Scott and Molly's apartment......night
Scott is sitting at the dining room table after dinner looking over some files and documents from Cunningham’s small companies division, while Molly and Trevor are watching a movie in the adjoining living room. Scott is constantly being distracted not only by their laughter, but by the noise of the movie itself.
“Hey, Scott, you’re missing a really funny movie,” Trevor says.
“Yeah, sure sounds like it.”
“Honey, why don’t you come join us?” Molly asks.
“Because I have all this work to do. I still have this whole stack of files to look over and familiarize myself with in the next couple of days.”
“Can’t you just take a little break?” Trevor asks.
“No I can’t just take a little break,” Scott snaps.
Molly and Trevor exchange concerned looks over Scott’s irritability.
Scott immediately feels bad for snapping at the boy. “Hey, Trev, man, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.”
“Hey, Scott, you’re missing a really funny movie,” Trevor says.
“Yeah, sure sounds like it.”
“Honey, why don’t you come join us?” Molly asks.
“Because I have all this work to do. I still have this whole stack of files to look over and familiarize myself with in the next couple of days.”
“Can’t you just take a little break?” Trevor asks.
“No I can’t just take a little break,” Scott snaps.
Molly and Trevor exchange concerned looks over Scott’s irritability.
Scott immediately feels bad for snapping at the boy. “Hey, Trev, man, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.”
“It’s cool,” Trevor says. “I guess my Dad’s really driving you hard, huh?”
Scott sighs. “Not really. He told me I could take my time learning this stuff, but, I’m anxious to delve right in. If I’m gonna be a success at Cunningham Enterprises, then I need to learn everything I can about the division I’m gonna be running. There’s just so much to learn, though.”
“Okay, that does it,” Molly says as she stands from her seat on the sofa and walks over to him. “You’ve been at this for HOURS. Time for a break.”
“Molly…..”
“Don’t ‘Molly’ me. Scott, if you keep this up you’re gonna burn yourself out before you even get started good at Cunningham Enterprises. Now all this stuff will be right here in the morning when you get up, but right now, you need a break. So come join me and Trevor and watch this movie. Come on. You love Seth Rogan.”
“Yeah, I do. Okay, you win.” Scott gets up from the table, kisses Molly, then the two head back into the living room to join Trevor for the movie.
Scott sighs. “Not really. He told me I could take my time learning this stuff, but, I’m anxious to delve right in. If I’m gonna be a success at Cunningham Enterprises, then I need to learn everything I can about the division I’m gonna be running. There’s just so much to learn, though.”
“Okay, that does it,” Molly says as she stands from her seat on the sofa and walks over to him. “You’ve been at this for HOURS. Time for a break.”
“Molly…..”
“Don’t ‘Molly’ me. Scott, if you keep this up you’re gonna burn yourself out before you even get started good at Cunningham Enterprises. Now all this stuff will be right here in the morning when you get up, but right now, you need a break. So come join me and Trevor and watch this movie. Come on. You love Seth Rogan.”
“Yeah, I do. Okay, you win.” Scott gets up from the table, kisses Molly, then the two head back into the living room to join Trevor for the movie.
The MacKenzie home….
Mack is rinsing after brushing his teeth that night in his and Karen’s master bathroom. After he finishes, he switches off the light and walks into the bedroom, where Karen is already in bed, staring into space.
“Alright, what’s wrong with ya?” Mack asks, turning down the covers on his side of the bed. He climbs in next to her.
“I was just thinking about how much I’m gonna miss Michael and Eric when they move out tomorrow.”
“Karen, they’re moving next door, not across town. You can spit and hit their house from our bedroom window.”
“I know, but it’s not like having them in the same house with us.”
“Sweetheart, don’t worry,” Mack says. “We’ll prob’ly see those two just as much as we have this past year they’ve lived here.”
Karen smile as she lets out a deep breath. “I was thinking about something else.”
“Something happy, I guess.”
“Very happy.”
“Well tell me. I’d like to smile, too.”
“Did you see the way that Michael and Julie were looking at one another during dinner?” Karen asks, still smiling.
“No, I didn’t. Why?”
“They could barely keep their eyes off each other, and I even saw a couple of smiles exchanged. Those two have a definite attraction between them.”
“I think that’s only natural,” says Mack. “After all, Michael’s a handsome guy, he gets his looks from his mother. And Julie is a very beautiful woman.” Mack looks at his wife. “Karen, you’re not thinkin’ of playin’ matchmaker between your son and my new partner, are ya?”
“Why not? After all, Michael and Julie have known each other for years, and they’re both alone now.”
“Uh-uh. Correction. They knew one another YEARS AGO. There’s a big difference in that and knowing one another for YEARS.”
“So, they’ll get to know one another again,” says Karen. “Besides, I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather have my son end up with than Julie. She reminds me so much of her mother.”
“Yeah, she does, and Frank, too. Julie has a real passion for law, which I really like that in her. But sweetheart, do us ALL a favor and don’t start playin’ matchmaker between her and Michael. If there’s an attraction and a chemistry there between those two, then let it happen naturally, on its own.”
“Well, sometimes, attraction and chemistry need a little help,” Karen says.
Mack sighs. “Goodnight, my dear,” Mack says, kissing his wife. He turns off the light on his side of the bed and lays down. Karen continues to sit up in bed with the light on her side of the bed still on. Mack looks at her. “Are you gonna go to sleep?”
“Not just yet. I’m not sleepy.”
“Those wheels are turnin’ aren’t they?” Mack asks. “You’re tryin’ to think of ways to throw Michael and Julie together.”
“I’m just……thinking.”
“Yeah I know what you’re thinkin’ about.”
Karen looks at her husband and smiles. “Mack……just go to sleep,” she says, leaning over to kiss him.
“I’ll go when I get sleepy.”
Mack looks up at her and shakes his head, then rolls over to go to sleep.
“Alright, what’s wrong with ya?” Mack asks, turning down the covers on his side of the bed. He climbs in next to her.
“I was just thinking about how much I’m gonna miss Michael and Eric when they move out tomorrow.”
“Karen, they’re moving next door, not across town. You can spit and hit their house from our bedroom window.”
“I know, but it’s not like having them in the same house with us.”
“Sweetheart, don’t worry,” Mack says. “We’ll prob’ly see those two just as much as we have this past year they’ve lived here.”
Karen smile as she lets out a deep breath. “I was thinking about something else.”
“Something happy, I guess.”
“Very happy.”
“Well tell me. I’d like to smile, too.”
“Did you see the way that Michael and Julie were looking at one another during dinner?” Karen asks, still smiling.
“No, I didn’t. Why?”
“They could barely keep their eyes off each other, and I even saw a couple of smiles exchanged. Those two have a definite attraction between them.”
“I think that’s only natural,” says Mack. “After all, Michael’s a handsome guy, he gets his looks from his mother. And Julie is a very beautiful woman.” Mack looks at his wife. “Karen, you’re not thinkin’ of playin’ matchmaker between your son and my new partner, are ya?”
“Why not? After all, Michael and Julie have known each other for years, and they’re both alone now.”
“Uh-uh. Correction. They knew one another YEARS AGO. There’s a big difference in that and knowing one another for YEARS.”
“So, they’ll get to know one another again,” says Karen. “Besides, I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather have my son end up with than Julie. She reminds me so much of her mother.”
“Yeah, she does, and Frank, too. Julie has a real passion for law, which I really like that in her. But sweetheart, do us ALL a favor and don’t start playin’ matchmaker between her and Michael. If there’s an attraction and a chemistry there between those two, then let it happen naturally, on its own.”
“Well, sometimes, attraction and chemistry need a little help,” Karen says.
Mack sighs. “Goodnight, my dear,” Mack says, kissing his wife. He turns off the light on his side of the bed and lays down. Karen continues to sit up in bed with the light on her side of the bed still on. Mack looks at her. “Are you gonna go to sleep?”
