Several things took place that were not too good...

Hope Spaulding did actually call from the airport! But it wasn't Alan-Michael that took the call.

It was Phillip.

But even worse yet, the bomb James had planted on Alan-Michael's tire, did not go off due to anyone driving it. Phillip left the mansion to go and pick his ex-step-mother up, and while passing Alan-Michael's car, just gave it a tap as he walked by it.

That was enough to trigger the bomb.

That was four days ago. Phillip was now on life support and since Beth was no longer his wife, Alex was being asked to make the decision as to whether to pull poor Phillip off of life support.

Little Lizzie was devastated, of course, by the whole thing.

Three officers that had been on the scene, investigating Lucinda Walsh's assault, had been injured.

Alex was devastated, heartbroken and madder than hell! James had done this and James was going to pay! If it took her the rest of her days. And that is why the police were called out to the mansion, again, when Alex flung herself at James, clawing at him, before then biting part of his cheek off and spitting it out onto the floor!

Alan-Michael and Nick, who had not been quick enough to stop her, were appalled-and scared! The woman had bitten some of Stenbeck's face off!

James was livid and in pain! He had hardly expected her reaction to be THIS extreme! She had come to him and accused him of practically killing Phillip. James had responded by saying , 'and Nick is next'.

And then that's when he got part of his face bit off!

Now also on hand was Vera, and Hope Spaulding, who was there for support of her son and the family in general. She had also become a nurse during the years she had been divorced from Alan.

Hope also, God forbid, found James attractive! She knelt beside him and turned asking Vera to get her a few supplies, something that Vera was kind of slow on doing-getting supplies AND calling 911. Vera had punched the numbers in the phone extra slowly as well, while Nick and Alan-Michael got Alex away from James and into another room.

"What the hell were you THINKING?!" Nick yelled. Alan-Michael tried to calm her, but Alex tore away from both of them and wagged a finger! There was a sheen of blood on her upper, top teeth.

"That...that...piece of filth, has KILLED Phillip! And he clearly was trying to kill you, Alan-Michael! I've had it with him! I mean I thought Roger was a mistake but I'd gladly take him over James! Gladly!"

Nick folded his arms and gave his mother a no-nonsense look.

"Alan-Michael and I have been discussing this whole thing. Why did you let James come back here, after that shower incident?"

"And," Alan-Michael added, "why did you change your story to the police? Did you sign something when you married him, telling him he would get our family fortune if we all died or something?"

"Oh please, Alan-Michael! I would never do anything as stupid as that!"

"But he does have something on you, right? You half admitted it in the hospital." Nick reminded her. Alexandra massaged her temples. She guessed the time had come. Unfortunately.

"James could possibly inherit all that is ours, if all of us died, including me. But not because I signed anything. James has some sort of proof that he is a Spaulding as well. So yes, my darlings, that means that I unwittingly married my own brother!"

Nick's eyes widened, while Alan-Michael's mouth dropped open! Alex stared at her son and nephew, expecting them to say something.

"Well? Say something!"

"I have no words!" Nick said, looking his mother up and down. Alex's eyes narrowed!

"I can see that! Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Mother, how could you not know he was a Spaulding?! I mean your father never said anything? And..."

Alan-Michael glared at Nick!

"Don't be stupid! As long as anyone has heard of James Stenbeck, that is who he's been-James Stenbeck! And he spent years trying to hide the fact that his name was really James Aldrin from everyone. If the man had known he was one of us..."

"He is NOT, one of us!" Alex snapped. "He will never get a dime nor is he going to kill another member of this family! But he is getting the hell out of here-today! Now let's go and see how your mother is doing with his much deserved wound! I don't want to leave Hope with that disease, one minute more than I have to!"

James could sense Hope Spaulding's attraction to him, but pretended not to notice it, as she tenderly put antiseptic on his facial wound. In a way, she reminded him of one of his lost loves-Dee Stewart. A bitch named Karen Haines had made his dreams of being with Dee, disappear.

