Paul has come to see his mother Joanna to get the truth about the phone calls and his childhood.

Joanna: I don't know anything. I'm not the reason Tess is getting phone calls. It's probably one of those greasy truckers that goes to the diner and---
Paul: Cut the crap mother! I know you've hired someone to call Tess. He indirectly fingered your involvement to Tess. I also believe he's a former Wakefield patient. One you befriended.
Joanna: This is crazy!
Paul: What's crazy is your way of thinking. How you feel you can't be happy unless you have your family stuck to your side like glue. Now you're going to tell me the truth. Or do you want me to end up like Stephen?
(This hits a nerve with Joanna, because she starts crying and sinks onto the couch).
Joanna: No! I don't want you to end up like Stephen. I loved him. I love you too. If anything happened to you...(begins crying again)
Paul: Then let him rest in peace. Tell me everything. If you really love me, you'll do this. Please mother. Please.



Back at the police stations. Russell has received the fax from Bel Air police chief Mario Hernandez. He studies it intensely. The picture is an almost exact sketch of Quentin Michaels. The phone rings.

Russell (answering it): Lieutenant Gault. Oh hello Mario. Yes, I have the sketch. Do you have anything else for me?
Hernandez: I forgot to tell you something. Lora Del Rio-the nurse that disappeared-worked at Wakefield Mental Hospital for two years.
Russell: My God Mario! That's the connection we've been looking for! This guy must have been a patient at the hospital and became obesessed with her. Tess told me the caller said he loved her. Looks like he may have a pattern of romantic obession with his victims. Did Lora tell you or anyone else the name of his stalker?
Hernandez: Yes she did. His name is Quentin Michaels. He came from London to Baltimore eight years ago for a job transfer. He has a history of psychotic episodes. He was committed to Wakefield in 1995 when Lora was just beginning her nursing job.
Russell: He probably got fixated on her right away.
Hernandez: She stayed there until January of 1997. She found another job as a nurse at Chesapeake Hospital here in Bel Air. But somehow, Michaels learned where she was and began stalking her. This guy is wacked as well as smart. He eluded us the whole time and kept calling her from pay phones.
Russell: Until now, when he called from Joanna Harper's place and Tess dialed Star 69 on a hunch. Now we have the evidence to nail them both. Plus, Quentin is driving Lora's car. He has to be behind her vanishing. Thanks for all your help Mario. I've got to go to the diner and warn Tess.

At the Sherwood Diner, Quentin Michaels, posing as Nigel Carmichael, is talking to Tess and Rosamond. Rosamond's niece Jadyn is at the counter with Loretta.

Quentin: When are you getting married Tess?
Tess: In two weeks. The wedding is at Saint Bartholomew's Church. I can't wait. I love Paul so much.
Quentin: He's a very lucky man to have a beautiful girl like you for a bride. (To himself) For now anyway.
Rosamond: So Nigel, how do you like Breckenridge?
Quentin: I like it. It's peaceful. Very peaceful. So Rosamond, do you have a man in your life?
Rosamond: I have four. (Laughing) Five, if you count Ingrid's brother Kane. All those guys to pick after. I'm going to get arthritis before I'm 45!
Tess (looking out the window): Here comes Russell. I wonder if he has anything on the weirdo who's calling me.
Quentin becomes scared but doesn't show it.
Quentin: I have to use the men's room. Tess, I'll talk to you later. You too Rosamond. Excuse me. (He quickly heads towards the men's room).
Russell walks in the diner, says hello to Loretta, and makes his way towards Tess and Rosamond.
Russell: Hello Tess. Hello Rosamond. (The girls say hello)
Tess: You have anything?
Russell: You bet.
Rosamond: There must be something in the air in this town that keeps the men so handsome. We were just talking to a gorgeous young man.
Russell: Thanks for the compliment. What gorgeous young man?
Tess: His name is Nigel. He's British.
Russell (getting wary): Really?
Tess: He has the most incredible smile and blue eyes.
Russell: Where is he?
Tess: The men's room. Why?
Russell: Just stay calm Tess. I think that man is your caller.
Tess (quiet whisper): What?
Russell: I'll be right back. (He quickly walks to the men's room, and draws his gun. He opens the door, but nobody is in there. Russell notices an open window. He makes his way out back to the diner. Tess, Rosamond, Jadyn, and Loretta are standing by the counter).
Tess: He's not there is he?
Russell: He escaped through the window. I'm going to go back to the station and put out an APB on him. And his real name is Quentin Michaels. He may have also killed a nurse who worked at Wakefield two years ago.
Tess: Wakefield? Joanna. The witch.
Russell: I'd better go. I'll keep you informed. Don't go anywhere by yourself from now on. (He leaves)
Rosamond: Tess, this is scary. Look, I better take Jadyn home. Should we still have the party?
Tess: Yes. We'll be safer if we're all together at Ingrid's. Russell will catch him. And Joanna. How could she be so evil?
Loretta: She's very sick honey.
Tess: I don't understand how Paul can be her son. He's nothing like Joanna. Nothing like her at all...

Back to the living room in the Harper mansion. Paul is trying to get a reluctant Joanna to answer his questions, but he isn't having any luck so far.

Joanna: So you want to know the truth Paul? I'll tell you the truth. Tess Sherwood is a money grubbing tramp!
Paul: How dare you talk about my fiancee like that! Tess is wonderful. A breath of fresh air, much better than those snobs you consider so much above everybody else. You're no better than them. In fact, your worse. Getting some nut to scare Tess away from me. And maybe even lying about being my real mother!
Joanna: I am your mother. And Zachary was your father. We gave you everything! Everything K---
Paul: You almost said a name. The name of my real mother or father I bet. Finish your sentence mother. Who are my real parents? Don't stall. That's what Ingrid did. She knows too. I'm not crazy. I've had flashbacks. Of you yelling on the phone. A man talking to me on my seventh birthday. Stephen knew this man was my real father. He told me. But I accused him of lying and blocked it out. Until now. Who is my father?
Joanna: I won't tell you anything. All you need to know is that I am your family now.
Paul: After what you've done to Tess, you're nothing to me.
Joanna: Paul don't do this! Don't do this! I love you! (Before Paul can reply, the doorbell rings. Joanna runs to get it. Russell Gault is standing in the doorway).
Russell (flashing his badge): Hello Mrs. Harper. I'm afraid I'm going to have to bring you downtown for questioning about Quentin Michaels. You do recognize the name---(Notices Paul) Paul. I'm glad you're here.
Paul: So am I. (To Joanna) Go with him. And I'm coming too. You won't answer my questions, but you'll answer Russell's. I want the truth.
Russell: Let's go. (They all head out the door)
End of Episode 12
Back to Episode Archive
Back to come nightfall