“Not just yet. I’m not sleepy.”
“Those wheels are turnin’ aren’t they?” Mack asks. “You’re tryin’ to think of ways to throw Michael and Julie together.”
“I’m just……thinking.”
“Yeah I know what you’re thinkin’ about.”
Karen looks at her husband and smiles. “Mack……just go to sleep,” she says, leaning over to kiss him.
“I’ll go when I get sleepy.”
Mack looks up at her and shakes his head, then rolls over to go to sleep.
The Avery home….the next morning
Daniel, Betsy, their two small children, and Jason are seated at the breakfast table the next morning when Dylan walks into the Avery kitchen.
“Well, good morning,” Jason says to his son as Dylan takes a seat.
“Morning.”
“My, don’t you look nice?” Betsy remarks.
“Thanks,” Dylan says with a smile.
“Looking forward to working for Bobby at Ewing Records?” Daniel asks.
“Oh yeah. Ready, and nervous, too.”
“Come on, you’ll do fine,” says Betsy. “Don’t be nervous. Eric really loves working for my brother.”
“And I’m sure you will, too,” says Jason.
“I hope so,” Dylan says. “I guess I’m just nervous about everything after all that time I spent locked up. It still feels weird to be free.”
Jason reaches over and puts his hand on his son’s shoulder. “I understand. It’s gonna take time, Dylan. But you have a whole lot of support, not only from your family, but also from your friends.”
Dylan looks at his father sadly. “Yeah. I know, Dad,” he says.
"Well, I hate to run, but I have to be in surgery in one hour," Daniel says as he finishes his cup of coffe, then gets up from his seat. "So, I have to be going." He kisses Betsy.
"I'll see you this evening," Betsy says.
"Okay. Dylan, good luck today."
"Thanks, Uncle Danny."
"I have to be going, too," says Jason. "Dylan, hurry and finish your breakfast, and I'll drop you by Ewing Records on my way to the office."
"Thanks, Dad, but I'm ready now."
"You haven't eaten anything," Betsy says.
"I'm not hungry, Aunt Betsy. I'll grab a snack later."
"At least finish your orange juice."
Dylan does as Betsy says and takes two big sips of his glass of orange juice, finishing it with the second sip.
"Ready?" Jason asks.
"All set."
"Let's go, then."
Both father and son stand from their seats at the table. "Have a good day," Betsy says, kissing Dylan on the forehead.
"Thanks. Gonna try."
"Bye, Bets," Jason says.
"Bye. See you both this evening," Betsy says as her brother-in-law and nephew leave.
“Come on, you’ll do fine,” says Betsy. “Don’t be nervous. Eric really loves working for my brother.”
“And I’m sure you will, too,” says Jason.
“I hope so,” Dylan says. “I guess I’m just nervous about everything after all that time I spent locked up. It still feels weird to be free.”
Jason reaches over and puts his hand on his son’s shoulder. “I understand. It’s gonna take time, Dylan. But you have a whole lot of support, not only from your family, but also from your friends.”
Dylan looks at his father sadly. “Yeah. I know, Dad,” he says.
"Well, I hate to run, but I have to be in surgery in one hour," Daniel says as he finishes his cup of coffe, then gets up from his seat. "So, I have to be going." He kisses Betsy.
"I'll see you this evening," Betsy says.
"Okay. Dylan, good luck today."
"Thanks, Uncle Danny."
"I have to be going, too," says Jason. "Dylan, hurry and finish your breakfast, and I'll drop you by Ewing Records on my way to the office."
"Thanks, Dad, but I'm ready now."
"You haven't eaten anything," Betsy says.
"I'm not hungry, Aunt Betsy. I'll grab a snack later."
"At least finish your orange juice."
Dylan does as Betsy says and takes two big sips of his glass of orange juice, finishing it with the second sip.
"Ready?" Jason asks.
"All set."
"Let's go, then."
Both father and son stand from their seats at the table. "Have a good day," Betsy says, kissing Dylan on the forehead.
"Thanks. Gonna try."
"Bye, Bets," Jason says.
"Bye. See you both this evening," Betsy says as her brother-in-law and nephew leave.
Ewing Records......a short time later
Twenty minutes later, Dylan walks into the reception area at Ewing Records and looks around. After a momentary pause, he approaches the receptionist’s desk. “Excuse me,” he says.
“Yes, may I help you?” The young woman asks.
“I’m here to see Bobby Ewing.”
“Is he expecting you?”
“Yes, he is. I’m Dylan Avery.”
The receptionist smiles. “Oh yes. I’ll let Bobby know you’re here.”
“Thanks,” Dylan says.
The secretary buzzes Bobby’s office. “Bobby, Dylan Avery is here.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right out,” Bobby says.
The receptionist looks at Dylan and smiles. “He’ll be right with you.”
“Thank you.” Dylan walks over to a sofa, and as he is about to take a seat, Bobby comes out of his office.
“Yes, may I help you?” The young woman asks.
“I’m here to see Bobby Ewing.”
“Is he expecting you?”
“Yes, he is. I’m Dylan Avery.”
The receptionist smiles. “Oh yes. I’ll let Bobby know you’re here.”
“Thanks,” Dylan says.
The secretary buzzes Bobby’s office. “Bobby, Dylan Avery is here.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right out,” Bobby says.
The receptionist looks at Dylan and smiles. “He’ll be right with you.”
“Thank you.” Dylan walks over to a sofa, and as he is about to take a seat, Bobby comes out of his office.
“Hey, Dylan, what’s up?” Bobby asks.
“Hey, Bobby.”
“So, you ready to get started learning?”
“Yep, I sure am. What exactly am I gonna be doing?”
“You’re gonna be assisting my assistant,” Bobby replies, looking over Dylan’s shoulder. “Here he comes now.”
Dylan turns around and sees Eric coming down a hallway into the reception area.
“Eric, hi,” Dylan says.
“Hey, dude.”
“Dylan, you’re gonna be working with Eric. He’s gonna train you in all you need to know.”
“Great,” Dylan says with a smile.
“Dude, this is gonna be great, us working together this summer,” Eric says.
“Yeah, I’ve been looking forward to this.”
Bobby smiles. “Well, guys, I’m gonna leave you to it. Eric, take good care of him.”
“Sure will, Bobby.”
“I have some things I need to take care of, and I’ll check with you in a couple of hours,” Bobby says. “But if you guys need me for anything, I’ll be in my office, so just give me a call.”
“Will do,” says Eric.
“Bobby, I really wanna thank you for giving me this job,” Dylan says. “Really means a lot.”
Bobby looks at the young man for a moment then smiles. “No problem, Dylan. That’s what friends are for. I’ll see you guys in a bit.” Bobby turns and walks back to his office.
“Hey, dude.”
“Dylan, you’re gonna be working with Eric. He’s gonna train you in all you need to know.”
“Great,” Dylan says with a smile.
“Dude, this is gonna be great, us working together this summer,” Eric says.
“Yeah, I’ve been looking forward to this.”
Bobby smiles. “Well, guys, I’m gonna leave you to it. Eric, take good care of him.”
“Sure will, Bobby.”
“I have some things I need to take care of, and I’ll check with you in a couple of hours,” Bobby says. “But if you guys need me for anything, I’ll be in my office, so just give me a call.”
“Will do,” says Eric.
“Bobby, I really wanna thank you for giving me this job,” Dylan says. “Really means a lot.”
Bobby looks at the young man for a moment then smiles. “No problem, Dylan. That’s what friends are for. I’ll see you guys in a bit.” Bobby turns and walks back to his office.
“Well, all set to get started?” Eric asks.
“Yep, all set,” Dylan replies.
“Great. Come on, I’ll show you what we do here.”
“Eric, I’ve been meaning to ask you…….have you talked to Trevor?”
“Yeah, I have.”
