It's the same evening, much later. Ingrid and Marcus Grimes are in the kitchen drinking coffee. They have just learned Joanna Harper has committed suicide via a letter she sent them taped to a music box.
Marcus: What are we going to do Ingy? Paul's on his honeymoon, and Kane is leaving us to go home. This is the last thing these guys need to hear.
Ingrid: I can't leave them in the dark honey. They have a right to know. Especially with Joanna's will. You know she probably left everything to Paul---the house, all her assets.
Marcus: You're right, as always. (He grabs her hand an squeezes it). Should we call them now?
Ingrid: Kane's already left for Cincinatti.
Marcus: But Valerie isn't home yet, and she drove him. She took his leaving pretty hard. Maybe she's trying to stop him from getting on the plane.
Ingrid: I'm going to call Paul right now. I love him too much to keep this tragedy a secret from him.
Meanwhile, Paul and Tess are in bed at their hotel suite, watching TV and snuggling. Paul gives his wife a passionate kiss, which leads her to turn off the TV and wrap her arms around him. Before the begin to make love, the phone rings.
Tess: No, no, don't answer it!
Paul: It might be Dad. (Picks it up) Hello? Aunt Ingrid! How are you---wait, something's wrong.
Ingrid: Yes. Oh Paul, I'm so sorry to call right after you just got to Ocean City, but we got some terrible news tonight.
Paul: What happened? Is Dad alright?
Ingrid: He's fine. (Pause) Paul, Joanna's dead.
Paul: What??? How?
Ingrid: She committed suicide. She sent us a letter, obviously written before she took her own life. Again, I'm sorry Paul.
Paul: I---I don't know what to say Aunt Ingrid. I didn't think she would do anything like this. Uh, do you want us to come home?
Ingrid: Well, there will be the reading of the will, I'm certain of it. If Joanna's lawyers contact us, Marcus and I will see if we can postpone the reading. Don't interrupt your honeymoon because of her. You know Paul, this is a terrible thing to say, but it's like she did this on purpose, one lasy ploy to keep you and Tess apart.
Paul: Don't think about it Aunt Ingrid. Tess and I will stay right here. Have you called Dad?
Ingrid: He's probably gone by now, but I'll try.
Paul: Okay. I'll talk to you later. Goodbye. (Hangs up)
Tess: Honey, what's going on?
Paul: Joanna's dead. She killed herself.
Tess: Oh my God! When?
Paul: It just happened. She wrote a letter and sent it to my aunt and uncle. Ingrid didn't tell me what was in the letter. She wants us to stay here.
Tess: Paul, will you be okay? Do you really think it's in good taste to continue our honeymoon with her dead like this?
Paul: It's what Aunt Ingrid wants. She says if we come home, it's like Joanna would be getting what she wanted---us putting our plans on hold because of her---from beyond the grave.
Tess: It's so morbid. (Shivers)
Paul: Eveything's going to be okay baby. (Pulls her close to him) It just has to be.
Kane Garrett and Valerie Talbot are sitting in BWI Airport. Kane's flight to Cincinatti has been cancelled due to a dangerous thunderstorm.
Kane: I can't believe I have to spend the night here. Valerie, I think you called up that storm in Cincinatti.
Valerie: It's a sign you and I are meant to be together Kane.
Kane: Valerie---(His cell phone rings) Hello? Ingy! What's up?
Ingrid: I'm glad I was able to catch you.
Kane: My flight was cancelled. Bad weather.
Ingrid: Kane, I'm going to cut right to the chase. Joanna Harper committed suicide, and she sent us a letter telling us about it.
At the same time, Drennen Talbot and Eliza Braxton are curled up on the sofa at her house, watching movies and eating popcorn.
Drennen: You're going to get sick eating all that popcorn.
Eliza: I'm eating for two.
Drennen: Lame excuse.
Eliza: No it's not!
Drennen: Okay, okay. You women get so emotional when you're pregnant. (They both laugh. Deanna Thorpe walks in the front door).
Eliza: Baby! I didn't expect you back so early.
Deanna: I guess not. Are you going to introduce me to your friend?
Eliza: Sweetie, this is Drennen Talbot. Drennen, this is my daughter Deanna Thorpe.
Drennen: Hello Deanna. (Holds out hand) It's nice to meet you.
Deanna: Same here. (Shakes his hand)
Eliza: So why is my beautiful daughter home early tonight? You don't have class tomorrow.
Deanna: Larry has a fever. I think he's coming down with the flu. I'm going to his house tomorrow to see how he's feeling. (To Drennen) Your last name sounds familiar. Wait a minute---don't you have a wife named Valerie?
Drennen: Um yes. You've met her?
Deanna: At Paul and Tess' wedding. My boyfriend Larry is Tess Sherwood's brother.
Drennen: Oh?
Deanna: I don't mean to be rude, but why are you here with my mom and not your wife?
Drennen: Well I---
Eliza: Deanna, let's go into the kitchen alright? We'll be right back Drennen. (The two head into the kitchen).
Eliza: Deanna, what is the matter with you?
Deanna: Mom, that guy is bad news!
Eliza: What do you mean honey?
Deanna: At the wedding, Paul told Larry Drennen was planning to hurt him if he tried to take Valerie away from him. Valerie Talbot is Paul's mother!
Eliza: I know that. I know who Drennen is. And I know how desperate can get when they think they're losing the ones they love---
Deanna: So that makes you two kindred spirits? Mom, you've gotten involved with losers before, but this guy is a real psycho! What about your baby?
Eliza: He won't hurt me or my baby. And he still loves his wife. There's nothing romantic between us. Trust me Deanna.
Back at BWI, Kane has gotten off the phone with his sister, who has just informed him of Joanna's suicide.
Kane: Joanna Harper is dead Val.
Valerie: Dead?
Kane: She planned her suicide. She sent Ingy and Marcus a letter explaining everything. Well, it looks like you've got your wish for now Val. I'm staying. I have to be here to support Paul. We'd better get back to the house. I'll go tell the clerk not to give me a reservation on the next flight. (He leaves).
Valerie: You have to stay for good Kane. Paul and I need you more than ever now.
End of Episode 41
Next on come nightfall....
The rest of the family is filled in on Joanna's suicide.
Lance asks Rosamond to go away with him---giving Valerie an idea.
Deanna relays her suspicions about Drennen to Larry.