Knots Landing Police Station....
"So what do we do?" She asks.
"Well, we could charge Meg MacKenzie with the murder of Williams and Ewing as an accomplice."
"But there's no evidence to tie Meg to the actual murder," Randall says. "We have a bloody finger at the scene of the murder, a fingerprint that belongs to Bobby Ewing."
"Do you believe MacKenzie's story that she was raped?" Parker asks.
"Yeah, I do. Ron, I've worked with a lot of rape victims in my years as a cop. Meg MacKenzie was definitely traumatized."
"She should have reported the rape right away," Parker says.
"Come on, Ron. You know as well as I do that more than half of sexual assault cases go unreported. A rape victim feels guilty, unclean. And especially in a situation like Meg MacKenzie's. She went to Brandon Williams's apartment of her own free will, admitted to having dinner with him. And, if......."
"IF she killed him?" Parker asks. "You think she did it?"
"So what do we do?" Parker asks.
"I don't think we have a choice. We have to arrest Meg MacKenzie on suspicion of murder."
Knots Landing Police Station.....afternoon
"Yes, may we help you?" Parker asks.
"I hope so. The officer at the desk told me that you're the detectives in charge of the Brandon Williams murder case?"
"That's right," Randall says. "And what can we do for you?"
"My name is Bridgette Williams," the young woman says. "Brandon was my brother."
The two detectives exchange awkward looks between them. "Oh, Miss Williams, I am so sorry," Randall says.
"Thank you. I'm here to take my brother's body back to Ohio for the funeral. And hopefully to find out what progress is being made in finding the person who killed Brandon. My parents wanted to come themselves, but, they're both too devastated, so I came in their place."
"That's certainly understandable," Parker says. "Miss Williams, we can't give out any information on our investigation, but, a suspect has been arrested."
"Was it one of Brandon's girlfriends?" Bridgette asks.
"What do you mean?" Randall asks.
"My brother. I loved him dearly, but he was a real player when it came to women. He pissed off quite a few of them in his time. Would you just answer me one question?"
"If we can."
"Meg MacKenzie. She was my brother's girlfriend when he was in law school. Is she the person you arrested?"
"I'm afraid we can't discuss or name any suspects in our investigation, Miss Williams," Parker says. "We would, however, like to ask you some questions, if you have time?"
"Sure. I suppose I have plenty of time," Bridgette says sadly.
The Ewing Home....
"Mom, try not to worry," Betsy says. "I know, easier said than done but, Jason will do his best to help Bobby."
"I know," Val says. "But sometimes, even the best lawyers lose cases. Betsy, I'm so afraid. I don't think I've ever been this afraid before. I'm terrified for your brother, and for your father. The way this is affecting Gary, I'm just........I'm just," Val stops talking as she fights back tears. She gets up from her seat at the table and walks over to the sink.
"Mom, I know," Betsy says, getting up and walking over to her. "But listen to me. You have GOT to take care of yourself or you're gonna end up making yourself sick. I can tell you haven't been sleeping well. Why don't I talk to Daniel and he can give you something to help you sleep?"
Val looks at her daughter. "Thank you. I really could use a good night's sleep for a change."
Betsy hugs her mother. "Everything's gonna be okay, Mom. We just have to hold on to that."
"I know, baby," Val says.
"I hate to leave you, but I need to get the kids home."
"Alright. I'll call you later. What time are you expecting Jason?"
"Probably around 6:30 or 7," Betsy says.
"Why don't you all come over here for dinner?"
"Okay, I'd like that. I'll see you later."
"I'll walk you out," says Val.
As Val and Betsy walk into the living room, they hear a vehicle drive up and come to a screeching stop outside.
"Well, what in the world?" Val says. She opens the front door, Betsy behind her, and sees Gary's car parked very crookedly on the cul-de-sac in front of the house. The two women watch as Gary opens the door of the truck, and in the process of getting out, he almost falls. Val gasps in horror, realizing that her husband has been drinking.
Gary closes his door, and manages to stagger through the gate and up the walkway to the house. "Honey.....I'm hoooome," he says drunkenly.
"Yes, I see that!" Val says angrily.
"Daddy, what have you done?" Betsy asks.
"I haven't done anything tweetheart," Gary replies, his speech slurred.
"How dare you even come back to this house in THIS condition," says Val.
"What condition? I stop by a bar and had a drink, Valene, a DRINK to calm my damned nerves. And if you don't like it you can get the HELL OUT!"
"I think I'll do just that!" Val says. She turns and runs up the stairs.
"Well, just go on, then!" Gary yells, staggering into the house.
Little Laura and Daniel, Jr., who were playing in the living room, stand and watch , both children wondering why their grandfather was acting this way.
"Oh, now don't you start on me, too. I already got SAINT VAL on my back, I don't need you on my case, too!"
"You sure need someone on your case. Just look at you. Things aren't bad enough with Bobby in jail charged with murder, but you had to start drinking again?"
"Betsy, just get off MY BACK and leave me alone!"
"Fine," Betsy says. "We'll ALL leave you alone, Dad."
