EPISODE 376
Written by: Bre L Drew
January 15, 2026
Last Time on Town and Country
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After learning the Miami investment was actually a protected wetland, Jacques spiraled with guilt over losing millions. Courtney and Aaliyah both comforted him in very different ways, leading to emotional and physical entanglements that further complicated already fraught dynamics.
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Tanner confided in Tommy about restarting her plans to attend veterinary school, a goal he fully supported as their secret relationship continued. Unknown to either of them, Thora had already witnessed the two sharing an intimate moment at The Chateau.
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Lenny voiced her concern to Louise about Sean's continued close involvement in Tricia’s life. Louise struggled to reconcile her unease.
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A hostage standoff erupted when Wade held Tricia and Jolene captive. With Ernest leading police efforts and Sean bringing in Samuel and Jes to help de-escalate the situation, the confrontation ended when Jolene fatally shot Wade.
COVINGTON JET
The distance from Miami, Florida, is visually apparent as the near-perfect blue skies and mild temperatures give way to winter-darkened clouds while the Covington Jet approaches Radcliffe, Kentucky. The jet descends carrying Courtney Covington Sullivan, Aaliyah Gupta, and Jacques Laurent after a chaotic twenty-four hours in the Magic City. What began as a routine business trip has spiraled into scandal and regret—the failed deal, Courtney and Jacques’s forbidden kiss, and Jacques and Aaliyah sleeping together all weighing heavily in the tense silence on board.
The steady hum of the aircraft becomes the only sound between them, a calm everyone knows will not last.
The plane lands smoothly at Radcliffe’s private airport, signaling their reluctant return to reality. Once cleared to deplane, Jacques takes the opportunity to approach Courtney, who is not only his boss but someone he has grown close to over the years. He senses the sudden discomfort between them.
“How long will I be getting the silent treatment?” he asks in his trademark French accent. They have barely seen one another since leaving the hotel. Only the day before, they had commiserated over the mis-sale and shared a kiss—one
Courtney instantly regrets, knowing she is married and that Jacques is married to her aunt.
Courtney briskly gathers her belongings and half-turns toward him. “Sorry if you think I’m avoiding you, but I think it’s best we keep things professional from now on, okay?”
Before Jacques can respond, she heads quickly toward the exit.
Left behind on the jet, Jacques and Aaliyah—who were intimate only hours earlier—face one another in silence.
“Nice weather we’re having, huh?” Aaliyah says, immediately aware of how unnecessary the small talk sounds. The comment makes her want to kick herself.
Jacques retrieves his designer leather shoulder bag from beside his seat. “Aaliyah, look, I know things went unexpectedly yesterday, but that doesn’t mean things have to be uncomfortable between us.”
Aaliyah gives him a look that clearly suggests otherwise. Not only did they sleep together, but he is a married man. Still, she doesn’t regret it; she has been growing closer to her boss for some time now.
“We’ll talk later, okay?” Jacques says, knowing his attention must shift to what lies ahead regarding the land deal.
“Sure,” Aaliyah replies, nodding, uncertain of where they now stand.
Outside, Courtney approaches the waiting car, arranging herself, choosing not to call Steven for a ride. She isn’t ready to face her husband after everything that’s happened. She did return his call earlier, keeping the conversation general. His family is hosting a post-holiday gathering at Franklin Farm, and she tells him she’ll come by if she can, briefly mentioning the situation at the company.
Guilt continues to plague her as she slides into the back seat of the late-model sedan.
Moments later, her iPhone rings, interrupting her thoughts. The caller ID reads: Jean Levinson.
Knowing she can’t ignore the call, Courtney answers as the car pulls onto the main road.
“Hello,” she says.
“Courtney, hi. This is Jean,” the older woman replies matter-of-factly.
“Jean, how are you?”
“Oh, I’ve been better.”
It doesn’t take long for Courtney to realize the senior investment director knows. She exhales sharply and leans back in her seat as the weight of everything—professionally and personally—presses down on her, understanding now that the storm has only just begun.
