you, you know.”

Everything was quite for a moments, then Chris took the Braddock exit and when he got to the light, he looked at his father. “Dad, you look serious. Are you okay? They didn't give you any bad sake over there, did they?”

“No, son, I was just thinking that you've done a good job and you've got to do something, why not try your hand at Wentworth?”

Chris continued to stare at his father, dumbfounded. Suddenly, the silence was broken with the blaring of the horn in the car behind them. The light had turned green. Christopher hit the gas.

“The honest truth is, that I felt like a caged animal in that place. I mean, I didn't mind acting as liaison between you and the people running the place while you were gone, but I never had to solve anything on my own. All I did was deliver your orders and try to keep them from bugging you on your vacation. That's hardly working.”

Bobby patted him on the shoulder. “I didn't mean to upset you, Chris. But if you think you weren't learning anything, you're wrong. People didn't just do what you said because they thought I said it; they were following you. Inspiring others to follow you isn't easy to do. That's what I meant about instinct. But don't worry, I'm not going to try and push you in a direction you don't want to go, just give it some thought. Okay?”

Christopher nodded. “Sure Dad.” As they rounded the corner of the driveway onto Southfork, he did find himself thinking about it, though his thoughts were quickly interrupted by the ear-piercing scream that only little girls are capable of.

“We're here! We're home! Yea!” Grace began tearing at the restraints on her booster seat. “Wake up Savannah! We're home!”

Startled, at such a rude awakening, Savannah began crying.

Christopher leaned over to Bobby, so he could hear him over the din. “Welcome home, Dad!” They both broke into laughter.

As they began the last expanse of driveway leading to the main house, Bobby feasted his eyes once more on the expanse of Southfork. Upon seeing it again, he was surprised to find how much he had truly missed this old ranch while they were gone He'd always known that his mama felt tied to this land in a way that ran deep and was difficult for her to explain. Bobby had always loved Southfork, but looking out over it now, he realized that this land, so precious to his mother, had finally claimed him too.

Sly gently put the phone back in its cradle and rolled her eyes. The phone rang again.

“Good morning, Ewing Oil.”

“Sly?”

“Yes?”

“It's Wade,” came the voice.

“Are you all right?”

“Is J.R. there?” Wade asked, a note of panic in his voice.

“He's in a meeting.”

“OK, fine. Please tell him to call me.” Wade rattled off a number to Sly who took it down. “Mark it high priority or urgent please.”

“Wade, what is going on?”

“I think my mother has disappeared, and I want to be sure that J.R. had nothing to do with it.”

She kept thinking about how lucky she and Christopher were to have stumbled across Eve, really lucky, as a matter of fact. If not for Eve, Megan might have been seriously injured or even stolen away at the water park that day. Karen was thankful she'd been there to find Megan.

Karen stopped dusting when the doorbell rang and she walked over to open it. Her day went quickly downhill when she found herself face-to-face with Becky Cooper. “What are you doing here?” Karen asked. She didn't try to mask the coldness in her voice.

“Today is my Saturday,” Becky said. She'd come here expecting trouble, but she'd hoped to avoid it. “I talked to Christopher on the phone last night, he said it was okay. Now do you mind if I come in and get my daughter?”

Karen stepped out of the way and motioned for her to come in. “I doubt that I need to remind you of what'll happen if you try anything stupid. Remember…if you leave the city limits with her, Christopher will have you back in jail faster than you can say 'screwed'.”

Becky rolled her eyes as she reached the staircase. “Yadda yadda. If I've heard you say that once, I've heard you say that a hundred times. How stupid do you think I am?” she asked, without once looking back.

Karen folded her arms and leaned against the doorway. “Do you really want to know?” Karen asked.

Becky continued up the stairs without answering her question. She veered left into Megan's room and found her sitting at her table in front of a full tea party spread. Eve Ashford was sitting next to a teddy bear at the opposite end of the table. “Mommy, I'm having a tea party, you have to come.” Megan exclaimed. She picked up a cup and poured invisible tea into it. “Sit down here.” She tossed the teddy bear off of his chair and into the floor.

Eve stood up and reached out to shake Becky's hand. “I don't believe we've met. My name is Eve Ashford. I was the one that found Megan at the water park.”

Becky looked at her, but didn't take her hand. “Yeah, thanks. So Megan, are ya ready to go spend the day with Mommy?” She kneeled down beside her.

“Why don't you spend the day here?” The five-year old asked.