At that moment, Val comes down the stairs with a very hastily packed suitcase, two or three garments hanging out. "Betsy, could I stay at your house for a while?"
"Of course, Mom. Kids, let's go."
Laura and Daniel, Jr. follow their mother and grandmother out of the house.
"Alright, GO ON THEN!" Gary yells as they leave. "Just get........out." Gary slams the door, staggering and almost falling as he does so. He grabs onto the staircase banister and then takes a seat on the stairs. He begins to cry.
Knots Landing Police Station....
"Mack, WHAT is going on?" Karen asks.
"It's not lookin' too good here, Karen. I didn't wanna tell you this over the phone. Come with me."
"Meg, will she be....."
"She'll be fine for a few minutes," Mack says. He grabs his wife by the arm and leads her to another room they walk into.
"Okay, what's going on?" Karen asks.
"Karen, it looks like the cops may charge Meg with the murder of Brandon Williams."
"What? But.....but they've already charged Bobby. Are the police saying they were in it together? That's ridiculous."
"Sweetheart, there's somethin' else you need to know," Mack says.
"What?" Karen asks, nervously, fearing Mack's answer.
"Karen........Meg was raped."
Karen's mouth falls open in shock. "Raped? Oh dear God......Brandon.....?"
"Yeah. The son of a bitch RAPED our daughter. That's why Meg came home in such a state that night. I tell you, Karen, if Brandon Williams wasn't already dead, I'd kill him myself."
"My poor baby."
"Oh, that's not all," says Mack. "When Meg told the cops that Williams had raped her, that made her look even more like the killer in their eyes because rape would give Meg the best motive of anybody to wanna get this guy."
"What are we going to do?"
"If it comes to it, I'm gonna defend our daughter to the best of my ability," Mack says as a knock comes at the door. He walks over and opens the door to find Detective Randall.
"Mr. MacKenzie, we just spoke to the D.A.'s office. They want us to hold Meg on suspicion of murder."
"No, you can't do that!" Protests an angry Karen. "What about the fact that my daughter was raped by that monster?"
"Mrs. MacKenzie, I'm sorry. But Meg's confession that Williams raped her, unfortunately, gives her more of a motive for killing him. If only she'd reported the rape earlier, but instead she tried to destroy any evidence of the rape. I'm sorry, but I have no choice but to arrest your daughter."
Karen starts to cry as Detective Randall walks away. Mack embraces his wife. "Karen, listen to me. Everything's gonna be okay. Just.......we have to be strong, for Meg. Call Michael and tell him what's happening."
Karen nods. Mack kisses his wife on the forehead, then walks out of the room.
Cunningham Enterprises......late afternoon
"Thank you. Send him in and then you can go on home."
"Yes sir."
Brian stands from his seat at his desk as Scott walks into the office. "Scott."
"Hi, Brian. I'm sorry to just show up like this again, but, I wasn't sure you'd see me if I called ahead."
"Are you here to try and persuade me again to go and see Jeff?" Brian asks.
"I figured it was worth one last try," Scott says.
"Look, Scott....."
"Please, just hear me out, Brian. Didn't ever wonder why Dad just stopped being in your life when you were eight? Didn't you ever wonder what made him just stop visiting?"
"I know why."
"And I suppose you know why?" Brian asks.
"Yeah, I do. Your mother came to see Dad a couple days ago."
"My......my mother went to see Jeff?" Brian asks, surprised.
"Yes. I overheard them talking. Brian, your mother took out a restraining order against Dad to keep him from seeing you and Olivia."
"A restraining order? I don't believe that."
"It's true, why don't you ask her yourself? Brian, Dad didn't just abandon you when you were a kid. He was forced out of your life by your mother. Look, all I'm asking is that you at least come and see him. Give him a chance. All he wants before he dies is to see his two oldest kids one last time. Is that too much to ask? And you have kids, right? Doesn't he at least deserve to meet his grandchildren at least once? Please think about what I've said." Scott hesitates a moment, then turns and leaves the office.
A tear falls down Brian's cheek.
Abby's Home.....later
"Hi, Sandra," Brian says, walking into the house. "Is my mother at home?"
"She is. She's out back on the patio."
"Thank you." Brian walks through the spacious home and out of the back door onto the patio. He sees his mother sitting alone by the pool looking at some papers. He watches her for a moment as Abby is unaware of her son's arrival. Then he walks over. "Mom?"
Abby is startled and looks up at him. She quickly begins putting away the papers laying in front of her. "Brian, you startled me," she says.
"Oh? Why, because you didn't want me to see what that is you're working on? More secrets you don't want me to know about, Mom?"
"Don't you? How could you have done it, Mom?"
"Well, maybe if you'd tell me what it is that I've done......"
"The restraining order," Brian says. "Remember? The one you took out against Dad when Olivia and I were just kids to keep him away from us and to keep him from ever being a part of our lives."
"You spoke to your father? He told you?"
"No, he didn't tell me, and no, I haven't spoken to him. Scott, his son, told me."
"Brian....."