“How’s he doing?”
“He’s doing……as well as can be expected, I guess. He moved in with Molly and his Uncle Scott a few days ago.”
“Really?” Dylan asks.
“Yeah. You mean, you two haven’t talked at all since you’ve been out?”
Dylan sighs. “No. We haven’t.”
“Why don’t you give him a call? I’m sure Trevor’d love to hear from you. Now come on, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover.”
“Ready when you are,” Dylan says as he follows Eric down the hall.
“Yep, all set,” Dylan replies.
“Great. Come on, I’ll show you what we do here.”
“Eric, I’ve been meaning to ask you…….have you talked to Trevor?”
“Yeah, I have.”
“How’s he doing?”
“He’s doing……as well as can be expected, I guess. He moved in with Molly and his Uncle Scott a few days ago.”
“Really?” Dylan asks.
“Yeah. You mean, you two haven’t talked at all since you’ve been out?”
Dylan sighs. “No. We haven’t.”
“Why don’t you give him a call? I’m sure Trevor’d love to hear from you. Now come on, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover.”
“Ready when you are,” Dylan says as he follows Eric down the hall.
Scott and Molly’s apartment…..
Trevor is sitting on the sofa in Scott and Molly’s living room playing a video game when Molly walks in from her bedroom. “Trev, there’s some pizza left in the fridge, and we have a lot of microwavable dinners in the pantry for your lunch and dinner.”
“Great. What time do you get off today?” Trevor asks.
“Not until 9 tonight, but Scott should be home by 6:30 or so.”
“Okay.”
“Great. What time do you get off today?” Trevor asks.
“Not until 9 tonight, but Scott should be home by 6:30 or so.”
“Okay.”
“So what are your plans for the day?” Molly asks.
“Not sure. I may go hang out at the beach for a while.”
“Why don’t you call Dylan and see what he has planned? Maybe you guys could go to the beach together?”
“Molly, why do you keep trying to push me into calling Dylan?”
“Because Dylan is your FRIEND, little brother,” Molly replies.
“The two of you have been to hell and back together, so why are you avoiding him now?”
“Notice he hasn’t called me, either. Phone works both ways, sis.”
“Trevor, maybe Dylan feels the same way as you. Maybe he’s afraid to call you because he thinks you blame him for this whole mess.”
“Why would I blame HIM?” Trevor asks. “This was MY fault, Molly, not Dylan’s.”
“No, just stop right there,” says Molly. “This was Brandon’s fault. All of it. You and Dylan just happened to be innocent victims caught up in the crossfire.”
“But if I hadn’t gone over there that day……”
“Trevor, don’t keep doing this. You can’t change what happened. None of us can. We just have to somehow learn to live with the memories. You were trying to protect your family. And thank God Dylan followed you because if he hadn’t, there’s no telling what Brandon would’ve done to you. Dylan probably saved your life, so you need to call him. You guys were best friends, Trevor.”
“But you still won’t talk to Gary, and he’s your biological father.”
“That’s a totally different situation,” Molly says. “Gary and everyone else lied to me about who my father was for my entire life.”
“So you’re just gonna go on hating everyone?” Trevor asks.
Molly sighs. “I have to get to work.” She grabs her purse, then walks over to her brother and kisses him on the cheek. “I love you. See you tonight.”
“Okay,” Trevor says.
Molly walks to the door, smiles at her brother, then leaves.
After she’s gone, Trevor thinks about what Molly had said about Dylan.
“Not sure. I may go hang out at the beach for a while.”
“Why don’t you call Dylan and see what he has planned? Maybe you guys could go to the beach together?”
“Molly, why do you keep trying to push me into calling Dylan?”
“Because Dylan is your FRIEND, little brother,” Molly replies.
“The two of you have been to hell and back together, so why are you avoiding him now?”
“Notice he hasn’t called me, either. Phone works both ways, sis.”
“Trevor, maybe Dylan feels the same way as you. Maybe he’s afraid to call you because he thinks you blame him for this whole mess.”
“Why would I blame HIM?” Trevor asks. “This was MY fault, Molly, not Dylan’s.”
“No, just stop right there,” says Molly. “This was Brandon’s fault. All of it. You and Dylan just happened to be innocent victims caught up in the crossfire.”
“But if I hadn’t gone over there that day……”
“Trevor, don’t keep doing this. You can’t change what happened. None of us can. We just have to somehow learn to live with the memories. You were trying to protect your family. And thank God Dylan followed you because if he hadn’t, there’s no telling what Brandon would’ve done to you. Dylan probably saved your life, so you need to call him. You guys were best friends, Trevor.”
“But you still won’t talk to Gary, and he’s your biological father.”
“That’s a totally different situation,” Molly says. “Gary and everyone else lied to me about who my father was for my entire life.”
“So you’re just gonna go on hating everyone?” Trevor asks.
Molly sighs. “I have to get to work.” She grabs her purse, then walks over to her brother and kisses him on the cheek. “I love you. See you tonight.”
“Okay,” Trevor says.
Molly walks to the door, smiles at her brother, then leaves.
After she’s gone, Trevor thinks about what Molly had said about Dylan.
Cunningham Enterprises....afternoon
Scott is sitting at his new desk at Cunningham Enterprises that afternoon looking over some figures on his computer, when someone knocks on the door. “Come in,” he says.
Brian walks into the office. “How’s it going?”
“It’s……going slow.”
Brian smiles. “I know there’s a lot to learn and this can get pretty overwhelming, but I have every confidence that you’re gonna do fine.”
“Thanks,” Scott says. “I knew there’d be a lot to learn, but I never dreamed there’d be THIS much stuff.”
“Well, there’s a lot of history in this company,” Brian says. “And some of the subsidiaries we own were purchased by Greg Sumner back in the ‘80s and ‘90s when he was running The Sumner Group.”
Brian walks into the office. “How’s it going?”
“It’s……going slow.”
Brian smiles. “I know there’s a lot to learn and this can get pretty overwhelming, but I have every confidence that you’re gonna do fine.”
“Thanks,” Scott says. “I knew there’d be a lot to learn, but I never dreamed there’d be THIS much stuff.”
“Well, there’s a lot of history in this company,” Brian says. “And some of the subsidiaries we own were purchased by Greg Sumner back in the ‘80s and ‘90s when he was running The Sumner Group.”
Scott sighs. “Well, I’ll get through this eventually.”
“Sure, you will. Just don’t push yourself too hard, Scott. You’ve got plenty of time to learn this stuff, and there’s really no hurry, so take it easy.”
“I will.”
“Good,” Brian says. “I’ll check with you later, and remember……take it easy.”
“Thanks. Oh, Brian, I do have one question."
"Fire away," Brian says.
"I ran across the name of one company in these files called Harris Computers, but I can't find any information about the company in any of this stuff."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah, and I've looked everywhere," Scott says.
"Well, may be just an oversight. Check with Henry Wong. He'll know what's going on."
"Yeah, I will. Thanks."
"I'll talk to you later," Brian says. He flashes his brother a smile, then walks out of the office.
After Brian leaves, Scott returns to looking over the documents on the desk in front of him. He picks up the list of subsidiary companies Cunningham Enterprises owns and looks at it. His eyes come to a stop on the name Harris Computers. That company, and the lack of documentation about it in the files, has Scott curious. He picks up his phone and dials Henry's Wong's office. On the second ring, Wong answers. "Henry, this is Scott Cunningham. Are you busy right now? Good, because I need to have a word with you. I'll be in your office in two minutes." Scott puts the phone down and again looks at the list.
Meanwhile.....Henry Wong's office
Henry hangs up his phone, a worried look on his face as Abby stands beside him looking on. "What's the matter, Henry?" She asks.
"That was Scott Cunningham. He wants to see me in TWO minutes."
"So?"
"He sounded strange," Henry says. "Abby, what if he's found something in those files?"
