The morning after the devastating explosion and fire, the Channing mansion lies in ruins, the once stately home now reduced to a smoldering pile of bricks, stone, steal, and wood.  Fire fighters continue to stand by to extinguish any remaining fires that may continue to break out among the rubble.  

 

Richard's car drives up and comes to a stop in the driveway.  Getting out of the car, he stands for a 

moment and looks sadly at the mess that was once his home, the home he had shared with his beloved late wife, Lauren.  Richard shakes his head in disbelief.  As he stands looking at the remains of his home, another car drives up and comes to a stop behind Richard's car.  A man gets out and walks over to him.

 

"Richard," the man says.

 

"Andrew."

 

"I'm really sorry..........about your home, Richard."

 

"So am I.  Have you found anything?"  Richard asks.  "Or more to the point, have you found Joshua McQueen?"

 

"It's still early in the investigation, and impossible to do anything with all these firemen around.  As for McQueen, 

his landlord hasn't seen him for a couple of days.  I'm going to do some checking this morning, talk to some of McQueen's friends and see if anyone has heard from him."

 

"Good idea,"  Richard says.  "I want him found, Andrew.  As soon as you can."

 

"And when I do find McQueen?"

 

"Bring him to me.  I'll take care of Joshua McQueen myself, if, in fact, he's the one responsible for this."

 

"You really think he did it?"  Andrew asks.  

 

"Andrew........that's what I'm paying YOU to find out,"  says Richard.

 

Meanwhile, Emma Channing's car pulls up and comes to a stop.  Emma gets out of the car and looks at what remains of her brother's home.  After a momentary pause, Emma walks over to Richard and Andrew.

 

"Richard,"  Emma Channing says.  

 

"Emma.  Andrew, would you excuse us?  And, uh, get right on that for me."

 

"Sure thing, Richard,"  Andrew says.  He smiles at Emma, then walks back to his car.  Richard and Emma watch as Andrew gets into his car and drives away.

 

"Richard, I'm so terribly sorry about the house,"  Emma tells her brother.

 

"It's alright, Emma.  And what brings you over here so early?"

 

"Oh, Richard, I have some terrible news,"  Emma says.  

 

Richard looks at her.  "What is it, Emma?  What's happened?"

 

"It's about Pilar,"  Emma replies, near tears.  "Richard.........Pilar is dead.  She died last night during surgery."

 

Richard is completely stunned by the news of the death of his nephew's wife.  "Oh........dear God," he says, his voice breaking.

 

"Richard, I'm so sorry to have had to be the one to tell you."

 

Richard nods his head, then embraces his sister, both of them next to tears

"No.  My daughter needs to hear about her mother's death from me.  I'll go call Lisa now," Lance says.  

 

Julia kisses her son on the cheek, then watches as Lance slowly ascends the stairs, pausing for a few seconds mid-way up.  He looks around briefly, then continues on upstairs to his now empty bedroom.  

 

"This whole thing is........is a nightmare,"  Angela says.

 

"Yes, it certainly is,"  agrees Julia.  "Well, I'd better get about calling Pilar's brothers."

 

"I'll help," says Angela.  "I'll call one of them, and you can call the other."

 

Julia looks curiously at her niece.  "Since when were YOU so eager to help?"

 

 

 

 

"And what's that supposed to mean, Aunt Julia?"  Angela asks.

 

 

 

 

 

"Nothing, dear,"  Julia replies in a strange tone.  "Absolutely NOTHING."

Katherine sits by Austin's bedside when Richard comes to the door.  He stops and watches his wife for a while.  After several seconds, he walks in.  

 

"Oh, Richard, I didn't know you were there,"  Katherine says.  

 

"I wasn't going to disturb you, but, I wanted to see how Austin's doing."

 

"He's holding his own."

 

"What is the doctor telling you?"  Richard asks.

 

"That, unless the swelling goes down around Austin's brain, surgery is the only option."

 

"Now, Katherine, don't you worry.  I'm going to call in a specialist.  Austin will get the very best care, and if we have to, we'll have him moved to San Francisco."

 

Katherine looks at him and smiles.  "Thank you, Richard.  It really means a lot to me that you're being so supportive."

 

"Isn't that what a husband is for?"  Richard asks, kissing her.  "Now listen, I'm going to go and check on Kevin, Michael, and the girls.  I'll be back in a little while."

