EPISODE 209 - The Trial Of Katherine Wentworth, Part 1

 "This is Lori Brown with Fox 4 News, reporting outside of the Frank Crowley Courthouse in Dallas, where the murder trial of former Dallas socialite Katherine Wentworth has been underway for about an hour now.  Assistant District Attorney Gail Copeland has just finished delivering her opening statement, and is preparing to call her first witness.  Katherine Wentworth is standing trial for the December, 1984 murder of Italian businessman and the February, 1985 murder of Veronica Robinson, as well as the attempted murder of Ann Ewing in 2017.  We will now join the drama inside the courtroom as the first witness is about to be called in this case......."

 "Ms. Copeland, you may call your first witness,"  says Judge Williams.

 

"Yes, Your Honor.  The State calls Bobby Ewing to the stand."

 

Bobby stands from his seat beside Ann and walks to the front of the courtroom, where he is met by a bailiff.  "Raise your right hand and place your left hand on the Bible."  Bobby does as he is told.  "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?'

 

"I do,"  Bobby replies.

 

"Take the stand, please."

 

Bobby walks up to the stand and takes his seat.  Gail Copeland approaches him.  "Good morning, Mr. Ewing," she says.

 

"Good morning."

 

"Please state your name and occupation for the court."

 

"Bobby James Ewing, and I'm CEO of Ewing Oil Company here in Dallas."

 

"Thank you.  Mr. Ewing, how long have you known the defendant, Katherine Wentworth?"

 

"I first met Katherine in the fall of 1981, so, almost 38 years ago."

 

"She was the sister of your first wife, is that correct?" 

 

"Yes, my first wife, Pamela."

 

"Mr. Ewing, would you please describe your relationship with the defendant from the time you met?"

 

"I'm not sure I understand the question,"  Bobby says.

 

"Did you and Katherine Wentworth get along well?"

 

"Yes, we did, very well.  Katherine was a very welcome addition to our family in the beginning."

 

"And when did that change?"  Gail asks.

 

"Two or three years later," Bobby replies.  

 

"And would you describe what happened?  What changed in your previously friendly relationship with the defendant."

 

"I object, Your Honor,"  Cass Winthrop says, standing.  "I see no reason in this line of questioning about how friendly Mr. Ewing was with my client more than 35 years ago."

 

"Your Honor, the State is attempting to show the apparent change in the defendant's personality, and  her behavior toward those around her, including her sister and other members of her family,"  Gail says.  "In my questioning of Mr. Ewing, I will also establish a motive for the crimes the defendant is accused of."

 

"I'll allow the questioning.  Objection overruled,"  Judge Williams says.

 

"Thank you, Your Honor,"  Gail continues.   "Mr. Ewing, do you need me to repeat the question?"

 

"No, thank you.  Over time, Katherine became.........friendly.  In fact, it's safe to say that at one time, I considered her to be one of my best friends,"  Bobby says.  "She was there for me to lend an ear when her sister Pam and I were separated."

 

"So, you and Ms. Wentworth were very close?"

 

"Yes, we were."

 

"Did this friendship ever develop into something more?  Romantic feelings?"  Gail asks.

 

"Not on my part, no."

 

"Meaning what, Mr. Ewing?"

 

"Meaning that Katherine did develop romantic feelings for me.  In fact, she fell in love with me."

 

"Did Ms. Wentworth tell you of her romantic feelings toward you?"

 

"Not at first, no,"  Bobby says.  "Instead, she did everything in her power to manipulate the situation."

 

"Such as?"  Gail asks.

 

"My wife Pam and I had separated,"  Bobby replies as Christopher and Courtney walk into the courtroom. "Katherine manipulated both of us into thinking the other wanted a divorce, and that destroyed our marriage."

 

"How did she did do that?"

 

"She wrote a letter, or I should say, she forged a letter that was supposedly written to be by Pam."

 

"Do you remember what was in the letter?"  Gail asks.

 

"It was many years ago, but yes, I do.  I remember it vividly.  In the letter, Pam supposedly had written to her attorney that she wanted out of our marriage, but she didn't wanna hurt me.  She wished that I would let her go.  Katherine showed me the letter and wanted me to read it.  When I refused because I didn't wanna read Pam's private correspondence, Katherine insisted on reading the letter to me......."

 John Ross is sitting at his desk, staring into space, still angry, and still reeling from losing the election to C.J. Ewing to become the official head of the Dallas Oil Cartel.  A knock comes at his door, which he ignores.  The knock sounds again a second, then a third time.  After a moment, Sue Ellen walks in.  "John Ross,"  she says.

 "Y'know, when I didn't say 'come in' or when I ignored your numerous knocks, most people would take that as a hint to leave me the hell alone, but not you.  You just barge on in anyway."

 

"John Ross, you can't ignore me forever."

 

"I can sure try."

 

"We have to talk about this,"  Sue Ellen says.

 

"Far as I'm concerned, there's nothin' more to talk about,"  John Ross says as he stands and walks to his bar.  "You made your choice.........you chose your stepson over your own son."

 

"What I did, I did for your own good."

 

John Ross laughs.  "For my own good?  Now there's a new one.  Funny that every time you do somethin' for my own good, I end up on the losin' end of things."

 

"John Ross, I didn't want to see you turn back into the man you use to be......the man I didn't like very much."

 

"Why can't you just be honest with me for once in your life?"  John Ross asks.  "This itn't about me.  It's about that bastard you're married to."

 

"What?"

 

"Catlin Ewing talked you into votin' for that loser he calls a son.  You betrayed me for them."

 

"That is simply NOT true,"  Sue Ellen says.  

 

"Oh, the hell it's not.  Well, if there's one thing I've learned this year, it's that I can never count on my own fam'ly for anything.  My sister sold me down the river when she let Justin have those Westar shares instead of me, and now my own mother voted against me in favor of her husband's son.  Well, y'know what, that's just fine, because I don't need any of you."

 

"John Ross, you don't mean that,"  Sue Ellen says.  

 

"Yeah, I DO mean that,"  John Ross says as he walks to the door and opens it.  "Now please get out of here and leave me alone."

 

"John Ross, just listen to me......"  Sue Ellen says as Alex walks over to John Ross's office.

 

"You've already said all I wanna hear."

 

"Hey, guys, what's going on?"  Alex asks.

 

"What's goin' on is your grandmother doesn't know the meaning of fam'ly loyalty,"  replies John Ross.

 

"What?  Grandma, what's he talking about?"

 

"It's nothing, sweetheart,"  says Sue Ellen.  "John Ross, we've talk when you've had a chance to cool down."

 

"Yeah, well, that's not gonna happen."

 

Sue Ellen shakes her head, then walks out of the office.  Alex walks in, while John Ross goes back to his bar to pour himself another glass of bourbon.  "Okay, what was that all about?"  Alex asks his father.

 

"Just history repeatin' itself, that's all,"  John Ross says.  "Same old story as always.  Same as when I was a kid.  I never could count on my parents back then, and nothin's changed."