“Well, Mommy really can't do that, but I've got all sorts of cool stuff planned for us today. I thought we might go take a look at that new petting zoo that just opened and then we can go to that place you like that has those good chocolate milkshakes.”

“Yeah, I guess we could,” Megan said. She stood up and walked over to Becky, who picked her up.

“Now tell Eve goodbye.”

“Bye-bye Eve,” Megan said, waving. Becky gave Eve one last look and then she left the room with her daughter. Once they were out of the room, Becky set Megan down. “I'll be right back honey, I need to go use the bathroom.”

“Okay.” Megan continued down the stairs and found Karen waiting at the bottom. “I'm the luckiest little girl in the world.”

“Why's that, sweetie?” Karen asked.

“ 'Cause I have two mommies.”

The man was simply causing unbelievable shockwaves, even after his suicide.

“No,” Donna said in a phone interview, “I was not social with Mr. McKay. He came to Dallas some time after I left in the late 80s.”

“Madame Mayor, how do you feel about his suicide?”

Donna was surprised at the sheer simplicity of the question.

“Well, obviously it's quite a shame. I think that Carter McKay was a valued citizen of Dallas for many years, and his tenure as the Chairman at West Star brought about growth and many jobs to Texans.”

There was a beat, and then the reporter's voice asked the question Donna was expecting.

“What exactly were the circumstances of the investigation into his past? His shady dealings?”

Donna sighed quietly. “I am not apprised of that matter, and if you have more questions regarding that, then feel free to ask the Dallas Police Department. I'm quite busy, so if that's all you have to discuss?”

The reporter took the hint. “All right, Madame Mayor, thank you for your time, and I appreciate your patience with my questions. I hope that you have a pleasant day.”

“You too”, Donna said as she clicked the speakerphone off.

Dallas' Mayor walked over to the window and admired the view from her office. Her administration had been more strenuous than she would have ever guessed.

Donna was bored with the job, really. She missed the thrill she used to get when she could champion a cause and fight for something. It was like all of her ideals about cleaning Dallas up from the likes of JR Ewing and his oil business cronies were unreachable.

Donna walked over to her mini bar and pulled a bottle of Evian water out of the cooler, and sipped on it as she put her reading glasses on and prepared to get back to work. Just then, her secretary buzzed.

“Madame Mayor, I have a Carlton Beckley here to speak with you.”

Donna furrowed her brow for a second and tried to think of who that could be. It took her a split second to recall that he was the representative of the Energy Department that was directly involved with Project Guinea.

“All right, send him in, I guess.” Donna straightened her blouse and stood by her desk as Carlton walked into her plush office. Beckley was dressed impeccably, but he had what Donna always thought of as the cookie cutter hairstyle of men involved with the government.

“Mayor Krebbs, it's a pleasure to meet you”, the younger man said as he extended his hand.

Donna shook his hand firmly and smiled. “And you as well, Mr. Beckley. It's my understanding that many of our local oil companies are involved with your project!”

Carlton smiled sheepishly. “Well, ma'am, it isn't really my project. But I'm very happy to have a chance to be involved with it!”

Donna smiled at him. He seemed like a nice man and he was well mannered.

“Well, why don't you have a seat and tell me what I can do for you?”

Beckley straightened his tie and sat in one of the three chairs facing Donna's desk.

“Mayor, you have a great reputation of working with ecology and working to protect the environment. You also have a spotless record of superb work with projects that you get behind. You've done a wonderful job in your term as Dallas Mayor thus far.”

Donna smiled again. “Thank you, Mr. Beckley. Now why do I feel you're going to drop the hook now?”

Her smile was returned promptly.

“Well, let me lay it all on the line. The Energy Department feels that you are the perfect person to coordinate the efforts of Project Guinea and act on behalf of the Government in the supervision of the oil companies involved.”

Donna's jaw almost dropped. “You want me to head up Project Guinea? You must know that I am not for the Oil Industry plundering smaller and weaker nations in the name of the almighty dollar!”

Carlton winced a bit. “No, Mayor, I don't think you see the Government's logic here. We feel that because you are so against the defiling and destruction of land and countries that the oil business sometimes causes, that you would be able to supervise the efforts of the companies in a way that many others couldn't.”

Donna got up, and walked over to her window again. Her eyes went to the Ewing Oil building, which stood glistening in the afternoon sun.

“This wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that I have very close ties to the Ewings, would it? Because I can assure you that I won't use my influence to try and convince JR Ewing to fill any campaign chests or anything like that.”

