The first stop on the road of independence was the neighborhood department store. The tremendous shopping area, the hustle and bustle, the constant announcements over the PA system and the all around chaos overwhelmed him. Ready to retreat but convinced to stay by the soft voice and even softer hand of Carmen, beautiful Carmen who instantly took his breath away. Their chance meeting turned into much more. Even after finding out Carmen belonged to another they still continued their adulterous affair. The marriage of Johnny and Carmen was never out of love, more of a convenience to him. The mental and physical abuse she endured during her marriage only pushed her further into Daniel's arms. Divorce from Johnny, future plans with Daniel and the happy ending never came to fruition. Johnny had his own plan. Cool, calculating Johnny Griggs murders his wife Carmen committing the worse crime in Bowen County and gets away with it.