"How could you do that?" Brian asks. "You knew how close Olivia and I were to Dad when we were little."
"Your father KIDNAPPED you and your sister, Brian," says Abby. "What was I supposed to do? After that I could never trust him again to not pull the same stunt, and the next time, I might never have seen either of you again."
"Always have an excuse, don't you?"
"Brian, I did what I though was best."
"Best for who, Mom? For me and Olivia? Or for yourself, like always? Well, as much as it hurts to find this out after all these years, I'm glad Scott told me. Because it's helped me make a decision. I'm going to see Jeff after all. And I'm gonna try and get Olivia to do the same. Too bad we were cheated out of having a relationship with our father all our lives." Brian glares angrily at his mother, then starts to leave.
"Brian," Abby calls to her son. He turns and looks at her. "Just remember this," she continues. "Yes, I did get a restraining order to keep your father away from you and Olivia when you were children, and I know that was wrong of me. But that order expired when each of you turned eighteen. If your father had of wanted to see you or have a relationship with you, he could've done so. But he chose not to try and find you because he was too busy with his new young wife and raising his other two children."
Brian looks at his mother, then lowers his head, realizing that Abby was right. His father could have established a relationship with he and Olivia after they both turned eighteen, but he chose not to find them. Saying no more to Abby, Brian leaves.
Abby sighs deeply as she fights back tears. She angrily slaps the papers on the table to the ground.
The Cunningham Home....that night
Trevor looks at both of his parents. "Sure is quiet around here," he finally says.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Kate says.
"Dad, can I ask you something?" Trevor asks.
"Sure."
"Well, Trev, I've just been staying here at the house with you and your mother so you guys won't be alone after all the turmoil of the last several days."
"So nothing's change," the boy says sadly, lowering his head.
"I'm afraid not," Kate says.
"Yeah, that's what I figured," Trevor says, standing to his feet.
"Honey, where are you going?" Kate asks.
"Up to my room. I'm not hungry."
"You've hardly eaten anything."
"Like I said......I'm not hungry."
"Trevor, please sit down, there's something I'd like to talk to you, and your mother, about," says Brian.
"If it's about the divorce, I....."
"It's not. Just hear me out."
After a moment's pause, Trevor retakes his seat.
"I found out recently, that my father, Jeff Cunningham, is here, in L.A."
"I thought you haven't seen your dad since you were a kid," says Trevor.
"I haven't," Brian says. "My father remarried, and he has a 22-year-old son by his second wife. His son, Scott, came to see me at the office several days ago, and he told me that my father is dying. He has cancer."
"Oh, Brian," Kate says.
"I'm sorry, Dad," says Trevor.
"It's okay. It's a little hard for me to feel sorrow for a father who hasn't been a part of my life since I was a child. But, my father wants to see me. At first, I had no interest in going. I didn't care to see him again. But after talking to Scott again, and thinking about it, I've decided that I am gonna go and see him. And Trevor, I was wondering if you'd like to come along and meet your grandfather."
"Well, sure, I'd like to," Trevor says.
"Good. I'll call Scott, and we'll go day after tomorrow since it's Saturday."
The MacKenzie Home....the next morning
"Karen, did you sleep at all?" Mack asks.
"No."
"Look, sweetheart, ya know, it hasn't been too many weeks since your surgery. You're not fully recovered yet. If you don't start takin' better care of yourself and gettin' some rest, you're gonna make yourself sick and end up back in that hospital."
"I couldn't sleep last night knowing Meg was in that......that damned jail. And Bobby, too. I don't believe for one minute that either of them is guilty."
"Karen....."
"How did everything go so wrong, Mack?" Karen asks. "This was supposed to be a wonderful summer. We were so excited and happy when Meg came home from school and joined the firm, and Michael and my grandson came to visit for the summer and ended up deciding to stay. Everything was so happy and so.......perfect. And then it all started to go wrong. First, I had breast cancer. And then, this whole mess with that.......Brandon. How'd everything go from being so happy to being so screwed up?"
"I can answer that in two words......Brandon Williams. With the exception of your getting sick, that guy was responsible for everything else that's gone wrong not only for us, but for Gary and Val's family, Brian and Kate's family. Geez. The guy's dead and rotting in hell and he's STILL causing everybody a lotta grief."
Karen turns around to face her husband. "You have to help her, Mack. I can't bear the thought of Meg going to prison for something I know she didn't do."
"I'll do my best, Karen. Meg is my daughter, too."
Meanwhile....the Avery Home
"Mom?" Betsy says.
"Morning, darlin'."
"Couldn't sleep?"
"Uh-uh."
"At least there's no alcohol in the house, right, Mom?" Betsy asks.
"No. Not that I know of. Not unless he's snuck some in," Val says in a tone of disgust.
"How long do you think he's been drinking?" Daniel asks.
"I dunno. I've suspected for several days. Ever since that big blow up with Molly, the day that Brandon Williams was.......died. Gary was out all night and when he came home the next morning, I asked him if he'd been drinking, and he said no."
"You think he was lying?" Betsy asks.