 

Alex looks at his father, confused.

Frank Crowley Courthouse....early afternoon....

 "Now, Mr. Ewing, let's move on to the night of May 18, 1984,"  Assistant D.A. Gail Copeland says as Katherine's trial continues.  "Could you please describe the events of that evening?"

 

 

"Yes.  I was working late at my office at Ewing Oil that night.  I had recently discovered a listening device planted in the phone at my desk.  I wanted to check the other phones in the office to see if they had also been bugged.  I started in my brother J.R.'s office.  I took a seat in his chair, picked up his phone, and......"

"And the next thing I remember, I was waking up at Dallas Memorial Hospital after being shot,"  Bobby continues.  "I was temporarily blinded from the shooting."

 

"And the police launched a massive investigation into the shooting, correct?"

 

"Yes."

"Mr. Ewing, when did Katherine Wentworth's involvement in your shooting first come to light?"  Gail asks.

 

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Cass Winthrop says.  "My client has been pardoned of the charge of shooting Mr. Ewing and the shooting has no legal relevance in this case."

 

"It may have no legal relevance, Your Honor,"  Gail says.  "But if I may be permitted to continue, I will establish that Ms. Wentworth would go to any lengths to destroy Mr. Ewing's life because she was in love with him and couldn't have him, and that was her motivation for the two murders with which she is being tried."

 

"Alright, I'll allow it,"  says Judge Williams.  "If you move along, ,Ms. Copeland.  Objection overruled."

 

"Thank you, Your Honor,"  says Gail.  "Mr. Ewing, when did the defendant's role in your shooting first come to light?"

 

"It was a while after the shooting.  I'm not exactly sure how long.  Being in the hospital and unable to see, I lost all track of time.  I'm not even sure how long I was in the hospital.  But one night, I was heavily sedated because I'd been in some pain.  I was just about to drift off to sleep, and I remember feeling someone trying to inject me with a needle.  At first, I thought it was a nurse, until she spoke, and....."  Bobby pauses for a moment.

 

"And......what, Mr. Ewing?"  Gail asks.

 

"And, it was Katherine.  She was attempting to kill me with a lethal injection,"  Bobby continues.  "I yelled out, and the police officer who was station at the hospital guarding me came in and apprehended Katherine."

 

"And Ms. Wentworth confessed to shooting you?" 

 

"Not to me, but she did confess to my brother, and to the police.  Originally, it was assumed that the target of the shooting had been my brother, J.R., since I was shot in his office, but Katherine confessed that I was her target all along.  That, if she couldn't have me, she was gonna make sure that no one else would, either."

 

"Objection, Your Honor.....hearsay,"  Cass says.

 

"Objection sustained."

 

"Thank you.  No further questions at this time, but the State reserves the right to recall this witness at a later time,"  Gail says.

 

"Mr. Winthrop, do you wish to cross examine this witness?"  Judge Williams asks.

 

"Not at this time, Your Honor."

 

"Mr. Ewing, you may step down,"  Judge Williams says.  Bobby nods at the judge, then quietly exits the witness stand.  "Due to the hour, we will break for lunch.  Court will resume at 2 PM sharp."  The judge bangs her gavel, dismissing court for lunch.  

 

As Katherine is about to be led back to a cell by two female deputies, she turns to Bobby and Ann, who are about to leave the courtroom.  "Bobby,"  Katherine calls.

 

Bobby and Ann stop and turn back to look at her.   "What do you want, Katherine?"  Bobby asks.

 

"I just wanted to say that I forgive you for all the things you said about me up there on that stand.  Bobby, I could've made you a lot happier than Pam or that skinny beanpole you're married to now.  We could've had it all."

 That afternoon, Jimmy, Debra Lynn, Ashley, and Dylan are having lunch at Perry's.  A waitress pours Debra Lynn another glass of tea.  "Thank you,"  Debra Lynn says.

 

"You're welcome,"  says the young waitress.  "Is there anything else I can get for you guys?"

 

"No, I think we're fine,"  Jimmy replies.  The waitress smiles and walks away.  

 

"So, Dylan, Ashley tells me that you've legally changed your last name to Ewing recently,"  Debra Lynn says.  

 

"Umm, yes ma'am, I did,"  Dylan replies.  "I figured as long as I'm doing everything I can to make some changes in my life, I may as well change my name, too.  After all, I wanna be who I really am, and the Baxter name has never served me too well."

 

"So, Dylan, do you ever see your mother?"

 

"No, actually, I don't.  She's in Europe, some place.  She closed up the Smithfield house after my grandmother died, and took off for Europe.  I never even hear from her much, except for the occasional letter or post card."

 

"I'm sorry.  That has to be hard."

 

"It's, it's fine.  Ray and Donna have been more of a mother and father to me than my own mother ever was,"  Dylan says.  

 

Debra Lynn smiles.  "Ray and Donna are good people.  I don't know them that well, but what I do know, I like."

 

"Yes,they are.  They've been really good to me and my brother, Conner."

 

"Mom, you're not eating much,"  says Ashley.

 

"Yeah, I thought you loved steak,"  Jimmy says.

 

"Oh, I guess I'm just not that hungry."

 

"You're not on some crazy diet, are you?"  Ashley asks.  "You didn't eat much at dinner last night."

 

"No, no diet.  It's just, my appetite hasn't been that great,"  Debra Lynn says.  

 

Jimmy and Ashley exchanged concerned looks just as Sly and her son Cole walk over to their table. 

 

"Debra Lynn, hello,"  Sly says.

 

"Oh, hello, Sly,"  Debra Lynn says with a smile.  "How are you?"

 

"I'm just fine.  I had no idea you were in town."

 

"Yes, I got here a couple of days ago."

 

 

 

Meanwhile, as Cole and Sly are heading past the bar toward the front entrance of the restaurant to leave, Cole pauses and looks back at Ashley, an angry and hurt expression on his face as he watched her with her current boyfriend, Dylan.  

 

"Cole, honey?"  Sly calls to her son.  

 

"Yeah, Mom?"

 

"You still have very strong feelings for Ashley, don't you, sweetheart?"  Sly asks her son.

 

"I still love her, Mom,"  Cole replies.  "When I fell in love with Ashley, I thought she felt the same about me.  Boy, was I wrong.  Now she's moved on with that other guy.  It's time I moved on, too."

 

"Come on, let's get back to the office.  We can talk some more in the car, if you need to."

 

Cole again looks back at Ashley, laughing with Dylan, Debra Lynn,and Jimmy.  After a brief pause, he leaves with Sly.  

Frank Crowley Courthouse....later....

 As Katherine's trial resumes after lunch, Bobby retakes the witness stand to continue his testimony.  "Mr. Ewing, you and Jenna Wade were scheduled to be married in December of 1984, is that correct?"  Gail Copeland asks.

 

"Yes, we were."

 

"Could you please describe the events of the day that was supposed to be your wedding day to Miss Wade?"