"That was Scott Cunningham. He wants to see me in TWO minutes."
"So?"
"He sounded strange," Henry says. "Abby, what if he's found something in those files?"
"He'd better NOT have found anything in those files, Henry," says Abby. "You were supposed to get rid of anything that could incriminate us."
"I did my best, Abby," Henry says. "But I had so little time to shred those documents, I might have missed something."
"That's not the kind of talk I like in my employees, Henry. Especially not with so much at stake. You'd better make damned sure there was nothing in those files that could cause me any problems, Henry, because if there is, you can be certain that I won't be taking the fall alone. We both have a lot to lose if Scott stumbles onto something."
"Abby, you said it yourself........Scott Cunningham is young and extremely inexperienced when it comes to business. Even if he does find something, chances are he won't even know what he's looking at."
"Unless he brings it to Brian's attention," Abby says. "And then we could have a very serious problem. Now, Henry, you take care of Scott Cunningham. I have bigger fish to fry."
"Greg Sumner?" Henry asks.
"That's not the kind of talk I like in my employees, Henry. Especially not with so much at stake. You'd better make damned sure there was nothing in those files that could cause me any problems, Henry, because if there is, you can be certain that I won't be taking the fall alone. We both have a lot to lose if Scott stumbles onto something."
"Abby, you said it yourself........Scott Cunningham is young and extremely inexperienced when it comes to business. Even if he does find something, chances are he won't even know what he's looking at."
"Unless he brings it to Brian's attention," Abby says. "And then we could have a very serious problem. Now, Henry, you take care of Scott Cunningham. I have bigger fish to fry."
"Greg Sumner?" Henry asks.
"You just let ME worry about that. You worry about keeping my son's half-brother in the dark." Abby turns and as she starts to leave Henry's office, Scott walks in. He is surprised to see her.
"Abby," Scott says.
"Hello, Scott."
"What are you doing in here?"
"Well, Henry IS my assistant, after all. Or rather, my FORMER assistant now, I suppose, since you're now in charge of Cunningham's small companies division. You take care."
"Yeah, you, too," Scott says as Abby walks past him and out of the office. Scott closes the door behind her. "Strange lady," he says.
"Yes," says Henry. "So, what can I do for you, Scott?"
"Abby," Scott says.
"Hello, Scott."
"What are you doing in here?"
"Well, Henry IS my assistant, after all. Or rather, my FORMER assistant now, I suppose, since you're now in charge of Cunningham's small companies division. You take care."
"Yeah, you, too," Scott says as Abby walks past him and out of the office. Scott closes the door behind her. "Strange lady," he says.
"Yes," says Henry. "So, what can I do for you, Scott?"
"Henry, I was hoping you could help me out with some information," replies Scott.
"Information?"
"Yeah. Those files you gave me on the subsidiary companies owned by Cunningham Enterprises.........there seems to be some information missing."
"Oh?" Henry asks, nervously.
"Yes. I ran across the name of one company, Harris Computers, but there's no information on that company in any of the files you gave me. I've checked and doubled checked, and there's nothing."
"Harris Computers? Oh, yes, well, I wouldn't worry too much about that," Henry says. "Harris Computers was a very small computer company that Greg Sumner purchased when this was still The Sumner Group, before he turned the company over to your brother several years ago. Harris Computers was a lemon from the start, and went out of business quite some time ago."
"But we still own it?" Scott asks.
"Technically, yes."
"If Harris went out of business, and we still technically own the company, then why isn't there any information on it, even if it's only the company's history, in those files?"
"Just an oversight, I'm sure."
"Well, could you get that information?"
Henry manages a fake smile through his nervousness. "Scott, with that massive load of paperwork you already have to read through, why bother yourself with even more? Harris Computers was a dud of a company and lost more money than it made for Cunningham, so we pulled the plug on it quite a while ago."
"Nevertheless, Henry, I wanna know about every subsidiary company that Cunningham owns or controls, including the companies that are no longer functioning. So see if you can find that info on Harris for me, okay?"
Henry looks at Scott for a moment, then smiles again. "Of course."
"Thanks, Henry. I'd like that information as soon as possible."
"I'll get right on it."
"Good," Scott says. He smiles at Henry and then leaves the office. As Scott walks back to his own office, Abby is watching from a distance.
Meanwhile, in his office, Henry stands and walks over to the window looking out into the main offices, and also watches Scott as he makes his way back to his own office across the large and crowded room. "Scott Cunningham," he says quietly. "You're starting to become a very big problem around here."
"If Harris went out of business, and we still technically own the company, then why isn't there any information on it, even if it's only the company's history, in those files?"
"Just an oversight, I'm sure."
"Well, could you get that information?"
Henry manages a fake smile through his nervousness. "Scott, with that massive load of paperwork you already have to read through, why bother yourself with even more? Harris Computers was a dud of a company and lost more money than it made for Cunningham, so we pulled the plug on it quite a while ago."
"Nevertheless, Henry, I wanna know about every subsidiary company that Cunningham owns or controls, including the companies that are no longer functioning. So see if you can find that info on Harris for me, okay?"
Henry looks at Scott for a moment, then smiles again. "Of course."
"Thanks, Henry. I'd like that information as soon as possible."
"I'll get right on it."
"Good," Scott says. He smiles at Henry and then leaves the office. As Scott walks back to his own office, Abby is watching from a distance.
Meanwhile, in his office, Henry stands and walks over to the window looking out into the main offices, and also watches Scott as he makes his way back to his own office across the large and crowded room. "Scott Cunningham," he says quietly. "You're starting to become a very big problem around here."
Aventura Mall.....late afternoon
As Molly hangs some clothes on the racks at the department store she works at in the mall, Val walks into the store and begins browsing in the womens' department. After browsing for a moment, she spots Molly and after a brief pause, walks over to her.
"Hello, Molly," Val says.
"Val, hi," Molly says, looking up from the work she's doing.
"How are you?"
"I'm........I'm fine, Val. How are you?"
"Couldn't be better, actually. Karen's birthday is coming up, so I came in to buy her a present."
"Oh, well, that's nice," Molly says awkwardly. "Tell her happy birthday from me."
"I will, but I'm sure she'd love to hear from you personally."
Molly looks at her. "Maybe I'll call her."
"Hello, Molly," Val says.
"Val, hi," Molly says, looking up from the work she's doing.
"How are you?"
"I'm........I'm fine, Val. How are you?"
"Couldn't be better, actually. Karen's birthday is coming up, so I came in to buy her a present."
"Oh, well, that's nice," Molly says awkwardly. "Tell her happy birthday from me."
"I will, but I'm sure she'd love to hear from you personally."
Molly looks at her. "Maybe I'll call her."
"Sweety, we all miss you," Val says. "It'd be real nice if you came around sometime."
"Val, I can't."
"Molly, I know you're still angry and upset with all of us for lying to you all those years. But don't you think you've punished your father enough?"
"Which father?" Molly asks sarcastically. "Gary.....or Brian?"
"I'm talking about Gary. Sweetheart, he loves you very much, and this estrangement is hurting him very deeply."
"Val, I can't."
"Molly, I know you're still angry and upset with all of us for lying to you all those years. But don't you think you've punished your father enough?"
"Which father?" Molly asks sarcastically. "Gary.....or Brian?"
"I'm talking about Gary. Sweetheart, he loves you very much, and this estrangement is hurting him very deeply."
"Yeah, I know, he loved me enough to let another man raise me and let me think that Brian was my father, is that it?" Molly asks.
"Yes, that's IT," Val replies sternly. "Molly, I know this is hard for you to understand, but we all made mistakes back then. And maybe it was a mistake for Gary and Kate to not tell you the truth from the start, but, honey, it was such a complicated situation. When Gary and your mother were together, they thought that I was dead. And then, after I came back, your mother left town pregnant with you. She met Brian during that time and they fell in love......."