Again, Carlton winced in his chair. “Mayor, I respect where you're coming from, but you must realize that you're a great candidate to help regulate and control the companies involved, and you know that with your connections and experience in administration and politics that we would be hard pressed to find someone of your caliber.”

Donna smiled again. “I don't mean to seem rude. I'm sure you must have known that I would be a little surprised at this offer. I mean, I still have some time left on my term as Mayor.”

Carlton stood. “Mayor, we both know that while you're the head of a large city like this, you can't take sides on issues as much as you would like. You should ask yourself, where could you do more good? Working behind a desk and dealing with the issues of a city, or working to help your government and help the people of a small and developing country?”

Donna was dumbfounded. The man knew her better than she realized.

“Well, Mr. Beckley…can I call you Carlton…? I will need some time to think on this.”

Carlton smiled, realizing that she saw his point. “Well, the thing is that we need to know in the next 48 hours. The President is personally interested in the progress of this project, and the Secretary of Energy is really pushing me to make sure Guinea is launched and soon. I need to know by this time day after tomorrow.”

Donna smiled and offered her hand. “And you will know.”

Still, patience was important, he decided. JR made some short notes on the legal pad in front of him, and waited for the financial analysts to conclude their estimates.

“…and so it is the feeling of Ewing Oil's internal auditing team that the company is in very good shape. Ewing's cash reserves are quite sizable, and the amount of debt is quite small, all things considered.”

Sue Ellen lifted her pen and interrupted. “Pardon me Sam, but can you give us an earnings forecast for the next fiscal quarter?”

Sam smiled sadly. “Sorry, Mrs. Ewing, but I'm afraid my numbers are somewhat outdated. I should be able to have a new estimate forecast by next week's meeting.”

Sue Ellen was puzzled. “'Outdated?'” she asked, “What do you mean by that?”

JR stood. “Well, Sue Ellen, I wanted to surprise you. This morning I purchased a small company on behalf of Ewing Oil.”

Sue Ellen looked at JR curiously. He wouldn't have gone ahead on a deal without her unless…

“JR, was it Jerrickson?”

JR's grin lit the room. “You know it,” he said as he walked to the phone/intercom. “Sly, send him on in.” JR walked over to the door and opened it.

The people assembled around the table all smiled knowingly as John Ross Ewing III walked in the door. Everyone in Dallas' oil community knew that JR and Sue Ellen Ewing's son was not interested in the family business. Had JR changed that?

“Sue Ellen, everyone…I'd like you to meet the new head of Davis Oil.”

Sue Ellen smiled proudly to her employees. “My son has decided to come to work for Ewing Oil”, she said as she looked at John Ross, who was wearing a very elegant looking three-piece suit.

JR clapped John Ross on the back. “My son is going to work for the company. He is going to build Davis Oil from the ground up. However, John Ross is to be treated with the courtesy and respect that you would show Sue Ellen or myself.”

Sam smiled. JR apprised him of the situation earlier, and asked him not to spoil the surprise. He quickly rose again and faced Sue Ellen.

“Mrs. Ewing, with the acquisition of Jerrickson Oil, Ewing Oil's worth has most likely grown by some 5-10% roughly. With the added interests in Louisiana and Texas, Ewing Oil has grown in several markets. It's my opinion that if Ewing Oil develops the underdeveloped Jerrickson fields, then Ewing Oil will be able to implement the long term strategy of acquisition of smaller firms, as we discussed in the last meeting.”

John Ross smiled at his parents and then he looked to Sam. “Pardon me…what about Davis Oil? I just recently signed the agreement with my father, so I'm not very clear on it, what exactly can the company do, long term?”

Sam walked over and offered his hand to John Ross. “First off”, he said as John Ross shook the financial wizard's hand, ”glad to meet you. Second off…well, Davis had several…”, he looked to JR and Sue Ellen, “untapped assets. I believe that was why Ewing Oil bought it.”

JR's smile was gone. “My son asked you a question, Sam, why don't you get to it?”

Sam smiled nervously. “Well, Davis has a small chain of gas stations, I think four oil fields, an office building in Waco, and about 500 acres of undeveloped land.”

John Ross jotted the properties down on his legal pad. “Do you have the books for me to look at?”

“Yes sir, I'll be happy to bring them to your office by the end of the day.”

JR grinned. “Well then, I guess that covers everything I needed to address at this meeting. Sue Ellen, do you have anything you would like to add?”

