Tuesday, May 29, 2007, Episode #5069

Eric is stunned by Stephanie's revelations.

At the Forrester mansion, Eric asks Stephanie how Nick and Jackie reacted to the guilty verdict. Stephanie ducks the question and tells Eric that Ridge is back from Paris. Eric is glad, since he wondered why Ridge stayed in Paris for over a week after the store opening. Stephanie admits that she may have given Ridge bad advice. "Again?" Eric asks. Stephanie tells him that Nick didn't kill Shane. Eric has a sense of deja vu and doesn't like where this is going, especially when Stephanie gets defensive. Eric asks if she killed Shane; Stephanie says that she didn't kill Shane, but she tells Eric that Ridge was there when Shane died. Eric asks what that means, so Stephanie explains how Shane died and how Ridge dumped the body in the bay. Eric is furious at this news, since Stephanie and Ridge never said a word while Nick was arrested, and Ridge even told the press that Nick was getting what he deserved for a crime Ridge knew Nick didn't commit. Stephanie doesn't want to argue about Nick and tries to explain why Ridge didn't say anything. She reminds Eric of the judge's warning when Ridge was sentenced for shooting Grant Chambers. Eric recalls the warning and understands, but he's floored when Stephanie tells him that it was Rick, not Ridge, who actually shot Grant! Fuming, Eric asks where Ridge is. Stephanie tells him that Ridge is at the courthouse, waiting to see if Nick gets a light sentence before confessing. Eric doesn't want to hear another word. "Will you ever learn?" he seethes as he turns to leave for the courthouse, insisting that Stephanie come with him and face the music for her actions.

At the police station, Ridge stands outside Nick's cell. Nick tells Ridge to stop playing cat and mouse games with him. Ridge states that Nick's a rat, but so is he. He promises that Nick will be free soon enough, but first he wants Nick to hear all the details, including the ones that won't make the papers. He then tells Nick how Shane died, and how he took Shane's body to the Marlin and dumped it in Santa Monica Bay. He explains that he didn't intend to set Nick up; he just thought, after being on the Marlin with Phoebe that day, that he could use the boat to cover up the crime and make Shane's body disappear. He never thought that Shane's body would wash up on the beach, or that the evidence found would point to Nick, but some of Shane's hair must have gotten caught in the zipper when he opened the garment bag before dumping it overboard. He assures Nick, "It wasn't personal. Not then, anyway."

The judge and the Asst. D.A. consider Taylor's story.

Lt. Baker finds Taylor still in his office. The doc asks if Nick has been released. The cop reminds Taylor that her husband was just convicted and excuses himself to head home, but Taylor asks him if he spoke to Ridge. Lt. Baker reiterates that his job is done, but Taylor tells him that Ridge just told her that he was involved in Shane's death and was supposed to be on his way to find the lieutenant to confess. Stunned by the news, Lt. Baker summons Storm, Judge Owens and Asst. District Attorney Tartaro to his office. Taylor fills them all in on what Ridge told her and insists that Nick has to be set free now. The judge points out that a guilty verdict is treated as holy in the justice system, so it can't just be casually discarded. "Even if it's wrong?" Taylor asks. Judge Owens turns to the lawyers; Storm wonders when Ridge set Nick up, while Tartaro reminds them of the blood on Nick's shirt. Storm reminds the A.D.A. of his theory about that which he raised in court. Taylor suddenly recalls that there are video cameras in the elevators at Forrester Creations. Tartaro asks Lt. Baker if he has that video, or any physical evidence from Ridge's office. Baker explains that his warrant didn't cover the video, while there was no evidence found in Ridge's office. Taylor suggests they talk to the maintenance people at Forrester Originals or check the cameras in the building where the Forresters rent space. Storm asks the judge if they can subpoena the videos tonight. The judge agrees and calls his clerk to bring his seal, while Lt. Baker calls for Detective Scott to collect the videos.

Nick lashes out at Ridge from behind bars.

Downstairs, Nick shakes his head in disbelief. He isn't sure if he believes that Ridge never intended to frame him, but even if he accepts that, he can't understand how Ridge could let the police arrest and try him. He guesses that was Stephanie's doing, since Ridge doesn't have the guts. Ridge asserts that it was Nick's own self-righteous arrogance in dealing with the police and with Shane that did Nick in, and not anything he did. But even though he thinks Nick belongs behind bars, Ridge still intends to set Nick free. Nick isn't moved by this alleged show of sympathy. Ridge asserts that what happened with Shane was unintentional, even though everything between him and his brother Nick usually is personal. "You're not my brother. We just got the same old man," Nick states. Ridge takes that as typical behavior from Nick, who always wanted to be the only Marone son and got so close to their father that their was no room for Ridge. Nick retorts that Ridge is just a whiny kid who had an easy time all through life, and he can't help but laugh at Ridge's pompous attitude considering that Ridge had everything he needed in life handed to him. He admits that he'd like to see Ridge behind bars as much as Ridge wants him here. Ridge suggests that he and Nick are a lot alike and tells Nick to be good to Taylor and his kids.

Storm and Detective Scott go over the new evidence.

Taylor, Storm, Judge Owens, Ms. Tartaro and Lt. Baker arrive at the cell and are glad to find Ridge there. Taylor tells Ridge that she feared he left; he reminds her that he promised he wouldn't leave. The judge asks Ridge if what Taylor told them is true; Ridge admits that it is. The judge advises Ridge that he has a right to counsel, but Ridge waves that right and admits that he knows that Nick didn't kill Shane. Taylor points out that it was an accident. Tartaro wants a full confession from Ridge, but Ridge says that he just gave her one. Detective Scott then arrives with the videos. He confirms that the video from Forrester Creations shows that Shane had a bloody nose when Nick threw him out. Which would explain the blood on Nick's shirt, Storm points out. Det. Scott then continues that the tape from the parking garage at Forrester Originals shows Ridge carrying a large garment bag to his car and driving off.

Lt. Baker tells Nick that he's free to go.

Judge Owens looks to the lawyers, who both agree that the verdict against Nick should be set aside, so the judge orders that Nick be released with the court's apologies while a new trial is scheduled for Ridge. Lt. Baker tells Nick that he's free to go and arrests Ridge.

Stephanie has a run-in with Nick.

Lt. Baker passes Stephanie in the hall. She tells him that her husband went to see Ridge, since Eric thought her presence might upset Ridge. "It kind of upsets me, too," Baker retorts, taking his leave. Nick then comes down the hall, on his way to arrange for his release papers. He tells Stephanie, "Your son showed me something today, but he didn't learn it from you."

Ridge considers his fate from a jail cell.

Now clad in a blue jailhouse jumpsuit, Ridge sits in his cell and reflects on everything that brought him to this moment. His thoughts are interrupted when Eric arrives. Ridge supposes that his mother told Eric, who confirms that Stephanie told him everything and asks Ridge why he never turned to him. Ridge doesn't see any sense in explaining now. Eric wishes there was a way to get Ridge out of this, but he doesn't see how he can. Ridge sees the disappointed look on Eric's face that he and his siblings saw so many times. He knows that look will get him to say that he's sorry, even though that seems cheap and hollow at this point. Eric tells Ridge, "You're not a criminal, but I'm not sure I could say the same for your mother."