"Yes, and they became engaged when Mom found out she was pregnant with Trevor, and they all thought it best for Brian to raise me as HIS daughter. Val, I've already had this whole story explained to me so many times I think I'll scream if I hear it one more time."
"Well maybe there's one part of the story you haven't considered," Val says.
"And what's that?" Molly asks.
"Your brother and sister. Bobby and Betsy. Molly, the twins were just 8-years-old when I was missing and presumed dead in Florida. Imagine.........at 8-years-old they thought they had lost their mother, and Gary was barely able to take care of them, so your mother entered the picture. The twins came to love Kate, and I know she loved them. She took care of my family while I was away."
"Oh, yeah, INCLUDING seducing and sleeping with your grief-stricken husband," Molly says.
"It wasn't like that," Val continues. "Gary was hurting. He and Kate were both lonely, and they developed feelings for one another. Those things happen. And then, I came back into the picture. When Kate came back to Knots Landing with you four years later, that was a very difficult time for all of us. I had a hard time accepting the fact that, while I was gone and was being held hostage and presumed dead by my husband, my friends, and my children, Gary had turned to another woman. It caused a rift between us. That was also a hard time for Bobby and Betsy. None of us.......not Gary, nor I, nor Kate and Brian, wanted to add to their problems by having them learn that their father had been involved with Kate when everyone thought their mother was dead. And no one wanted to hurt you, either, so they made the decision to keep the truth from you. Gary's decision was an act of love for all three of you. And I think it's terribly unfair for you to continue punishing him for that." Without saying another word and fighting back tears, Val turns and walks away from her, leaving Molly with a lot to think about.
"Yes, that's IT," Val replies sternly. "Molly, I know this is hard for you to understand, but we all made mistakes back then. And maybe it was a mistake for Gary and Kate to not tell you the truth from the start, but, honey, it was such a complicated situation. When Gary and your mother were together, they thought that I was dead. And then, after I came back, your mother left town pregnant with you. She met Brian during that time and they fell in love......."
"Yes, and they became engaged when Mom found out she was pregnant with Trevor, and they all thought it best for Brian to raise me as HIS daughter. Val, I've already had this whole story explained to me so many times I think I'll scream if I hear it one more time."
"Well maybe there's one part of the story you haven't considered," Val says.
"And what's that?" Molly asks.
"Your brother and sister. Bobby and Betsy. Molly, the twins were just 8-years-old when I was missing and presumed dead in Florida. Imagine.........at 8-years-old they thought they had lost their mother, and Gary was barely able to take care of them, so your mother entered the picture. The twins came to love Kate, and I know she loved them. She took care of my family while I was away."
"Oh, yeah, INCLUDING seducing and sleeping with your grief-stricken husband," Molly says.
"It wasn't like that," Val continues. "Gary was hurting. He and Kate were both lonely, and they developed feelings for one another. Those things happen. And then, I came back into the picture. When Kate came back to Knots Landing with you four years later, that was a very difficult time for all of us. I had a hard time accepting the fact that, while I was gone and was being held hostage and presumed dead by my husband, my friends, and my children, Gary had turned to another woman. It caused a rift between us. That was also a hard time for Bobby and Betsy. None of us.......not Gary, nor I, nor Kate and Brian, wanted to add to their problems by having them learn that their father had been involved with Kate when everyone thought their mother was dead. And no one wanted to hurt you, either, so they made the decision to keep the truth from you. Gary's decision was an act of love for all three of you. And I think it's terribly unfair for you to continue punishing him for that." Without saying another word and fighting back tears, Val turns and walks away from her, leaving Molly with a lot to think about.
MacKenzie And Associates....late afternoon
Meg is working at her desk when Mack walks by his daughter's open door. He pauses a moment and looks at her, then knocks on the door and walks in.
"Hey, I'm about to head home for the day," he says. "What are you up to?"
"I was just looking over these police statements from the Miller case," replies Meg.
"Miller case? Oh, yeah, I remember that one. Rape case, isn't it?"
"That's right, and I'm representing Sarah Miller against her husband."
"Meg, you sure you wanna do that? I mean, come on......a RAPE case?"
"Daddy, I'm fine."
"No, ya not, kid. I can tell, this is botherin' you, as well it should. I can handle the Miller case, or Julie can."
"Hey, I'm about to head home for the day," he says. "What are you up to?"
"I was just looking over these police statements from the Miller case," replies Meg.
"Miller case? Oh, yeah, I remember that one. Rape case, isn't it?"
"That's right, and I'm representing Sarah Miller against her husband."
"Meg, you sure you wanna do that? I mean, come on......a RAPE case?"
"Daddy, I'm fine."
"No, ya not, kid. I can tell, this is botherin' you, as well it should. I can handle the Miller case, or Julie can."
"No," Meg says. "Sarah Miller hired me to represent her, and that's what I'm gonna do. I'm going to represent my client to the best of my ability."
"Meg, I have to ask you somethin'."
"Go ahead."
"Does Shawn know about the rape? I mean, I know ya told him a little about Brandon Williams, and the murder, and Bobby, but.........have ya told ya husband everything?"
Meg looks up at her father for several seconds before answering. "No. Shawn doesn't know everything."
"Then he doesn't know about the rape yet?" Mack asks.
"Why should he? That was almost a year ago, and I've moved on. Shawn and I are very happy, and I see no reason to dredge up painful memories."
"Sweetheart, Shawn's your husband and he deserves to know the truth. And not only that, but YOU deserve to be able to deal with what happened to you and move on."
"Daddy, didn't you hear what I just said?" Meg asks. "I HAVE moved on."
"No, honey. Ya haven't. You never talk about the rape or about Brandon."
"And why should I? That was most awful thing that ever happened to me. Brandon Williams is dead and burning in hell, so everyone whose lives that son of a bitch messed up deserves to forget about him and be happy."
"I completely agree," Mack says. "But Meg, I've worked with a lot of rape victims over the years, and I know his this works. I also know you. You're my daughter, and I can look into your eyes and tell that you're still haunted by what that piece of slime did to you. And representing a victim of rape isn't gonna be easy for you, Meg."
"Can we just drop this? Please."
"Alright," Mack says. He walks over to his daughter and kisses her on top of the head. "But I'm here if you need me. Even if you need someone to yell or scream at. So's your mother."
"I know. You and Mom have always been there for me."
"Come over to the house sometime," Mack says as he starts to leave.
"I will. Oh, by the way, Daddy, I wanted to ask you something. What was that argument about between you and Greg when he came by the office a few days ago? Did it have something to do with Paige? And Patrick?"
Mack sighs. "Why do you ask that? Have you talked to him?"
"He called me. Asked if I knew Paige's address. I told him I didn't."
Mack shakes his head. "Sumner, that guy never gives up."
"Daddy, what's going on?"
"Sumner wants to know where Paige and my grandson are."
"So why don't you tell him?"
"Because Paige doesn't want him to know. She doesn't want him anywhere near Patrick."
"Greg knows Patrick is his son?"
"Yeah. And I agree with Paige. Greg Sumner shouldn't be within ten thousand feet of my grandson."
"Is that really fair?" Meg asks, standing from her seat. "Patrick's his SON."
"And your point?" Mack asks.
"Greg is MY biological father, too, and nothing terrible happened when I found out and got to know him, did it? The world didn't end? Aliens didn't attack, and my life wasn't corrupted or ruined by getting to know my biological father. I don't think Patrick's will be, either. Besides, I think your viewpoint is a little biased since you hate Greg Sumner."
"I hate the guy with good reason. But, aside from how I feel, this isn't up to me. This is Paige's decision, and she's decided she doesn't want Sumner to have anything to do with Patrick."
"But Patrick is over 18. The decision really should be up to HIM."
"Again.....not my call, so just drop it. And do me a favor.....do NOT give Sumner Paige's new address."