Sue Ellen smiled to everyone and said “No, I think that about covers it. I'll be seeing you all next week. If not sooner”, she grinned.

JR took John Ross by the shoulder as they all filed out. “Well son, you asked some damn fine questions. Now that you have the money from the sale of Jerrickson, you can get to work on how you want to build Davis up.”

Sue Ellen walked across the room to them. “JR, I'm glad that you closed this deal, but I wish that you consulted me a little more closely…and sooner! It made the department heads think that we don't communicate like we should!”

JR rolled his eyes. “Now Sue Ellen, I increased the company's value, brought ol' John Ross here into the firm again, and I put my son on a project that's going to teach him the oil business. What's the problem?”

Sue Ellen nodded. The man did make sense. She turned to her son.

“So sweetheart, are you excited?”

John Ross smiled and hugged his mom. “You know it. Before, I wasn't really that into working for the company, I guess because I was so busy with…everything. But now, I really want to make Davis shine!”

Sue Ellen knew why he hesitated and she patted his cheek. “You know my door is always open. I know your dad wants to take you under his wing about business, but don't forget that I know a thing or two myself!”

John Ross smiled. “I plan on it.”

Sue Ellen's cell phone went off. She checked the caller ID and turned to JR. “It's Bennett's law firm number. Probably about the West Star situation.“

JR nodded solemnly. “Go on ahead. I want to spend some time with John Ross. Show him his new office.”

Sue Ellen smiled and winked at JR. “Okay. I'll see you later on, okay?” She leaned up and pecked him on the lips. “Be good, boys!” And she was gone.

JR smiled. “Your mama is a hell of a woman, I tell you.”

John Ross nodded. “I'm just glad you're getting back together. It's what I've always wanted for you two.”

“I know. Say…why don't I show you your new office?” JR took his son by the shoulder again and walked him down the hall and toward the elevator. John Ross had a million questions for his father.

As the doors to the executive floor opened, Kendall greeted them. “Hello JR! Hello John Ross! Nice to see you!”

JR smiled and nodded. He was so proud of his son, it seemed as though he was about to burst. They walked past JR's office, and then Sue Ellen's, and then they came to a third door, with John Ross Ewing III on the nameplate. JR opened the door and John Ross was amazed at how plush his new office was.

“Wow, dad, it's much better than my old one!”

His father laughed, “Now son, don't go saying that around your mama…she did move into your old office after all! We just had this one made up this week for you.”

John Ross walked over to the desk and sat down. He saw that there was a picture of Jock on the wall.”

JR noticed his son's glance.

“He'd be damn proud of you. You know, your granddaddy started Ewing Oil with not much more than the shirt on his back.”

“I know…do you think I'm really going to be able to do this, though? I mean, build a company from the ground up?”

“Son…you're my boy. And besides, the greatest oilman in the state of Texas is going to be here, anytime you need advice or help.”

“How is Uncle Bobby?” John Ross asked sarcastically.

JR broke out laughing. “Hey now! You rascal. Do you want to hear what I suggest for Davis or not?”

Sly overheard the entire exchange and as the two discussed Davis, and what the future could hold for it, she shut the door. John Ross was seated behind the desk, and JR was leaning over him.

Looks like John Ross is taking after his father after all, she thought with a smile.

“Lucas, we need to talk.”

“I don't know what else we have to say to each other,” Lucas snapped. He took notice of her stomach, which had started to bulge just a bit. A sick feeling settled into the pit of his stomach.

Isabel grabbed him by the arm. “We still have plenty to say to each other, because you haven't given me a damned bit of money yet and I just thank God your dear daddy hired me on here, otherwise I'd be out on the street, thanks to you.”

“I don't have any money to give you for doctor's appointments. I said I'd be glad to pay for an abortion.”

Isabel shook her head. “How the hell can you say that!” She rubbed her tummy with her free hand. “This is our baby. The baby we made together.”

“Keep your voice down,” Lucas whispered.

“Oh? You don't want everybody here to know? Because everybody is going to know soon, starting with Ray, if you don't fork over some cash. I know you've got it, because you're a little rich boy.”

“You think Ray gives me money just for the hell of it?” Lucas snapped back. “Well he doesn't.”

“Well freakin' steal some, for all I care. The bottom line is, I need money. I don't care how you get it. It's not like I'm going to throw it away and go on some shopping spree for myself! I need to see a doctor again – soon.”

