Not So Goodfellas
I'll kill you if you hurt my wife. Bobby opens the door as Vic maneuvers Vinnie out the door. His feathers ruffled, Vinnie angrily punches the elevator buttons.

OK - but no funny stuff, Lucca warns the whimpering Nikki. Thank you, Nikki gasps as the gag's removed. My hands are getting numb. She receives a sip of water. My husband will pay you a lot of money, she offers.

Having installed a GPS tracking device on Vinnie's car, Paul tracks Vinnie on his office laptop - while JT and Brit watch anxiously over his shoulder (hoping he'll lead them to Nikki in time). he's headed ot the East Side. Brit doesn't feel so good. Be safe- good luck. JT will take Brit to the ranch (as she's not feeling good). Come on you slimy bastard - lead me to where Nikki is, Paul stares intently at this laptop monitor.

Vic arrives at the office and watches over Paul's shoulder as he continues to track Vinnie - who's now going around construction. Maybe we should follow. Vic bets Nikki's trying to give them a signal. Bobby checks out Vinnie's location - and is sure it's commercial buildings.

Nikki thanks her captor for untying her wrists - I know it's your job to be cold and harsh - but I know you don't want to hurt anybody. I'm terrified you're going to hurt me, she trembles. Vinnie says you know something - so you must know something, Lucca shrugs. Nikki asks for more water, and while he's off getting it, quickly unties her ankles.

Brit feels useless at the ranch. Chill out - sit down and relax, JT encourages. Brit can't - how did Nikki get dragged into this? Vinnie's not human - he could cut your throat without batting an eyelash. Take it easy, JT gives her a hug.

I gotta tie you up again, Lucca approaches Nikki. She now has to use the bathroom. As he goes to call Vinnie, Nikki stands and makes a run for it. Going somewhere? Vinnie appears. Nikki's promptly sat back down and restrained. So what's next? I dunno - it's getting complicated, Vinnie complains. Your old man's a piece of work, he tells Nikki. Vinnie wants to hear what she knows. Bobby's been getting stuff together that I don't want to fall into the wrong hands. You're tight with Marsino - you must know where it's stashed. Maybe I do, Nikki says bravely. Then, you get to live til Vinnie gets in your head. Vinnie turns a chair backwards, and sits across from her - tell me what he's been up to - and where it's hidden - or I find a deep lake - tie a rock to you - and throw you in. Shut up Lucca - yeah, I'll whack her.

Back at the ranch, Brit doubles over. Oh God - contractions. I'm going into labour! Are you sure? JT panics. Not now - it's too soon. No - God - not now, Brit wails - Nooooo.

The Hostile Witness
Chris appeals to DA Glen Richards to give her more time - not be pressured by Victor Newman. Who else is pressuring you? The public, Glen says - there's zero tolerance - punishment is a deterrent to others. Victor is a member of the community. I can't sit on this while you wait to find a miracle in the wreckage.

Confronting Nick, Sharon demands to know what Cassie said to him before dying. Don't blame Daniel - it's not his fault, Nick says (or something like that). Who's side are you on? he has to ask. You seem to believe Daniel wasn't driving. Sharon doesn't believe it - so why not let Chris investigate? Nick can't accept the possibility that Cassie caused her own death. Why not give the defense the clothes, Sharon persuades. She didn't die because of what she was wearing, Nick snaps back. The trial will be excruciating. We'll be called as witnesses. There will be doctors describing in detail what our daughter went through. Sharon reminds him they don't know what happened that night - to say we do is wrong. Nick doesn't appreciate the lecture - he refuses to consider it. Chris barges in - it's time for you to change your attitude Nicholas.

The DA wants to hang Daniel, Chris whines. We were making progress, Sharon tells her. Chris has no time for them to 'make progress' - I want the clothes and I want them now. My heart breaks for you - but withholding evidence is crossing a line - putting yourself in a bad place (and dishonouring Cassie's memory). I say that as a friend, she adds. After Chris leaves, Nick thanks Sharon for backing him up - now leave it alone.