 

"Alright,"  Katherine says.  Richard kisses her again, and then leaves.  Katherine takes her son's hand and clutches it tightly.  "Oh, Austin," she says to him.  "You have to wake up.  I won't let you die, so you WAKE UP, damn it."

"Yeah, that makes of us.  Charlie's never gonna let you leave her house with me again after I brought you out here and you nearly got blown up."

 

"That wasn't your fault.  What do you think caused that explosion, anyway?"  Alex asks.

 

"I don't know.  But I'm sure as hell gonna find out, and if it wuttin' an accident.......whoever was responsible's gonna have ME to deal with, and........they're not gonna like that one bit."

 

Alex smiles as a knock sounds at the door.  "I'll get that," he says.   As John Ross goes into his bedroom, the boy walks across the spacious living room of the hotel suite and opens the door to find Sue Ellen, Krystina, and Krystle.

 

"Hello, sweetheart,"  Sue Ellen says.

 

"Hi, come in," Alex says.  "Hey, Krystina."

 

"Alex, how are you?"  Krystina asks, hugging her stepson.  "Are you okay?"

 

"I'm fine."

 

Hearing Krystina's voice in the living room, John Ross stops his packing and walks into the room.  He stops in the doorway when he sees his estranged wife.  His and Krystina's eyes lock for a moment.  

 

"John Ross,"  Krystina says.  

 

"What are you doin' here?"  He asks.

 

Krystina walks over to him.  "I was in Denver when I heard about the explosion this morning.  I flew out as soon as I could.  Thank God you and Alex are alright."

 

"We're fine.  So you can just head on back to Denver."

 

"John Ross, hear her out,"  Sue Ellen says.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We should give them some privacy to talk,"  Krystle Carrington suggests.

 

 

"Yes, we should,"  Sue Ellen agrees.  "John Ross, where's the baby?"

 

"He's asleep.  I sent the nurse out to pick up a few things for him."

 

"Alex, come on,"  Sue Ellen says.  "Let's you, Krystle, and I go down the hall to my room for a little while."

 

 

 

"Yeah, sure,"  Alex says.  He looks at John Ross and Krystina.  "So, are you two gonna get back together now?"

 

"I guess that's up to John Ross,"  replies Krystina.

 

"Sure would be nice."

 

"Alex, go on with your grandma and Krystle,"  says John Ross.

 

The boy nods, then he, Sue Ellen, and Krystle leave the room, Sue Ellen giving her son and daughter-in-law one last look before leaving, hoping that they would work things out.  

 

 

An awkward moment of silence follows after the three leave.  "John Ross,"  Krystina finally says.  

 

"I thought I made it clear last time we talked that we had nothin' more to say to one another."

 

"You made a lot of things clear.  But now, I wanna make some things clear, too.  John Ross, I love you.  With all my heart, and all my soul, I love you."

 

"Oh, yeah, you loved me enough that you went to bed with a man who's guts I hate!"  John Ross says angrily.

 

"I am SO sorry, John Ross.  Look, I need to explain....."

"Explain?"  John Ross angrily asks.  "Krystina, you had SEX with Brad Stone.  If it'd been just about ANYBODY else.....but Brad STONE?!  Cliff Barnes's bastard son!? You have no idea how much that hurt me.  And how much I wanna kill that son of a bitch right now, along with Michael Channing for settin' this whole thing in motion!"

 

"Then you know exactly how I felt when I saw you coming out of that woman's house in Dallas that day.  The way you felt when you found out that I slept with Brad is exactly how I felt that day."

 

"BUT I DIDN'T SLEEP WITH THAT GIRL!"  John Ross yells.

 

"I know that NOW!  But that day, all I saw was my husband coming out of the home of some cheap waitress who had answered your phone when I called it earlier.  John Ross, my heart was shattered."

 

"So, what, you decided to pay me back by sleepin' with Cliff Barnes's son?"

 

"YES!  God help me, YES!"  Krystina says, now crying.  "I wanted to hurt you, John Ross, the way I had been hurt, and I am SORRY!  If I could take it back, believe me, I would.  John Ross, I love you.  And when I thought you had been hurt or possibly killed in that explosion.......I felt like my life had ended.  If anything had happened to you, I don't know how I would go on.  We had something special, John Ross, and I know I messed that up.  But can you honestly tell me that you don't still love me, too?  Even a little?"

 

"No, I can't tell you that,"  John Ross says.  "Because I do still love you, Krystina.  But I am honestly not sure I can ever get past this.  The fact that you slept with that......scum.  But I do love you."

