CL's is a busy place. On the phone, Tucker's pestering JT for info on the Newman's - keep digging! Problems? Jill sashays over to ask. Nope - everything's fine and dandy, Tucker saunters off. Jill then ambushes Billy - something's up between Tucker and the Newman's - if she finds out what, surely he'll hire her back. RS officially out of Newman business? Ridiculous!

Vikki's home is tense. JT's there to discuss visitation - near tears Vikki's whining about having no toys scattered around. No need to come back later - don't go. Vikki NEEDS Reed back in her life - and will do anything JT wants for equal time.

Convicts are friendly. Nick's whining to Victor - as the friendly convict notices Victor. Like father like son huh? Victor growls that it's a lucky they DIDN'T run into one another (while Victor was in jail for the 'same murder'). One more crack and the man mosey's off - leaving Victor to explain it's Frank Ellis - the man who helped Adam forge the diary. I'll get you out of there soon, Victor vows on his way out (in the meantime, Nick and Frank will glare at one another).

At the county jail, Mike's blasting Phyllis for having her confront Patty (as Sarah). It was cruel (never mind that Lauren agreed). Phyllis can't apologize for asking her friend to help - you can't be mad at me. Yes, Mike can - but he's busy working on Nick's release. And yes - he has Adam's cell phone.

Sharon's suite is no longer a crime scene - so she wanders about - pausing to sniff one of Adam's many shirts in the wardrobe. Knocking, Victor enters to place healing hands on Sharon. Sniffling, Sharon will donate Adam's things to charity. Offering help, Victor agrees they might find a clue.

Mike hands Nick a sheet of paper - two outgoing calls from the cell phone. First one comes from a payphone in a fast food restaurant outside Minneapolis - the second from a payphone in the middle of nowhere. And now they must prove Nick's innocence. The answers are out there, Phyllis is sure.

Sharon hugs a cashmere sweater she got Adam for Christmas - so soft. Victor's more than pleased to help - we're family. Adam was your son (despite everything) - to lose a child, Sharon weeps - the 5th of this month marks the 5th year of Cassie's death. Thank God you have Faith, Victor talks of Cassie's prophecy coming true ~hug~ And now - let's get back to searching for a clue. Sharon then whines about Nick being unable to bond with Faith - oh, when will this crime be solved - so Sharon can move on.

Vikki will do anything to spend time with Reed. JT understands - and sometimes wishes they had shared custody. Tucker's been cool about giving the single Dad time off, but ... In tears, Vikki's tripping all over herself - offering to quit NE - to move off the ranch. JT will only feel comfortable if Vikki's totally out of Victor's 'orbit' - but knows that won't happen.

RS moving onto greener pastures? Preposterous - the readers LOVE a Newman scandal. As Jill campaigns for her job, Billy excuses himself to meet Rafe (who's jaw drops when Billy explains he kinda got married - and needs an annulment asap).

On the patio, Jill now pesters Tucker - thinking he could use a friend. We're friends? Extending her leg to run a foot up Tucker's calf, Jill questions the frown on his handsome face. Tucker's tempted 'n all - but knows she's after something. He's one of the richest guys in the world - but can't afford Jill's price (and so, leaves her disappointed and rejected).

The not-so-lucky-bride? Victoria. Newman!? Whooo. Rafe KNEW something was up with them. Billy then explains they were drinking - dancing - drinking - it seemed a good idea at the time. She's got a great personality - smart - sexy as hell - sweet (which is crazy - cause she's a Newman). Hmm - doesn't sound like a guy who wants to end things. Drink your coffee, Billy snaps.

I'm being punished for being Victor Newman's daughter, Vikki whines. JT comments on her 'blind spot' - and didn't TWO Judges decide he's the better parent. Reed's a Newman - JT can't change that (and one day Reed will resent him trying).

Sharon finds a ticket for a parking garage - in Minneapolis - February - around the time Phyllis found Skye's diary. Adam claimed he'd been visiting Hope's grave. I'll be damned, Victor punches buttons on his phone - to find out who Adam knows in Minneapolis.

Who's Adam's accomplice? Mike will check Adam's credit card - Nick will check phone records at the GCAC - Phyllis will check the restaurant Adam called. Careful - Adam's accomplice will be watching. After Mike and Phyllis leave, Vikki (there to talk NE business) claims to be fine, great. OK - her life's a catastrophe - and she doesn't know what to do about it.

Ending his call, Victor updates Sharon - Adam didn't visit Hopes grave - or the Kansas farm. Maybe it was after hours, Sharon suggests. Victor will take the parking ticket - show it to the pompous DA - tell him to investigate different avenues.

Mike and Phyllis have magically transported themselves to the roadside diner. Of course the owner remembers a man waiting for a call on the payphone - in his tux and mask he was hard to miss. The description fits Adam to a T - but when shown a photo of Adam, he only recognizes him from the newspapers. Sure, they can question the other employees. Mike guesses the man in the tux went to the ball to meet Adam. Who is this guy? Did HE kill Adam?

