Michelle's husband, Burt (Larry Hagman), finds out about the affair from Dr. Wolper, and tries to force the two to have sex in front of him. When Burt later tries to have sex with Michelle, he has a stroke and dies after she refuses to give him his medicine. After Burt's death, Christian and Michelle get engaged, and Michelle agrees to be Wilber's adoptive mother. James does not keep her end of the bargain, however; she uses McNamara/Troy as a base of operations. Christian then finds out that James works for drug lord Escobar Gallardo (Robert LaSardo). James eventually commits suicide. He and Michelle buy Sean's stake in McNamara/Troy after Sean moves to California. Just as it seems they will live happily ever after, Christian finds out that she had been James' accomplice in the organ smuggling ring. Disgusted, he leaves her and follows Sean to California.