"How can I? I don't even have it."
Mack smiles. "Good, then you have plausible deniability. See ya tomorrow," he says as he walks out.
Meg retakes her seat at her desk after Mack is gone. She sighs deeply. "It's not fair," she says. "Greg and Patrick deserve to know each other." Meg picks her cell phone up from her desk and opens her contacts. She scrolls through until she comes to Paige Matheson's number. Meg looks at her adopted sister's number for a moment and sighs again. After a pause of several more seconds, Meg finally speed dials Paige's number. The phone rings a few times, and just as Meg is about to hang up, Paige answers. "Paige, hi, it's Meg. Oh, no, no, nothing's wrong. Everyone here is just fine. I just wanted to talk."
"Meg, I have to ask you somethin'."
"Go ahead."
"Does Shawn know about the rape? I mean, I know ya told him a little about Brandon Williams, and the murder, and Bobby, but.........have ya told ya husband everything?"
Meg looks up at her father for several seconds before answering. "No. Shawn doesn't know everything."
"Then he doesn't know about the rape yet?" Mack asks.
"Why should he? That was almost a year ago, and I've moved on. Shawn and I are very happy, and I see no reason to dredge up painful memories."
"Sweetheart, Shawn's your husband and he deserves to know the truth. And not only that, but YOU deserve to be able to deal with what happened to you and move on."
"Daddy, didn't you hear what I just said?" Meg asks. "I HAVE moved on."
"No, honey. Ya haven't. You never talk about the rape or about Brandon."
"And why should I? That was most awful thing that ever happened to me. Brandon Williams is dead and burning in hell, so everyone whose lives that son of a bitch messed up deserves to forget about him and be happy."
"I completely agree," Mack says. "But Meg, I've worked with a lot of rape victims over the years, and I know his this works. I also know you. You're my daughter, and I can look into your eyes and tell that you're still haunted by what that piece of slime did to you. And representing a victim of rape isn't gonna be easy for you, Meg."
"Can we just drop this? Please."
"Alright," Mack says. He walks over to his daughter and kisses her on top of the head. "But I'm here if you need me. Even if you need someone to yell or scream at. So's your mother."
"I know. You and Mom have always been there for me."
"Come over to the house sometime," Mack says as he starts to leave.
"I will. Oh, by the way, Daddy, I wanted to ask you something. What was that argument about between you and Greg when he came by the office a few days ago? Did it have something to do with Paige? And Patrick?"
Mack sighs. "Why do you ask that? Have you talked to him?"
"He called me. Asked if I knew Paige's address. I told him I didn't."
Mack shakes his head. "Sumner, that guy never gives up."
"Daddy, what's going on?"
"Sumner wants to know where Paige and my grandson are."
"So why don't you tell him?"
"Because Paige doesn't want him to know. She doesn't want him anywhere near Patrick."
"Greg knows Patrick is his son?"
"Yeah. And I agree with Paige. Greg Sumner shouldn't be within ten thousand feet of my grandson."
"Is that really fair?" Meg asks, standing from her seat. "Patrick's his SON."
"And your point?" Mack asks.
"Greg is MY biological father, too, and nothing terrible happened when I found out and got to know him, did it? The world didn't end? Aliens didn't attack, and my life wasn't corrupted or ruined by getting to know my biological father. I don't think Patrick's will be, either. Besides, I think your viewpoint is a little biased since you hate Greg Sumner."
"I hate the guy with good reason. But, aside from how I feel, this isn't up to me. This is Paige's decision, and she's decided she doesn't want Sumner to have anything to do with Patrick."
"But Patrick is over 18. The decision really should be up to HIM."
"Again.....not my call, so just drop it. And do me a favor.....do NOT give Sumner Paige's new address."
"How can I? I don't even have it."
Mack smiles. "Good, then you have plausible deniability. See ya tomorrow," he says as he walks out.
Meg retakes her seat at her desk after Mack is gone. She sighs deeply. "It's not fair," she says. "Greg and Patrick deserve to know each other." Meg picks her cell phone up from her desk and opens her contacts. She scrolls through until she comes to Paige Matheson's number. Meg looks at her adopted sister's number for a moment and sighs again. After a pause of several more seconds, Meg finally speed dials Paige's number. The phone rings a few times, and just as Meg is about to hang up, Paige answers. "Paige, hi, it's Meg. Oh, no, no, nothing's wrong. Everyone here is just fine. I just wanted to talk."
Seaview Circle......late afternoon
Alisha Jones is roller blading on Seaview Circle in front of the Ewing home when Eric drives up and comes to a stop on the street in front of the MacKenzie home. As Eric and Dylan get out, Alisha walks over to them.
"Hi, guys," she says.
"Hey, Alisha," Dylan says.
"So what's up?"
"Eric and I just got home from work," replies Dylan.
"Really?"
"Yeah, Dylan's working at Ewing Records with me, now," Eric says.
"Oh, that's so cool," says Alisha. "It must be sooo amazing, working at a record company and getting to meet all those stars."
"Well, we haven't met any stars yet," says Eric. "Ewing Records is just getting off the ground, so Bobby's only now lining up talent for the label."
"It's still cool, though," Alisha says, looking at Eric with a smile.
"Yeah, it's a great opportunity," Eric says.
"Well, my Mom should be getting home soon, so I'd better go."
"Okay, well, yeah, it's really great to see you," Eric says nervously as Dylan looks first at Eric, then with Alisha.
"Great to see you, too. You, too, Dylan."
"Oh, yeah, same here," Dylan says.
"Well, take care," Alisha says.
"You, too," says a smiling Eric.
Alisha gives the boys a friendly wave, then starts to walk away toward her house. After a few steps, she turns back to them. "Hey, maybe we could hang out sometime?"
"Yeah, I'd really like that," Eric says. "We could catch a movie, or hang out at the beach, maybe this weekend?"
"Sounds great. Well, bye," Alisha says, then turns and heads back to her house as Eric and Dylan watch.
Dylan puts his arm around Eric's neck. "My friend, that girl has the hots for you," Dylan says.
"You really think so?"
"Dude, didn't you see the way she was looking at you? And, you like her, too, don't you?"
"Alisha's really.........beautiful, that's for sure," Eric replies.
"Oh, that's so cool," says Alisha. "It must be sooo amazing, working at a record company and getting to meet all those stars."
"Well, we haven't met any stars yet," says Eric. "Ewing Records is just getting off the ground, so Bobby's only now lining up talent for the label."
"It's still cool, though," Alisha says, looking at Eric with a smile.
"Yeah, it's a great opportunity," Eric says.
"Well, my Mom should be getting home soon, so I'd better go."
"Okay, well, yeah, it's really great to see you," Eric says nervously as Dylan looks first at Eric, then with Alisha.
"Great to see you, too. You, too, Dylan."
"Oh, yeah, same here," Dylan says.
"Well, take care," Alisha says.
"You, too," says a smiling Eric.
Alisha gives the boys a friendly wave, then starts to walk away toward her house. After a few steps, she turns back to them. "Hey, maybe we could hang out sometime?"
"Yeah, I'd really like that," Eric says. "We could catch a movie, or hang out at the beach, maybe this weekend?"
"Sounds great. Well, bye," Alisha says, then turns and heads back to her house as Eric and Dylan watch.
Dylan puts his arm around Eric's neck. "My friend, that girl has the hots for you," Dylan says.
"You really think so?"
"Dude, didn't you see the way she was looking at you? And, you like her, too, don't you?"
"Alisha's really.........beautiful, that's for sure," Eric replies.
Gary and Val's home......that night
Gary walks into his and Val's home that evening. "Val, I'm home!" He says as he walks into the house. Gary starts into the living room, then stops short, stunned when he sees Val sitting on the sofa with Molly.
Gary looks at his daughter for a moment. "Molly," he finally says. "This is a surprise."