 

"Everything was all set for the wedding,"  Bobby says.  "All the guests had arrived, and we were waiting for Jenna and her daughter, Charlie, to show up."

 

"And did Miss Wade and her daughter show up for your wedding?"

 

"No, they didn't.  I spoke to Jenna on the phone, and she told me that she wasn't coming to the wedding.  She said that she didn't love me anymore, that she was with Naldo and that she was going away with him."

 

"Naldo Marchetta, the father of her daughter?"  Gail asks.

 

"That's right."

 

"What happened after you spoke to Miss Wade on the phone?"

 

"My brother and I rushed over to Jenna's place to find her gone.  We searched for them, even hired a team of private detectives to find Jenna."

 

"If Jenna had told you that she no longer loved you,and that she was going away with her former husband, then why would you hire a team of investigators to find her?"

 

"Because something about that just didn't sit right with me, especially after the trouble Naldo had caused the previous year."

 

"And what trouble is that?"  Gail asks.

 

"After Jenna first came back into my life and we started seeing each other again, Naldo showed up in Dallas to come between us.  And we later found out that he had been hired by Katherine to come to town to break up Jenna and I."

 

"Katherine Wentworth?"

 

"Yes."

 

"And how did you learn of the defendant's connection to Naldo Marchetta?"

 

"When Naldo returned to Dallas in late 1984, right before Jenna and I were to be married, he confessed that Katherine had hired him to break us up."

 

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Cass says.  "I find this line of questioning not only irrelevant, but this is also a confession coming from a man who was a known con artist and compulsive liar, as well as a known drug dealer."

 

"Objection overruled,"  Judge Williams says.  "I'll allow this line of questioning, but tread carefully, Ms. Copeland, and please move on quickly."

 

"Yes, Your Honor,"  Gail says.  "Mr. Ewing, why do you suppose Renaldo Marchetta returned to Dallas just before you and your fiance, Jenna Wade, were to be married?"

 

"I believe now and will always believe that Katherine was once again behind Naldo Marchetta's coming to Dallas to break up my relationship with Jenna."

 

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Cass says.  "That's speculation on the part of the witness."

 

"Objection sustained."

 

"Mr. Ewing, when was the next time you saw Jenna Wade after she spoke to you on the phone and told you that she was going away with Mr. Marchetta?"

 

"It was a couple of days later,"  Bobby replies.  "Naldo phoned me and told me that if I wanted to see Jenna, I should come to an address the next day."

 

"And did you go to that address?"  Gail asks.

 

"Yes, I did."

 

"And what did you find when you arrived?  Did you see Jenna Wade?"

 

"Yes,"  Bobby replies sadly.  "The address Naldo had given me was a justice of the peace, and when I arrived, Naldo and Jenna had just been married."

 

Seated in the courtroom, Jenna lowers her head and begins to cry.

 

"Did you speak to Miss Wade?"  

 

"Yes.  I asked her if she had married Naldo, and she admitted that she had."

Later....

 

More than an hour and a half later, Bobby is nearing the end of his initial testimony.  "Veronica Robinson was a key witness in Jenna's case,"  Bobby says.  "She had been the woman who had helped Naldo kidnap Jenna's daughter, Charlie, which is how Naldo was able to keep Jenna from getting away from him or calling the police.  Veronica reluctantly agreed to return to Dallas to testify at Jenna's trial."

 

"And, did you and Miss Wade meet Veronica Robinson's plane at the airport when it arrived?"  

 

"Yes, we did.  We were waiting at the terminal, and all of a sudden, we saw several security guards and some paramedics rush on board the plane.  We knew somethin' was very wrong, so, Jenna and I went aboard the plane and we saw paramedics working on a woman who was laying on the floor next to the restroom door in back of the plane. It was Veronica Robinson, the witness in Jenna's case. She had died of a drug overdose."

 

"And, according to police reports, it was initially believed that Ms. Robinson had administered the drugs to herself, correct?"

 

"Yes.  She had a history of addiction, thanks to Naldo Marchetta turning her on to drugs,"  Bobby says.  "But I just didn't buy that there wasn't foul play involved in her death."

 

"And why did you suspect foul play?  After all, Veronica Robinson DID had a serious problem with cocaine and other drugs, including heroine."

 

"It just seemed too convenient to me.  She was coming to testify at Jenna's trial about helping Naldo kidnap Charlie in order to force Jenna to cooperate with him, and then she ends up dead on the flight to Dallas.  I asked a friend of mine who worked with the airline to go through security footage since cameras were installed on the plane.  And, upon going through the footage from Veronica's flight, the truth of how she really died came out."

 

"And what was on that security footage?"  Gail asks.

 

"Veronica Robinson's murder,"  Bobby replies.  "The footage clearly showed Andre Shumann sitting beside her on the plane, and while Veronice had gone to the bathroom, Shumann slipped some sort of drug into her drink.  Veronica returned to her seat, took a few sips of the drink, and then a few minutes later you could clearly see on the tape that the drug was taking affect.  She got up from her seat and went to the bathroom again.  A short time later, the plane landed, and Veronica Robinson was found dead in that bathroom."

A few minutes later....

Cass stands and approaches the stand.  "I only have two questions for this witness.  Dr. McNally, is it possible that someone could be so good and so accomplished in the art of forgery that a letter such as this could be forged, and it could even fool an expert such as yourself?"

 

"Well, anything's possible,"  McNally replies. "But the forger would have to be the absolute best to fool me."

 

"You're awfully confident in your abilities, aren't you, Dr. McNally?"  Cass asks.

 

"Yes, I am.  I've been doing this for 25 years."

 

"And you've never made a mistake in those 25 years?"

 

"No, I have not."

 

"As impressive as your record is, Doctor, there's a first time for everything.  No further questions,"  Cass says, then returns to his seat.

 

"You may step down, Dr. McNally,"  Judge Williams says.  "Due to the late hour, court will adjourn until 9 A.M. tomorrow.  Court is adjourned."  The Judge bangs her gavel, dismissing court for the day.

 

Getting up from their seats, Bobby, Ann, and Christopher are about to leave the courtroom.  As Bobby passes by Jenna and Lucas, he stops.  "Jenna, are you alright?"  Bobby asks.

 

"I'm fine, it's just that, listening to all the testimony about that time in my life, it just brings back a lot of memories."

 John Ross's car pulls up to Southfork and comes to a stop that night.  Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Bobby, Ann, Christopher, Courtney, Jacob, Lucas, Heather, Michael, Jenna, Krystina, and Alex are gathering in the den for after dinner drinks.  

 

"Bobby, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you inviting me here for dinner tonight,"  Jenna says.  "It means a lot.  I didn't wanna be myself tonight, and this is the first time in a long time I've had a chance to spend any real time with my son and both my grandsons."

 

"We're glad you're here, Mom,"  says Lucas.  

 

"Well, Jenna, you're more than welcome,"  Bobby says.