"I'm doing what I can. When the paramedics get here they can look at it." Hope told him. James covered her hand with one of his.

"Thank you, Hope, for your kindness. I know people have accused me of some terrible things. But I want you to know, that I had nothing to do with what happened to Alan and Amanda and I had NOTHING to do with what happened to Phillip. I love Alexandra, I wouldn't do that to her."

Hope did find James attractive.

But she wasn't a fool.

"Yes well Alex seems to think you did." she said primly, pulling her hand from his.

"Well she's wrong. All I need for her to do is give me a chance to prove it. Really, Hope, all I want to do at a time like this is comfort my wife. But she won't let me in our bedroom."

"Probably because you're really her brother!" Nick sneered as he, Alex and Alan-Michael returned. Alan-Michael grabbed his mother's arm.

"Are you alright?" he asked her. "Why did you even bother? He killed Phillip."

Hope sighed.

"Honey, he's bleeding. And we don't want your Aunt Alex to get into anymore trouble, alright?" Hope said, touching her son's face briefly, before turning to Alex.

"Alex, James is still a human being." she reminded her, and refrained from asking about what Nick meant about James and Alex being siblings.

Alex's barking laugh/response, was cut short by the sound of sirens. It wasn't long before Vera brought two paramedics in to look James over. Hope consulted with them. Nick pulled Alan-Michael aside.

"What's wrong with your mother? Who's side is she on?"

"What? She's being humane. Mom is a nurse."

"And she might've signed our death warrants by putting that antiseptic on Stenbeck's face! Look, I'm not one for hiding! Mother is upset. I'm going to convince her that we need to publicly run this bastard out of Springfield." Nick told him. Alan-Michael snorted!

"Are you kidding me? Aunt Alex would rather die than let anyone know that he's related to us! Do you know how vile that's going to look? Don't you care about your own mother being embarrassed?"

"You know I do!" Nick fumed.

"You didn't sound like it just a moment ago," Alan-Michael pointed out, "you asked the same questions that everyone is going to ask: how come Alexandra Spaulding didn't know she was marrying her own brother. I say we get rid of Stenbeck quietly."

"How?" Nick asked, not arguing the point.

Alan-Michael pulled Nick into a corner.

"Let's get Roger Thorpe to do it."

Nick's eyes widened!

"What do you mean?" Nick asked in a low voice. Alex was near the paramedics, pacing and at one point she yelled at them to 'hurry up and get him out of here'!

"Exactly what I said," Alan-Michael explained, talking in hushed tones as well, "let's get Thorpe to get rid of him. I've learned a lot from living here lately...from Fletcher. Something is going on here. Stenbeck, Holly and Thorpe are connected somehow. All we have to do is figure out the 'how', hold it over Thorpe's head and make him get James out of our lives."

"What do you mean they're connected? Yeah, Holly was married to the man and doesn't remember. I believe that part."

"Yeah, but WHY doesn't she remember? HOW does Stenbeck make her or even Blake, forget and yet still live a life with him? It makes you wonder what else Holly and Blake might've been doing, besides just 'living' with Stenbeck. We know what this fucc is capable of. You're going to tell me that he hypnotized Holly and Blake because he wanted a family? Hell, he lied to Holly about who he was in the first place. He's done that to several women in the past..."

But Nick interrupted, nodding quickly!

"I see what you're getting at. He didn't hypnotize Holly and Blake when he was living with them. He hypnotized them to forget they were with him. But that answer is obvious. He was supposed to be dead. By the time he got ready to leave Holly..."

"THAT'S what I'm getting at, Nick! WHY did he decide to leave Holly? Fletcher said something about how Holly thought James was cheating on her. But Stenbeck was pretty easy about letting Holly and Blake go and paying alimony, something that he has never easily done in the past."

"Maybe he actually loved Holly?" Nick theorized. Alan-Michael shook his head.

"Nope! There's something missing here. And to be blunt, I think we need Fletcher in on this. He's writing a book on the bastard. He has to have something there. Maybe even something he doesn't know is important."