Molly and Val both stand. "Hello, Gary," Molly says.
"Molly came by a little while ago," says Val.
"Yeah, I took off work a little early so I could by to see you, and........well, I was hoping we could talk."
Gary looks at his daughter for a moment. "Molly," he finally says. "This is a surprise."
Molly and Val both stand. "Hello, Gary," Molly says.
"Molly came by a little while ago," says Val.
"Yeah, I took off work a little early so I could by to see you, and........well, I was hoping we could talk."
"Yes, of course we can," Gary says. "I'm very glad to see you. How are you?"
"I'm good. And you?"
"I'm fine. So, you wanted to talk?"
Val looks at Gary, then at Molly. "Well, I'll just go into the kitchen and give you two some privacy."
"No, Val," Molly says. "Please stay. This concerns you, too."
"Alright," Val says, retaking her seat on the sofa.
"This is very hard for me," Molly says. "But, Gary, I owe you an apology."
"Molly, you have nothing to apologize for."
"Yes, I do. So just hear me out. Last year, when I found out the truth that you were my father, I was devastated. Not because you're my father, but, because the people I had loved and trusted the most had lied to me for my entire life. My Mom, Brian, the two of you. I was hurt, angry, and bitter. So, I lashed out. For a while, I hated all of you. Hated you for keeping this important fact from me for so many years, and I hated you all for letting me find out the truth from a creep like Brandon Williams. I stopped hating you all a long time, but I was still angry. But after I had a talk with Val at the store earlier today, she made me realize that holding on to this anger was completely useless. I've punished you enough. Val made me realize that you all did what you thought was best at the time, for everyone. Especially for me. So, I'm sorry that I've treated you so badly all this time."
Gary looks at his daughter for a moment in silence, then smiles. He walks over to Molly and puts his hands on her shoulders. "Molly, I can't tell you how happy that makes me to hear you say that. Honey, I'm sorry. For everything. You're right. When I decided to let Brian raise you as his own, I was doing what I thought was best for you. I knew that Brian loved you and he would be a good father to you. And he was. I was always very grateful to have even a small part in your life."
"I'm grateful for that, too," Molly says, tears streaming down her face. "And you wanna know something else I'm thankful for?"
"What's that?"
"If another man had to be my father........I'm glad it's you. And if it's okay with you, I'd like us to start over. I've known you all my life as 'Uncle' Gary. Now, I'd really like to get to know you as my father."
Gary smiles at her. "Oh, sweetheart, I'd love nothing better," he says, then embraces her as Val looks on with a smile.
"This is very hard for me," Molly says. "But, Gary, I owe you an apology."
"Molly, you have nothing to apologize for."
"Yes, I do. So just hear me out. Last year, when I found out the truth that you were my father, I was devastated. Not because you're my father, but, because the people I had loved and trusted the most had lied to me for my entire life. My Mom, Brian, the two of you. I was hurt, angry, and bitter. So, I lashed out. For a while, I hated all of you. Hated you for keeping this important fact from me for so many years, and I hated you all for letting me find out the truth from a creep like Brandon Williams. I stopped hating you all a long time, but I was still angry. But after I had a talk with Val at the store earlier today, she made me realize that holding on to this anger was completely useless. I've punished you enough. Val made me realize that you all did what you thought was best at the time, for everyone. Especially for me. So, I'm sorry that I've treated you so badly all this time."
Gary looks at his daughter for a moment in silence, then smiles. He walks over to Molly and puts his hands on her shoulders. "Molly, I can't tell you how happy that makes me to hear you say that. Honey, I'm sorry. For everything. You're right. When I decided to let Brian raise you as his own, I was doing what I thought was best for you. I knew that Brian loved you and he would be a good father to you. And he was. I was always very grateful to have even a small part in your life."
"I'm grateful for that, too," Molly says, tears streaming down her face. "And you wanna know something else I'm thankful for?"
"What's that?"
"If another man had to be my father........I'm glad it's you. And if it's okay with you, I'd like us to start over. I've known you all my life as 'Uncle' Gary. Now, I'd really like to get to know you as my father."
Gary smiles at her. "Oh, sweetheart, I'd love nothing better," he says, then embraces her as Val looks on with a smile.
Meg and Shawn's apartment....
Shawn walks into the small apartment he shares with Meg. "Honey," he calls out. "I'm home."
"Hey, sweetheart," Meg says, coming in from the kitchen. "You're late."
"Yeah, I'm sorry, Meg. I had to work late. With this new job comes more responsibility and longer hours."
"You must be exhausted after such a long day. Dinner's almost ready."
"Hey, sweetheart," Meg says, coming in from the kitchen. "You're late."
"Yeah, I'm sorry, Meg. I had to work late. With this new job comes more responsibility and longer hours."
"You must be exhausted after such a long day. Dinner's almost ready."
"Yeah, I am," Shawn says. "Meg, are you okay? You seem a little quiter tonight than usual. Just not yourself. You have a bad day?"
"No, my day was fine. I even talked to Paige today."
"Oh, really? How's she doing?"
"She's great. I was trying to convince her to come for a visit soon. I miss my big sister," Meg says, faking a smile which quickly disappears from her face as she talks.
Shawn moves closer to her. "Meggie, what's going on? I can tell something's bothering you."
"No, my day was fine. I even talked to Paige today."
"Oh, really? How's she doing?"
"She's great. I was trying to convince her to come for a visit soon. I miss my big sister," Meg says, faking a smile which quickly disappears from her face as she talks.
Shawn moves closer to her. "Meggie, what's going on? I can tell something's bothering you."
"Umm, actually, I do have something on my mind."
"What?" Shawn asks.
"It's a case that's bothering me. That's all. Just a case."
"What kind of a case?"
"A.......ummm.......a rape case," Meg replies nervously.
"Oh, well, I can see why that would bother you."
"What do you mean by that?" Meg replies very quickly, a tone of defensiveness in her voice.
"Just that.....well, are you representing the victim or the suspect?" Shawn asks.
"The victim."
"Well, what I meant was, I can see why a case like that would bother you since you're a woman. You can probably imagine what it would be like to be in the victim's shoes. That's all I meant, Meg. You sure that's all that's got you so bothered?"
Before Meg is able to answer, Shawn's cell phone rings.
"Honey, hold that thought," he says, taking the phone from his pocket. He looks at the caller ID, then answers. "Hello........Adam, oh my God, what's up, big brother?" Shawn says to the person he's on the phone with, as an impatient Meg looks on.
As Shawn walks over to the window and looks out while continuing his phone conversation, Meg walks into the kitchen, opens the oven door, and checks her dinner. Seeing that the food is done, she grabs her oven mits and removes the pot from the oven, placing it on the stove top. She closes the oven and takes off the mits. She then proceeds to set the table for dinner while waiting for Shawn to get off the phone. Finally, after a conversation that lasts a few minutes, Shawn walks into the kitchen smiling.
"Well, who was that?" Meg asks.
"Honey, I have great news. That was my brother, Adam."
"Really? Now, Adam is the brother I HAVEN'T met, right?" Meg asks.
"Yeah. Adam is my older brother. Matt is my younger brother and he's the one you met last Christmas."
"Oh, so what'd Adam have to say?"
"He's coming for a visit in a couple of weeks," Shawn replies.
"Oh, well, that's........great," Meg says without much enthusiasm.
"It sure is. Honey, I cannot WAIT for you to meet my big brother. All my life, Adam has been my hero. He was always the one person I could to about anything. When he was 18, he joined the army, and he's done two tours of duty in Iraq. For the past few months he's been deployed to Syria as part of a force helping fight extremists in the civil war over there. I can't believe he's coming home, and he's gonna stop in and visit us. I haven't seen Adam in over two years. Actually, it's been about two and a half-years, since Christmas of 2013. Man it's gonna be great to see him, and I can't wait for him to meet you. Hey, what's for dinner?"
