December 1

In the aftermath of her admission, Margo claims she hid the truth so that Tom wouldn't be hurt. Casey arrives before Tom can react to Margo's news. Casey has been fighting because of accusations against Margo. Tom defends Margo to Casey, but rejects Margo's touch. Margo tries to explain away what she wrote in the letter, but Tom maintains that the letter proves that those are her true feelings. Tom shocks Margo when he reveals that he doesn't think he can win her case--and resigns as her attorney.

December 2

Tom and Margo were not on.

December 3

Jake reports to Hal that the bodyguard confessed to buying drugs for Alec, which he presumably used on Margo. Tom returns as Margo's lawyer but is all business about his defense of Margo, to her disappointment. Tom presses Margo for details about the night she spent with Alec in Chicago; she reluctantly goes over the events. Tom is anguished over the thought of Margo in bed with Alec. Margo decides she can't let Tom defend her. Tom agrees to find Margo another lawyer. Alec's ghost returns to Margo and orders her to listen.

December 6

Fearing she'll only hurt him further, Margo tells Tom she doesn't even want him on her defense team--or in the courtroom. Bob, Lisa and Kim are in the courtroom when Margo arrives, as witnesses for the prosecution. Emily is pleased when Cass announces he is stepping in for Tom as Margo's lawyer, but Tom arrives in court anyway, declaring he's not going anywhere. Jessica moves full speed ahead with a harsh opening statement. Adam tells Barbara he's skipping school so he can be in the courtroom to support his mom. Hal isn't pleased to see Adam in court; Adam takes off after the opening. During a recess, Margo and Jessica have a confrontation in the ladies' room. Margo reveals to Tom she saw Alec's ghost again last night, and she's afraid by the time they find the real killer, it will be too late.

December 7

Holden reprimands Henry, who is insensitive to Katie regarding Margo's trial. Margo, frazzled by the number of people opposing her in the courtroom, wonders if she should just plead guilty. Cass warns her to stay cool and not show signs of being capable of committing a "crime of passion." Margo approaches Eddie, who blows her off. Cass begins his opening statement and paints Alec as a heartless criminal. Cass even implies that Eddie could be the killer. Eddie erupts in the courtroom and blames Margo for killing his father--all while Henry is filming. Henry gloats over his juicy footage of Margo. Later, Eddie returns to the courtroom and declares his hatred for Margo. Tom passionately proclaims his love and support for Margo. Emily overhears and leaves in tears.

December 8

Jessica gets Hal to reluctantly admit on the stand that he thought Margo was falling in love with Alec while working undercover. Lisa, Bob, Barbara and John all unwittingly testify that Margo seemed to be in love with Alec. Jessica and Cass question a hostile Eddie. Emily arranges to talk to Lisa in the bathroom about Margo's love letter to Alec, making sure that Jessica overhears. Hal goes to the Hughes house with a search warrant, and Adam calls Tom. Tom rushes home to dispose of the letter, but is caught red-handed by Hal. Hal returns to the courtroom armed with the letter, and Jessica calls Emily to the stand. Cass realizes what the new evidence is and senses his case is in real trouble...

December 9

Kim asks Katie to help care for Casey to help keep his mind off Margo's situation. Margo is humiliated as Emily reads the love letter in court. Cass cross-examines and brings up her many past misdeeds. Jessica gets Emily to say she kept the letter a secret because she feared Margo was guilty. Emily apologizes to Tom for her damaging testimony, but Margo doesn't buy her regret. Margo blasts Jessica for her harsh tactics--and for ruining her family. Cass and Margo are relieved when the prosecution rests their case. They realize Margo's only hope--is Margo.

December 10

Lisa is surprised to see Emily at the trial. On the stand, Jake announces that Alec tried to kill him--and murdered his wife. The judge disallows most of Jake's testimony. Cass calls Eddie to the stand, but gets nowhere with him. Cass declares Eddie a hostile witness and depicts Eddie as jealous and vengeful. Cass goes as far as to accuse Eddie of killing Alec because Eddie loves Margo and didn't want Alec to have him. Margo, furious, jumps to her feet and insists on testifying. Cass agrees, but wants Tom to do the questioning. The questioning takes Margo through the night Alec died, and the tapping of the stenographer's fingers triggers a memory. Suddenly, Alec's ghost appears entreating Margo to "listen." As Jessica's shoes tap on the floor, Margo says she remembers.

December 13

Margo recalls she heard a tapping sound the night Alec was murdered. Distracted by the memory, Margo winds up incriminating herself on the stand, blurting out that she's not sure if she killed Alec Wallace. Margo admits to the prosecution that she would arrest herself given all the current evidence. Tom decides they must go back to the scene of the crime to investigate Margo's latest recollection. At Alec's suite, Margo realizes the tapping sound she heard must have been the sound of a woman's shoes. Tom and Margo deduce that a woman must have been rushing about in the room hiding all the evidence. If they figure out who this woman is, then they have found the murderer.

December 14

Tom and Margo were not on.