Val looks at her daughter. "Yeah, I do. I have been through this too many times with your father. I do think he was lying and he'd been drinking that night."
Betsy sighs. "So.......Dad's drinking is just another fallout from Brandon Williams's little reign of terror on our community."
"Do you want me to go over and check on Gary?" Daniel asks.
"No," replies Val. "I will. I'll be back soon."
"Mom, I'll come with you," says Betsy.
"No, darlin'. I wanna do it on my own." Val opens the front door and slowly walks out. Once outside, she looks across the cul-de-sac at her house again, dreading the confrontation she is sure will come when she gets there. Then she quickly walks across the street and into the house. She finds the living room a mess. Two lamps overturned and a chair knocked over. And Gary......asleep on the sofa. Val angrily slams the door in an effort to wake him.
"Hey, what the......." Gary says, opening his eyes and waking up. He sits up, the light hurting his eyes and his head.
"Gary," Val says, walking over to him.
"Val. You're back. Please, keep it down. My head's killing me."
"As it SHOULD. How could you, Gary? How could you do this again, to us? To yourself?"
"I'm sorry, Val. It was just a slip."
"No, Gary, it was NOT just a slip. You chose to start drinking again. My question is, how could you after what it almost cost us the last time?"
"No, Gary. Just.....no. Yes, this has been a really terrible time for our family lately, but that's no reason to make it worse by drinking again. Damn it, Gary, you were sober for so many years until that last time two and a half years ago. And it almost destroyed us then. But like always, we found our way back to each other. But I honestly do not think I can go through this again. Not again, Gary. I thought at this stage of our lives.......at our AGE.........we would be past all that. Gary we have three adult children, four if you count Molly, and we have grandchildren. But I look at us right now, and what do I see? I see that same couple still fighting the same old demons we've been fighting for most of our adult lives. I see a couple who hasn't grown or matured since the day we moved into this house almost thirty-six years ago. And Gary, I do NOT have the strength to go through this battle again. Not at my age, and especially not with my son needing what little strength I do have to help and support him. Now is the time that I need YOUR strength, and you're not there for me or for our son. Well I've had it, Gary." Val turns and walks to the stairs.
"Val, don't leave me," Gary says, his tone one of desperation. Val stops at the bottom of the stairs. He stands and walks over to her. "Look, I'm SORRY, okay? I had a weak moment and I fell. I can't go back and change it, so what is it you want me to do?"
Val turns and looks at him. "I want you to stop doing this to us and to yourself. Start going to your AA meetings again. And if that isn't working, get some other kind of help."
"I will," Gary says as he starts to cry. "But just......don't walk out on me. I've already lost so much. Molly hates me. I've lost Bobby's respect and probably Betsy's too. I don't even have a relationship with Lucy. Val, I can't lose you, too."
Val puts her arms around him. "Gary, I don't wanna walk out on you. I have loved you since I was 15-years-old. And I will love you til the day that I die. And I don't want you destroying yourself or our family."
"Alright, I'll stop," Gary cries. "I promise, I won't take another drink."
"It's got to be more than that, Gary. More than your promise not to drink again. Tonight, I want you to go to an AA meeting. I'll go with you."
"Okay, I promise. I'll go. Val, I'm so sorry."
Her heart going out to her husband, Val embraces Gary and they cry together.
Crowder Funeral Home, Knots Landing....
Meanwhile, Molly walks into the funeral home. Looking around, she sees Brandon's name outside of one of the doors of a viewing room. After a pause, Molly composes herself and starts to walk into the room. She stops whens she sees Bridgette standing at Brandon's casket. Molly listens as Bridgette continues talking to her brother: |
Molly walks into the room and over to her. "I'm sorry, I didn't wanna interrupt you."
"Who are you?"
"Molly. Molly Cunningham."
"You're Molly?"
"Yeah, I dated your brother for a while after he moved here."
"I know," Bridgette says. "He mentioned you one night when we were texting. So you dated my brother? I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that it didn't end very well."
Molly lowers her head.
"It's okay," Bridgette says. "None of Brandon's relationships ended well."
"Listening to what you were saying about Brandon," Molly says. "It's like you were talking about a totally different person from the Brandon I knew. At least, the Brandon I got to know. At first, he was just as you described him. Kind, gentle, caring."
"Yeah," Bridgette says sadly. "I honestly don't know what happened to my brother, Molly. Growing up, he was this really terrific guy. A hero to me. But it's like, in his late teens, he changed. Actually, it seemed to be when he started dating. It's like he was two different people.......a kind, loving person sometimes, and then, a hateful, spiteful, even cruel person other times. I watched him go through one bad relationship after another. Mistreat one girlfriend after another. My brother took the word confidence to a new level. He thought way TOO highly of himself. But I think all that was to cover up a scared little boy inside."
"It's hard for me to think of him as a scared little boy," Molly says. "Your brother hurt me. He hurt me very deeply. He only lived here for a short while, but in that time, he brought turmoil to so many peoples' lives." Molly starts to cry.