 

"Jenna, have you heard from my father lately?"  Courtney asks.

 

"Yes, I have.  Andrew is still working down near Houston.  He said the job will last another few weeks, and then he'll be back to Dallas."

 

John Ross walks into the foyer.  He starts into the den, but seeing the crowd of people, he turns and starts to go upstairs.  Seeing her husband in the foyer, Krystina walks out to him.  "John Ross,"   she says.  

 

He stops at the bottom of the stairs and turns to her.  "Krystina."

 

"You missed dinner.  I was getting worried."

 

"I'm sorry.  I just didn't feel like comin' home and facin' the family, so I grabbed a bite in town and just drove around for a while.  Now, I'd just like to go upstairs."

 

"John Ross,"  Bobby says, walking into the foyer from the den.  "I heard about how the vote went this morning.  I'm sorry it didn't turn out the way you wanted."

 

"You've got nothin' to be sorry for, Uncle Bobby, assumin' you had Christopher cast your vote for me,"  John Ross says.  "The only person who should be sorry is my so called mother."

 

"Christopher told me what happened.  I also spoke to Sue Ellen after court today, and she explained to me why she voted for C.J. instead of you."

 

"You mean all that bull about her votin' against me for my own good?  Well, if you buy that, I got a little piece of ocean front property in Colorado I'd like to sell you."

 

"John Ross......don't let this come between you and your mother,"  Bobby says.  "Because if you do, one day you'll regret it."

 

"Yeah, I'll think about that,"  John Ross says sarcastically, then turns and  goes up the stairs.  Krystina looks at Bobby, then follows John Ross up the stairs.  

Frank Crowley Courthouse....the next day....

 "The state calls Mr. George Shumann to the stand,"  Gail Copeland says as Katherine's trial resumes the next morning.  

 

All eyes fall on George Shumann as the gray haired man approaches from the back of the courtroom.  Shumann is met by the bailiff, holding the Bible.  After he is sworn in, Shumann takes his seat on the witness stand, and Gail Copeland walks up to him.  

 

"Good morning,"  she says.

 

"Good morning."

 

"Please state your full name for the record."

 

"George Shumann."

 

"Mr. Shumann, you are an attorney, is that correct?"  Gail asks.

 

"Yes, I'm a partner in the firm of Shumann, Davis, and Shapiro in New York City.  However, I'm semi-retired."

 

"You were the brother of Andre Shumann, the man convicted in 1985 of the murders of Renaldo Marchetta and Veronica Robinson, is that correct?"

 

"Yes, that's correct,"  Shumann replies.  "Andre and I were identical twins."

 

Gail walks over to the evidence table and picks up the letter she had gotten from Bobby the day before.  "Mr. Shumann, I present this letter to you,"  she says, taking the letter to the witness stand and handing it to George. "Do you recognize this letter?"

 

"Yes.  This is the letter my brother wrote to his wife shortly before he died 7 years ago."

 

"This is the letter that you personally brought to Dallas and gave to Bobby Ewing, correct?"

 

"Yes, it is."

 

"And what exactly is in this letter your brother wrote to his wife?"

 

"Andre's..........confession.  His confession that he had known for years the identity of the person who was behind the hit he had carried out on Naldo Marchetta and Veronica Robinson so many years ago."  

 

"And who did your brother name as the person who hired him to murder Renaldo Marchetta and Veronica Robinson?"

 

"Katherine Wentworth,"  Shumann says, his reply followed by audible gasps from the spectators in the crowded courtroom. 

 

"Mr. Shumann, why do you suppose your brother wrote this letter after so many years......27 years after he was convicted of these two murders?"  Gail asks.

 

 

"When my brother wrote this letter to his wife Loretta, he knew he was dying.  He gave the letter to Loretta on her last visit to him at the prison, about 2 weeks before his death."

 

"Did your brother give his wife any special instructions regarding the letter?"

 

"Yes, he told her to seal the letter after she read it, and then to make sure that she gave it to me with the instructions to deliver the letter to Bobby Ewing after Andre died."

 

"And did you deliver the letter to Mr. Ewing immediately after your brother's death?"  Gail asks.

 

"No.  For some unknown reason, Loretta sealed the letter and put it away.  I didn't deliver the letter to Mr. Ewing until just 2 years ago."

 

"In 2017, 5 years after your twin brother's death?"

 

"Yes.  As I said, for some unknown reason, Loretta made the decision that Mr. Ewing was not to see Andre's letter until after her own death, provided he was still alive at the time himself.  As I told Mr. Ewing when I brought the letter to him, in addition to her being my sister-in-law, I also handled her legal affairs, so, I decided to abide by her wishes and not give the letter to him until after Loretta's death."

 

"Your sister-in-law died in the autumn of 2017, correct?"  Gail asks.

 

"Yes, she did, after battling COPD for several years."

 

"Mr. Shumann, would you please read this letter your brother Andre wrote to his wife in 2012, shortly before his death from cancer?"

 

"Yes,"  Shumann replies.  Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a pair of reading glasses.  He slips the glasses on, then holds the letter in his hand and begins to read:  "My dearest Loretta, I am writing this letter to you with the sad knowledge that it will be my last letter, because the doctors have only given me a short time to live, as this cancer has spread to my liver, lungs, and other organs.  I realize that, by my actions, I not only destroyed my own life, but also the lives of you and our two boys as well.  I know that you forgave me a long time ago, but I feel the need to ask for your forgiveness once more, and to confess everything to you.  Loretta, the simple truth is, I lied when I was sent to prison 27 years ago.  I said back then that I had not known the identity of the person who paid me to kill Marchetta and the Robinson woman.  But that wasn't true.  I was hired by a woman, who arranged to have me meet her in Vienna.  There, this woman paid me very handsomely to murder Marchetta, and frame Jenna Wade for the crime.  This woman's name was Katherine Wentworth.  She had arranged for Marchetta to kidnap Jenna Wade, and I was to kill Marchetta, and set it up so that Jenna Wade would be convicted of the crime.  Katherine paid me one million dollars initially, then another five million after I carried  out her plan.  She always arranged for me to pick up my money with any further instructions in a locker at a train station in Vienna so that we were never seen together.  Later, I received correspondence from Katherine telling me that she needed me for another job........to kill a woman named Veronica Robinson, who could possibly blow the lid off the entire plan because Katherine was afraid that Naldo had told Ms. Robinson, who was his lover, that he had been paid by Katherine to come to Dallas and kidnap both Jenna Wade and her daughter.  Katherine paid me another five million dollars for the murder of the Robinson woman.  Loretta, all these years, I have been rotting in this prison for these two murders, which is only a just a fitting punishment for the terrible things I've done, while Katherine Wentworth has gone free.  At the time, I could not tell of Katherine's involvement in these crimes, because she had threatened not only me,but you and our boys.  Katherine is a very dangerous woman and is being helped by a man even more dangerous than she is, if that's even possible.  They both made it clear that if I revealed that she was behind the murders, that you and the boys would be killed.  So, to protect you, I kept my silence all these years, but I can no longer do that.  Having renounced my evil past and found Christ, I must die with a clear conscience.  I also have no idea if Katherine Wentworth or this man who was helping her are still alive.  Quite possibly, they are both burning in hell by now.  Loretta, I'm giving you this letter with the request that, after you read it, I want you to seal it in another envelope and give it to George.  I want you to tell him to deliver this letter to Bobby Ewing in Dallas after my death.  After all these years, Ewing and Jenna Wade, if they are still alive, deserve to know the truth.  I love you and our sons and our four grandsons with all my heart.  And it's signed, all my love, Andre."