MCKNIGHT RESIDENCE
A gray, overcast blanket hangs over Radcliffe, matched by the cool temperature outside. Inside the rectory, Thora McKnight stands in the kitchen making breakfast as Chris Stapleton’s “What Am I Gonna Do” plays through her iPhone on speaker.
Using a long fork, she turns strips of bacon sizzling in the pan. As she cooks, Thora’s mind drifts to what she witnessed a few nights earlier—her son-in-law, Tommy, and Tanner, his ex, kissing during Tanner’s aunt’s performance at The Chateau.
Despite knowing her daughter is in a loveless marriage—one that exists in name only due to some obligation her husband feels toward her—Thora believes Jordan deserves better, having tried for years to make the marriage work. Still, as she pulls herself back to the present, she reminds herself that others have it far worse than her current predicament.
Just then, Presley McKnight walks into the kitchen wearing a moss-green long-sleeve wool sweater and blue jeans.
“Morning,” he says.
“Good morning,” Thora replies, less enthusiastically, her thoughts still weighing on her.
“Hey, are you all right?” Presley asks. “I know you probably don’t want to say with… everything that happened yesterday, but you can tell me—”
“It’s nothing,” she cuts in.
Whatever it is, Presley knows it isn’t nothing.
Thora changes the subject as she transfers the bacon from the pan onto a tray. “So, how do you think Jolene and Tricia are doing this morning?”
Only yesterday, after being held captive by Jolene’s estranged, abusive husband, Wade Wood, they were rescued when Ernest and the police breached the apartment. By that point, Wade was dead, shot by Jolene.
Presley folds his arms. “The situation is terrible all around. Two women were held hostage, and a life was taken… but in this case, maybe in this circumstance, it was justified,” he says, trying to find the balance between compassion and his vocation.
Thora tilts her head thoughtfully just as footsteps interrupt their conversation. Tricia Lockhart and Jolene Wood enter the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Thora says, sounding more upbeat as she greets her boss and her mother.
“Good morning,” Jolene replies, echoing the greeting.
“I know it’s awkward having us as houseguests at the moment.” Tricia says, “But thank you for letting us stay here anyway.”
After they were checked out by paramedics, Ernest contacted Thora about the situation. Knowing the apartment held too many traumatic memories, she invited them to stay at the rectory.
“Like I said before, it’s no problem,” Thora says. “How are you both?”
“I’ve been better,” Jolene admits, the weight of killing her husband still evident in her voice and posture.
“Well, I’m making breakfast,” Thora says. “You two take a load off.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Jolene asks.
Thora almost says no, but she sees that Jolene needs something to occupy her mind. “Could you grab the glasses from the cabinet over there?”
Jolene nods and obliges.
Presley approaches Tricia. Despite how close she is to his mother and sister, he realizes they’ve never really spoken one-on-one. “How are you holding up—really?” he asks gently. “Sometimes it’s hard to say certain things in front of your mom.”
Tricia exhales and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “If I say I’m glad that bastard is dead… does that mean I’m going to go to hell?”
Presley considers her words, but before he can respond, the doorbell rings. He answers it and returns moments later with his sister, Jordan Covington. She wears a black fur jacket over a red-and-black striped silk blouse and black jeans, her shoulder bag clutched tightly to her side. It doesn’t take long before she embraces Tricia, who accepts the hug.
Soon, the doorbell rings again. This time, Thora answers to find her ex-husband standing in the doorway.
“Thora,” Ernest McKnight asks, “are Jolene and Tricia still here?”
“They’re,” she replies. “Presley and Jordan, too. I’m making breakfast—come in.”
His silence tells her everything.
“I need to see them right away,” he says.
Thora leads him inside. Though the house is still decorated for Christmas, the warmth of it feels minimal as she brings him into the kitchen. Conversations fall silent as everyone looks up at the police chief, the tension instantly filling the room.
