At CL's, Victor sure is glad Sam was with Vikki (when she sprained her ankle). He's also glad she's not 'alone' (though that's preferable to the last 'situation' she was in). Sam reckons Victor will have to ask Vikki herself - whether she's heard from Billy.

Having never seen the dog 'act this way', Vikki hobbles to the bench - as Billy peeks out - quietly closing the closet door again as he flashes back to Victor's warning.

Business out of the way, Neil apologizes for criticizing Kay giving Devon this opportunity. On cue, Devon bursts into the mausoleum. Babbling about an idea for studio space, he clams up at the sight of Neil.

Finding Ronan pondering his board of suspects, a detective reports that he's been to every Goodwill store in the city - and can't find Victor's shoes. Widen the search to nearby towns! Ronan barks. A receipt found at the ranch indicates they were donated. Find the damn things! (which will prove Victor left footprints found in the mud).

Arriving at the station, Abby's leaving a message on her Mom's phone. Don't freak out - but she's gonna make sure Ronan knows she had nothing to do with Diane's murder. She then looks nervous - when overhearing another detective tell Ronan that the club's manager found a lock box in a locker Diane was using. Must be what the key is for (the one the murderer left in Diane's throat), the clever Ronan concludes.

At G-worm, Ashley complains about not being involved in Jabot (though products SHE created are doing so well). Now that Tucker's 'well', she wants to be back at Jabot. Flashing back to his deal with Jack, Tucker soon gets an opportunity to call him. Yes, Jack will testify in Tucker's lawsuit against Kay - IF it's made clear in writing that he's to remain CEO.

Hanging up, Jack gets a visit from John (who sees he's going after what he wants - damn the torpedoes). And, as usual, Jack knows John's there to talk him out of it.

Hobbling around on her crutches, Vikki's on the phone with Victor - telling him that Sam, 'the best' is taking good care of her. What WOULD she do without him? Trying to sneak out, Billy hides again when Vikki's 'hero' comes knocking. The 'darling' they keep referring to is the dog - but sadly, Billy assumes the obvious.

Watching Ronan with the key, a worried Abby flashes back to telling Vikki that she saw a key (to where Diane hid a copy of her taped confession). All but shoving Abby out of his office, Ronan marches out - to follow up on a lead.

Jack's head is clear - his conscience, not so much. But he'll have to get past partnering with a man he doesn't respect - to take something away from a lifelong friend. Apparently it DOES matter what John thinks - or they wouldn't be having this conversation.

With Tucker so sure that a Judge will overturn the sale of Jabot, Ashley assumes he has compelling evidence up his sleeve. Wanting to be CEO, Ashley's willing to share it with Jack - as they did before. Tucker sighs. What? He doesn't think Jack will welcome Ashley back?

Jack finds it demeaning that Kay's always reminding him that she's the boss. Angry? He's furious that she and Tucker are using Jabot as a nothing more than a weapon. Jack's gonna put a stop to it - but CAN'T without being underhanded with Kay - so be it. He knows his father won't approve - he has too much integrity. Surprising Jack, John's disappointed in the way Kay's treating her son. If something's worth doing, do it right. If willing to risk a long standing friendship, Jack shouldn't do it half assed. John now vanished, Jack smiles to the heavens - thanks Dad!

Encouraged to stay and share his idea, Devon suggests they buy studio space instead of leasing. But when a disapproving Neil asks if he's compared the costs (as leasing is tax deductible), Devon figures he shoulda gone to accounting school like his Dad wanted.

Pressed up against the dining room wall, Billy continues to eavesdrop on what sounds like an intimate conversation (unaware that Vikki and Sam are feet apart - and talking about the dog). And where's Keeley? He was just here a minute ago. There he is - eyeing Billy (who sends him running after a ball). And as Sam goes to investigate that noise, a hooded Billy dashes through the front door (leaving Vikki puzzled over THAT noise).

As a nervous Abby hovers in the background, the club's manager gives Ronan Diane's lock box.

Kay suggests Devon sit down with CI's legal and accounting teams - then come back to present his case. Neil's also understanding (that Devon's a creative person - not a numbers person). And when Neil goes to the library to return calls, Kay assures Devon that his father wants him to succeed. She's never known a more honest man.

Ashley insists that she and Jack work well as a team - he doesn't see her as a threat. Leaving for a meeting, Tucker doesn't even wait for Ashley's response. Listening to Abby's message, Ashley packs up quickly as she mutters - OMG, what are you trying to DO to me!? When Victor conveniently saunters over, Ashley relays what Abby's trying to do. Please DO speak to her again (about staying away from Ronan). She's playing a dangerous game - with my life, Ashley scurries off.

Hiding from Ronan, Abby gets a call from Victor (scolding her - as she was supposed to leave Ronan to HIM). But Dad, Abby wails - I could be screwed. Ronan has the box AND the key. Victor tells Abby to stay put (at the club) and don't talk to Malloy (who of course comes over dangling the box - and wondering why Abby's so interested in it). Since Abby's sure it has nothing to do with her or her mother, she won't mind being there when Ronan opens it, right?

Returning to the trailer, Billy mopes over a photo of him and Vikki (which he punches out of the frame to attach to the dart board). Looking for these? John appears, darts in hand. Billy knows it's all his fault - but it's torture listening to his wife carry on with another man - in HIS house. But if he doesn't stick to the deal, Victor will blab about 'Myanmar'. John advises Billy to put Vikki in the past - or this misery will only get worse.