Nick looked at Alan-Michael for a long moment, then spoke.

"Okay. We'll try things your way. For now. But let's not let on to Mother yet. We can't let Stenbeck know we could be on to him. And Mother is so emotional right now. She could give our plans away."

Roger handed over the menu to the waiter at the Country Club, just as Jack Snyder joined him. Roger stood up and shook his hand.

"Jack, I hope you don't mind. I ordered already."

"Actually it's fine. I can't stay." Jack said apologetically. He then watched Roger's eyebrows knit together slightly.

"Oh? I got the impression that what you wanted to speak to me about was important? I'm sorry I haven't been able to unearth more from Holly about Stenbeck and this woman. But as I told you before, I honestly think it could've been Barbara Ryan."

"I know. You said that," Jack said tightly, "but I'm going to have to ask you for the file I gave you, back."

Roger's facial expression was neutral. It was the same facial expression he used with Holly, the day of Alan and Amanda's aborted funeral, when she came running out of the church and into his arms, crying about Fletcher. He had begged her to go away with him right there and then, to get things sorted out, but Ed closed in, like the suffocating presence that he always was, and insisted that Holly leave with him.

And Barbara Ryan had insisted on staying with Ed-to help take care of Holly, of course.

Now Jack Snyder was telling him, without telling him, that he didn't trust him anymore with this investigation. He wanted that file back, not that Roger needed it any longer. But still, he had been sloppy. Jack had found something out that had made him doubt Roger. Now Roger had to give him something that would make Jack Snyder, doubt his doubts.

"So," Jack was saying, "I'll send some men over to retrieve it. I'm actually going to be in Springfield a little longer. Lucinda Walsh's assault has really put Stenbeck in our sights again."

Lucinda Walsh was still in a coma and her daughter and son-in-law, Lily and Holden Snyder, were about to have her transferred to a rehab center back in Oakdale. That little occurrence puzzled Roger, if the truth be told. It just seemed sloppy of James to bash a woman in the head and then throw her in a rose garden-where he was living!

"Actually Jack," Roger said, "I would like to hold on to the file a little longer. I'm working a lead. I'm not sure how it fits, but I'd like to try and find out if there's anything about this person in the files and I missed it."

Jack raised a brow. What was this? Roger went from trying to frame Barbara for what Jack was pretty sure now, were Holly's crimes, to making up new evidence? But Jack played along.

"Well clue me in, Roger. What is this new lead?"

Roger hated to do this, but he would have to give Jack, Dr. Weston.

"A man named Carl Weston. Dr. Carl Weston. He apparently specializes in mind control of some sort. I have reason to believe he might've been present at Brandon Spaulding Sr and Jr's murders." Roger half lied. The part about Dr. Weston's mind control abilities was true, of course. The part about his being at murder scenes, Roger couldn't say for sure, therefore he didn't feel as if he was outright lying.

He also knew he had taken a chance telling Jack about Weston at all. It would be easier for him to put two and two together about Weston and Holly now, maybe. But isn't that what he wanted? Didn't he want the authorities to realize that Holly was just as much a victim in this, as her victims?

Jack eyed Roger. What was this? A new lead? Was it real or had Roger been sitting on it the whole time and now wanted to distract him?

"Roger, I don't mean to be rude, but I don't know how much some quack doctor, at this point, is going to matter. I brought a witness to Springfield. One that was attacked by Stenbeck and his accomplice...the woman. She thinks she can identify her."

Roger kept cool to hide his rising panic inside!

"Well then maybe this woman can identify Weston?"

Jack's curiosity began to get the better of his doubts.

"What made you want to follow up on this man?"

Roger leaned forward.

"Jack, Stenbeck is many things but a mind control genius? My daughter and Holly JUST remembered being married to him. Stenbeck was able to keep those memories buried in both of them until recently. How? He had to have had help and probably from this man, Weston. And there is no telling how many crimes these two have committed, playing mind games with people. For all we know this Carl Weston may have tampered with your witness's memories."

"I doubt that." Jack said skeptically. Roger shrugged.