"A roast," replies Meg. "I came home early from the office and put it in the oven around 3."
"Sure smells good. I'm gonna go wash up, honey. I love you." Shawn kisses his wife, then leaves the kitchen.
Meg sighs deeply. "Well, guess I'm gonna have to wait until after his brother leaves to tell him what I have to tell him," she says to herself. "Maybe that's for the best. The longer I can put off telling Shawn about the rape, the better."
"What?" Shawn asks.
"It's a case that's bothering me. That's all. Just a case."
"What kind of a case?"
"A.......ummm.......a rape case," Meg replies nervously.
"Oh, well, I can see why that would bother you."
"What do you mean by that?" Meg replies very quickly, a tone of defensiveness in her voice.
"Just that.....well, are you representing the victim or the suspect?" Shawn asks.
"The victim."
"Well, what I meant was, I can see why a case like that would bother you since you're a woman. You can probably imagine what it would be like to be in the victim's shoes. That's all I meant, Meg. You sure that's all that's got you so bothered?"
Before Meg is able to answer, Shawn's cell phone rings.
"Honey, hold that thought," he says, taking the phone from his pocket. He looks at the caller ID, then answers. "Hello........Adam, oh my God, what's up, big brother?" Shawn says to the person he's on the phone with, as an impatient Meg looks on.
As Shawn walks over to the window and looks out while continuing his phone conversation, Meg walks into the kitchen, opens the oven door, and checks her dinner. Seeing that the food is done, she grabs her oven mits and removes the pot from the oven, placing it on the stove top. She closes the oven and takes off the mits. She then proceeds to set the table for dinner while waiting for Shawn to get off the phone. Finally, after a conversation that lasts a few minutes, Shawn walks into the kitchen smiling.
"Well, who was that?" Meg asks.
"Honey, I have great news. That was my brother, Adam."
"Really? Now, Adam is the brother I HAVEN'T met, right?" Meg asks.
"Yeah. Adam is my older brother. Matt is my younger brother and he's the one you met last Christmas."
"Oh, so what'd Adam have to say?"
"He's coming for a visit in a couple of weeks," Shawn replies.
"Oh, well, that's........great," Meg says without much enthusiasm.
"It sure is. Honey, I cannot WAIT for you to meet my big brother. All my life, Adam has been my hero. He was always the one person I could to about anything. When he was 18, he joined the army, and he's done two tours of duty in Iraq. For the past few months he's been deployed to Syria as part of a force helping fight extremists in the civil war over there. I can't believe he's coming home, and he's gonna stop in and visit us. I haven't seen Adam in over two years. Actually, it's been about two and a half-years, since Christmas of 2013. Man it's gonna be great to see him, and I can't wait for him to meet you. Hey, what's for dinner?"
"A roast," replies Meg. "I came home early from the office and put it in the oven around 3."
"Sure smells good. I'm gonna go wash up, honey. I love you." Shawn kisses his wife, then leaves the kitchen.
Meg sighs deeply. "Well, guess I'm gonna have to wait until after his brother leaves to tell him what I have to tell him," she says to herself. "Maybe that's for the best. The longer I can put off telling Shawn about the rape, the better."
Scott and Molly's apartment....
Scott is sitting on the sofa in the living room, his feet on the coffee table, looking over the files Henry Wong had provided him late that afternoon on Harris Computers, when Molly walks in.
"Hi, babe," she says, walking over to him.
"Hey. How was your day?"
"It was great. Sorry I'm late."
"It's okay. Your dinner's in the oven," Scott says, standing and kissing her. "Did you take care of what you needed to after work?"
Molly smiles. "Yeah, I did. I went by to see Gary and Val."
"Hi, babe," she says, walking over to him.
"Hey. How was your day?"
"It was great. Sorry I'm late."
"It's okay. Your dinner's in the oven," Scott says, standing and kissing her. "Did you take care of what you needed to after work?"
Molly smiles. "Yeah, I did. I went by to see Gary and Val."
"Really?" Scott asks. "How'd that go?"
"It went great. I feel a lot better now that I've talked to Gary. And we agreed to start over fresh."
"Molly, I am SO glad to hear that," Scott says. "I knew you would feel better once you let go of all the anger and bitterness you were feeling. Now, what about Brian and your Mom?"
"Yeah," Molly says. "I need to get things right with them, too. Where's Trevor?"
"In his room, playing Grand Theft Auto V."
"You guys have a nice dinner?"
"Yeah we did, but, I'm worried about Trevor."
"Why?"
"He's been so quiet. So.......distant. All during dinner he barely said three words, and I had to drag those out of him."
Molly sighs. "Yeah, I've noticed. He's so different now from the little brother I've always known."
"The kid's been through hell this past year. Maybe he needs some professional counseling."
"He had that at the center."
"Come on, Molly," says Scott. "The counseling people get in those detention centers is a joke. Trevor needs REAL counseling."
"Maybe you're right," Molly says. "He just seems so sad all the time."
Scott puts his arms around Molly. "Well, whatever he needs, we'll get for him."
Molly looks at him and smiles. "I love you. You are SUCH wonderful man."
"I'll agree with that," Scott says, kissing her.
"What are you doing here?" Molly asks, looking at the papers Scott has spread all over the table.
"Looking over these files for this one company that Cunningham Enterprises owns called Harris Computers," replies Scott. "But, there seems to be something missing here."
"Missing? Like what?"
"I'm not sure. I can't put my finger on it, but, it's like all the pieces aren't here."
"Harris Computers, you said?" Molly asks.
"Yeah, why?"
"Seems to me that I remember Brian talking about that company last year. Uncle Greg had bought the company when he was still running The Sumner Group, and Brian had some concerns about it."
"Concerns?" Scott asks. "What kind of concerns?"
"I don't really remember. I just heard it in casual conversation between Brian and my Mom."
Scott picks up a couple papers pertaining to Harris Computers and looks at them. "Hmmm, well, then, I guess I'd better ask Brian what kind of concerns he had about this company."
"Why is this so important?" Molly asks. "I mean it's a SMALL company, right?"
Scott looks at her. "Yeah, it is, but, I dunno, Molly. I just have a weird feeling. And I KNOW all the information about Harris Computers isn't here." Scott picks his cell phone up from the table and dials a number.
"Who are you calling?" Molly asks.
"Brian."
"NOW? Scott, can't this wait until morning?"
"Maybe," he replies just as Brian answers his cell phone. "Hey, Brian, it's Scott. I'm sorry to bother you this late, but, I need to meet with you tomorrow morning in your office, first thing. Yeah, it's important. It's about one of the subsidiaries in the small companies division. Okay. Yeah, I'll see you in the morning at 9. Thanks, Brian. Goodnight." Scott ends the call and puts down his phone, then looks at the papers again, a puzzled and worried look on his face.
"Honey, are you okay?" Molly asks.
"I'm fine, I'm just.......I can't put my finger on it, Molly, but I know something is up with this Harris Computers. I just have to figure out what."
Molly puts her arms around Scott and embraces him as he continues to look at the papers.
Meanwhile......Henry Wong's apartment....
Henry Wong gathers some papers in his hands and then tosses them into the lit fireplace in his darkened apartment. After tossing at least ten documents into the fire, Henry sits back, looks at the
fire, and smiles as he watches evidence of his and Abby's misuse of Harris Computers go up in flames. After a moment, Henry looks to his left, where several more papers lay on the floor beside him. He picks them up. "Now, then," he says quietly to himself. "Scott Cunningham won't be able to prove a thing, or find a thing. Abby will be happy, and the two of us will stay out of jail." Henry then looks at the papers in his hand. "At least, I will stay out of jail. As for you, Abby, well, I have to keep some........insurance.......just in case you decide to throw me to the wolves. If that happens, I'll make sure with these little documents, that you go down even harder than I do." Henry smiles deviously to himself..