From: Kristen.K.Patterson@dartmouth.edu (Kristen K. Patterson)

Hey all!

This is my first attempt at an update, so be gentle! :-)  If there's
a regular Thursday updater, I apologize, but no one knew who
it was, and no one has seen a Thursday update in awhile, so I
volunteered (thanks Deb!).  So, without further ado...

LOVING Update for Thursday, August 3, 1995:

POLICE STATION:
Buck is yelling at Charles, saying Charles was trying to show off
what a hot shot Chief of Police he was by locking Buck up; Buck
says "hey, a woman's murdered, gotta lock someone up; hey, why
not the boyfriend, he was in her will,  even though I didn't know
anything about it."  Charles defends himself, saying that there was
also the cash withdrawal and the plane ticket.  Buck says he didn't
make the withdrawal or buy the ticket, and Charles says they know
that now. Buck sarcastically asks how they figured that out?
Charles says they consulted a handwriting expert and found out
that Buck's signature for the plane ticket purchase was a forgery.
Buck keeps abusing Charles, saying every minute Buck waited in
jail was time they could have spend looking for who really killed
Stacey, as if they didn't know.  Charles said they have no proof
Curtis did it...and Charles warns Buck to watch himself.  Buck
says they are no longer friends.  Charles says that, as an ex-
friend, he has some advice for Buck; keep away from Curtis.
Buck says that Curtis is out of control; Charles again tells Buck
to watch it.  The doctor from the lab comes in and asks for a
minute of Charles' time.  Buck leaves.

Tony & Alex come in. Tony says had given up hope of being a
cop.  Alex says this is a trial period, and if Tony does well, he
will have a job.  Tony says all he wants is a chance to prove
himself. Tony notices Buck leaving, and asks if they're letting
him go.  Alex says yes, the evidence they have on him wouldn't
hold up in court.  Tony asks if they have another suspect, and
Alex says yes... Tess Wilder.  Alex asks Tony if that's a problem.

TESS' APARTMENT:
Steffi slaps Tess; Jocelyn is shocked.  Steffi says to Jocelyn that
she'd like her to meet the mad slasher; sure, Tess looks innocent,
but she's vicious to the core, Tess is the stalker, and she did it as
a publicity stunt for the agency.  Steffi goes off, saying she knew
Tess was capable of something like this; Steffi thought Tess might
have some sort of moral code of ethics, but she was wrong, Tess
is completely... Steffi has no word for what Tess is.

ALDEN MANSION:
Isabelle offers Gwyn a drink, but Gwyn says it's to early for her.
Cabot apologizes to Gwyn for speaking harshly to Curtis.  Jeremy
offers to go find Curtis, but Gwyn says give him some time.
The doorbell rings, and Kate answers it; it's Neal.

MORTUARY:
Deborah is still at the funeral home talking to the coffin.  She asks
herself why she's still there, why she's sad, and tells herself she
shouldn't even be there, since it's for family only... she tells the
coffin that Clay would probably get a big laugh out of seeing her
get thrown out.  Deborah says her wish was to see Clay dead, but
you should be careful what you wish for... she breaks down, saying
she's really gonna miss him. Who else does she have to fight with?
No one else is worth the effort.  Deborah hears voices coming, and
hides behind the coffin.  It's Curtis.

POLICE STATION:
Alex tells Tony he would understand if Tony doesn't want to
investigate his friend, saying that he and Charles felt bad about
having to lock up Buck, but they had no choice.  Tony says if Tess
is guilty, he won't like it, but he'll bring her in, Alex can have Tony's
word on that.  Alex says he can't ask for more than that.  Tony asks
what they have on Tess.  Charles, talking to the doctor, calls over
and tells them to wait, he wants to talk to them.  Before he comes
over, Alex tells Tony that he ran a check, and knows about Tony's
family.  Tony says, and you still want to work with me?  Alex says
he's working with Tony, not his family. Tony says he would have
told Alex if he asked.  Alex says he's telling him because Charles
is having a hard time, bending over backwards, playing by the rules,
so if Charles asks, don't tell him. Tony says he'll tell him they're
librarians. Alex says try to be a little more original than that. Alex
says he's not doing this because he's a nice guy, but he needs a
reliable partner, and thinks it's Tony.

The doctor is telling Charles to try to cross-reference the suppliers
of the poisons that killed Stacey with the medicine that killed Clay,
to try to find a match.  Charles is spacing out; the doctor gets his
attention back, and asks where he was.  Charles was staring at
Alex and Tony; Charles guesses he misses being out there
investigating and being Alex's partner. Charles says don't tell 
Alex, or he'll think Charles misses him. The doctor tells him it's
lonely at the top.   Charles says someone's gotta do it.