 

"Thank you, Mr. Shumann,"  Gail says.  "No further questions."

 

"Mr. Winthrop, do you wish to cross examine?"  Judge Williams says.

 

"I most certainly do, Your Honor,"  Cass says as he stands and approaches the witness stand.  "Mr. Shumann, why do you suppose that your sister-in-law wanted you to wait until after her own death to give that letter to Bobby Ewing?"

 

"I don't know,"  Shumann replies.  "Loretta never revealed her reason to me."

 

"Your brother died on September 29, 2012, is that right?"

 

"Yes he did."

 

"And he wrote this letter approximately 2 or 3 weeks before his death?"

 

"He didn't date the letter, but since he gave it to Loretta two weeks before, I'm assuming so."

 

"In the letter, your brother said that his cancer had spread to his liver and his other organs?"

 

"Yes,"  Shumann says.

 

"Including his brain?"  Cass walks back to the defense table and picks up a piece of paper.  "I have here a report detailing your brother's cancer.  The disease had indeed spread to his brain, and several of the staff at the prison have stated that his behavior in the last few weeks of his life was sometimes....odd, and that he had moments of memory loss and confusion.  Now, is it possible that, in this confuse state, Mr. Shumann penned that letter and was having some fantasy of my client's involvement."

 

"I object to that as being RIDICULOUS, Your Honor,"  Gail says, standing.  "Why would Mr. Shumann, after 27, decide to implicate the defendant, mental confusion or not?  That makes absolutely no sense."

 

"I agree.  Objection sustained."

 

Cass smiles.  "Mr. Shumann, your brother was basically paid off by Bobby Ewing back in the spring of 1985 to confess to the murder of Naldo Marchetta, wasn't he?"  Cass asks.  

 

"I object, Your Honor!"  Gail says.

 

 

"Objection sustained,"  says Judge Williams.  "Mr. Shumann, I suggest that you choose your words more carefully."

 

"My apologies, Your Honor,"  says Cass.  "Mr. Shumann, are you aware of the........deal........that was made between your brother and Bobby Ewing after your brother was arrested and brought here to Dallas?"

 

"Yes, I am aware of it."

 

"Would you please enlighten the court about that deal?"

 

"Mr. Ewing had set up a very large bank account for Loretta and the boys after Andre was arrested for Ms. Robinson's murder."

 

"And why did Bobby Ewing set up this bank account for the wife of a professional killer such as your brother?"

 

"It was in exchange for Andre's confession to the murder of Naldo Marchetta."

 

"And Andre's confession freed Jenna Wade from his prison, correct?"  Cass asks.

 

"Yes."

 

"So, Bobby Ewing basically bribed a confession out of your brother, Andre.  He would financially take care of Andre's wife and sons in exchange for Andre's confession to the murder of Mr. Marchetta?"

 

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Gail says.  "Counsel is leading the witness."

 

"Objection overruled."

 

"It wasn't like that,"  Shumann continues as an older woman and a younger man in his 30s walk into the courtroom.  "It was an incentive for Andre.  My brother was looking at life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Veronica Robinson.  Andre had nothing to lose by confessing to the murder of Marchetta."

 

"Nothing to lose......but EVERYTHING to gain for his wife and sons, if he confessed,"  Cass says.  "Your brother loved his family, did he?"

 

"Yes,"  Shumann replies.  "Despite the terrible things he had done as a professional assassin..........Andre loved Loretta and his sons very much.  They were his whole world, and in his mind, his entire life of killing people for hire was for them.  He thought he was securing their future financially."

 

"But after he was captured, all of his bank accounts were frozen by the authorities, isn't that correct?"  Cass asks.

 

"Yes."

 

"And your sister-in-law was left, basically penniless?" 

 

"Yes."

 

"Penniless, that is, until Bobby Ewing stepped in and offered to make Loretta Shumann a very rich woman.  All her husband had to do was confess to a murder..........which he had absolutely NOTHING to lose by doing since he was already facing life in prison without parole, and EVERYTHING to gain since his family would be well taken care of for decades to come.  Maybe Shumann's whole confession to the murder of Naldo Marchetta was a lie.  After all,  how can we trust the word of a professional assassin and liar, especially when he was trying to make sure his wife and children were provided for after he went away for life?  No further questions."  The courtroom erupts into audible gasps and murmurings as Cass returns to his seat.  He and Katherine exchange smiles, confident that doubt had been cast on Shumann's confession to the murder of Naldo Marchetta, thus casting doubt on Katherine's involvement.

Outside the courtroom....later.... 

                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Bobby and Ann, followed by Christopher, Lucas, and Jenna, exit the courtroom and walk into the crowded hallway after court recesses for lunch later.  As the group heads for the elevator, the older woman and young man who had entered the courtroom earlier follow them.  "Mr. Ewing?"  The older woman calls.  "Bobby Ewing?"

 

Hearing his name, Bobby stops at the elevator and turns around.  The woman and young man walk up to him.  "Yes, can I help you?"  Bobby asks.

 

"You don't remember me, do you?"  The woman asks.  "That's not surprising.  It's been a very long time."

 

Bobby looks at the woman and recognizes her.  "Oh, wait, you're Veronica's sister, Ann......."

 

"Yes, that's right.  Ann McFadden."

 

Bobby smiles.  "Ann, it's good to see you again after all these years.  I had no idea you would be here."

 

"When I heard that the woman responsible for my sister's murder was finally being brought to justice, I had to be here,"  Ann McFadden says.

 

"Of course.  Oh, forgive me, Ann McFadden, this is my wife, Ann Ewing,"  Bobby says. "My sons, Christopher and Lucas, and this is......"

 

"Jenna Wade,"  Ann McFadden says.  "Yes, I know.  It's a pleasure to meet you after all these years."

 

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

 

"I'm sorry, this is my nephew,"  Ann McFadden says, introducing the young man standing beside her.  "Damian Marchetta."

 

Bobby and Jenna look at the young man in shock.  "Marchetta?"  Bobby asks.

 John Ross is having lunch at The Cattlemen's Club that afternoon when Shawn walks in.  Shawn is greeted by the hostess at the door, and as she is showing him to his table, Shawn spots John Ross.  "Could you give me a moment?"  Shawn asks the young woman.  "I'd like to say hello to a friend."  He walks over to John Ross's table with a smile.  "Well, John Ross, how's it going?"