"Tomorrow, I have to take my brother's body back to Columbus. Back so my parents can bury their only son," Bridgette says. She starts to walk out, but then she turns back to Molly. "I'm sorry for all the pain my brother caused. But he didn't deserve to die like this. And I hope that whoever killed him, pays for it the rest of their lives, just as my parents and I will." Bridgette pauses a moment. "Molly, one other thing. Did you care for my brother at all?"
"I did. I fell in love with him," Molly replies. "But Brandon destroyed that love."
"That seems to be what my brother did best," Bridgette says, her voice laced with sadness. She then turns and walks out.
After Bridgette is gone, Molly walks over to the casket and looks down at Brandon. She stands there
Knots Landing Police Station....
"Look, Bobby, if I'm gonna help you, you're gonna have to help me build a defense for you," Jason says. "You're gonna have to be totally honest with me about everything that happened the night Brandon Williams was murdered. And I mean EVERYTHING."
"Jason, I already told you everything that happened," Bobby says.
"No, why?" Bobby asks, worried. "Jason, what's wrong with Meg? Is she okay?"
"No, Bobby, she's not. Meg has been arrested, too. The police are holding her as a suspect in the murder of Brandon Williams."
"Tell me what happened the night Brandon Williams was murdered, Bobby," says Jason.
"Look, I'm your attorney. If I'm gonna prepare any kind of defense for you, I have to know the truth, and I mean the whole truth."
Bobby looks at Jason, unsure of what to say. He knows that he has to protect Meg and get her out of this mess.
Sunset Blvd....late afternoon
"Hi, Scott, it's Brian."
Scott is surprised to hear his half-brother's voice. "Brian, hello. What's up?"
"I've been doing a lot of thinking about what you said the other day. And I've decided...... I would like to see Jeff."
"Brian, that's great," says a happy Scott, I know Dad will be so happy. When can you come?"
"Would tomorrow be okay? Maybe, late morning?"
"Tomorrow is fine," Scott says. "Umm, around 11?"
"11 it is," Brian says. "See you then."
"See you then. And Brian.......thanks. Bye." Scott ends the call and puts his phone back into his pocket.
Knots Landing Beach.....late evening
"So, school starts back next week, huh?" Molly asks.
"Yeah. I'm kinda glad, too. I need something to take my mind off everything that's happened."
"I know, little brother. I'm glad we could get together," Molly says. "We haven't even seen each other since.......well, since everything happened with Mom and.......and Dad."
"I know," says Trevor. "I miss you, Molly. The house isn't the same without you."
"Thanks, Trev. I really miss you, too."
"Then come home."
"Trevor, I can't. Mom and Dad lied to me my entire life. Dad. Feels so weird even calling him that now, knowing that he's not my real father."
"He's the only father you've ever known, Molly," Trevor says.
"I know," Molly says sadly.
"Speaking of fathers, Dad told us that his father is here, in town."
"Really?'
"Yeah. I'm going with Dad to see him tomorrow. He has cancer, and I don't think he has long to live."
Molly sighs. "I'm sorry to hear that. Seems like all we ever hear these days is bad news."
"This has been the worst summer ever," says Trevor.
"I second that. Everything that's happened lately, I feel like it's my fault. If I hadn't gotten involved with Brandon, maybe none of this would've happened and Bobby wouldn't be sitting in jail."
Trevor stops walking and turns to his sister. "None of it is your fault, Molly. Everything that's happened is all because of that jerk Brandon. The guy wrecked our family and wrecked our lives. He got what he deserved, and I'm glad he's dead!"
"Trevor......," Molly says, surprised at the sudden cold heartedness of her once kind, caring younger brother.
"I mean it. The guy was just evil, Molly. Why God would put someone like that on the Earth and let good people die, I'll never understand." Trevor begins to cry.
"Hey, come on, little brother," Molly says, embracing him. "Shhhhh, it's okay. It's okay." Molly holds her brother tightly as she strokes his brown hair while he cries.
The MacKenzie Home.....the next morning
"Thank you," Val says.
"You're welcome."
"Has Mack gone to see Meg?"
Karen takes a sip of her coffee. "Yeah. I'm so worried. I'm terrified for her. And for Bobby."
"So am I. What a mess, huh?"
"Yeah. Big mess," Karen agrees. "How's Gary this morning?"
"He was still asleep when I left to come over here. I got him to go with me to an AA meeting last night."
"Well, that's good, Val. That's a first step."
"Yeah, I suppose it is," says Val. "Karen, I am just so angry with him right now. With everything else that's happening, the last thing we needed was for Gary to start drinking again. I honestly thought, or at least I'd hoped, we were past all that night. But I guess not."
"Sometimes, a person's strength just wears out," Karen says sadly. "Maybe that's what happened to Gary. All the stress and pressure of Molly finding out the truth, and everything that was happening with Bobby, and then Bobby's arrest. Maybe Gary just........I'm sorry, Val. I'm not even sure what I'm trying to say here."
"It's alright, Karen," Val says, reaching over and taking her friend's hand. "You have enough on your mind right now."