LOCKHART LAKE COTTAGE
Meanwhile, inside the Lockhart Lake Cottage, the Douglas fir tree still twinkles with lights while several gifts lie beneath it in the living room, including a few bags of presents that will be taken over to the farm later on. The family will be celebrating after the actual holiday, which is unusual for a family that has gathered for its tree trimming for over one hundred years on Christmas Day.
At the moment, both Louise Saunders Lockhart and Tanner Lockhart occupy the room as the flat-screen television broadcasts coverage of the situation at the Wheeler Building from the day before. The report includes interviews with residents and footage of Tricia and Jolene exiting the building with the assistance of Chief McKnight.
“No further details are available at this time, but we’ll bring you more as they come in,” the female anchor says.
The broadcast then shifts to another story about New Year’s resolutions.
Both mother and daughter, who had been watching intently, shook their heads in unison.
The doorbell rings, breaking the heavy quiet. Louise and Tanner both rise to answer it.
When Tanner opens the door, she’s relieved to see her father, Sean Lockhart, standing on the other side. It doesn’t take long for her to embrace him, knowing he was also present during the hostage situation.
“Oh, I’m so glad you’re okay, Dad,” she tells him.
“I don’t know if I deserve that, but I’ll take it,” he replies, wrapping his arms around one of his daughters.
They soon pull apart as Louise shares a look with the man she had spoken to just the day before. The two had discussed their complicated relationship when Sean received a call from his former mother-in-law, informing him that his ex-wife was in trouble—prompting him to rush to help.
Sean turns his attention to the woman he’s been with mostly since adulthood. “I just want you to know the police were there the entire time, and I never once set foot in that apartment while that asshole was in there,” he explains, trying to steady himself.
Louise places her hands on her hips, clearly juggling a flood of emotions. “You said something like that when you finally got in touch last night.”
“Well, a lot went down yesterday,” Sean replies honestly.
Louise then turns to her brunette daughter. “Tanner, can you give your father and me some time alone, please?”
Tanner, sensing this was coming, nods. “Yeah. I’ll, uh, head to the café and grab the desserts before coming back here so we can take them over to the farm.”
She grabs her tote bag from the credenza, hoping her parents can work things out, before heading toward the Fiat parked outside.
Once the door closes, Louise doesn’t wait long to react.
“I thought we were meeting up at the farm.”
Sean, still wearing his plaid coat, shrugs. “That’s still the plan. But I knew if I didn’t come over here first, it would make things worse—though it seems like I might already be doing that.”
Louise’s frustration finally breaks through. “What in the hell were you thinking, Sean?”
COVINGTON GROUP
Following the phone call with Jean, it doesn’t take long for Courtney to inform Jacques and Aaliyah that they need to return to the office immediately.
The three stride into her office suite on the twentieth floor of downtown Radcliffe.
Courtney moves to her desk, retrieves a folder from its neat surface, and tosses it down with frustration.
“I still don’t understand how we sank money into that worthless wetland.”
“That’s what we’re all wondering,” Jacques confirms.
Courtney runs a hand through her brown hair. “We vetted every aspect of the Miami property—from zoning and environmental surveys to title history and financial disclosures.”
Jacques looks at her, momentarily invigorated by seeing the petite businesswoman fully in command, though he keeps his tone professional. “Should we begin damage control?”
Before Courtney can respond, a knock sounds at the door. She lifts her head, momentarily puzzled, knowing the building is largely empty due to the holiday season.
“Yes,” she calls.
Moments later, Evelyn, her longtime secretary, steps into the doorway holding a printed document.
“What is it, Evelyn?” Courtney asks.
Evelyn hesitates, her eye contact steady. “I thought you should know there’s been an emergency board meeting called.”
Courtney and Jacques exchange looks—neither hiding their lack of enthusiasm.
“They couldn’t wait?” Jacques mutters.