 

John Ross looks up at him.  "It was goin' fine until you showed up."

 

 

 

"Now is that any way to be?  And I came over here to tell you how sorry I am.  I heard that you lost out to becoming the new head of The Cartel to your stepbrother, C.J. Ewing.  Or......wait, he's also your cousin, too, isn't he, in addition to being your stepbrother?  It's so hard to keep all the tangled relations straight on the complicated Ewing family tree."

 

"Well, the Ewings aren't the only ones with a somewhat complicated and tangled fam'ly tree,"  John Ross says.

 

"Now what's that supposed to mean?"  Shawn asks.

 

 

 

"Oh, nothin',"  John Ross says.  "You'll find out soon enough."

 

"Well, as much as I'd love to stay here and chat, John Ross, but my table is waiting.  I have a business."

 

"Well, don't let me keep you if you got a little play date,"  John Ross says sarcastically.  

 

Shawn laughs.  "Bitter grapes, huh?  Well, you have a nice day, John Ross."

 

"Uh huh, yeah,"  John Ross says as Shawn walks away.  "I can't wait to take that little jackass down a peg or two,"  he says to himself.  

 

"Can I get you anything else, Mr. Ewing?"  A young waitress asks.  

 

"Yes, you can bring me my check, please."

 

"Coming right up,"  the waitress says.  

 

As the waitress walks away, John Ross takes his cell phone from his pocket and dials a number, then impatiently  

waits for an answer.  "Bum, I've got a job for you.  I need you to dig into the background of a man named Andrew Murray.  He's Courtney's father.  I wanna know anything and everything you can find out about Murray, especially anything embarrassing.  I also want you to find out all you can about Catlin Ewing, Jr.  I wanna know if my stepbrother has any skeletons in his closet he doesn't want to come out."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perry's Steakhouse And Grille....

"And you didn't even know that Veronica'd had a child?" Bobby asks Ann McFadden as he, Ann, Lucas, and Jenna are having lunch at Perry's with her and her nephew Damian. 

 

"Not until a friend of hers showed up on my doorstep with Damian a couple of months after Veronica's death.  Veronica had given birth to Damian the summer before she helped Naldo with this crazy scheme of coming to Dallas and.......and kidnapping Miss Wade and her daughter."

 

"And you raised Damian from that time on?"  Jenna asks.

 

"Yes, I did,"  Ann McFadden replies.  "Damian is all I really have now.  My husband Bill passed away ten years ago, and my own two children live in other states, my daughter in Florida and my son in Chicago.  They ave their own lives, but Damian has stayed by my side."

 

"Aunt Ann was just like a mother to me," Damian says.  "She and my uncle adopted me when I was 4, but they always told me the truth about my biological parents."

 

"I wanted Damian to know about his mother.  About what a remarkable woman Veronica was, especially before she became addicted to drugs.  We tried to keep the identity of his father from him as long as we could."

 

"But one day, I got curious, and I was looking through an old trunk in the attic when I ran across a photo of my mother and a dark haired man,"  Damian says.  "I asked who he was, and my aunt told me he was a friend of my mother's.  Later, she told me the truth when she thought I was old enough to handle it."

 

"That must've been hard, finding out who your father was and what kind of man he was,"  says Lucas.

 

"It was, at first.  Especially when I learned the circumstances of my parents' deaths.  I was very angry and bitter at this man, Naldo Marchetta, a man who I'd never met, but who I now knew was my father.  I still am.  Had he not gotten my mother mixed up in this whole mess, she might still be alive."

 

"Damian, this is just amazing, meeting you,"  Jenna says.  "I would like very much for you to meet Charlie, my daughter.......your half-sister."

 

"Half-sister,"  Damian says with a sigh.  "I never even imagined what it would be like having a sibling.  My cousins of course always treated my like their little brother, but, I mean a REAL sibling."

 

"Charlie's pretty amazing,"  Lucas says.  "She's a great sister, and a great mom, and she has a very successful career as a fashion designer in New York."

 

"She has kids?"  Damian asks.

 

"Yes, she has one son,"  replies Jenna.  "Alex.  He'll be 20 in a couple of months, and he's a student at SMU.  I know that he and Charlie would both love to meet you."

 

"Yeah, I can't wait for Charlie to find out she has another brother,"  says Lucas.

 

"If you and your aunt are going to be in Dallas until the end of the trial, I'll give Charlie a call, and maybe she can fly down for a couple of days."

 

 

"Thank you, but, no," Damian says.  "I mean no offense but I'm really not interested in meeting Charlie or anyone connected to Naldo Marchetta.  I'd just as soon forget he was my father."

 

Jenna and Lucas exchange glances, then both look at the young man with disappointment.  

 

Ewing Oil....

John Ross steps off the elevator at Ewing Oil after returning from lunch just as Alex comes out of the copy room, talking to someone on his cell phone.  He and John Ross come face to face, and John Ross waits for his son to get off the phone.  

 

"Yeah, man, well, listen,"  Alex says to the person he's talking to.  "Why don't you come out to Southfork tomorrow and spend the day?  I'll arrange to take off work tomorrow and we can hang out. I can even pick you up at your hotel. Yeah, sure, bring her, too.  I'm sure she and my girlfriend will like each other just fine.  Me, too, bro.  Lookin' forward to it.  Okay, dude, see you tomorrow.  Bye."

"Who was that you invited out to Southfork to spend the day tomorrow?"  John Ross asks.

 

"My friend, Alex Lord."

 

"Alex Lord?"

 

"Yeah, don't you remember?  I met him when I went to California with you on that business trip a couple years ago. You and Alex's Dad did some kind business deal together."

 

"Oh, wait, you don't mean Jeremy Lord's son?"  John Ross asks.

 

"Yep, that's him."

 

"You invited Jeremy Lord's son out to Southfork?  What the hell's he even doin' in Dallas?"

 

"He's here with his parents,"  Alex replies.  "His Dad was called to testify at Katherine Wentworth's trial."

 

"Oh, that's right, I forgot.  Jeremy Lord was married to Katherine Wentworth,"  John Ross says.

 

Sue Ellen comes out of her office.  Spotting John Ross, she walks toward he and Alex, but, seeing his mother, John Ross turns and begins walking away from her toward his office.  "John Ross, wait!" Sue Ellen says to him sternly.

 

He stops and turns to face her.  "What?"

 

Sue Ellen walks over to him, followed by Alex.  "Are you going to punish me forever for voting against you?"

 

"I've had a hard day.  Do we really have to talk about this now?"

 

"If not now, then when?"  Sue Ellen asks.  "You won't let me into your office.  You won't return my calls or my texts, so when ARE we supposed to discuss this?"

 

"I've already discussed this as much as I want to, so if you will excuse me, I have work to do."

 

"John Ross, just listen to me."

 

"I don't wanna HEAR IT!"  John Ross angrily says, loud enough for others in the office to hear.  He turns and walks away from his mother to his office.