"Mack thinks.........." Karen hesitates for a moment. "Mack thinks that Meg might have had something to do with Brandon Williams's death."
"What? Karen, that's just crazy. I don't believe Meg killed that man any more than I believe my own son did."
"He........." Karen chokes back tears. "He raped her, Val."
"He raped her?" Val asks.
"Yes. Brandon Williams raped Meg the night he was mur.......the night he was killed."
"Oh my God. Oh, Karen, I.......poor Meg."
"Why does the world have to be this way, Val?" Karen asks. "Why are there people like Brandon Williams in the world? You know, we raise our children, try to protect them as best we can from the bad people and the dangers of the world. Then they grow up, and you can't protect them anymore, no matter how much you want to. Meg. My little girl had her entire life ahead of her. She just got out of law school, joined Mack's firm. She and Bobby had reconnected. And then.......Brandon Williams came into the picture and everything changed. Everything changed completely for both our families. And for Brian and Kate's family. Amazing, isn't it? It's amazing that one person could cause so much damage."
"Yeah, it is, but we've seen it before," Val says. "Remember Danny Waleska?"
"Of course, how could I forget? That's exactly who Brandon Williams reminds me of." Karen is silent for a brief moment. "Val, what are we going to do? How do we help our kids right now?"
"I dunno, Karen. If these were scraped knees or sprained ankles or the breakup of a relationship, we'd know what to do. But with this........I just........I just don't know."
The Cunningham Apartment.....later
"Hi, Scott," Brian says as he and Trevor walk into the apartment.
"Brian, thank you for coming. It means a lot to me, and I know it will to Dad, too."
"Sure. Umm, Scott, this is my son, Trevor."
"Trevor, it's nice to meet you," Scott says, extending his right hand.
"Yeah, you too, Scott," Trevor says, shaking his half-uncle's hand.
"Well, I'll let Dad know you're here. Is there anything I can get for you guys? Something to drink, maybe?"
"Not right now, thanks," Brian replies.
"Be right back." Scott walks into one of the bedrooms and closes the door.
Brian and Trevor look around the small apartment. "Are you nervous, Dad?" Trevor asks.
"Nervous doesn't even describe how I feel right now. Seeing my father again for the first time since I was a kid."
"I'm not even gonna know what to say to him when I meet him. Scott seems real nice, though."
"Yeah, he is."
"So, Scott is my, what.......uncle?" Trevor asks.
"Yeah, your half-uncle," Brian says as Scott comes out of the bedroom. As Brian looks on, his father, Jeff Cunningham, appears in the bedroom door. Jeff stands there for a moment, he and Brian looking at each other in silence for a while.
"Brian," Jeff says. "My son."
"Hello......Jeff," Brian says, his voice shaky.
Jeff walks over and takes a seat. "Excuse me if I sit down. I can't stand for too long a time."
"It's fine."
"My God, Brian, you look great after all these years."
"Thank you," says Brian.
"I hear you're a very successful business man."
"That's true."
"I always knew you and Olivia would both do something great with your lives," Jeff says. "And this handsome young man here must be my grandson."
"Yes. Jeff, this is Trevor. Son.......your grandfather."
Trevor walks over to the old man. "Hello, sir."
Jeff smiles. "Sir. You've raised a polite boy, Brian. And he looks just like a Cunningham."
"I'm sorry that my wife, Cathy, isn't here," Jeff says. "I know she'd love to meet both of you, but she had to work. She found a job working in a department store near here."
"Maybe another time."
"Yeah, sure. Another time. I'm hoping next time your sister will come with you. I, uh, I hear you also have a daughter?"
"Molly," Brian says.
As Brian and his father talk and get to know each other again after so many years, Scott quietly leaves the apartment.
A short time later....
"Trevor," he says.
The boy turns to him. "Looked like you were doing some heavy thinking. I didn't wanna bother you."
"Nah, it's cool."
"Why'd you leave?" Trevor asks.
"You and your Dad are pretty close, huh?" Trevor asks.
"Yeah. Yeah, we are. You and Brian? Are you guys close?"
"Yeah, I guess we are. Not as close as we use to be since he and my Mom separated and he moved out."
"I'm sorry about that," Scott says.
"Thanks. Man, this has been a crazy summer. Meeting a grandfather and an uncle for the first time, and just a couple days ago, I didn't even know you guys existed."
Scott smiles. "Yeah, I guess that is kinda weird for you. So you're, how old? 17?"
"Yeah. I'll be 18 in January. My Dad says you're only 22."
"That's right."
"Wow," Trevor says. "I can't believe I have an uncle who's only 5 years older than me."
"Yeah, well, maybe that's a good thing," says Scott. "Because maybe we can be friends."
"Yeah. Maybe we can."
Knots Landing Police Station....
"Well, I just spoke to Brandon Williams's sister one last time," Parker says. "She's leaving for Columbus today to take her brother's body back home for burial, and then she said she's coming back in a few days to clean out his apartment and get his things."
"Nikki, the guy may have been a total sleaze, but, even he deserves justice," Parker says. "And need I remind you that it isn't our call to play judge and jury? It's our job to gather the evidence and remain impartial."
