Attending the Hollywood premiere of “Eye for an Eye” at Paramount Studios on January 11, 1996, 40-year-old Linda Purl displayed the poised, sophisticated confidence of entering a new decade. Her dewy complexion and delicate smile lines were complemented by a layered, center-parted bob that framed her features, paired effortlessly with a cream ribbed top, a black tailored blazer, and beaded necklace strands. | Source: Getty Images
Richard, Patrick, and Linda began chatting together. For a while, the exchanges remained light, friendly, and utterly innocent. Then the COVID-19 pandemic emptied their calendars and sent everyone retreating into separate homes.
Linda left New York, while Patrick returned to his ranch in Oregon. Occasional messages between the two gradually became FaceTime conversations. FaceTime led to Zoom, and before long, they were speaking every night for two or three hours.
A sleek black leather blazer paired with a heather-gray V-neck knit and satin knee-length skirt captured 43-year-old Linda Purl’s polished late-1990s style at the “Mighty Joe Young” premiere on December 10, 1998, in Santa Monica. Her honey-blonde layers fell in soft curls past her shoulders, perfectly accentuating the graceful refinement of her early 40s with deepening laugh lines and a bright, familiar smile. | Source: Getty Images
They listened to music together and talked about books, art, politics, and the people they both knew. Without restaurants, parties, or crowded rooms around them, they had nothing to rely on except conversation.
Patrick later described them as “visual audio pen-pals.” Across hundreds of miles, two longtime acquaintances were finally learning who the other person truly was.
Resting her chin thoughtfully on her hand for a glamorous Los Angeles studio portrait circa 2000, 45-year-old Linda Purl channeled classic allure in an off-the-shoulder black dress. A voluminous halo of feathered golden-blonde curls framed her delicate features, where subtle expression lines around her bright blue eyes and gentle coral smile reflected the poised, blooming grace of her mid-40s. | Source: Getty Images
Their calls were still ending with friendly goodbyes until one night, as Linda prepared to go to bed, Patrick answered almost automatically. “Okay, bye-bye, I love you,” he said.
Patrick hung up and immediately realized what had escaped his mouth. “What did I just say? Oh my God,” he remembered thinking in a 2021 joint interview. Linda had heard every word.