 

"You won't be able to avoid me forever!"  Sue Ellen says as John Ross storms into his office and slams the door.  

 

"Grandma, what's going on between you two?"  Alex asks.

 

 

Sue Ellen sighs.  "Your father is very angry with me right now."

 

"Yeah, I can see that, but why?"

 

Sue Ellen looks at her grandson.  "I suggest you ask him that,"  she replies, then walks back into her office, closing the door behind her.

 

Curious to know the cause of the tension between his father and grandmother, Alex walks over to John Ross's 

door and knocks.  Standing in his office looking out the window, John Ross hears the knock but ignores it.  A few seconds later, Alex knocks again.  "If you're not my mother, come in!"  John Ross says.

 

Alex walks into the office.  "Hey.  Can we talk?"

 

"Sure.  What about?"

 

"What's up with you and Grandma?"

 

"We can talk about anything besides your grandmother,"  John Ross says.  

 

 

 

"Look, you can tell me it's none of my business, but I'd like to know why my father and my grandmother are barely on speaking terms since like day before yesterday.  Grandma said something about voting against you? What was that all about?"

 "Wanna know what's goin' on?"  John Ross asks.  "Fine, I'll tell you.  I had a chance to become head of the Cartel."

 

"But I thought you already were,"  says Alex.

 

"No, I mean the OFFICIAL head of the Cartel.  The Cartel had a vote and it came down between me and C.J., and guess who your grandmother voted for.  I'll give you a hint......it wasn't ME."

 

"What?  But, why would she vote against her own son?"

 

"You tell me.  I've never understood anything my mother did, and I guess I never will.  I had, however, hoped that things had changed and she would have my back at least once, but instead, she chose her husband's son over her own."

 

Alex sighs.  "I'm sorry.  That sucks."

 

"It is what it is.  I'm use to my fam'ly not standin' by me,"  John Ross says sadly as he walks to the window and looks out over the city.  "They never have before, so why should they start now?"

 

Alex looks at John Ross, feeling sorry for him.  

Southfork....that night....

 Bobby and Ann are in their bedroom that night getting ready for bed.  Together, the couple turns the covers of their bed down, then crawl into bed without saying a word.  Ann picks up a book from the table beside the bed and opens it to read, but, after a couple of seconds, she puts the book down and sighs deeply.

 

"You wanna talk about it?"  Bobby asks.  

 

"Talk about what?"  

 

"It's not hard to figure out what has you so tied up in knots tonight.  Katherine's trial?"

 

"Yes."

 

"I figured as much,"  Bobby says.  

 

"I don't think I've ever dreaded anything as much as I dread havin' to testify and relive that horrible night Katherine tried to kill me.  It's bad enough havin' to face that woman every day in court."

 

"Well, honey, we have to look at the bright side.  The trial will be over soon, and Katherine will be out of our lives for good,spending the rest of HER miserable life in prison, where she belongs."

 

"You don't sound so convinced,"  Ann says.  "Bobby, do you think there's any chance that Katherine could get out of this and walk free?"

 "The state calls Jenna Wade to the stand,"  Gail Copeland says as Katherine's trial resumes the next morning.  

 

Slowly, and reluctantly, Jenna stands from her seat next to Lucas and Heather in the courtroom and makes her way to the front, all eyes on her.  The bailiff meets her with the Bible to swear her in.  Jenna places her left hand on the Bible and raises her right hand.  "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"  The bailiff asks.

 

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

 

Gail approaches her.  "Good morning, Ms. Wade."

 

"Good morning."

 

"Please state your full name for the court."

 

"My full legal name is Jenna Wade Krebbs.  I started using my maiden name again after my divorce, but I never legally changed my name back."

 

"So, would you rather me call you Ms. Wade, or Mrs. Krebbs?"

 

"Ms. Wade, please."

 

"Fine,"  Gail says.  "Ms. Wade, you are the former wife, or, technically, the widow, of one of the victims in this case, Renaldo Marchetta, is that correct?"

 

"That's right," Jenna replies.  

 

"When did you meet Naldo Marchetta?"

 

"I first met Naldo in 1970, after I left Dallas."

 

"You were very young then."

 

"I had just turned 21, yes."

Later....

"Ms. Wade, let's move on to December of 1984,"  Gail says.  "You were to marry the man you had been in love with since you were a teenager, is that correct?"

 

"Yes, Bobby Ewing,"  Jenna says, looking at Bobby in the courtroom, much to Ann's annoyance.  

 

"And the wedding never happened?"

 

"No, it did not."

 

"Would you please explain to the court why your wedding to Bobby Ewing never took place?"

 

"On a Friday,  the day before Bobby and I were to marry that Saturday my daughter Charlie was supposed to spend the night at a friend's house, but, that Friday afternoon, Naldo arrived at Charlie's school and picked her up instead.  Charlie had no reservations about going with her father. The next morning, Naldo showed up at my townhouse and told me that he had Charlie, and that if I ever wanted to see her again, I was to do exactly as he said."

 

"Ms. Wade, Bobby Ewing has already testified that, when he found you, you and the victim, Naldo Marchetta, were at a justice of the peace, and you had gotten married."

 

"Yes."

 

"Did you marry Mr. Marchetta of your own free will?"  Gail asks.

 

"Absolutely not.  I never would have married him if he wasn't keeping Charlie some place.  I had to marry him or I would never see her again."

 

"Were you afraid of Mr. Marchetta at this time?"

 

"Yes, I was.  He was different........changed."

 

"Changed how?"

 

"Determined.  As if he had some sort of an agenda that wasn't just about keeping me from Bobby.  And now I know why.  Because he was working for Katherine."

 

"Objection, Your Honor,"  Cass says.  "It has not been proven that Naldo Marchetta was working for or with Katherine Wentworth."

 

"Objection sustained,"  Judge Williams says.  "The jury is instructed to disregard the witness's response."

 

"Let's move on,"  says Gail. "Ms. Wade, on the night of December the 28th, 1984, you and Mr. Marchetta arrived in Laredo, correct?"

 

"Yes, we did.  Naldo took me to a hotel there,"  Jenna says.  "He said that he had to meet someone."

 

"And what happened after you arrived at the hotel?"  Gail asks.

 

"Nalso and I got off the elevator........"

That afternoon, Alex, Bridget, Sly's son Cole, Alex Lord, and his cousin Gabby Cumson are swimming in the pool at Southfork.  

 

 

"I'm glad you guys came over today,"  Alex Walton says.  

 

"Me, too,"  says Alex Lord.  "It's been a pretty awesome day so far."

 

"Maybe after we have lunch, we can all go horseback riding,"  Bridget suggests.  "You guys do know how to ride?"  

 

"Yeah, we had horses back at Falcon Crest," Gabby replies.  

 

"Hey, you guys ready to eat?"  Alex Walton asks.  

 

"I don't know about anybody else, but I'm starved,"  Cole says.