Billy's been there - done that (marriage) - last thing he wants is to be tied down (especially to a Newman). Vikki's got a few things going for her - but not enough. Great personality - smart - funny, Rafe reminds. Pain in the butt, Billy adds. Sexy as hell, Rafe continues - and sweet. Yeah, but Billy's not one to settle down - and imagine having Victor as a father in law. Wipe that grin off your face!

Vikki's tried everything - and it's killing her. JT even had the nerve to remind her that a JT ruled he's a better parent. Reed DOES need his mother, but how can Vikki fight JT - when he has the law on his side?

On the CL's patio, Tucker cuts off JT's talk of business - to ask a favour (that JT won't like). He needs info on a deal Victor was involved in a few years back - his ex wife should have access to it. No, JT doesn't like it - but since Tucker went out of HIS comfort zone for JT, he should return the favour. Huh? Tucker then takes credit for JT getting full custody of his son.

As Jill watches from inside, Tucker explains his call to the Judge. And now, Tucker wants a 'peek' at Vikki's private files. For what? NE had legal problems with a department store chain in Japan. How was everything mysteriously and suddenly forgiven? Tucker he wants copies of all sales agreements with this Japanese company - to aid Tucker when he makes his play for Beauty of Nature. When JT balks, Tucker gripes about sticking his neck out for JT - and this is how he's repaid? Excuse me - I've got someplace to be, JT marches out (past the watchful Jill).

Seated on the fine leather furniture at the club, DA Pompousass doesn't see how a parking ticket issued in February relates to a murder that occurred in April. Sharon implores the DA to trace Adam's movements the weeks leading up to his murder. She knows in her heart that her husband's murderer is out there. Victor chimes in to claim the DA's only interested in charging a Newman.

Phyllis runs her theory by Mike. Adam called Patty - to bring his cell phone (so he could contact the guy waiting for his call). Why did this guy kill Adam? To hide his involvement. The owner comes back - with Tiffany, an employee who remembers seeing 'the dead guy'.

Tiffany relays seeing Adam a coupla months ago - with a guy and his son. The kid gave him a hug - and Adam took off. It's like they were 'getting to know one another' - it seemed important. No - nothing else, Mike and Phyllis offer thanks as they scurry out.

Still unimpressed with the parking ticket, the DA still believes Nick guilty. Sharon and Nick are grasping at straws. Victor calls Pompousass back - listen carefully - Nick's life is in danger. As Nick's father, Victor will spend every dime he has to ensure the DA's not reelected in November. The DA's only doing his job. HAVE A GOOD DAY! YOU TOO! Nick will never get out of jail, Sharon frets. Don't worry - Nick will get out - Victor will see to it.

Back at the county jail, Nick reassures Vikki (who appreciates her incarcerated brother's pep talk). It's not easy living in a fish bowl, Nick whines. Wonder how JT would feel if the tables were turned - have JT followed - see what kind of father he REALLY is. Vikki worries it'll go wrong - plus, JT's a wonderful father. Yeah - but he might make a mistake. The stakes are high - do something - make it a fair fight, Nick insists.

Tucker approaches Jill - and now gets the cold shoulder. What was he thinking - being so unfriendly? Jill assumes he needs something. Tucker feels they ended their alliance too soon - maybe they can help each other. Keep your friends close, your enemies closer? Jill thinks Tucker made a mistake in underestimating her. Whaddaya say Darlin'? Truce? OK - cause Tucker's such a sweet talker.

Finding Vikki's place empty, JT gets on the laptop. What the hell are YOU doing here? he snarls when Billy barges in. JT? He came to get something of Reed's. On Vikki's computer? Billy's suspicious. Ushering Billy outside, JT locks up and stomps off - leaving a puzzled Billy on the doorstep.

Now home, Vikki's on her laptop - searching for a private investigator (but stops to pause over a framed photo of Reed).

Back on the CL's patio, JT tells Tucker he wasn't able to get the info off Vikki's computer. Try again - JT was hired to do whatever Tucker needs him to do. Get the info or resign. As Billy arrives at CL's, JT points out that he could lose custody if he's unemployed. You owe me, Tucker leaves (as an interested Billy hovers in the background). He then rehires Jill (who's more than happy with her first assignment - to find out what's going on between the Newman's and Tucker).

In jail, Frank blocks Nick. Wazzup? Nick stands his ground - but is then attacked (as Frank wrestles him onto a table - then tries to shove a pen into Nick's face).

Phyllis and Mike meet up with Sharon and Victor at the club. Adam's calls - the parking ticket - this meeting with a stranger. There's definitely somebody else in the picture. Since the DA won't help, THEY must investigate. After Victor heads off to Kansas, Mike gets a call - what!? Sharon and Phyllis are horrified to hear that Nick's been attacked.