Walkin In A Winters Wonderland
Dru joins Neil at the station to make a scene. She fully blames Phyllis - she'll get what's hers. What took you so long!? Dru shouts at Webber. You have the power to get Lily out - now exercise it! Phyllis is likely sucking back beer while watching Big Brother, she cracks. Phyllis didn't put a gun to her head - she's old enough to know her actions lead to consequences, Webber states. Neil calms Dru down- we have to pick out battles. Dru wants to spend the night in the cell with her daughter.

Dru flashes back to talking over lunch in Japan (Lily appreciates how they supported her during the Kevin fiasco). I love you. Dru then asks Lily to be her maid of honour. I love you so much, Lily gushes as they hug. Lily's lead in - You have 20 minutes ladies, the officer says as she leaves. As they hug - a weepy Dru asks how she is. Fine - how's Daniel? Dru's aghast that Lily could think of him now - and is tired of hearing how Lily loves this two bit loser. Lily insists it's real. Jail is real - serving time is real! Dru wails. You're caught up in a fantasy. I'd do it all again, Lily swears. I'll slap you clear across this room, Dru warns. Have you slept with this boy? No - he's never even hinted, Lily swears. Thank God, Dru's relieved. 5 minutes, the officer alerts. Dru doesn't want to leave her baby. I love you. Pray. Lily doesn't want her Mom to sleep there (even if she WAS allowed). Lily's glad to be close to Daniel. He's in a room just like mine. Dru's devastated - and can't stand that he's twisting her into a pretzel. Lily asks her to pass a note to Daniel - it would mean the world to me.

Partners With A Pyro
On the patio, Mac announces she's going to take everyone's advice - not let JT get her down. She feels better about things. Kevin likes her new attitude - but can't find a good job in the paper. He's over qualified for entry level - not enough experience for a senior positions. Mac complains about the latte and finds it sad that the Newman's aren't paying attention to the place. I used to waitress here. Maybe this place doesn't mean as much to them anymore. Mac has a great idea - maybe the best she's ever had. Her grandma doesn't have anything for him right now -but she said if I ever wanted to start my own company, she'd help. You have some money from the lottery win. Let's buy the coffee house. It MIGHT be for sale to the right buyers at the right time. We can be business partners, she smiles. We ARE a good fit. There could never be anything else between us? Kevin asks. Mac squirms: Let's not go there. She'll draw up a proposal and go to the ranch to speak to Nick and Sharon (as Kevin thinks she should go alone). With Mac promising to report back, the partner's shake hands.

My Thoughts
Today's show rates a 9 .... Vinnie's the poorest excuse for a mobster I've ever seen (not that I've seen many mobsters of course) ... Isn't it funny how television in general depicts a woman in labour. One minutes she's all good - the next she's in agony. Apparently they're not familiar with Braxton Hicks contractions - or the fact that labour is progressive... I'm guessing Mac will show up at the ranch looking for Nick and Sharon - and instead, find JT and Brit birthing a baby..... Mac and Kevin - partners - go figure - they have absolutely NO business experience between them and what will Mac's proposal consist of - she has no idea how much the coffee house is worth - why not consult Mikey before approaching the Newmans? ... Whatever Webber's official title is, you'd think he'd be granted a bit more respect. He's now been dissed by every member of the Winter's household... Why doesn't Chris try behaving like a real live lawyer - subpoena the clothing - and adjourn until the car has been fully inspected. If the doctors who'll be taking the stand have SO much detail on how Cassie died, surely they'd be able to prove (from angles and impact etc.) that she was driving.

Next: I'd rather take it to my grave than tell you, Nikki says bravely. An angry Vinnie stands and kicks over the chair.... Where's Phyllis off to at this hour? Ash asks Jack. She's off to do some damage control, he answers. ... Phyllis shows up at the Winter's apartment.

Thanks for your most generous support. 2 or 3 thank you's to go out yet - and all subscribers registered before July 25th have been added. If I've missed you, please contact me (there's an email link at the bottom of this, and every page).

*****

For those who were members of the message boards - and therefore, no doubt, a friend of 'Leafy's' - Amy Kay has created a very touching tribute. http://dump.grendosa.com/Leafy.wmv . Just added: my own eulogy or sorts. My thoughts: From the heart - Leafy.