Previously...

The family gathered at the hospital, where they learned Miranda had lost the baby.  Miranda and Alex lashed out at Brooke for her role in Miranda's fall, but James, Ethan and David all came to her defense.  Brooke allowed David to comfort her. Brett and Miranda shared a tender moment over their loss.  Heather lashed out at Stormy, then comforted Brett.  Renee decided to have Sierra begin seeing Dr. Anderson to help her get through her recent traumas.  Renee saw Jordan and Alex in a tender moment, and told Jordan that they were through because she needed to concentrate on Sierra.   Alex became furious when Renee purposefully kept her from Blackthorne-Reynolds business.  In bed, Seth and Leigh conspired to use James and Alex.  Seth proposed to Alex that they form an offshoot of Blackthorne-Reynolds and buy an oil field in Costa Mesa so that she may break free from her partners.  Seth had a geologist, Logan Mackenzie, forge phony land surveys and submitted them to Kenny for the Land Commission's review.  Adrienne made plans to meet Renee for lunch, unaware that Eddie was following her as ordered by Jack.  

Episode 68

"The Love Killers"

Adrienne Fallmont woke up that morning with a plan.  She’d have coffee and watch the Today Show with the housekeeper, Magda.  Then she’d thin out her closet, parting with only the items she could positively do without, and give to the gardener to take to a local clothing drive at the battered wives shelter.  Next she’d attend the hospital board of director’s meeting.  A few stops at her favorite boutiques would follow before going home and taking a luxurious bath in her hand-carved marble claw-foot tub.   Finally, she’d head over to the Yacht Club for lunch with Renee DeWitt.

What wasn’t part of Adrienne’s plan that day was being murdered.

The house was set back in a wooded area of Glendale, surrounded by a tall black iron fence with a giant F soldered into the center.  Eddie followed Adrienne home from the hospital, keeping Jack updated on every stop she made.  The furrier, the jeweler, the bank.  He parked his car discreetly outside the gate and watched the house from behind sunglasses, a tweed driving cap pulled down over his face. 

His cell phone rang and he snatched it up from the seat beside him.  It was Stormy calling from Sunset Studios.

“What’s up?” Eddie asked.

“Your Dad, that’s what,” Stormy replied irately.  “Since we shut down production of Donnie & Johnny after Nathan went up the river, he’s threatening to sue for breach of contract.  You’ve got to do something.”

“What do you want me to do about it, dude?” Eddie asked, fidgeting with his key fob.  “When have you ever known me to be able to convince my dad of anything?”

“He came in here with his attorney a little while ago ranting and raving.”

Eddie sighed, distracted just long enough to miss someone go inside the house and close the door securely behind.  “You know he was probably drunk or high, Stormy.  He won’t even remember it tomorrow.  Besides, it’s not your fault.  What are you worried about?”

“I’m already on thin ice with my dad and the studio.  If I can’t make this thing go away then he’ll hold me personally responsible.”

“So just like send a prostitute over to my dad’s house, compliments of Sunset Studios.  He’ll forget all about this breach of contract shiz, believe me.”

Inside the master bath of the two-story house, hot water ran from the faucet filling the tub while Adrienne passed through her dressing area.  She undressed, discarding her wrap dress and nylons, her breasts tumbling out of a white satin bra.

Slipping into a robe, she scanned her expansive closets, carefully choosing an outfit for her lunch date.  After making a conservative selection, she placed it neatly on the dressing valet and walked to the bathroom.  She went to the wicker étagčre and turned on a small portable radio, ensuring it was plugged into the wall before tuning into her favorite afternoon radio talk show.

Standing before the mirror, she brushed her long auburn hair and pinned it up away from her neck.  She set the brush down next to her hairdryer, deciding to give her nails a quick file while waiting for the tub to fill.   She picked up a nail file and went to work at a jagged thumb nail.

Satisfied with her makeshift nail repair, Adrienne turned and tested the water in the bathtub.  She turned off the water and began to untie her robe when she heard a thump out in the bedroom.  Frowning, she peered through the dressing room walkthrough and immediately grew wary.

“Jack?” she called.  “Is that you?”

Feeling brave, she made her way into the dressing room, her feet stepping lightly on the plush carpet.  She scanned the bedroom, realizing it must have been Magda coming home from the market.  A fresh pile of towels on the bed caught her eye and she realized her faithful housekeeper must have come home and finished the laundry. 