"Why? This whole plan of James's, to gain control of the Spaulding fortune has been carefully planned. James killed the men that were his father and nephew, back in the mid 80's. He also lives a life with Holly back then. And he's waited until the late 90's now to reveal himself? To step up his plans? Why? Why didn't he just kill off everyone back in the 80's? Holly and Blake's memories are suppressed, years pass between one murder and the next. This Carl Weston may know why." Roger stressed.

Jack decided to stop being coy.

"I agree. On a certain level. But I also think you knew about this man, long before you told me, Roger. The witness can identity Holly as the same person that put her in a wheelchair. Now I know that Holly is under Dr. Ed Bauer's care, so I am going to keep in mind, that James might've forced Holly to do this in some fugue state and she doesn't remember. But if this woman does recognize Holly as her assailant, then repressed memories or not, Holly will have to deal with it. And I still want that case file." Jack said, getting up and leaving Roger.

The waiter brought Roger's food, but he was not hungry. James would have to take care of this witness on his end. And in exchange for his help, Roger would tell him where Weston was. James would either hide him or kill him, and if he did either, then those men would be the ones in control of when Hayley returned again.

Roger cleared his throat and tried not to feel guilty about missing Holly's other persona. He also wondered, with a smile, how Holly, Ed and Barbara were getting along under the same roof?

Ed turned on the lights in the exam room and as Fletcher blinked. His sight was slowly coming back. Ed noted the improvement as he wrote in Fletcher's medical file.

"Well, how long until I can see everything for sure?" Fletcher asked.

"I don't know. Honestly, this bit of improvement is a miracle." Ed noted, setting down his pen. Fletcher nodded.

"I almost feel bad for feeling so hopeful. Alex is going through hell. All the Spauldings are."

Ed nodded, putting his pen in a clipper attached to his shirt.

"I had my problems with Alan, but it is pretty clear that someone is out to kill off the whole family."

"How is Lucinda doing?"

Ed eyed Fletcher.

"I can only tell you what the public knows. She's still comatose and her family is taking her to a rehab center in Oakdale. Why?"

Fletcher could make out Ed as a blur. But that was better than nothing.

"Well along with regaining my sight, I've been getting back into freelance journalism. I have to help Alex get Stenbeck somehow. Anyway, I was talking to one of my police sources. One that is assigned to work on Lucinda's assault."

Fletcher suddenly stopped talking. Ed pursed his lips, then spoke.

"What is it? You want to tell me something, don't you?"

"Holly is living with you..."

Ed interrupted.

"How did you come by that segue way? One minute you want to tell me something the police told you about Holly's assault, then you want to talk about Holly. Are you trying to tell me that Holly is connected with this?"

Fletcher stared at him for a long moment, then spoke.

"The authorities held something back. A piece of evidence that could possibly reveal what happened to Lucinda. They don't think Lucinda was hurt on any part of the Spaulding property. They think that Lucinda was attacked elsewhere and dumped on the Spaulding grounds, knowing the police would think James was responsible in some way, even though he was at the funeral when it occurred."

"Well, you always said that it seemed out of character for Stenbeck to just assault Lucinda and leave her body out in the open. So what's the rest of it?"

"They think that Lucinda was hit with a full can of paint. A beige shade. Her assailant didn't realize that the can wasn't completely closed and splotches of it was found in Lucinda's hair."

"Fletcher, I'm Lucinda's doctor. I know what was found in her hair. Just like the shards of that vase were found in Alex's wound. Stenbeck likes bashing his wives over the head with heavy objects and he leaves evidence. What does this have to do with Holly?"

"I was getting ready to paint the kitchen at our house. A beige color. I want you to come with me to the house and see if that can is still there."

"And if it's not?"

"That will look bad for Holly as well."

"This examination is over. And to be honest, Fletcher, I think you should find another doctor." Ed said firmly.

"I was afraid you would say that. I just wanted to warn you in case you ended up brain dead in the middle of the night."