"Impartial? I'm trying Ron, but every now and then a case comes along like this, and..........Brandon Williams was accused of raping five young college women on the campus of the college he attended. I spoke to two of them this morning, and those girls are traumatized for life."
"I know all about that case, but there was never enough evidence to convict him."
"But two of the women positively identified Williams as their attacker," Randall says. "Now you can't tell me that, after Meg MacKenzie says he raped her, too, that the guy didn't do it."
"You think Meg MacKenzie was lying?" Randall asks.
"No idea. But, it's possible she knew about the accusations against Williams back in Columbus, and maybe she's using that as a defense if she did kill him. All I know is our job would be a helluva lot easier if MacKenzie hadn't showered and destroyed any evidence that she was raped. As an attorney, she should've known better."
"You're right," says Randall. "But, attorney or not, she's still a WOMAN, and a victim, and rape victims often try to cleanse themselves after being violated."
"So what the hell do we do?" Parker asks, frustrated. "Do we charge MacKenzie with murder, charge her as an accomplice, or........release her and charge Ewing?"
Randall sighs. "Let's face it. We don't have any physical evidence linking Meg to Williams's murder. Only thing we have on her is the physical evidence, the DNA, that proves she had sex with Williams on the night he died. But that isn't enough to tie her to his murder. Now if she hadn't foolishly showered away the evidence that he raped her, we might could build a case on her. We do, however, have physical proof that Bobby Ewing was IN Williams's apartment AFTER he was killed because of the bloody thumb print that matched Ewing's print. Which, to me, along with the two violent altercations Ewing and Williams had, is enough evidence for a grand jury."
"I agree," Parker says.
"Plus, Ewing is in love with MacKenzie. Maybe he showed up right after the rape, and he killed Williams in revenge. Or, another possibility, Meg wasn't raped. She had consensual sex with Williams and Ewing showed up. She could have lied and said she was raped, thinking it would make things easier on Ewing. But, either way, we still don't have enough evidence on her."
"Okay, then. So, MacKenzie goes free, and Ewing takes the rap."
"Unless we can find some physical evidence tying her to the murder," Randall says.
The Cunningham Apartment....
"Brian, I really wanna thank you for coming over like this," Scott says. "I haven't seen Dad as happy as he is today since......well, since before his cancer diagnosis."
"I'm glad, Scott," Brian says. "I'm also glad you told me what you did. If you hadn't told me the truth, I probably wouldn't have agreed to come and see him. That still doesn't excuse the fact that if Jeff had wanted to, he still could've found Olivia and I and tried to establish some kind of relationship with us after we both turned 18. But, I realize I can't hold on to my anger and resentment, especially toward a dying man. And I do realize after talking to him that, he does regret the past. I'll call Olivia tonight and try and get her to come and see him as soon as she can."
"Thanks, Brian. And Trevor, I appreciate you coming, too. I meant what I said outside. Hopefully we can be friends."
"I'd like that," Trevor says.
"I'll call you after I talk to Olivia," Brian says.
"Fine," says Scott.
Brian nods, then he and Trevor leave. Outside, as they head toward the elevator, Brian sighs. "So, you and Scott seemed to hit it off pretty well, huh?" He asks Trevor.
"Yeah, we did. He's really cool."
"Good," Brian says. As they reach the elevator and press the button, the elevator doors open. Brian is surprised when Cathy steps off the elevator. Cathy, too, is surprised to see a man she had not seen since he was 12-years-old.
"Brian?" Cathy says with a smile. "Brian Cunningham?"
"Yes. And you're.......you're Cathy Geary. Or, Rush, or, I'm sorry, I don't know what your last name is now."
"Just look at you," Cathy says. "Last time I saw you, you were about 12, I think." "Yeah, that's right. Cathy, I didn't know you were back in town. How long have you been here?" "Just a couple months." "Oh, Cathy, this is my son, Trevor," Brian says. "Hello, Trevor," Cathy says with a smile. "Son, this is Cathy........" |
"Cunningham?" Brian asks, surprised.
"Yes, Brian. I'm your father's wife. Scott is my son. Mine and Jeff's."
"Yes. I was just coming home from work, but, let's go for a walk and I'll explain everything."
Brian looks at her, unsure of what to say or how to feel knowing that a woman he knew so long ago when he was a child, is now married to his own father and is the mother of his half-brother.
A few minutes later....
"So, when your father was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago, he had the surgery, and then started a round of chemo," Cathy says. "But his oncologist told us that there wasn't a chance with the kind of treatments available. But, here in L.A., they had better hospitals and more advanced treatments. Of course we knew there was no cure, and that Jeff's time was short, but, the new treatments he's been receiving here have prolonged his life and alleviated some of his pain. If we hadn't come here for his treatments, your father probably wouldn't have lived this long."
"So, you and my father have been married since 1991?" Brian asks.
"Yes."
"You had two sons, and after all these years, he still has no idea that you lived in Knots Landing and knew me and Olivia when we were kids?"