“With several million dollars gone and the company’s reputation on the line,” Courtney replies, “I suppose not.” She makes an effort not to place blame solely on him. As CEO, the responsibility rests on her as well—perhaps more than anyone else.
“Thank you for letting us know, Evelyn,” Courtney adds.
Seeing she’s no longer needed, Evelyn nods and exits.
Aaliyah, already scrolling through her phone, exhales sharply. “I can only imagine how many calls are coming in right now. I should probably deal with that before it turns into an even bigger crap storm.”
She slips out, leaving Jacques and Courtney alone in the office. A brief charged silence settles between them—both aware there’s more hanging in the air than corporate fallout.
Courtney runs her hands through her hair again, her composure cracking for just a moment.
Jacques watches her closely, seeing not only her distress over the company but the lingering guilt tied to their recent kiss.
His jaw tightens. He knows the Miami debacle was partly his responsibility—but something doesn’t sit right. A realization flickers in his mind.
He wasn’t the original source of the investment tip.
Someone else fed that information into the deal.
ESTHER SAUNDERS STABLES
The smell of hay and horses lingers in the cool air as Tanner steps inside the barn at her great-aunt’s stables. She has already stopped by Jojo’s to pick up desserts for dinner; however, she has something else planned before heading back to the cottage.
“Marco!” she calls out playfully as a few of the horses' whinny in response.
A familiar male voice answers, “Polo!” just as Tommy Covington emerges from behind a stall, smiling beneath a dark gray wool jacket.
It doesn’t take long for them to close the distance between them, their arms wrapping around one another as their lips meet in a longing, restrained kiss. They have been coming here often lately, carrying on their relationship in secret—
Tommy is still married and unwilling to let anyone discover what is happening between them.
They eventually pull apart.
“I hate that we have to make this quick,” Tanner says. “I’m expected at my grandmother’s.”
“I understand familial obligations more than anyone.” Tommy replies. He stays married to Jordan for her sake and for their young son, Jeremy—largely due to the gaslighting and pressure from his father. The thought briefly drifts to their shared plans to push Jacques out of the Covington Group, but knowing how little time they have, he pushes it from his mind.
“It’s freezing in here,” Tanner remarks, rubbing her gloved hands together.
Tommy winks suggestively. “How about we find a way to warm up?”
For a moment, Tanner considers him, then realizes exactly what he means. She turns away, folding her arms across her chest.
“Tommy, you know that’s not going to happen until you leave Jordan.”
He sighs in frustration and gently turns her back to face him. “You know it’s complicated.”
Before Tanner can respond, a chime sounds from her iPhone. She glances down at the screen, noticing an email notification. Tommy watches her expression shift as she reads it.
When she finishes, she looks up at him, her face noticeably more relaxed.
“What is it?” he asks.
“You remember when I said I was getting serious again about applying to vet schools?” she says. “I just got accepted to the one at University of Minnesota, St. Paul.”
“Congratulations,” Tommy replies, though the surprise in his voice betrays his thoughts about her applying out of state.
“Thanks” she says sincerely. “I applied to a few places, but this is my first official acceptance, but I know if I do go this will obviously change things.”
Tommy hesitates, wanting to ask What about us? But he knows he has no right. He is the reason they aren’t fully together.
Besides, she deserves to enjoy this moment—especially after putting her education on hold to support her family during Lenny’s cancer diagnosis.
“I still have some time before the semester starts,” Tanner adds, “but I’m really considering going.”
Instead of questioning her, Tommy pulls her into another embrace. “We’ll figure it out,” he says softly. "I promise we will be together."
They stand in the quiet barn, surrounded by the steady presence of the horses—caught between love, uncertainty, and choices neither of them can delay much longer.
LOCKHART LAKE COTTAGE
“Well, I knew I wouldn’t necessarily be greeted with a warm reception,” Sean says, attempting to smooth things over with humor.
“Don’t try to be cute,” Louise chastises. “What were you thinking? Going to play cops and psychopath with Ernest McKnight? Sean, you could’ve gotten hurt—or killed.”