 

"Then at least give me a chance to make this up to you, somehow,"  Krystina says.  "Please, John Ross.  I don't want to lose what we had.  Not because of Brad Stone."

 

"I don't......"  John Ross starts to say something, then stops himself and runs his hand through his hair, still wet from his recent shower.  "I don't wanna lose you, either.  This hurt me the way that it did because I have never felt this way about anyone before."

 

 

 

"Then doesn't that tell you something?"  Krystina asks.  "Doesn't that tell you that what we have is real?  And that we belong together?"

 

John Ross turns his back to her, and again runs his hand through his brown hair.  

 

Krystina hesitates a moment as she watches him.  "I'm going back to Dallas instead of Denver.  Just think about what I said.  And if you want to try and put our marriage, our lives, back together.........then I'll be in Dallas." Without saying another word to her husband, Krystina walks to the door and opens it.  She turns and looks at her husband one last time, his back still to her, then walks out of the suite.

 

Hearing the door close as she leaves, John Ross turns around, Krystina's words still echoing in his mind.  "Damn you, Stone.  And damn you, Michael Channing.  I'll make damned sure both of you pay for what you did."

 

"His condition is the still the same,"  replies Jeremy.  

 

"Is Katherine with him?"  Jonathon asks.

 

"Yes, she is.  Which is why I'm in here.  I can't stand to be in the same room as that woman."

 

Jonathon and Alex exchange looks.  "Both you and Katherine must be totally exhausted,"  says Jonathan.  "I think I'll go and offer to sit with Austin for a while, and let her get some rest.  Excuse me."  Jonathon turns and walks out of the room.

"What the hell is that?"  Jeremy asks, anger in his voice.  "Jonathon has softened toward that witch now?"

 

 

"Dad, she IS his mother,"  Alex says.

 

"A snake would be a better mother than Katherine Wentworth,"  Jeremy says.

 

"Look, if you guys don't need me here, then, I think I'm gonna just take off,"  Alex says.

 

"Where are you going?"  Vicky asks.

 

"I wanna go over to Falcon Crest and see Gabby.  She must be devastated over her mother."

 

"Are you sure that's a good idea, son?"  Jeremy asks.  "Given the way they feel about the Lord family over at Falcon Crest?"

 

"I think it might be good,"  says Vicky.  "Despite all the bad blood, Lance and his kids are still family to us, and right now, they need to know we care."

 

"Alright, go ahead.  And.......give Lance my condolences."

 

"I will,"  says Alex.  "Umm, Dad, do you think maybe I could look in on Austin first?"

 

"I'm sure it'll be alright,"  replies Jeremy.  "Your brother is in there."

 

Alex nods, then walks out of the room, passing Cole on the way.  Cole pats his nephew on the shoulder as the two pass each other.

 

"Cole, hey,"  Vicky says.  "How are Joseph and Chase?"

 

"They're fine.  Joseph was released earlier.  I just took him home.   Jeremy, I heard about your son.  I just thought I'd see how he's doing."

 

"Thank you, Cole, I really appreciate that,"  Jeremy says.  

 

"Vicky, I guess you heard about Pilar,"  says Cole.

 

"Yeah, I did.  It's hard to believe."

 

"I just wonder what the hell could've caused that explosion,"  Cole says.  

 

"I intend to find out what caused it,"  says Jeremy.  "And God help whoever was responsible."

 

Cole and Vicky exchange looks, Vicky worried that her husband would consider doing something outside of the law to find the cause of the explosion at Richard's house.

 

"Y'know, what, Cole,"  Vicky says.  "Alex was gonna look in on his brother, and then, he wanted to go over to Falcon Crest to see Gabby.  I'd kinda like to go over there myself and offer my condolences.  Why don't you and I catch up to Alex and go with him?"

 

"Yeah, that'd be nice,"  says Cole.

 

"Jeremy, will you be alright for a little while?"  Vicky asks.

 

"I'll be fine, darling.  You go and see your cousin."

 

Vicky kisses her husband, then she and Cole leave.  

Gabby is laying on her bed crying when a knock comes at her door.  "Gabby, sweetheart,"  Lance calls to his daughter.  

 

"Daddy, I'm okay,"  Gabby says in tears.

 

"Honey, Nick is here to see you."

 

Gabby remains silent for a moment. "Daddy, tell him I'll be right down."

 

Outside of his daughter's bedroom door, Lance nods, then walks away. Several seconds later, he comes down the stairs, where Nick Fairchild is waiting in the foyer.  "Nick, she'll be right down,"  Lance tells the boy.