Sighing, she turned back and started to the bathroom again.  She didn’t hear the closet door open, or the dark figure creep out and sneak up behind her.  By the time she realized what was happening, she couldn’t utter a word.  He wrapped her pantyhose around her neck and pulled tight, cutting off her airway.

Adrienne struggled in desperation, clutching her throat and trying with every ounce of energy she had to pry the nylons from her neck.  Her attacker was merciless, tightening the makeshift weapon as hard as he could, throwing her about and knocking her into the rows of hanging garments.

Moments later, Adrienne’s eyes fluttered and then closed.  She struggled for her last breath, failing and then slumping to the carpet. 

Outside, Eddie was busy watching the house, his eyes transfixed on the 70’s stone façade.  His cell phone rang again and he answered it quickly.  To his delight, it was the hot redhead number he’d met at the Ivy. 

“Well heeeey,” he said with a sheepish grin, again turning away just as the intruder left the house and disappeared undetected.

James walked down an upstairs hallway at the Blackthorne mansion, arm in arm with Leigh Purcell after checking in on Miranda in her bedroom. 

“The poor thing is putting up such a brave front,” Leigh said and looked up at James with a sigh.  “Thank God she has you, James.  I see the way she looks at you, you know.  You’re her hero.  A truth father to your daughter.”

James patted her hand with a smile.  “That’s sweet of you to say, but I have to admit I feel like I’ve failed her.”           

“What makes you say that?” Leigh asked, stopping him before they reached the grand staircase.

He shrugged and dug his hands into his pockets.  “The last few years I haven’t been much of a father to her.  There’s always some excuse.  Work, Brooke, Michael and lately this thing with Nathan.  It seemed the minute she married Brett I handed her off to him and she stopped needing me.  Or I stopped being there for her, one or the other.”

“You’re there for her when it counts,” Leigh said with a reassuring smile and a warm hand on his shoulder.  “You’re here with her now, aren’t you?  She lost her baby and you dropped everything, despite all that’s going on in your life.”

He led her down the stairs to the foyer, still arm in arm.  “Well, Brooke and Michael seem to be out of my life, Stormy is running things at the studio, and I’m fairly confident in Alex and Renee’s abilities to handle things at Blackthorne-Reynolds.”

Leigh nodded distantly, thinking about her and Seth’s arrangement.  If she was right in Alex Reynolds’ usefulness to them, she wouldn’t have to use James after all.  And by keeping him out of it meant that she didn’t have to feel guilty about using him when she was clearly falling head over heels for him all over again.

“Well, now that you’re not spread so thin, maybe we can have dinner tonight?” Leigh asked hopefully.  “That is, unless it would interfere with your time with Miranda.”

He smiled tentatively.  Despite he and Leigh’s recent closeness, he couldn’t stop thinking about Brooke.  The sadness in her eyes at the hospital the day before reminded him of why he fell in love with her in the first place.  And even though they’d been through some rocky times lately, he didn’t want their marriage to end.  He had to give it one more try.

“I’m afraid I can’t get away this evening, Leigh,” he finally said, ignoring the disappointed look in her eyes.  “How about a raincheck?”

“Sure,” Leigh said, wondering if James was beginning to have second thoughts about their recent lovemaking.

Renee made it to the Yacht Club right at two-thirty, took a table on the terrace and waited for Adrienne to show.  She thought briefly about canceling, her thoughts jumbled with recent developments with Jordan and Alex.  Quite why she decided to hand him over to her was a mystery.  Then she reminded herself that she needed to simplify her life for Sierra’s sake.  Her daughter was going through a terrible time, and she had to make sure she was there for her.  Jordan was a distraction.  But giving up everything to Alex was out of the question.  She still insisted on maintaining her role in Blackthorne-Reynolds, whether the aging drama queen liked it or not.

She glanced at her watch and then at the door.  To her surprise, Jordan entered with Heather.  She immediately worried that seeing him so soon after giving him the brush-off would sway her decision.  She would have to stay firm.

“Excuse me, would you Princess?” Jordan said to his daughter, showing her to their table and then making a b-line to Renee’s.  “Meeting someone?”

“I’m meeting Adrienne for lunch,” she replied.  “We have a lot to discuss so if you wouldn’t mind-“

Before she could react, Jordan sat down across from her and grabbed for her hand.  She instinctively pulled away and her eyes dodged downward.

