The Edge of Night - Season 14 (1956)

Cookie blamed Mike for delaying her marriage to Ron. Nancy gave Laurie permission to go alone to an out of town artist's retreat. Nancy told Cookie that Louise is still spreading gossip about Mike having an affair with Nicole, but it's Lydia who's poisoning her mind with innuendo. Ron promised Cookie that they'll marry as soon as he wraps things up with Barrington.

Nicole persuaded Ben to let her go with him to the Karr house. Ben warned Nicole that she too often has an interest in other women's husbands. Adam cautioned Mike again about Ben Travis' intentions. Mike defended Ben to Adam. Nancy and Mike celebrated an early wedding anniversary, and she became suspicious when Mike failed to give her the fur coat he was seen buying at McGrath's boutique.

Doubts of Mike crept up on Nancy just as Ben and Nicole arrived at their house. Mike told his guests about Laurie's upcoming trip without her parents. Ben urged Mike to hand over to him the loan sharking evidence. Nancy couldn't help but take notice of Nicole's fur coat which Louise said was a secret gift from Mike.

Nicole admits to her father that she enjoys competition from wives like Nancy Karr. Laurie gets ready to leave for her trip to the artists' retreat. Ben meets with Barrington who concludes that Mike has to be killed. Worried that Mike has a copy of the loan shark ledger, Ben decides that they can control Mike through Laurie. Ben orders replacements for all the loan shark doctors and is ready to eliminate any who don't comply with their plans.

Calvin tipped off Vivian to stay out of Lydia's way. Dr. Lacey told Louise that Phil's condition hasn't improved, but later Calvin and Lydia saw him open his eyes. Lydia told Calvin that they have to pretend Phil's still comatose otherwise Louise won't have a reason to keep them around. Winston shocked Louise with the news that Lydia isn't a registered nurse. Louise defended Lydia and insisted she blames Mike for Phil's condition,

Nancy wouldn't take Cookie's advice that she should confront Mike about the fur coat he allegedly bought for Nicole. Louise seized the opportunity to wound Nancy with innuendos regarding Nicole and Mike. Nicole introduced Ben to Susan Forbes, her new business partner. Barrington phoned Ben to tell him that their henchmen are closing in on Laurie, who's en route to the retreat.

Mike declined Adam's offer to go with him to Washington. Barrington clued Ben in on Ron receiving information from Louise and Cookie. Ben overheard Ron ask Barrington for a vacation so that he can marry Cookie. Mike and Adam concluded that Barrington considers Ron trustworthy. Barrington's henchmen phoned with news that they captured Laurie.

Mike and Nancy argued about his unfailing devotion to the Crime Commission. Barrington turned up at the Karr house to confess that he's the loan shark doctor in Monticello that Mike has been pursuing, but before Mike could phone for the police, Barrington revealed that he had Laurie kidnapped. Mike and Nancy were horrified when Barrington threatened to have Laurie killed unless Mike follows his directions to the letter.

A carefully timed phone call from Ben interrupted Barrington's blackmail of Mike and Nancy. Mike canceled the trip to Washington. Barrington reassured the Karrs that Laurie wouldn't be harmed if they cooperated. Mike decided that Barrington was bluffing, but then he received a call informing him that Laurie never arrived at the retreat. Nancy begged Barrington not to hurt Laurie, who was held by thugs Earl and JoJo at a cabin.

Mike and Nancy disagreed about whether or not to follow Barrington's instructions. Barrington wanted to have Mike and Laurie killed, but Ben's soft spot for daughters made him vow that Laurie wouldn't be harmed. Nancy begged Mike not to take Adam into his confidence regarding Laurie's kidnapping. At Ben's urging, Barrington thought of a couple who could keep an eye on a captured Laurie for them. Mike lied to Adam that they incorrectly deciphered the ledger and insisted that Barrington is clean.

Barrington visited Mona and Barney West, who owed money to hood Frank Loomis, a loan shark who's been sent up the river. Barrington offered to release the couple from their debt, if they agreed to take care of Laurie. At the cabin, Laurie tried to trick JoJo into untying her hands, which she claims hurt very badly. Later, Laurie attempted to get away, but she was caught and severely reprimanded. Facing physical harm if they refused Barrington's request, the Wests agreed to act as Laurie's wardens.

Nicole and Louise met for lunch and each had very different opinions of Mike. Barrington scared Ron with news about Mike and and Ben's Washington trip. Ben and Barrington wondered if Mike will keep his promise and devised a test to see if he would keep his promise. Barrington was prepared to have Laurie killed if Mike fails Ben's test.