Sean catches the fear in Louise’s face, the kind she rarely allows herself to show.
“Like I said before, Ernest and the police handled everything. I mostly stood by and then got Samuel to try to talk Wade down, so he’d let Jolene and Tricia go. I know what happened is scary, but it’s nothing for you to get this riled up about.”
“I’m not riled up, and I’m not jealous,” Louise replies. “And despite my issues with Tricia, I’m glad she and her mother made it out—and that Wade was taken care of, as harsh as that sounds. But is it going to be like this every time?”
She pauses, then adds, “Every time Tricia has an issue—are you going to run to her side?”
Sean exhales slowly before responding. “I think, in that instance, it was warranted. Look, Louise, I know I haven’t left you with much faith in the past, but if we’re going to continue having some kind of relationship, you’ve got to give me some trust too.”
Louise can see the effort he’s making, even if the last few years of their marriage make it difficult for her to fully accept it.
MCKNIGHT RESIDENCE
By now, the rest of the house gazes upon Ernest.
“Tricia, Jolene—hi.” he says reservedly
“Hi,” Jolene says quietly. The two had been growing close recently, as he had been the one supporting her through her struggles. “Are you hungry? Thora is making a feast.”
Ernest quickly raises his hands in refusal. “Maybe another time.” An uneasiness settles over the room. “Jolene, I wish this visit were under better circumstances.”
“What are you talking about, Dad?” Jordan asks her father, with whom she has a complicated relationship.
Thora turns toward her ex-husband, already having a sense of where this is headed.
“I have to bring you both down to the station. You’re wanted for questioning.”
Emotions rise as Tricia moves closer to Jolene, knowing her mother is already in a fragile state.
“What’s to question, Ernest?” Tricia snaps. “My mother shot Wade in self-defense after he terrorized her for thirty years. Question answered. Case closed.”
“Tricia, please don’t make this harder than it already is,” Ernest says evenly. “I managed to delay initial questioning yesterday because of what you both went through. That’s why I’m here now. I thought if I came alone to escort you, it might lessen the blow.”
“What do you mean, lessen the blow?” Presley demands. “You aren’t arresting them, are you?”
Ernest does his best to mask his emotions, fully aware that his relationship with his youngest son has always been strained—especially since Presley chose the ministry over a career in law enforcement.
“No,” Ernest replies. “That’s why I came myself. And it won’t come to that if they cooperate.”
Jolene and Tricia exchange uneasy glances, neither immediately responding.
“Oh, we’ll comply, all right,” Tricia says flatly. She turns to Jordan. “Could you get in touch with Jes Choudhury and let her know we’re being questioned by the fine boys in blue?”
“I’ll take care of it—and anything else you need,” Jordan replies dutifully.
Tricia turns back to Ernest; the man she once believed would protect them. “You don’t mind if we get legal counsel now, do you?”
Ernest recognizes the remark for what it is—lashing out. “It’s your right.”
Jolene looks squarely at Ernest, feeling let down by yet another man. “You’re just doing your job, right?”
His gaze lingers on Jolene. The light he had come to recognize in her eyes has dimmed, and he knows his role in that cannot be undone. Still, as police chief, he cannot give the impression of favoritism.
Ernest exits the room with the two women, none of them in handcuffs. Even so, Jolene can’t shake the feeling that she’s being arrested.
The women are allowed to grab their coats from the closet near the door.
“It’s going to be all right,” Thora says sincerely as she, Presley, and Jordan stand near the front door. “Hang in there.”
She knows her words may offer little comfort, but silence would offer none at all.
Tricia gives Jolene’s hand a firm squeeze before following Ernest toward the door.
The three exit the rectory, leaving behind a heavy silence.
Inside, the McKnight's stand quietly, uncertain of what lies ahead for their friends as the season suddenly feels bleak.
END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
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Jolene is interrogated.
The annual Franklin Farm tree trimming begins.
Relationships continue to be tested.
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