"Do you think that's funny? Because if you do, I was really wrong about your being the right man for Holly." Ed said, folding his arms.

"I don't think a damned thing about ANY of this is funny! I had a wife one day and the next some raving maniac that used to be married to Stenbeck! Not to mention her association with Roger again."

"I'm just going to come straight out with this, and it's really none of your business, but since you're set to put Holly in prison, I'm hoping this will stop you."

"Come on, Ed!"

"No, you come on! I examined Holly the day of Alan and Amanda's funeral. I found needle marks on the back of her neck, and traces of a particular drug that is meant to render one unconscious temporarily. And I really doubt she did that to herself!"

Fletcher's mouth dropped open briefly, before it closed. And Ed had more for him.

"I had suggested Holly take this to the police, but it just upset her. Because I am convinced that this has nothing to do with Stenbeck! I think Roger might've done this and that's why she appeared to be 'living with him'!"

"Can you prove this?" Fletcher asked in a tight sounding voice.

"She's your wife, Fletcher, does she really have to? You two need one another. I understand if you can't take that step right now, after all that you've been through. But you should at least know that the Holly we know, never would've done such a thing."

Fletcher looked away from Ed's blurry face. He hadn't seen the 'Holly he knew' since Stenbeck came to town. God but Roger? Was it possible that Roger was that desperate and vile, that he drugged Holly so he could have his way with her? Maybe so he could frame the deed on Stenbeck?

Fletcher said no more, as a nurse helped him out of the office. He loved Holly but he couldn't be swayed because of his gut feeling. He was going to call Alan-Michael and together, they would go to his house and see if that can of paint was still there.

Holly sat at her desk at The Journal and looked through the stories they were running. The front page one, of course, was about the imminent death of Phillip Spaulding. The headline about it just seemed a bit tabloidish. She didn't especially want to do this story anyway.

Tangie walked into her office and closed the door.

"How are you holding up?"

Holly smiled wanly.

"You don't have to worry about me. Ed is protecting me. No memory lapses, no bleach attacks."

Tangie nodded.

"I think we should change the front page headline."

Holly raised a brow.

"Something worse than this has happened?"

"Well it's connected. I got it from a source that Alex attacked James by biting his cheek and spitting out the skin! He's been taken to Cedars to be looked at."

"So, it's not 'worse' just more vulgar." Holly sighed hopelessly. "I don't suppose we can get anyone on record to say anything?"

"My source can't be identified and...well...no." Tangie said. "But I did send an intern over to Cedars to sniff around. If Stenbeck is there and his cheek is damaged..."

"Was Alex arrested?" Holly asked.

"No, not that I know of. My source said one of the family lawyers is over there, blaming the assault on emotional distress. We all know James has as much as killed Phillip." Tangie reminded her. Holly nodded, just as her secretary knocked on her door quickly and walked in.

"Mrs. Reade? There is a federal agent here to see you."

Tangie frowned at the secretary, then looked at Holly. Holly slowly stood up.

"A federal agent?" she repeated.

"Yes. And he brought a woman with him. What should I tell him?" she asked. Holly sighed.

"Give us a moment, Mary, thanks." Holly told her secretary, who nodded and left the office, closing the door behind her. Tangie looked at Holly.

"Holly? What is this?"

"Roger had mentioned that the Federal Authorities wanted to know if I remembered anything about my 'marriage' to James that could help put him away. I guess they're finally getting around to asking me personally."

"You know," Tangie nodded, "with what's happened lately, they probably are stepping up their investigation."

Holly said nothing. Roger had told them she didn't know anything, so why was a federal agent here?

"Could you tell Mary to send him and this woman in." Holly requested. Tangie nodded her assent, then opened the office door and left.

The door was left open, so that Jack could wheel Ariel Aldrin in. Ariel took one look at Holly and began screaming!

"THAT'S HER! THAT'S HER! SHE'S THE WOMAN THAT PUT ME IN THIS WHEELCHAIR!"

That was all Federal Agent Jack Snyder needed to hear. His next step would be to take Holly into custody.