Exhausted from worrying about Laurie, Mike began to doubt he was doing the right thing in keeping Laurie's kidnapping quiet, but Nancy pleaded with him to keep doing what they're told. As a prelude to the test, Ben phoned Mike and demanded a meeting to talk about the canceled Washington trip. Nancy warned Mike to act completely normal in Ben's presence. Laurie escaped after tricking a sympathetic Mona, but Barney recaptured her. While talking with Ben, Mike started to confess the truth but pulled back after staring at Laurie's photo.

Barney raised his fists to hit Laurie when she screamed that her father will see them all rot in jail. Mike and Nancy panicked after they realized that they had invited Bill and Martha to dinner that night. Laurie changed her attitude toward Barney, who she suggested hasn't really done anything wrong yet. Nancy became tearful and had to leave the room when Bill and Martha asked about Laurie. Swayed by Laurie's changed demeanor, Barney loosened the bindings on her hands.

Mike desperately argues Barrington's innocence to Adam, but Adam isn't convinced. Liz visits Mike to obtain a quickie divorce from Steve. Mike suggests a separation instead of divorce and becomes impatient with Liz, who leaves in tears. Vic Lamont offers to track down Steve for Liz and admits that he's thinking of leaving the DA's office for private practice. Adam watches stunned as Mike goes into a rage after learning that Jeanne withheld a phone call regarding Laurie.

Lydia reminds Calvin to keep his mouth shut about seeing an improvement in Phil. Winston catches Calvin going through his personal belongings. Lydia plays up her concern for Phil and Louise and gets Louise to gossip about her lunch with Nicole. Lydia uses the information to drive a deeper wedge between Louise and Nancy. Winston demands that Louise fire Calvin for potential theft. Lydia slaps Calvin but subtly manipulates Louise into defending him. Louise offers to give Calvin another chance, angering Winston.

After Laurie refuses to eat, Mona cautions her that Barney will lose his temper if she doesn't cooperate. Barrington gives Barney a gun to shoot trespassers but reminds him he can use it on Laurie if she tries to run away. Ron fears that Barrington knows he's the informant in the organization, but Barrington pretends that Ron is trustworthy and suggests he keep tabs on the Karrs. Barney holds the gun to Laurie's head and orders her to eat.

After Mike insists that Barrington is clean, a shocked Ron decides that he's been bought off by the organization. Cookie notes the sadness in Nancy's face but mistakenly thinks it's because Mike's having an affair with Nicole. Laurie plays possum while Mona and Barney quarrel about having Barrington's gun. After the two fall asleep, Laurie manages to grab the gun.

Laurie aims the gun at Mona and Barney, but during an escape attempt, Barney wrestles the gun away from her. Cookie's insistence that Nicole's interest in Mike is bothering Nancy forces Nancy to admit that something else is wrong. Later Cookie realizes that Ron's meeting with Mike disturbed him. Barney orders Mona to stop being so nice to Laurie and put fear into her. Ron stuns Cookie by suggesting they can marry tonight if that's what she wants.

Barrington gives Ben a report on Laurie's condition. Ben encourages Nicole to go after Mike if she desires him. Ron informs Barrington that he and Cookie have set April 11th as their wedding date. Barrington admits to Ron that Laurie is being held captive but will be released as soon as the organization has been reorganized. Ron can't refuse when Barrington insists that he watch every move Mike makes or else everyone will learn that Ron was responsible for the beating that resulted in Phil's coma.

Cookie tells Nancy her plans for the wedding to Ron, but Nancy is noncommittal. Lydia persuades Louise to invite herself to the Karr house to cause trouble. Cookie informs Martha and Bill of the wedding on April 11th. Louise seizes every opportunity to taunt Nancy over her anniversary and the fur. Enraged, Nancy accuses Louise of becoming a vicious monster. Despite Louise's protests, Nancy screams that they're no longer friends as Louise is banished from the Karr house for good.

Lydia has a go at Calvin over his petty thievery and suggests he stop thinking about pennies when they've got a pot of gold to dip into. Calvin annoys Lydia by mentioning her son again. Nicole refuses to play games with Louise, who peppers their lunch date with insinuations about an affair with Mike. Sara-Louise arrives home from a trip and is instantly attracted to the older Calvin.

Mike and Nancy worry that they haven't been in contact with Laurie since the kidnapping. Ron admits to Mike that Barrington confessed to him the plot to hold Laurie as hostage until the loan sharks can be reorganized. Worried that Laurie will be killed anyway, Mike decides to rescue Laurie himself, but Ron counters that they could all be killed and refuses to help. Barney lets Laurie phone Mike and Nancy. Laurie's pleas manage to shake Ron.