"No. No idea at all," replies Cathy. "Brian, my marriage to Joshua Rush was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. In fact, almost every decision that I made in my life before I met Jeff Cunningham was a mistake......my marriage to Ray Geary, my relationship with Gary. Joshua. And then.......I'm sure you didn't know anything about this because you were a child at the time.....but, you remember Ben Gibson, right?"
"Sure, I do. Val's second husband."
"Yeah. After Joshua died, I was so messed up in the head, and Ben was there for me."
"And you and Ben....."
"Yes," Cathy says. "I fell in love with him. But I wasn't about to stick around and destroy Val's marriage. Not as good as she had been to me. So, I did the only thing I could. I left Knots Landing to tour. It was about a year later that I met your father. The rest, I already told you. I just didn't want him to know about my past, mainly because of the things he had told me about Abby, and the things I knew about her from my own experiences with her. If I had told Jeff that Abby was the one who brought me to town to distract Gary while she manipulated him in business........that would've been it for us. So I never told him that I'd ever set foot in Knots Landing or that I knew any of the people he knew here, ESPECIALLY Abby. And we made a very happy marriage, with two beautiful sons. Ryan, well, we named him Ryan because of you. Brian, I don't know how long your father has left. I don't want what time he has to be upset knowing my past history with your mother. Or any of that stuff, really. Can you please just honor that? Just don't tell him that you knew me?"
"Okay," Brian says. "I won't say a word, and I'll tell Trevor not to. I'm sure Olivia will agree as well."
"Thank you," Cathy says, relieved. "It's your mother that I'm worried about, though."
"Don't worry about her. I'll handle my mother."
Knots Landing Police Station....
"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Avery," Parker says. "This is Assistant District Attorney Jasmine Foster. Ms. Foster, this is Mr. Ewing's attorney."
"Hi, Jason Avery."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Avery."
"Ms. Foster can explain," says Randall.
"Jason, we've decided that we're charging your client, Bobby Ewing, with first degree murder," Jasmine replies.
"First degree murder?"
"Yes. The physical evidence your client left behind at the scene, in effect the thumb print just two feet away from the body, in the victim's own blood, plus your client's previous arrest for assaulting the victim just days before the murder are more than sufficient cause to charge your client and take this case to the grand jury for an indictment."
"And what about Meg MacKenzie?" Jason asks.
"We're dropping the charges against her," Parker replies. "She's being released very shortly."
"What sort of a deal?" Jason asks.
"We are prepared to drop the first degree murder charge, in exchange for your client pleading guilty to second degree murder. And I would suggest taking this offer to your client, because it's the only one he's gonna get, and probably his best chance of avoiding a life sentence."
A short time later....
"You're being released, sweetheart," Mack says. "The charges against you for any involvement in this are being dropped. They're gonna charge Bobby with Brandon's murder."
"Meg, just calm down."
"Don't tell me to calm down. Bobby didn't kill anyone!"
"And how do you know this?" Mack asks. "Meg, is there somethin' you're not telling me?"
"Just that Bobby didn't kill Brandon. He couldn't have. Bobby couldn't kill anyone." Meg begins to cry.
A FEW MINUTES LATER....
"How do you think I feel, Jason? I'm locked up. Maybe for the rest of my life."
"Bobby, I need to talk to you."
"What's up?"
"Good. That's good. Meg never should've been involved in the first place."
"Bobby, Meg was involved from the very beginning because of her relationship with Brandon Williams," Jason says.
"But Meg didn't kill him," says Bobby.
"Listen, there's something else. I talked with the ADA who's handling your case. She says the DA's office is prepared to offer you a plea bargain. Initially, they were gonna charge you with first degree murder. In California, a conviction for first degree murder can result in one of three sentences: imprisonment in state prison for a term of 25 years to life; life imprisonment in state prison without the possibility of parole; or.......death. Now with a second degree conviction, your penalty could be reduced to 15 years in prison."
"Either way, I'm screwed," Bobby says.
"We could take our chances with a jury trial, but Bobby, that would be taking a BIG gamble."
"So......I get to choose between 25 years to life, or 15 years? What are the chances of coming out better with a jury?"
"Well, a jury could go either way," Jason says. "If we're lucky and play our cards right, make Brandon Williams look like the worst monster that ever walked the face of the earth, and make you look like a choir boy who was only trying to protect his girlfriend and loved ones from this monster, then, you could get a lighter sentence. Or, if we're super lucky, there's a less than 1% chance of acquittal. Then again, it could go the other way. A jury could be totally unsympathetic and give you the death penalty."
"Jason, you're my lawyer. What's your advice?" Bobby asks.
"Bobby, this isn't my call. But you tell me, if you SWEAR to me that you didn't kill Brandon Williams, then we'll take this to the jury and I'll fight for you with everything I have."
"Alright, but, you have to let me know by tomorrow morning. The DA's office isn't gonna leave this offer on the table for long."
Bobby lowers his head, unsure of what to do, and knowing that no matter what he decides, his future looks about as dark as it can get.....