December 15

Georgia soothes a distraught Eddie, who admits he's beginning to think that Margo may not have killed Alec. Tom asks Cass to stall the trial in light of their latest discovery--and his suspicion that Emily is the culprit; Cass reluctantly agrees. Tom asks Lisa to make sure Emily doesn't leave the courtroom and heads out. Tom and Jack go over the evidence in the Wallace case, and discover a security camera videotape which shows a woman--which could be Emily--at the Lakeview on Alec's hotel floor the night of Alec's murder. They head to the Lakeview. The judge gets angry at Cass' stalling tactics. Cass decides to get Jake back on the stand to buy some time. At the Lakeview, Tom and Jack question the staff, but no one recalls seeing Emily the night of the murder. Finding out Tom's at the Lakeview, Emily surprises Tom and Jack in Alec's suite. Tom and Jack get rid of her, but realize her visit proves she has something to hide. They discover a dirt-encrusted spoon behind the radiator. Back in the courtroom, the judge orders Cass to close his case or risk contempt charges. Jessica and Cass give their closing arguments. Tom rushes into the courtroom, just as the jury is about to exit.

December 16

Eddie is intent on getting revenge on his father's killer, but Georgia suggests he forget the past by taking a romantic trip with her. Eddie likes the idea but has to deal with Margo first. Georgia is relieved at Eddie's change of heart regarding Margo, and hopes they can all leave Alec behind them. As Emily snoops, Tom informs Jessica and the judge of the new evidence they discovered. Although Tom wants a new trail, the judge warns that whatever the jury decides will stand for now. Kim, Bob and Lisa surprise Adam and Casey with a Christmas tree to trim. They share a festive moment, and the adults try to reassure Casey that everything will be okay. Susan is furious with Emily, who gloats about the probability of Margo being convicted of murder. Susan insists Emily will never get Tom, no matter how long Margo is jailed for. Cass sends Tom and Margo off to relax; they go to the park. Tom tries to jog Margo's memory further. Eddie interrupts and Margo apologizes for Cass' tactics. Eddie tells Margo he doesn't believe she killed Alec. They share an emotional hug. Eddie offers to help Margo clear her name. Margo recalls a potted plant in Alec's room and a woman's hands digging in it. They realize the plant could still be in the hotel room.

December 17

Lisa, Nancy and Bob try to keep Adam and Casey occupied as they all wait for the jury's verdict. John comes by and he, Bob, and Lisa put aside their differences and agree to make Christmas special for the boys. At Alec's suite, Margo and Tom realize someone has been there ahead of them. While Tom questions housekeeping about the missing plant, Margo recalls hearing the woman who killed Alec crying. Margo comes to the conclusion that it could have been Emily. The plant is recovered, but offers no clues. Margo has an emotional homecoming with her boys, and Jack informs her that Emily's fingerprints were not on the spoon found in Alec's suite. Cass calls Margo back to court, and she shares a tearful good-bye with her sons. It's a tense moment in the courtroom when everyone gathers and the jury prepares to deliver its verdict...

December 20

The courtroom is stunned as the verdict is read: Margo is convicted of second-degree murder. The judge refuses to grant Margo Christmas at home. Tom vows to find the real killer and warns Jessica she's convicted the wrong woman. Margo is determined to get the truth from her own subconscious. Tom breaks the bad news to Adam and Casey. Casey feels betrayed and rushes off; Tom promises not to quit until he frees Margo. Chris brings Casey and Adam to see Margo in jail, and they share a happy reunion. Casey presents Margo with a paper Christmas tree that he made at school. Tom reveals to Jessica his suspicions about Emily, and convinces the DA for a warrant to search her house. Susan calls Emily on gloating about Margo's conviction, but Emily refuses to feel guilty. Emily is thrilled--and Susan surprised--when Tom shows up at the Stewart house.

December 21

Carly brings Jack dinner and sees he's trying to identify the woman in the hotel surveillance tape. Carly remarks that the scarf is a BRO sold at Fashions. Jack gets a call that a search warrant has been issued and takes off. Holden embraces Katie, who is distraught over Margo's conviction. At the Stewart house, Tom pretends to accept the idea of Margo's guilt. Emily is excited Tom has come to see her, but Susan is wary of his motives. While Emily is upstairs with Daniel, Tom starts digging in a houseplant. Emily cozies up to Tom. Jack arrives with a search warrant, and Emily is shocked to realize she's a suspect in the Wallace murder case. Tom accuses Emily of framing Margo so she could have Tom for herself. Emily feels betrayed by Tom, and Jack informs Emily he's taking her in for questioning. Margo tells John that Tom thinks Emily is the killer. John urges Margo to concentrate on visualizing more of what happened the night Alec was killed. Later, Alec's ghost appears before her. Margo desperately pleads with Alec to point her to the real killer.