Next: You .. are .. delusional, Abby snarls (on the CL's patio). And YOU are a brat, Daniel replies ... Saving Lily is the most important thing I can do right now, Cane tells Liv. But it's not in your hands, she reminds ... Ryder approaches Kevin at CL's. I came to say sorry - I want to make peace (Jana's working - Daniel appears ready to pounce).

My Thoughts: Having been fired twice already, shouldn't Jill ask Billy to draw up one of those iron clad contracts (with a golden parachute)? ... Given the animosity between Vikki and JT (not to mention his feelings towards Victor) - why haven't security been instructed to keep him off the Newman compound? Why hasn't Vikki changed her locks? ... Did Vikki not notice that JT left her computer on? ... Why would Tucker need info on a Newman deal conducted years ago with a Japanese company? If he wants leverage to get Beauty of Nature, why not just show Victor the footage of Adam breaking into his office - to open the sealed bids? Nick's gonna 'check the phone records at the GCAC'? From jail? How will that work. Hi - it's Nick Newman - Why, Yes - I AM in jail for killing my brother in your basement - but I could really use those phone records - perhaps someone could deliver them to me? .... How does Phyllis figure that Adam was watched 'pretty closely'? If that were the case, he wouldn't have escaped ... Since there's obviously no love lost between the DA and the Newman's, why does Pomerance even agree to meet Victor and Sharon at the drop of a hat? Or was he sitting around there anyway (despite being in the middle of a big murder case)? .... It IS a bit selfish of Vikki to whine about her life being a 'catastrophe' (unable to see her son) - to a brother behind bars. Nick shoulda said - quit whining - at least you GET visitation! ... Now knowing how dangerous pens are, how did Frank Ellis get his hands on one. It's no fancy pen from Dubai - but shouldn't he be making shanks out of toothbrushes 'n stuff? ... When Vikki kept insisting that Reed's a Newman, why didn't JT remind her that it reads Hellstrum on the birth certificate? ... You make me sound like quite a 'snake', Jill hisses to Tucker (like she's NOT a snake) ... What on earth leads Billy to believe that Vikki's smart and funny? ... If Lauren's such a basket case, why isn't Mike home with her - instead of jaunting around town with Phyllis? And of course, Sharon hasn't 'entirely' bonded with the daughter she just got back - the child's always with the nanny (who Ashley was kind enough to pack up and send over - along with Faith's giraffe toys etc.). Poor Sharon - if only the 'insanity' would end ... That roadside diner manager sure was dressed well .... Sharon's suite was only just released as a 'crime scene'? At least the cops left it neat and tidy - looks like they even cleaned up the mess made by the explosion. But why didn't the cops (who searched the room) find the parking ticket stub? .... 'Come on in', Sharon invites - which is good - cause with a couple taps on the door, Victor's already barged in ... Why is Sharon sniffing Adam's shirts? Nice that Adam commented on how 'soft' his cashmere sweater was - what else could he say? 'Rich broad like you and all you got me was a lousy sweater from Fenmore's? While I got YOU a laptop' (which Sharon neither uses or needs) .... Blooper alert? (or an 'I'm an idiot' alert). Didn't Mike say that Adam's phone had two 'OUTGOING calls'? Yet, he then relays where they 'came from' - and from that point forward, goes on to discuss INCOMING calls ...... Of course it's time for Sharon to have a mini melt down over Cassie's death 5 years ago. Maybe she can go have a cry at the memorial at CL's - Cassie's Corner. Too bad Kevin replaced Cassie's portrait with that huge, ugly painting (likely one of Daniel's creations) ... How can Tucker call in a 'favour' from JT? It's not like JT ASKED Tucker to call the Judge. But why does JT assume he'd lose custody if he resigned from Tucker Unlimited? It's not like he'd be poverty stricken - or unable to find a job elsewhere. If Billy's willing to rehire Jill, I'm sure Paul would rehire JT. Plus, a Judge might assume that JT would spend more time with the kid .... Billy needs a 'perfect excuse' to hire his mother back? Like her giving birth to him isn't enough? ... It IS ridiculous that Billy won't publish anymore stories on the Newman's - the bulky catalogue would be reduced to a tiny brochure ... Vikki really misses toys scattered all over her floor? Didn't she teach Reed to pick up after himself? She's whining about not having her son in her life - like she didn't just see him yesterday (and the day before). Plus, JT's THERE to discuss visitation. Maybe Vikki should hold off and wait to see what JT's offering - before she gets on her knees groveling (or whatever else the 'anything' she'll do for him includes) .... Nick didn't recognize 'that creep'? Wasn't Frank Ellis' photo ever published in the newspapers? (maybe Nick didn't recognize Frank cause he's yet another a new actor).