 

"Thank you, Mr. Cumson.  Umm, I'm really, so sorry about Mrs. Cumson.  She was a really nice lady and always treated me with respect."

 

"Thank you, Nick, I really appreciate you saying that,"  Lance replies, sadly.  "How are you doing, by the way?"

 

"I'm doing okay, for the most part,"  Nick says as Gabby appears on the stairs.  Nick looks at her for a second, then walks over to her.  "Gabby," he says.  

 

 

"Nick, I'm glad you're here,"  Gabby says as the two hug.

 

"Gabby, I am SO sorry about your Mom.  I would've come over sooner, but I had a treatment this morning, and I didn't hear about what happened until later.  I called earlier and your Aunt Emma told me."

 

"You had a treatment this morning?"  Gabby asks.  "You must be really tired.  Are you feeling okay?"

 

"I'm fine.  Just worried about you,"  Nick says.  

 

"I'm okay.  I'm dealing as best I can."

 

"What about your brother?  Your aunt said he was still in the hospital."

 

"Yeah.  He had surgery last night and he's still out of it.  He doesn't even know about Mom, and my Dad has been so upset."

 

"I can't even imagine what you're all going through.  And I'm here for you."

 

The doorbell rings.  Emma Channing comes down the stairs.  "I'll get it," she says.  Opening the door, Emma finds Cole, Vicky, and Alex there.  "Oh, hello, Cole.  Vicky."

 

"Emma,"  Cole says, hugging his cousin.  "Is Lance here?"

 

"I'm here, Cole,"  Lance says, walking into the foyer.  "Come in."

 

Cole and Vicky walk over to him.  "Lance, we're so sorry about Pilar,"  Cole says.  

 

"Thanks, Cole."

 

"Lance if there's anything we can do,"  says Vicky.

 

"I think your husband's already done enough, don't you?"  Lance angrily asks.  "My wife is dead, and your husband is throwing my family out of our home."

 

"Lance, surely Jeremy won't do that now,"  says Cole.  "Not after what's happened."

 

"Jeremy's own son, Austin, is lying in the hospital in a coma,"  Vicky says.  "Falcon Crest and that ultimatum he gave to Richard are the last things on his mind right now."

 

While the adults are talking, Alex walks over to Nick and Gabby, who are still standing at the bottom of the stairs.  "Gabby," the boy says.  "I can't tell you how sorry I am about your Mom."

 

"Thank you, Alex,"  Gabby says.

 

"Listen, I know that things have been really strained between us lately because of what my Dad did, but, I really hope we can still be friends.  You guys, you and Nick, you're the only friends I've got here."

 

Gabby ignores Alex's words and looks at Nick.  "I..........I'm sorry, Nick, but I have to go back upstairs," she says as she fights back her tears.  "Thank you for coming by."  Breaking down, Gabby turns and runs back up the stairs to her bedroom.  

 

Alex sighs.  "She still hates me."

 

Nick places a hand on his friend's shoulder.  "She's really hurting right now, dude.  She's all tore up about her Mom, and she's worried about her brother.  I'll talk to her when she's feeling better."

 

"Look, I really appreciate everybody coming by,"  Lance says.  "But, I really think we need some time to ourselves."

 

"We understand,"  Cole says.  "Lance, if you need anything.......anything at all.......you give me a call."

 

"I appreciate that, Cole, and I will."

"Same goes for me, too,"  Vicky says.  "Alex, let's go."

 

"Sure, Mom.  Nick, I'll see you around, dude."

 

"Yeah bro, take care.  I'll walk out with you guys.  Night, Mr. Cumson."

 

"Night, Nick,"  Lance says as the four leave.  Lance closes the door behind them, then props his hands up on the door for a moment.

 

His Aunt Emma walks over to him and gently rubs his back.  "I need to go to the hospital to see Eric.  I need to be there when he wakes up so I can tell him about his mother before he hears it from someone else.  But I also need to be here for my daughter, too."

 

"Lance, you go on to the hospital,"  Emma Channing says.  "I'll stay with Gabby.  I won't leave her.  Your mother and I will both be here.  Go take care of your son.  Eric will need you when he wakes up."

 

Lance sighs deeply.  "Yeah, I know you're right.  Okay, Emma.  I'll be at the hospital with Eric if Gabby needs me."

 

Emma kisses her nephew.  "I love you."

 

"Love you, too, Emma,"  Lance says, then leaves.  