TESS' APARTMENT:
Tess tries to explain to Steffi, but Steffi is having none of it. Steffi
says it's a miracle she didn't lose her baby; too bad, or Tess would
have gotten two for the price of one.  Jocelyn says Steffi is being
too harsh, and this is not helping, but Steffi says it's helping her, and
Jocelyn's about to be a lucky little lawyer, because she's going to
have a lot of work when Steffi tells the police about Tess.  Tess
freaks, sayingSteffi's not gonna tell the police, and Steffi says
watch me.  Tess tells Steffi she's going to have a baby and a lot
of expenses, and Tess can make sure those are paid, and make it
up to Steffi.  Steffi says there is not enough money and no job in
the world that would make her not tell. Steffi asks if Tess knows
what it's like to have something hanging over you like that kind of
fear; do you dare sit down, eat, sleep... and all for Tess' precious
agency.  Well, Steffi says, Tess and her agency are going down,
so she better start wondering.  Tess says Steffi has no proof, but
Steffi says her trusty bodyguard, Tess' old pal Tony does.  Tess
is upset, saying you can't trust anyone, and Jocelyn tells Tess she's
truly amazing.  Steffi turns on Jocelyn, asking her where she gets
off being so morally superior; she's worse than Tess.

ALDEN MANSION:
Kate greets Neal, and invites him in; she thanks him for bringing
food.  Neal says you never know what to say, so he made lasagna.
Kate shows him in and re-introduces him to Cabot, Isabelle, Jeremy.
Isabelle thanks him but says he shouldn't have bothered with the food.
Isabelle hands the lasagna to Lenox. Neal says that, when his wife died,
it helped when people brought food, and he hopes that it was okay in
their circle; Isabelle says it was very thoughtful, and asks him to stay.
Neal says he can, for just a minute, he can't be gone too long from the
restaurant.  Isabelle offers him coffee.  Neal hopes he's not intruding; he
didn't know Clay well, but Clay did save Deborah's life.  Neal asks
where she is, and Cabot says probably out celebrating.  Isabelle chastises
Cabot, saying life's too short, as we're finding out painfully. Things
are awkward.

MORTUARY:
Curtis knocks on Clay's coffin, and says they were always fighting,
or saying goodbye. "What price peace, huh?"  He asks if Clay loved him;
he wonders if he loved Clay.  He says that at least Clay went out on top,
and if you gotta go, there are worse ways than being in the lovely arms of
Tess.  Deborah, still hiding, looks surprised, and not happy. Buck walks
past the door, sees Curtis, and comes in.

POLICE STATION:
Alex tells Tony they think that Stacey's murder and Clay's are connected.
Tony says they didn't exactly run with the same crowd, but Alex says
they knew the same people, including Tess.  Alex tells Tony that Tess
had motive; with Clay out of the way, Tess has sole ownership of the
agency, and is a quarter million richer to boot.  She also thought she
could get Buck if Stacey was gone.  Tony reminds Alex that Tess "might"
have thought she could get Buck.  Alex stands corrected.  Tony asks if
Tess is the only one with a motive.  Alex says no, Curtis is in the mix;
he "sort of" admitted to framing Buck.  Tony asks what he means by
"sort of," and Alex says he admitted to it, but also "admitted" to killing
Hoffa. Tony says they could bring Curtis in, but Alex says they have
to be careful with Curtis.  Actually, they have to be careful all around,
what with the Graham business and all.  Tony says while they're being
careful,  Curtis could be disposing of crucial evidence; Alex says that's
a risk they have to take. Curtis has mental problem, and they can't take
him at face value, Alex says; they need to give him enough rope to hang
himself. Tony asks which Alex is betting on, Curtis or Tess?  Alex says
his theory is that they are in this together.  Tony is skeptical, but Alex
says they have history together; Tess has pulled Curtis' strings before,
and there's no reason she can't again. Tony asks how they can find out;
Alex doesn't know, and says you're the cop, you tell me.  Tony says
question them separately, and compare their stories.  Alex says good
plan.  Alex has already questioned Curtis, so why doesn't Tony take
Curtis and Alex will take Tess... he can probably be more objective than
Tony anyway.  Tony protests that past won't get in the way, but they
are interrupted by Charles.

Charles says he is sorry he took so long, but he had to review some
reports that just came in.  Tony says that's why you have a boss, to do
the boring paperwork. Charles says no, it was very interesting; it was
a background check... on Tony.  Alex asks to talk to Charles alone,
and Charles mimics Alex "I had him checked out Charles, he's clean,
I swear."  Tony gets up, and says it was nice knowing them anyway.
Charles asks where going, and Tony says he was anticipating popular
demand.  Charles says stick around.  Tony asks if he still has a job, 
and Charles says for the moment... and his first job to teach his partner
to lie better. Tony says you got it!  He looks surprised, but psyched.