Vikki coulda sworn she heard someone at the door - guess she's just 'jumpy'. Opening Vikki's soda, Sam suggests she make friends with her 'longin' (instead of trying so hard to be rid of Billy). He'll be upstairs if she needs anything. Now alone, Vikki types out another email to Billy (it wasn't true that she's 'moved on' - she misses him so damn much. I love you - never stopped. There's no other man ..... )

In Jack's office, Tucker sums up the contract he's reading. Once Jack testifies - and he gets Jabot back, Tucker will give him complete control. Not good enough. Jack demands an iron clad deal - that Tucker will sell him Jabot the moment it's his again.

Without me, you have no case - no sweet revenge, Jack can guarantee Tucker a win (by testifying that he offered 50% more than CI paid for Jabot). OK - you win, Tucker shakes Jack's hand - he's sick of the whole damn thing. Jabot's been nothing but trouble. Selling Jabot to Jack will really teach Kay (that she can't screw with him). Barging in, Ashley's surprised - THIS is the meeting Tucker rushed off to? What are you guys up to??

Devon's talk of signing bigger bands is interrupted when Kay's lawyer calls. That leaves Devon to apologize to Neil (for coppin' an attitude - acting like a jerk). Neil accepting, they exchange a hug and I love you's.

While a puzzled Victor's wondering why Abby's not at the club, she's at the station as the lock box is opened. As Ronan and the detective take the diary found inside to forensics, Abby refuses to stick around (as she's off to hire a lawyer). And as Ronan wonders what Diane had on Abby, the focus shifts to a bagged pillow that reads 'Girls just wanna have fun'.

At the club, Abby tells Victor about the lock box. The night Diane died, she was taunting her with a key (and the confession). It's out there - to ruin Abby's life when she least expects it. Victor doubts 'that Malloy fellow' would even know what to do with the confession - he hasn't solved a damn thing.

Go over everything - this time focus on Abby! Ronan barks at his underlings. Go! Go! The shoe detective then arrives with Victor's bagged shoes (found in a Goodwill in Racine). The tread's a match - placing Victor at the scene the night of the murder, Ronan chuckles with glee.

Back at the mausoleum, Neil suggests a few names Devon can talk to in accounting. Happy to see them getting along, Kay gets another call from Mitchell. Hanging up, she updates that Tucker's suing her - to get Jabot back.

Tucker claims he came to get information from Jack. But since he works for Kay, it didn't go as planned. Tucker was just about to leave. That's all it was? Ashley's not convinced by Jack's 'scout's honour' - but surely Tucker wouldn't keep secrets from her (after giving his word). That's right, Tucker confirms.

Vikki continues to type - regretting pushing Billy away when they lost Lucy. I love you - come home. At the trailer, Billy agrees to pretend Vikki doesn't exist. When a third email arrives from Vikki, John sympathizes - I know it's hard. I can't keep doing this to myself, Billy finds himself talking to an empty trailer (and deletes Vikki's email).

Next: I haven't told you everything about the lawsuit, Tucker admits to Ashley ... You used to have integrity - what changed? Neil asks Sophia ... Victor confronts Adam at the station - everyone knows you killed her. This time I'm gonna make sure you pay for it.

My Thoughts: Abby musta got a good eyeful of Ronan's display board (on which she appears). It's still in his office - but the door's wide open. And isn't he gonna feel kinda stupid for sending his top suspect du jour in with a wire - to entrap her mother? Surely Abby's lawyer will mention it if she ever goes to trial. Odd that she doesn't already have a lawyer (given the amount of times she's been arrested for public nudity and intoxication, vandalism etc.) .... Hard to believe that Abby's even able to hide at the club (since she's such a big celebrity and all) .... Yeah Billy - the hood's a great idea. Vikki'd never recognize you running for the door. Good thing she has absolutely no peripheral vision ... 'Torture' Billy? You'd think a guy who'd been locked away in an Asian prison wouldn't throw that word around so lightly ... Since John's a ghost - who can teleport himself all over town - wouldn't he know that Vikki's relationship with Sam is purely platonic (and could ease Billy's 'torture' by telling him so)? And it's too bad John didn't have time to pay his 'beauty' a visit (maybe let Ashley know that her husband and brother are teaming up behind her back) ... Why is Vikki's dress so long? Isn't it hard enough getting around on crutches? ... What handling of 'things' is Neil frustrated with? Sure Devon bought an expensive painting and carted it all over town - but what else has he 'mishandled'? ... Ronan IS kinda inept. You don't 'leave' a key in someone's throat - you SHOVE it down someone's throat ... Tucker would put Ashley 'back on the payroll'? Why is she off it? Isn't she still on salary for all those revolutionary new products she worked so many hours in the lab to create? And WHY would Tucker say it's out of his hands? Since he owns Jabot, who's hands is it in? ... Regardless that he's Mrs Chancellor's employee of the month, why does Devon feel it's OK to just barge through Kay's front door - and into her living room like that? ... Note that Ronan's white board lists '10 pillows = 10 suspects'. Below that, he also lists NINE suspects by name. The number 10 has '??' beside it (which indicates that it's not anyone on his list). The focus could easily shift to Nikki (who's NOT on the list) - though I still think it's Patty. But if the pillows are so important, why isn't anyone investigating where they were purchased from? Odd that the search is on for Victor's muddy shoes (that match footprints left) - cause it was ADAM who came home to clean mud off his shoes.