“Renee, why are you doing this?” he asked.  “We were good together.  You know that as well as I do.”

“I already told you.  My daughter needs me.”

He shook his head.  “I realize that, but I care about Sierra as much as you do.  I wouldn’t dream of standing in the way of your relationship with her.  I just don’t want you to make any rash decisions based on what’s happened in the past few weeks.  A lot’s happened, and-“

“My mind is made up, Jordan,” Renee said and stood up.  She suddenly forgot about Adrienne and their lunch appointment.  “Besides, you and Alex are part of each other’s lives.  You always will be.  If you’ve cared about me at all you’d let me walk away with some dignity.”

Jordan was at a loss for words.  He ached for her but something she said he knew was true.  He and Alex weren’t finished.  As much as they tried to tell themselves otherwise.

After Renee had gone, he turned and rejoined Heather.  “Sorry about that.”

“What’s going on with you and Renee DeWitt?” Heather asked.  “Are the two of you okay?”

He shook his head sorrowfully.  “No, we’re through.”

Heather’s heart broke for him and she reached across the table.  “Daddy, I’m so sorry,” she said.  “I had no idea.  Is there anything I can do?”

Laughing, he flagged down the waiter.  “No, Sweetheart.”

“So does this mean you’ll be getting back with Alex?” Heather asked and surveyed the menu.

He frowned.  “Why?”

“Well, you still love her, don’t you?” Heather asked and shot him a quick look. 

He suddenly realized that he and Alex’s destiny was public knowledge.  Maybe he’d just been too blind to see it until now.

“Anyway, how are you?” he asked, desperate to change the subject.  “Have you been to see Miranda?”

She nodded.  “I feel horrible for her,” she said.  “I mean, she didn’t want this baby to begin with, but she grew to love it.  And Brett…”

“What about him?” Jordan asked with a frown and swallowed a hefty gulp of his gimlet.

“I don’t know.  He’s broken up about it.  If you could have seen him yesterday in the hospital chapel.  He’s so misunderstood, Daddy.  He’s just like a little boy.”

Jordan, full of skepticism, shook his head.  “Brett Armstrong is a conman, Heather,” he reminded her.  “Don’t let his phony show of emotion fool you.  I know men like him and they are not misunderstood.”

She shook her head.  “He wanted that baby so much.”

“He wanted that baby to stay connected with James Blackthornes’ family,” Jordan insisted.  He paused, suddenly alarmed by how adamantly she defended Brett.  “You’re not thinking of becoming involved with him, are you?”

Heather tried to play off his concern as unwarranted.  “Daddy, you worry too much,” she said and buried her face in her menu.  “Let’s order.  I’m starved.”

Jordan regarded her carefully, wondering just how close she and Armstrong had gotten.

Alex was in her office at Blackthorne-Reynolds when Renee entered, draped in a cashmere coat and a pillbox hat.   She sat down across from Alex’s desk and crossed her legs.

“By all means, make yourself comfortable,” Alex said and raised an eyebrow.

“I intend to,” Renee replied and pulled a report from her purse.  “Just as I intend to make you uncomfortable.  I was just looking over your summary of the progress at the Colorado pipeline, and I have to say, I am unimpressed.”

“I’m not interested in impressing you, Renee,” she replied with irritation.  “But just for amusement sake, what is it you didn’t like?”

“For starters, I don’t like the way you chalk up these various expenses to maintenance,” Renee said.  “We’re in the business to make money, Alex.  I don’t want to have to audit every single report you try to smuggle past James and I.”

“I’m not smuggling anything by you and James,” Alex said and stood up in a huff.  “Those reports are one hundred percent accurate, and if you have a problem with them then I suggest you do us both a favor and go back to Merteuil Industries.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  We don’t need you, Renee.  Now take your meddling self and get out.”

Renee rose and looked at Alex in a bold and haughty manner.  “For the last time, I’m not going anywhere.  I’m in this company to make money and there isn’t a thing you can do to get rid me.  You, on the other hand, are way out of your league.  It’s only a matter of time before James realizes that.”

Alex glared angrily as Renee turned and left the office.  She’d had enough of her holier than thou attitude and irritatingly accurate eye for details.   It was time for her to branch out onto bigger and better things.  She lit a cigarette and buzzed for the receptionist.

“Yes, Miss Reynolds?”