 

 

 

 

"I can't,"  Katherine says.  "I can't leave until Austin is out of this coma.  Thank you for staying here last night."

"He's my brother,"  Jonathon says.  

 

"I think that I would like to go down to the cafeteria and get some coffee, or a bite to eat.  I haven't eaten anything since lunch yesterday."

 

"Okay, you go ahead.  I'll stay with Austin."

 

Katherine stands and looks at her older son.  "I can't tell you how much your support means to me right now, Jonathon."

 

"Like I said, Austin's my little brother.  Of course I'm gonna be here for him.  I have a lot of lost time to make up with him.  22 years."

 

"You and I also have 22 years to make up for,"  Katherine says.  

 

Jonathon remains silent as he lowers his head.

 

"Well, do you want anything from the cafeteria?"

 

"No, thank you, I'm fine."

 

"I'll be back soon," Katherine says.  She looks at Austin, then quietly leaves the room.

 

No sooner has Katherine left the room than Austin moans as he is beginning to wake up.

 

"Austin?"  Jonathon says to him.  "Austin, can you hear me?"

 

Austin opens his eyes and looks at his older brother.  

 

"Hey, man.  Do you know who I am?"  Jonathon asks.

Austin nods.  Jonathon rushes to the door. "Katherine!"  He calls.  

 

Katherine stops down the hall and turns around.  "Jonathon, what is it?"

 

"He's waking up."

 

Katherine immediately runs back into Austin's room and over to his bedside.  "Austin, sweetheart, it's your mother.  Can you hear me?"

 

"Mom?  Where am I?"  Austin asks.

 

"Sweetheart, you're in the hospital.  There was an accident, but you're going to be fine."

 

"My head hurts."

 

"I'll get the nurse,"  Jonathon says, leaving the room.

 

Katherine gently strokes her son's face.  "Austin, I'm so thankful you're awake.  I don't know what I would've done if I'd lost you."

 

 

"Hey, what's the problem?"  Brian asks.

 

"Are you completely out of your mind?"

 

"What are you talking about?"

 

"That explosion at the Channing house day before yesterday," Josh says, taking a seat.

 

"You told me you wanted a job taken care of.  You wanted Michael Channing, Jeremy Lord, AND John Ross Ewing out of the way.  So......problem solved."

 

 

"I never wanted innocent people hurt or killed,"  Josh says.  "I only wanted Ewing, Lord, and Michael Channing to suffer, and I didn't even want them dead."

 

"So what'd you think was gonna happen, Josh?"  Brian asks.  "You think I was just gonna be able to take care of all three of those guys individually?  This was perfect.  All three were in the same place at the same time.  Couldn't ask for better timing."

 

"You idiot!"  Josh says, standing to his feet to face Brian.  "You just ruined BOTH of our lives.  When Richard Channing finds out who was responsible for that explosion, he won't stop until he tracks both of us down, no matter where we go.  And if the Channings don't find us, you can bet your sweet ass Jeremy Lord or John Ross Ewing will."

 

"Relax, Josh.  The materials that bomb was made of CANNOT be traced.  Besides, the people in that Channing house have made enough enemies combined in their lifetimes to fill Yankee Stadium."

 

"Are you really THAT stupid?"  Josh asks, grabbing Brian by the shirt collar.  "Channing, Lord, and Ewing all three know I was pissed off at them.   They know I had a motive to do this, so who do you think they're gonna come looking for?"

 

Without warning, Brian punches Josh in the stomach, then shoves him back into his chair.  Josh winces in pain.  "Now you listen to me, McQueen.  Don't you EVER touch me like that again.  Now you hired me to do this job, and you didn't tell me HOW you wanted it done.  So now, you can live with the consequences.   It's not my fault that the three people you wanted hurt escaped from that explosion and three innocent people were killed.  I expect full payment for the job I did.  And if I don't get my money by the end of the week........you're gonna meet the same fate as those people who died in that explosion at Channing's house."  Brian kicks Josh's feet, then walks to the door.  He turns back to Josh.  "I'll be watching every move you make, McQueen, so don't even think about trying to leave town.  If you do, I guarantee you won't make it out of San Francisco alive.  I'll be seeing you."  Brian walks out of the room, closing the door behind him.

 

After Brian leaves, Josh starts to cry, realizing that his life is probably over thanks to the can of worms he had opened.