December 22

Tom and Jack have interrogated Emily all night, and her attorney finally arrives. Hal wants to know why police procedures are being ignored and demands that Jack let Emily go. Jack reluctantly releases Emily. Emily tells Tom she realizes she's been wasting her time with him; he's never cared for her. She vows she'll never see him again, and he won't take Daniel from her. Margo tells Tom about the scarf from her Alec "apparition," which turns out to be the same scarf the woman on the security videotape was wearing. Tom calls Lisa at Fashions, and she produces a computer printout of the buyers of the scarf. Lisa tells Hal, Jack, and Tom that Emily is not on the list--but Susan, Julia, and Lucinda are. Julia enters wearing the scarf. Hal informs Julia she is now a suspect in the Alec Wallace murder case. Julia can't remember where she was that night, so Jake provides her with an alibi. Julia can't believe Jake thinks she killed Alec. Eddie and Georgia visit Margo and Emily arrives. Emily tells Margo she's innocent. Eddie and Emily have words and she leaves. Margo is now certain that Emily did not murder Alec. Margo tells Georgia and Eddie what she remembers about the night of the murder, and encourages Eddie to take a trip. Emily returns home and fills Susan in on her horrific night. Hal and Tom arrive and ask for Susan's scarf. Susan searches but can't find the scarf. They leave, and Susan asks her daughter if she killed Wallace. Emily reels from the accusation and decides to leave with Daniel immediately. Jack goes to Lucinda's and asks for her scarf. Georgia is horrified that Lucinda is a suspect. Lucinda assures Georgia she's innocent. Eddie remarks that whoever is letting Margo rot in jail for this should fry. Hal tells Jack that if they don't find new evidence, it's all over for Margo. Margo admits to Tom that she doesn't think Emily is the murderer. Tom tells her the scarves are going to forensics, and they should have the results early next week. Tom vows he won't let Margo go to prison.

December 23

Tom and Margo were not on.

December 24

Tom visits a discouraged Margo. Hal and some other cops surprise Margo with a tree, music, and decorations to brighten up her jail cell. Casey meets the "real" Santa, but doubts his Christmas wish will come true. But when he and Adam visit Margo's festive cell, he realizes it has. Barbara, Jennifer, Will, John, and Lisa join the party. After the group leaves, Tom announces to Margo that he, Adam, and Casey will be spending the night with her.

December 27

Margo is depressed after the holidays. She and Tom review the evidence, and wonder about Lucinda. Margo recalls a crying woman trying to bury a laundry bag in the potted plant, and then leaving with it. Hal gets the forensic report on the scarves and decides to call Lucinda in for questioning. Georgia is upset when Hal takes Lucinda in. Eddie tries to comfort Georgia, but she refuses to leave town until she's sure Lucinda is okay. Eddie agrees to pass by the police station on their way out of town. At the station, Lucinda uses Jake as an alibi, but he admits they met at the airport after the murder. Finally, Lucinda reveals her alibi: she was in bed with her trainer, Paolo, which Hal confirms. Lucinda assures Georgia and Eddie that she'll be fine, and urges them to leave Oakdale behind. Margo and Tom arrive to tell Hal her latest recollection just as Officer Shanks gives Hal a special delivery package containing missing evidence--a pill vial/listening device.

December 28

Hal informs Jack and Tom that there were traces of Rophinol in the pill vial, although there were no prints on either of them. Barbara tells Hal about Nikki's accident, and he heads out to get the next flight. Tom and Margo convince Jessica to bring this new evidence to the judge. The judge won't agree to a retrial, but Tom is encouraged that the killer has a conscience. Tom insists they may have to consider Eddie Silva.

December 29

Katie begins her commentary on the fashion show, while Casey acts as Andy's assistant. Georgia arrives and talks to Casey--who is backstage taking pictures--about Margo. Georgia is shaken by the effect Margo's conviction has had on Casey. Later, Katie confides in Georgia that she is worried about what will happen to Margo if she goes to prison, since she is a cop and helped put many of the other inmates behind bars. Margo doubts Tom's suspicions that Eddie could have killed Alec. She argues that all the clues point to a woman, and refuses to even consider that Eddie could have done it. Margo decides Emily could have murdered Alec after all. Jack informs Margo, Tom, and John that Emily has an ironclad alibi for the night of the murder, and the search of her yard has been called off. Tom and John deduce that Eddie had means, motive and opportunity. Tom suggests that Georgia helped Eddie cover Alec's murder. Tom wants to have Jack call Eddie in for questioning tonight. Margo sees Alec's ghost again, but he will only tell her that she already knows the truth. Tom approaches Eddie at the fashion show, and he realizes that Tom is trying to pin the murder on him. Lucinda inadvertently gives a clue to John, who rushes to tell Tom. Carly discovers that Georgia is gone.

December 30

Tom and John head out to look for Georgia. At Lucinda's guesthouse, they begin to dig in the backyard when Eddie arrives. Tom and John unearth the laundry bag and find the bloodstained towel. Eddie tries to take the blame for the murder, but Tom realizes the true culprit must be Georgia. Georgia visits Margo in jail and blurts out that Eddie didn't kill Alec. Margo senses Georgia's deep-seated guilt. Georgia assures Margo that she won't go to prison. Margo has a recollection of the night of the murder as Tom rushes to tell her what he has discovered. When the guard won't let her call Tom, Margo escapes, just missing Tom, who has come to tell her the news. Eddie frantically tries to reach Georgia, who has gone up to Alec's cabin, and is about to take a hand full of sleeping pills...

December 31

Preempted for New Years.