 

"Okay, then, I'll let Maria know she can serve lunch,"  Alex Walton says.  He climbs out of the pool and walks to the house, where he opens the sliding glass door to the kitchen.  "Maria, we're ready for lunch,"  he tells the Ewing maid, who is in the kitchen preparing food for the five young people.

 

 

Alex Lord, Cole, Bridget, and Gabby all climb out of the pool.  Cole, Gabby, and Bridget head to the table on the patio, while 

Alex Lord remains by the pool.  Maria brings out  a tray of food and sits in on the table. 

 

Alex Walton walks over to the other Alex and sits down across from him on another lounge chair.  "Ya having a good time?"  

 

"Yeah, I am.  Really appreciate the invite out here. I really didn't wanna go sit in court with my folks.  It's been a good day.  Gabby's had a good time.  She really needed this little get away.  These last few weeks have been really hard on her."  Picking up a towel, Alex Lord takes a seat on a lounge chair by the pool.  Alex Walton sits down across from him on another lounge chair.

 

 

 

 

 

"And what about on you?"  Alex Walton asks.  "You and Nick were really close, man.  I can't imagine how hard this must be for you."

 

Alex Lord nods, then lowers his head.  "Yeah, you're right.  I needed to get away from home, too.  It's been........tough."

 

"You wanna talk about it?  Might help."

Alex Lord sighs.  "I miss him, bro.  I miss him a lot.  Sometimes when my phone rings or when I get a text notification, I look at it, thinking it's gonna be Nick.  Then I remember........that he's gone.  Nick was the best friend I ever had.  Losing him was like losing a member of my family, or losing a part of me."

 

"I kinda know what you mean,"  Alex Walton says.  "I felt that way after my Dad died."

 

"Your Dad?"  

 

"Yeah, the man who raised me.  The man I THOUGHT was my father until I found out John Ross was.  My other Dad, Philip Walton, he was a really great guy, and he was a great father.  I was 14 when he died, and for a long time after that, I felt so empty inside.  I was angry, and I was bitter at the world.  It takes time to get over a loss like that, bro.  It's good that you and Gabby came here, even if it's only for a few days.  Change of scenery is good, and can help.  And, leaning on the people you love.  Your family can help."

 

"MY family?"  Alex Lord asks.  "Dude, my family is so screwed up they can't even help themselves, much less me or each other."

 

Alex Walton laughs at the comment.  

 

"Hey, guys,"  Cole calls to them from the patio.  "Come on, lunch is gettin' cold."

 

"Let's go eat, and then we'll go riding,"  Alex Walton says. The two young men stand to their feet and head over to the patio table to have lunch with Cole and the girls.

Frank Crowley Courthouse....

 "Ms. Copeland, you may call your next witness," Judge Williams says.  

 

"Your Honor, the State calls Jeremy Lord to the stand,"  Gail says.  

 

Sitting at the defense table, Katherine turns and looks at her ex-husband as he stands from his seat near the back of the courtroom and makes his way to the front, where he is met by the bailiff.  "Why the HELL is he here?"  She asks her attorney.

 

"I imagine the prosecution thinks your former husband will be an important witness for them.  But don't worry, on my cross examination I intend to make him look like a worse criminal than the prosecution is trying to pain you as,"  Cass whispers to Katherine.

 

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you, God?"  The bailiff asks Jeremy.

 

"Oh, I most certainly do,"  Jeremy replies, then takes his seat on the witness stand.  

 

Gail approaches her witness.  "Please state your full name for the record."

 

"Jeremy Lord."

 

"Mr. Lord, what is your relationship to the defendant, Katherine Wentworth?"  

 

"Katherine is my former wife,"  Jeremy replies.

 

"And also the mother of 4 of your 5 children, correct?"

 

"Yes, my oldest son Jonathon, and triplets Austin, Katelyn..........and Brian,"  Jeremy says, his voice taking on a tone of sadness when he says Brian's name.

 

"When did you first meet Katherine Wentworth?"  Gail asks.

 

"I first met Katherine in December of 1987, at a New Year's Eve Party in London."

 

"And that was during the time when you first met the defendant, she was a fugitive from justice, is that correct?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Did Ms. Wentworth use an alias at that time?"  Gail asks.

 

"Yes, she did.  She was using the name Andrea Blake.  Blake was her mother's maiden name."

 

"Mr. Lord, would you please describe to the court the history of your relationship with the defendant?"

 

 

 

"As I said, I met Katherine..........or, Andrea Blake.......at a New Year's Eve party in 1987, in London,"  Jeremy says.  "A mutual friend introduced us.  I was absolutely captivated by her beauty, and she had this mysterious air about her. I was captivated the moment I saw her across a crowded room......"

 

 

 

 

 

 

********FLASHBACK....LONDON, 1987**********

For me, it was love at first sight,"  Jeremy continues.  "Andrea and I started seeing one another, and a few months later, we made love for the first time.  That night, I asked her to marry me."

 

"And did she say yes?"  Gail asks.

 

"Yes, she did, but then, a short time later, she ran away to Rome, without any explanation, so I followed her.  While we were in Rome, Katherine discovered that she was pregnant with our first child, Jonathon.  It was then that Katherine finally told me the truth........the truth of her real identity, and that she was on the run from the police in America, and why.  I again asked her to marry me, and this time she said yes.  I promised that I would never reveal her true identity.  We were married in a private ceremony in Rome, and later we returned to London."

 

"Mr. Lord, you were a very prominent businessman, even then.  It must have been very hard to keep Katherine's identity a secret."

 

"It was.  I used every resource I had to keep Katherine out of the public eye, even going so far as to have someone else appear with me in public and pretend to be Andrea, my wife.  Keeping Katherine's identity a secret was even harder after Jonathon was born."

 

Jeremy and Katherine exchange looks across the courtroom.

Southfork....the stables....late afternoon....

 Teenage ranch hand Ricky Hernandez is working at the stables at Southfork that afternoon when Michael and Jacob ride their bicycles out to the stables and park them.  The two boys get off their bikes and rush to the stables.  "Hey, Ricky,"  Jacob says.  

 

"Oh, hello, boys,"  Ricky says.  "Going for a ride?"

 

"Yeah, we are.  Would you saddle our horses?"  Jacob asks.

 

"Right away,"  Ricky replies.

 

"Dude, I really think Brandi Becker likes me,"  Jacob says.  "Didn't you see the way she looked at me today?"

 

 

"Whenever you are,"  Michael says.  Jacob holds the two horses steady while the boys climb onto the animals.  "You wanna race?"  Michael asks, looking over at Jacob.

 

"Sure."

 

"We'll be back in a little while, Ricky,"  Michael says.

 

Ricky watches the two boys with contempt as Michael and Jacob take off on their horses.  "I will bide my time,"  he says quietly to himself.  "For now.  But soon, I will make Christopher Ewing pay for what he has done to my family.  An eye for an eye.  A loved one for a loved one."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bunkhouse....