 

 

 

Michael walks to his bar in his office at the San Francisco Globe a little while later.  He pours himself a drink and takes a sip.  He finishes the drink off with the second sip, then pours another as Richard walks into the office.  

 

"I thought I might find you here,"  Richard says.  "Thought you might like to know that your brother Kevin is awake and alert.  Emma is still unconscious.  So why are you here?"

 

"Elena's still sedated and asleep.  I figured I'd be more use here than at the hospital.  At least here I can probably do something to actually help Elena, Kevin, Emma, and everyone else hurt or killed in that explosion."

 

"And just how do you propose to help them here?"  Richard asks.

"I created an ad for our afternoon edition,"  replies Michael.  "A reward for any information leading to the capture of Joshua McQueen."

 

"McQueen has probably left town by now."

 

"I don't care, Dad.  I'll find him, no matter where he is, even if it takes me the rest of my life.  McQueen killed my baby and almost killed my wife, not to mention the rest of my family.  This is PERSONAL."

 

"Michael, I already told you, I'll handle Josh McQueen."

 

"No, Dad.  I will."

 

"Michael, I'm asking you right now to back off.  Let ME take care of finding and punishing Josh McQueen.  This is a very sensitive situation."

 

"What the hell is so sensitive about this, Dad?"  Michael asks.  "Josh was my friend, or so I thought, and he betrayed me.  He betrayed BOTH of us by working with John Ross Ewing and Jeremy Lord against us.  And then he had that bomb planted."

 

"We still have no concrete proof that it was McQueen,"  says Richard.

 

"Who else would've done it, Dad?  Yes, we have enemies, but why NOW?  The very day I threatened Josh after finding out what a snake he is."

 

"Michael, if McQueen is responsible for this explosion........we have to handle this very carefully."

 

"Why, Dad?"

 

"Michael........."  Richard says, then hesitates a moment.  "There's something about Joshua McQueen that you don't know."

 

"Then why don't you enlighten me?"  Michael asks.

 

"No one else knows about this, so I'm trusting you to keep what I'm about to tell you to yourself."

 

"Dad, just tell me."

 

"Michael, I need your word,"  says Richard.

 

"Okay, then you have it.  Now what is it about Josh McQueen that I need to know."

 

Richard looks at his son.  "Joshua McQueen.........is Vicky's son."

 

A look of confusion comes over Michael's face.  "Dad, what are you talking about?  I know Josh's parents......"

 

"Yes.  Jeff and Diane McQueen,"  Richard says.  "Only they aren't Josh's biological parents.  Michael, you and Kevin were just babies......too young to remember when Vicky was married to Eric Stavros.  Well, Eric Stavros got himself involved with this international group of criminals known as The Thirteen.  This group's primary goal was to take over this country by infiltrating major businesses.  They attempted to recruit me as a member, but when I wouldn't play ball with them, they wanted me dead.  They used Eric Stavros to achieve that.  They recruited him, then brainwashed him to kill me.  Fortunately I was on to their plan and Eric's gun was loaded with blanks.  I was forced to fake my own death and go into hiding for a while until the Thirteen could be brought down.  Eric went into hiding as well, but when we found him, he was nothing more than a programmed assassin.  A zombie.  He was taken to a mental hospital in Europe for treatment.  Soon after, Vicky left the Tuscany Valley, but she was pregnant with Stavros's child.  A few months later, Vicky gave birth to that child in Switzerland.  That child, was Josh.  Vicky decided to give the child up for adoption. A couple friends of mine I had known from my days in New York, Jeff and Diane McQueen, had been trying for several years to have a child, but with no luck.  When I learned that Vicky was planning to give her child up, I arranged for the baby to be adopted by Jeff and Diane.  That baby was Maggie's grandchild, and I wanted to make sure he had a good home and didn't end up being raised by strangers.  I kept in touch with Jeff and Diane after that, all through Joshua's childhood.  Later, I arranged for him to attend the same boarding school that you attended, and that's when the two of you met."

 

"I don't believe what I'm hearing,"  says Michael.  "All these years..........all this time you've kept this secret?  Josh McQueen is Vicky Lord's SON?  He's Kevin's nephew?"

 

"Yes, son, and if this secret gets out........IF Josh is responsible for that explosion and if the secret of his true parentage were to get out, a LOT of people would be hurt by this.  Now do you understand why we have to handle this situation very delicately?"

 

"Dad, I don't care,"  Michael says.  "If Josh was responsible for that explosion......then I don't give a damn who his mother is.  I'm still gonna make him pay, and pay with his life."