Lucas looked around and saw that no one was paying attention to them. “Okay, you know what? You want money? Well I'll get it for you.” He walked over to the main cash register and popped open the drawer, pulling out several hundred dollar bills. He closed the drawer back and stuffed the bills into the pocket on the front of Isabel's apron. “There. I hope to God that will pay for whatever you need for a long while, because it's the last that you're gonna get from me.”

“Prenatal care is expensive Lucas. Maybe you should remember that next time you're about to sleep with another woman.”

“Yeah? Well that won't happen again.” Lucas turned and left Isabel standing beside the front desk.

Upon the new deal, a brand new Board of Directors was established. Kaitlin Ryan and Stephen Dent were the only remnants of the old board, and they stared in unison at the virtual strangers that now occupied the table with them.

Jeremy took the chair at the head of the table, and Vaughn took the chair closest to his. Jeremy pulled a newspaper out of his briefcase and showed it to the board members.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it's with great sadness that I ask for a moment of silence for former West Star Chairman, Carter McKay.” As Wendell said these somewhat insincere words, he dropped the paper on the table. They all knew no love was lost between the two men.

After a minute or so, Wendell smiled. “Well then. I'd like to welcome Vaughn Leland and the rest of the new Board. It's with great pleasure that I announce that Rex Wentworth has been greenmailed and is no longer involved with West Star Oil.”

Kaitlin glared at Wendell, and then at the board members who seemed to be smiling at the news.

“That aside, I would like to announce the acquisition we have recently made. As the Board may or may not know, recently I made advances on a company called Stackhouse Oil, which is involved in the Project Guinea endeavor. However, that deal failed to go through.”

Wendell nodded to a large man in a three-piece suit who seemed to come from the shadows. The man went to each board member and handed them a red folder.

“Before you, ladies and gentlemen, you will see that I have another company involved with Guinea lined up as a takeover target. The information is all outlined in the papers before you. With West Star's interest in the project, combined with that of the target, Alaskan Crude, will give the company a much higher profit base.”

Vaughn spoke up. “Pardon me, but will West Star be acquiring this company based on that African lease alone? It seems as though it might be quite excessive to buy a company based on that alone.”

Dent noticed a shift in Wendell's normally easygoing smile.

“No. Alaskan Crude is a very oil-rich company that has some of the richest Alaskan oil reserves of any U.S. company. If you'll turn to page 14 of the information before you…”

Vaughn turned to the page and grinned back at Jeremy with a nod.

Wendell smiled and looked over the board again. “Ewing Oil acquired some Alaskan fields not too long ago, and it's my belief that with time, the company will expand in Alaska, and that is something I simply cannot permit as the head of this firm.”

Kaitlin smiled. Sue Ellen probably came up with that idea.

“Excuse me, Mr. Chairman”, Kaitlin oozed sarcasm, “Why do you feel the need to base our plans around trying to beat Ewing Oil?”

Wendell smirked. “Ewing Oil isn't part of our long term strategy, Katie, but why should West Star settle at being number two?”

Kaitlin nodded. “In any event, I have the deal almost closed with AC, and I feel that should help us with Project Guinea. Questions? Comments?”

Dent spoke up. “Let me commend you, Mr. Wendell, on a fine acquisition for the company. “

Wendell nodded. “It's my pleasure, Stephen.” Dent knew who to ingratiate himself with, Wendell mused.

Vaughn patted Stephen on the back as the other board members filed out.

“Well, old Stephen Dent himself. Seems like we have a lot of things in common. Why don't you come on down to the Morningstar Tower later this week, and we can talk about some things?”

Dent busied himself with getting his briefcase. “I'll certainly try, Mr. Leland, but I'm sure you know how busy I am.”

Vaughn's grin vanished as he rasped into Dent's ear; “You come and see me at Morningstar. I know all about Streiberg and how you're playing games with Wendell. You do as I say and get ready to damn well like it, boy.”

Dent's color faded. “Yes sir. I'll be sure to meet with you.”

“Don't look so worried, son!” Vaughn smiled. “I think you'll like what I have in mind.”

Wendell and Kaitlin were in the hallway, completely oblivious to what had just happened between the two men.

Kaitlin grabbed her father by the sleeve and started in on him about her attack and Rex's greenmailing.

“Daddy, why exactly did you cut that deal with that vampire Vaughn Leland?”

“Katie. I'm surprised at you. I did it so that I could get your amour out of West Star and out of my hair for good.”

“Daddy…what about me getting attacked?”