Mike wants Ron to pump Barrington for clues as to Laurie's location, but Ron argues that Barrington will get suspicious. Nancy tries to change Mike's mind fearing that any suspicions will lead to Laurie being hurt, but then she realizes that Mike is desperate because he suspects Laurie will be killed anyway. Laurie admits to Mona that she thinks she won't be allowed to go unharmed. Mona reassures Laurie of her safety though she secretly fears that Laurie is in terrible danger.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Jean tells Adam that she suspects Mike of being under a very personal pressure. Mike's sincere attempt to help Louise manage Phil's real estate business during his illness is met with anger and accusations. Sara Louise annoys her mother by spending every free moment away from home and admits that she finds Calvin very attractive. Vic asks Adam for a job at the law firm. Later, Mike eagerly urges Adam to hire Vic.

Sara Louise placates Louise by agreeing to spend more time at home. Lydia manipulates Louise into giving her access to the household charge accounts. When Louise takes an interest in Lydia's personal life, Lydia clams up about children. Louise confesses to Phil that she hates Mike, prompting Phil to suddenly open his eyes. Lydia overhears Calvin making a date with Sara Louise and later orders him to stay away from her. Lydia is unnerved to see Phil's eyes opened.

Barrington and Ben decide to set a trap for Ron by telling him where Laurie is. Mike confides in Ron that he thinks Laurie's going to be killed because she can identify the kidnappers. Barney leaves to go get drunk after fighting with Mona. With Mona distracted, Laurie reaches for the phone. Barrington reveals Laurie's location to Ron, who immediately passes the information on to Mike. Ben swears to Barrington that Ron will be killed if he fails their test of loyalty.

Barrington and Ben debate whether or not Ron took the bait and laughed that they misdirected him to the wrong place. Laurie gets the phone and calls the police, but Mona catches her before she reaches help. Barney walks in on Mona arguing with Laurie about the stunt she pulled, and he decides she might have to drugged, bound, and gagged. Ron begs Mike to call the police with Laurie's location, though Nancy insists that Barrington could have an informer planted at the police headquarters. Mike realizes that he and Ron will have to work alone to get Laurie back.

Dr. Lacey's suggestion that Phil's open involuntarily as a reflex disappoints Louise. Lydia lies to Dr. Lacey about Phil being unresponsive. Cookie and Martha shop for Cookie's wedding dress at McGrath's, where Martha meets Nicole. Nicole confides in Susan that Ben always gets what he wants. Lydia manages to continue feeding Louise's rage against Mike. Calvin and Sara Louise meet for a clandestine date. Sara Louise realizes that against her better judgment, she's attracted to Calvin.

Ron once again begs Mike to involve the police, but Mike cannot go against Nancy's wishes. Ron reminds Mike they might get killed attempting to rescue Laurie, while Cookie waits for Ron at City Hall. Mike tells Ron he can drop out of the plan if he feels he must. Ron insists he'll help Mike. Cookie confides to Nancy about meeting Nicole at McGrath's with Martha. Cookie says Martha was impressed with Nicole, but Cookie reminds Nancy that Martha doesn't know anything about Ms. Travis. Nancy is preoccupied, constantly glancing at the study where Mike and Ron are ...

Mike and Ron head for the gardener's shack where they think Laurie is being held. Nancy fears that something terrible is going to happen. Mike admits to Ron that he brought a gun for protection. Martha visits a distraught Nancy, who asks God to protect her family. Mike and Ron find the gardener's shack empty. As they walk back to their car, they're watched at a distance by Ben and Barrington. Ben declares Ron a dead man.

Cookie expresses her fear to Nancy when she can't find Ron and worries that another planned marriage will go wrong. Mike and Ron wonder why Barrington lied to them about Laurie being in a specific place when she wasn't. Returning to his hotel room to change for the wedding, Ron is confronted Barrington who's waiting with two henchmen. As Barrington explains that Ron was set-up and walked right into his trap, Ron realizes that he's moments away from being killed.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Nancy admits being superstitious about Ron having seen Cookie before their wedding ceremony. Martha can't forget Phil's behavior at Sara Louise's birthday party, where Phil smashed the cake in a sudden fit of violence. Nancy urges Martha to make an impromptu visit to Orchard Hill to see Louise. Louise is horrified when Phil accuses nurse Lydia Holliday of poisoning his food with drugs and hints that she's being investigated. Calvin shows his friend Lenny a copy of a forged letter from Phil giving him permission to marry Sara Louise. Martha finds a way into the Capice ...

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Using binoculars Ben and Eric spy on Mike who's out with Ben as they arrive at an abandoned shack. The two get out of the car and go in.