ALDEN'S:
Small talk: Neal apologizes for staring at Gwyn, but she says she
enjoys being stared at by a handsome man.  Neal tells Kate she thought
HE had the gift of blarney.  No one really knows what to say...Kate
says Neal's aunt used to own a dress shop where Isabelle used to shop.
Cabot says that was a long time ago.  Cabot asks what brought Neal
back to Corinth.  Neal says he felt he had knocked around the world
enough, and his real memories were in Corinth.  Lenox says Reverend
Dennis called, and he might be late for the service. He also mentions
Curtis is at the mortuary.  Gwyn says thank goodness he's all right.
Jeremy says she can't worry about Curtis 24 hours a day, but Gwyn
says she can't stop worrying. Neal asks is her son is having problems?
Gwyn says yes,but she doesn't want to burden Neal with them.  Neal
says he doesn't mean to pry.  Gwyn says it's okay, she's grateful for
his concern. Lenox hangs up the phone; Gwyn asks if it was Curtis.
Lenox says no, it was a friend of Curtis' offering condolences.  Lenox
told him Curtis was at the mortuary.

At the police station, Tony hangs up the phone, writes something
down, and heads for the mortuary.

TESS':
Jocelyn protests that she is an innocent bystander, but Steffi says
you don't stay innocent for long running with her crowd; Steffi can
understand Jocelyn representing her sleazoid brother, since he's
family, but why Tess?  Jocelyn says she doesn't have to explain
herself to Steffi.  Steffi asks if she intends to let Tess get away with
murder. Jocelyn says she doesn't intend to get into a shouting match
with Steffi.  Steffi sarcastically says "my, aren't we the lady," and
Jocelyn says she's trying to be. Steffi asks what kind of lady defends
drug dealers and terrorists.  Tess says this is still her house, and she
doesn't have to take that.  Steffi says her house should be the county
jail, and Steffi is going to do everything she can to make sure Tess
ends up there. There's a knock on the door... it's Alex.  Tess looks
alarmed, and Alex says (through the door) to let him in, he needs to
talk to Tess. Steffi looks smug.

MORTUARY:
Buck grabs Curtis, throws him against the coffin, and tries to
strangle him, asking if Curtis thought Buck would let him kill
her and just walk away. Curtis punches him, grabs a coat rack,
and tells Buck to stay away.  Buck says let's go... Curtis hits
him with the coat rack, but Buck grabs it and pins Curtis up
against the coffin with it.  The coffin starts to slip (Deborah is
still behind it).  Buck says this is it; Curtis says you would kill
me wouldn't you, and Buck says in a heartbeat.  He throws the
coat rack aside, gets his hands around Curtis' throat, and says
"what are you gonna do now, huh?"

ALDEN'S:
Kate says it was thoughtful of Neal to come over; it was the least
he could do, he says, but Kate says he didn't need to do anything.
Lenox offers Neal a cognac. Neal says he has to go, but Kate says
it's easier for her with him there, so he stays and takes the drink.
He says his Jewish friends have a toast for good times & bad times,
and makes a toast "to life" and everyone drinks.

MORTUARY:
Buck is strangling Curtis, asking how it feels; this is for Stacey, he
says.  Tony comes in and pulls Buck off Curtis.  Buck asks who
Tony thinks he is, and Tony says a guy who doesn't like a bully.
Tony says this is twice now, don't make it three times. The funeral
director comes in and asks what's going on. Tony says "family
problems, it's over."  The funeral director asks Buck to leave. Buck
says he was just going, but it's a long way from over between Buck
and Curtis.  The funeral director escorts Buck out. Curtis says to Tony,
I don't know who you are, but you just saved my life.  Curtis leans
his head on the coffin, and it starts to fall.  Deborah screams, and
tries to crawl out from behind it, but it opens up and Clay's body falls
on top of her. Tony and Curtis run over and look down at her.

TESS':
Tess opens the door and tells Alex to come in. He sees everyone, and
asks if he's interrupting.  Steffi says no, she was just leaving, but
she's going to call him later, because she thinks she may have something
on her stalker.  Alex is surprised, and says Steffi knows where to find
him.  Steffi says yes she does, and tells Tess she hopes she'll think
about what Steffi said.  Steffi leaves.  Alex asks if Jocelyn would leave
so he could speak to Tess alone, but Jocelyn tells Alex that if he is here
as a cop, she is here as Ms. Wilder's lawyer.  Alex says, Ms. Wilder
needs a lawyer?  Tess looks alarmed.  A guy walks up to the door and
says "Miss Wilder?"  Tess asks who he is, and the guy says we met
the other night, at the Neptune Bar.  Tess says she says she can't talk
now, but he persists, saying doesn't she remember?  Tess turns to Alex
and says she needs a minute and she'll be back. In the doorway, Tess
tells the guy she really doesn't know who he is, and he says he's the
guy she asked to take care of Stacey Forbes.  Alex and Jocelyn are
VERY interested in that tidbit!

Worst-timing-ever-for-Tess-hanger!

-Kristy, hoping that wasn't too long!
 FLC Tony



