Episode 14 Continued

Back at the Grimes mansion, Kane and Paul make their way to the living room. Ingrid notices them and goes over to them. She tries to act nonchalant.

Ingrid: Paul, how are you enjoying the party so far?

Paul (playing it cool): It's wonderful. You've really outdone yourself.

Ingrid: I see you've met my brother Kane.

Paul. Yes. He's a great guy. You couldn't ask for a better brother.

Ingrid: Yes, that's true. (To Kane) Kane, let's get you some food. You haven't had any dinner.

Kane: I'm fine. Paul is going to introduce me to Tess.

Ingrid: Kane, I think you need to eat something---

Paul: He's fine. He really wants to meet Tess. After all, she is going to be his daughter-in-law in two weeks. Right Aunt Ingrid? (Ingrid's mouth drops open. Paul grins and gives her a big hug, and Kane smiles)

Paul: I love you Aunt Ingrid.

Ingrid: Oh Paul! Paul I love you too!

Meanwhile, Eliza is in an upstairs bathroom, fixing her face which is tearstained from crying. After she finishes, she sits on top of the toilet and rubs her belly.

Eliza (talking to her belly): I promise you little one you won't grow up without a father. Lance will be here for us. I know he'll grow to love you to pieces.

(The door opens, and standing there is Rosamond)

Rosamond: Ms. Braxton! I'm sorry to barge in on you like this (Begins to leave)

Eliza: No, you didn't barge in. Actually, you're the person I want to talk to.

Rosamond: Really? About what?

Eliza: About Lance.

Rosamond: Lance? Why would you want to talk to me about him?

Eliza: He just told me he doesn't love me.

Rosamond (closing the door): I don't see what your relationship with Lance has to do with me.

Eliza: It has everything to do with you. You're the reason he broke up with me.

Rosamond: Ms. Braxton, Lance and I have nothing going on. Our relationship is professional. That's it.

Eliza: I'm being dead serious. Lance broke up with me because he loves you Rosamond.

Rosamond: No---that's impossible!

Eliza: He loves you. Very much.

(Rosamond flashes back again to Lance stroking her cheek. She wonders if what Eliza is saying might be true).

Rosamond: I---I---I have to find Lance. Ms. Braxton, please forgive me. I certainly didn't lead him on---

Eliza: It's not your fault. It's mine, for being so blind. Excuse me, I have to go now. (She brushes past Rosamond, opens the door, and runs out).

Back to Quentin and the Burnhams.

Everett: Are you okay officer?

Cordelia: We saw your car.

Quentin: I have a flat tire.

Everett: Well, at least you picked a beautiful night to break down. But it is a little chilly though.

Cordelia: Sweetie, we better get going to Ingrid's. We've probably missed a lot of the party already, and I want to see if Jadyn is okay.

Everett: Okay. (To Quentin) Officer, are you sure you'll be fine?

Quentin: I'm sure. Go on, you don't want to miss your party. I'll probably be on my way again by the time you get back.

Cordelia: Alright. Goodnight officer, and good luck.

Quentin: Thank you. Goodnight.

(Everett and Cordelia get in the car. Quentin waves to them as the drive off. He waits until they are out of sight, then heads back to the trunk. He pulls Tess out and ungags her).

Quentin: I just talked to two of your friends. A pretty black lady and her husband.

Tess: Cordelia and Everett.

Quentin: They seem so nice. So happy. Just like we will be every soon. Well, I hate to do this to you again my love, but I must. (He avoids Tess' protests as he gags her again and puts her in the trunk. He manages to get the tire and jack out. He begins to change the flat tire).

Back to the mansion. Ingrid has gathered Paul, Kane, Marcus, Roark, and Lance in the study.

Ingrid: I have to confess I've been keeping a secret from you all.

Roark: A secret?

Ingrid: Yes. (Looks at Kane and Paul) As you know, Kane has come to visit us, but he also wants to tell you there's a new member of the family.

Marcus: New member of the family? (Looks at Paul and realizes what's going on. He smiles at him. Paul returns the smile).

Kane: It's true. I came here to catch up on family but to also find one of my own. My son.

Lance: Your son?

Kane: Before you and Roark were born, I was here and fell in love with a beautiful young woman. She got pregnant, but we were forced to give up our baby. That baby is your friend and co-worker, Paul Harper.

Lance: What???

Roark: No way!

Kane: Yes. Paul is your cousin.

Roark: I can't believe this. (To Paul) I've known you for such a long time and I've felt close to you, but for you to actually be my cousin...

Lance: This is remarkable.

Marcus: It is. Paul, I'm glad you were able to find your father so quickly after our talk.

Ingrid: Your talk?

Paul: At work yesterday. I told him about my flashbacks. I thought I was going crazy.

Marcus: You're obviously not crazy. (To Ingrid) We have a lot to talk about later.

Ingrid: Not now dear. Let's welcome Paul to the family.

Lance: Welcome to the family Paul.

Marcus: Hear hear!

Roark This is cool!

Paul: I''m so touched. Thank you all. (They all hug each other)

In the living room, Dorothy has just arrived. She finds her mother and brother and Deanna dancing to the band, who is playing "Mambo No. 5."

Dorothy: Sorry I'm late guys. You sure are having fun.

Loretta: Well, the band is really good, and after all we've been through, we deserve to have fun.

Dorothy: I'll say. (Looks around) Where's Paul and Tess?

Larry: Paul is with Ingrid, and I haven't seen Tess at all.

Dorothy: This is her party. You haven't seen her?

Deanna: I'm starting to get worried. What if Quentin did manage to sneak in and take her?

Larry: Calm down honey. I'll go get Russell. (He leaves)

Loretta: This can't be happening.

Dorothy: Mom, let's all go sit down. (They head over to a couch).

(Larry comes back with Russell and another uniformed cop. They walk to over to where the three ladies are sitting).

Russell: No one has seen Tess?

Loretta: No. It's not like her to stay away from us.

Russell: Okay, don't worry Loretta. Atherton and I will begin a search inside---

(Loud piercing scream)

Deanna: Oh my God! Who was that? I hope it's not Tess!

(Everyone comes running out. They follow Russell towards the kitchen where the scream came from. The doors to the deck are open. Rosamond is out in the rose garden crumpled on the ground. Russell, Officer Atherton, and Lance run to her).

Lance (putting his arms around her): Rosie, what's wrong?

Rosamond: A man---dead!

Russell: Oh no! It's Officer Young. He's been stabbed!

Paul: Quentin Michaels did this. He found a way to sneak in. He's got Tess.

Loretta: Tess! Nooooooo! (Larry puts his arms around her)

Russell: Quentin stole his uniform. That's how he managed to get past us. We'd better start looking for them right now. Before he kills anyone else.

Paul: I want to go with you. Don't tell me no.

Russell: Alright. You can ride with me.

Kane: Paul, please be careful. I don't want to lose you again.

Paul: You won't. I promise you. (The two hug, then Paul leaves with Russell)

Loretta (To Kane): What was that all about?

Kane: Paul is my son.