“Get me Congressman Walker on the phone.”

Brooke sat huddled in her suite at Hotel Terranova, sipping a cup of tea and smiling graciously at Ethan who sat down beside her on the sofa.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

She nodded begrudgingly.  “A little.  I just felt so nauseas there for a minute.”

“You’re making yourself sick over this thing with Miranda,” Ethan said.

“She was so angry,” Brooke said, staring off in a daze.  “The things she said to me.  I don’t understand how she could think that I would deliberately hurt her or her baby.”

Ethan put an arm around her and held her close.  He knew that nothing he could say would make her feel better, so he didn’t try.  He hoped that by just being there he could help her through the difficult time. 

“Listen, I’ve been thinking about something,” he said and turned to face her.  “I know you said you wanted to take things slow, and so far we have been, but I…I think we should take the next step.”

“The next step?” Brooke asked with surprise.  She didn’t know where this was coming from.

He nodded, setting her tea cup on the coffee table and taking her hand in his.  “I want to make a commitment,” he suggested.

“Ethan, I-“

“I’m not talking marriage or even engagement. I know you’re not even divorced yet.  I just want to know that we’re going somewhere.  I want to know that all that time we wanted each other, and then spent years apart, wasn’t for nothing.  We belong together, Brooke.  Don’t you think so?”

Flustered, Brooke stood up and moved across the room.  “Of course I do.  I still think about that night in the Caribbean.”

“Brooke, that was two years ago.  I’m talking about now.  I’m talking about us making a commitment, raising our son together, maybe leaving this place.”

“Leaving?” Brooke asked and spun around.  “Leave Los Angeles?”

“What is there keeping us here?” Ethan asked, running his fingers through his hair and pacing the room.  “Think about it, Brooke.  We can go anywhere.  We can start a new life somewhere else.  We can get married, we can have more children.  I want that so badly.  Tell me that you do too.”

She turned to him and shrugged awkwardly.  “Ethan, I do love you.  You’ve been so wonderful to me.  And I want you to be part of Michael’s life, but I-“

“What?” he asked, the hurt welling up in his eyes.  “Brooke, I don’t understand.”

“I just need time,” she said.  “I’m not saying no.  I’m just saying that I-“

Before she could finish, Ethan pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately.  He knew that if they didn’t make love now, their conversation would end in an argument, and then awkward silence, and then the possibility of losing what they’d only recently regained.

Brooke didn’t resist.  Just as she always had, she melted in his arms.  He lifted her up and carried her into the bedroom, laying her on the bed and stripping off his shirt.  Kissing her feverishly, they undressed and he took her slowly, guiding himself in and savoring every second until they both exploded in ecstasy.

David sat next to Miranda in her bedroom at the Blackthorne mansion, holding her hand and smoothing her hair from her face. 

“It’s sweet of you to come by, David, but you don’t have to stay,” she said.  She was laying in bed, a blanket covering her and dozens of stuffed animals surrounding her  on all sides.  The room was filled with balloons and flowers from well-wishers.  Sympathy cards lined the cedar chest at the foot of the bed with thoughtful notes from all reaches of the city.

“Where else would I be?” he asked with a tender smile.  “You can stop pretending that you don’t need someone.  You’ve been through an ordeal.”

Her face flushed and she tightened her hold on his hand.   “Thank you.  You’re right.  I am glad you’re here.”

David’s face contorted to an exaggerated state of mock surprise.  “What’s this?” he asked with a grin.  “Miranda Blackthorne admitting that someone else is right?  Call the presses.”

She playfully hit him and drew him into a kiss.   “Well, at least now you won’t have this pregnant woman as your girlfriend.”

“Stop it,” he said seriously.  “Your pregnancy was never a problem for me.  How many times do I have to tell you that I’m crazy about you.  Nothing you could do, baby or not, would change that.”

Miranda nodded, still somewhat unconvinced.  Suddenly she got an idea and looked up at him with excitement.  “Let’s go away somewhere,” she said.  “Just me and you.  Take the weekend and go to someplace in the mountains.  Somewhere warm and cozy.”

David raised an eyebrow.  “I don’t think you’re in any condition to travel.  Dr. Mitchell said you needed to rest.”

“So what’s the difference if I rest in my father’s house or in a hotel somewhere?” she asked.  “Come on, David, I need to feel like a normal person.  Take me away and make me forget about all this.”

“How can I say no to