Wendell checked his watch. “I'm sure that I don't know what you mean. If you'll excuse me, I have a deal to close with Alaskan Crude.”

Wendell briskly walked off, leaving a dumbfounded Kaitlin behind. She watched as Dent and Vaughn Leland walked out together. There was so much going on right now, she could barely keep track.

She decided to go down to see Rex in the hospital again. As she watched Stephen Dent walk away, though, she decided that she needed to make sure he couldn't do any of her father's dirty work in public office.

Kaitlin pulled a small cell phone from her purse and speed dialed a number. She waited.

“Dallas Associated Press? Hello. I have a tip about Stephen Dent you may be interested in…”

He didn't hear Garnett's dressing room door shut and she surprised him when she walked up next to him and took a stool at the bar. “What a night,” she said.

Ray smiled. “You sure kept those cowboys entertained tonight…not much has changed.”

Garnett laughed and Ray soaked in the sound. “Well, what can I say, I still try my hardest.”

“I don't think you have to try too hard.”

Both went quiet and the only sound was the occasional rustle of paper as Ray turned the pages he was working on. “So…Donna treatin' you well?” Garnett asked without looking at him.

“Donna's the best.”

“I didn't ask if she was the best, I just asked if she was treatin' you well.”

“Well, yeah…she works a lot. Being mayor of Dallas tends to keep her away from home a lot, but I expected that and I'm fine with it, 'cause I'm usually here when she's at city hall.”

“And why do you come here so much now? I was talkin' to Bart earlier. He said he hardly saw hide nor hair of you in this place, most of the time, until lately,” Garnett paused and licked her lips. “Is it because of me, Ray?”

Ray was caught off-guard and he stuttered. “You and me…we were together a long time ago. A very long time ago.”

“Some feelings even time doesn't erase.”

“No, you got that right. I haven't forgotten what you did to me…leaving me for J.R. just because he was going to get you a recording contract. You slept with him Garnet, for crying out loud.”

“I was young; young and naïve. Stupid even.”

“Hindsight's twenty-twenty,” Ray said tersely.

“I reckon so. Hindsight's also a bitch.” Garnett looked at her watch. “Well, I gotta run. Dirk's supposed to be picking me up any minute now and I need to get all my stuff together. I really want you to meet him sometime, but he's been awfully busy lately.”

Ray only nodded. Garnett's questions had started a few of his own firing off inside his head, but he wasn't planning on letting them find his lips. Everything was staying bottled up, at least tonight.

He groaned when he noticed that his favorite robe wasn't hanging on the hook beside the shower and he reasoned that Karen must have washed it. Christopher opened the door and walked down the hall to their bedroom, but he saw no sign of it.

“That's weird…” He began searching through the drawers in their wardrobe, not really expecting to find it, but Karen had been cleaning, so maybe she had moved things around. Christopher heard something clatter in the bottom of the drawer, which was strange, considering they only kept clothes in it. He lifted up one of Karen's nightgowns and his blood ran cold when he saw what was under it.

“What the hell…no…not again…”

“United Flight 618 to Bradley International will now begin boarding,” came the voice of the agent at the counter.

Helen gathered her coat around herself, rifled through the carry on bag one more time and extracted her ticket. She walked with confidence to the gate, and handed her ticket to the agent.

“Connecticut is beautiful in autumn,” the agent said cheerfully.

“So I've heard,” Helen replied, making small talk.

“Is this a business or pleasure trip,” the agent asked.

“You could say it's a little bit of both,” replied Helen as she moved past the agent. “Once my business is done in Brighton's Bend, I'll be the one holding all the cards, and that will give me an awful lot of pleasure.”

Lucy had no regrets about turning down ownership of April Oil and she was enjoying being a housewife for the time being, especially with the condition her husband was in. She rinsed off her hands in the sink and blotted them dry with a towel.

“Neil…c'mon, you know my food's bad enough when it's hot…”

After getting no answer, Lucy walked into the hallway and rounded the corner into the bathroom where she heard Neil's shower still running. “Talk about hot…you're using all of our hot water.”

Still no answer.

“Neil, this isn't funny. I'm coming in.”

Lucy swung open the door to the bathroom and quickly walked over to the shower where she pulled the curtain back. Seeing Neil's lifeless body made her knees go weak and Lucy grasped the shower curtain, ripping it from the bar and taking it down to the floor with her. “Oh God…Neil…oh God…please don't take him…not yet…I'm not ready…”