Roman talked to a woman named Martine who was going to work on Stefano's murder investigation. Roman said he wouldn't be on it for much longer since the governor was bringing someone else in to work on the case. Roman wanted to go by the book with the case. He wanted to start the investigation with Abe. Officer Kent asked if Abe was married to Stefano's daughter. Roman said Abe wasn't the only suspect with close ties to Stefano. He said the next suspect was Kate. Kate was at the Titan office with Ian. They talked about Stefano and what he did to her. Ian told her that she didn't have to worry about Stefano anymore. Kate said Stefano was going after him next. Ian wasn't afraid because no man could cheat death. Kate told Ian that he was wrong. Roman told Officer Kent that another suspect was EJ. EJ was at the pub and thought about his confrontation with Stefano. Sami came up to him to offer her condolences. She asked if EJ was sure that Stefano was really dead. Roman and Officer Kent went to talk to Abe and Lexie. Roman told Abe that he was one of the suspects. Lexie told Roman that Abe would never do that. Roman wanted to believe that, but Abe's gun was found at the scene and ballistics established that his gun was the one used to kill Stefano. Lexie didn't believe that Abe did it. Roman understood that because the Abe he knows wouldn't do that, but he wanted to know why Abe's gun was at the scene. Abe said he went to the mansion to threaten Stefano. Roman asked if he took his gun. Abe said he didn't kill Stefano. Roman wanted to know what happened and why he left his gun. Abe wanted to explain, but Theo came in the room. Lexie took Theo out of the room so Abe and Roman could talk. Roman asked Abe why he lied to him when he asked if he saw Stefano. Abe said his wife is dying and her father was murdered. He said the last thing Lexie needed was to think that he did it. Roman was going to give Abe one more chance to tell him the truth about what happened. At Sami's apartment, Sami asked EJ again if Stefano was really dead. EJ said he was. She wondered if her father had any leads. She asked if EJ had any suspects. He said he didn't. She said that half of Salem wanted Stefano dead including her. She also suggested that EJ was a suspect too. He wanted to know what she meant by that. She said she knew that he had issues with Stefano. EJ agreed there were times when he wanted Stefano dead. They continued to talk about Stefano. The subject of Countess W came up. She wondered if she still had a job. He assured her that she was still in control. She told him that he was the head of DiMera family. Abe told Roman and Officer Kent why he went to the mansion. Abe said he confronted him about Andre keeping Lexie in the tunnel. Abe said Stefano didn't think he could kill him and he was right. Abe said when he left he left the gun behind. Abe didn't trust himself. He knew if he kept the gun, he would go back and use it. He also fantasized that Stefano would use the gun on himself. Roman said someone beat him to it. Abe asked if Roman believed him. Lexie came back and said she did. Roman said that was all for now, but he needed him to come to the station for a gunshot residue test. Roman and Officer Kent left. Kate told Ian that Stefano has been dead and undead many times. Ian was pretty sure Stefano was dead and assured her that he wouldn't hurt her again. Ian asked Kate where she was when she went for a walk. He asked if she went to the DiMera mansion. She asked if he thought she killed Stefano. Before Kate could answer, Roman showed up to question her. Roman told her that her prints were found on the murder weapon. She didn't know. Roman thought there must have been an explanation. Roman reminded her of all the things Stefano did to her. She said she was furious with Stefano. Roman asked if she was furious enough to kill Stefano. She said she was furious enough to kill him, but she didn't do it. Roman wondered why her prints were on the gun. She said she didn't know why. She said why would she kill someone she still loved. Ian was listening at the time. Roman continued to question Kate. Roman and Officer Kent left. Ian questioned Kate about whether or not she killed Stefano. Roman and Officer Kent went to Sami's apartment to question EJ about Stefano's murder. Roman was surprised that EJ wasn't on television demanding to know who killed Stefano. He said the old EJ would have done that. Roman thought there was only one reason why EJ didn't do it. Sami wanted to know what it was. Roman asked if EJ already knew who the killer was.
Martine: Hard to believe, isn't it, sir? Roman: That Stefano DiMera is dead? Well, part of me always thought it was a matter of time before somebody killed that bastard, but another part of me thought maybe he was just too damn mean to die. So, officer, are you my shadow today? Martine: Yes, commissioner, I'm Martine Kent, and I just wanna say that I'm honored that I've been assigned to work with you on this case. Roman: Well, thank you very much. I appreciate that. I'm not gonna be heading up this investigation for long. Governor's sending his own man down to take over the operation. Martine: Why is that, sir? Roman: Well, because it's a very high profile case, and unfortunately I am closely connected to most of our current suspects. Martine: I didn't know that. Roman: Yeah, so what that means is, before the Governor's man comes down here, you and I gotta cross our T's and dot our I's, okay? I want you with me every step of the way. I don't want there to be any doubt that this investigation was anything but impartial and completely by the book. Martine: Where do we start? Roman: Our former mayor, Abe Carver. [SCENE_BREAK] Abe: You know I was gonna do it? I was gonna kill you, just like you killed Lexie. Stefano: What stopped you? Abe: My conscience. Lexie: Honey, why--why are you throwing the paper away? Abe: Oh, uh, I'm sorry, I just didn't think that you-- Lexie: What, you didn't think I'd wanna read about my father's murder? [SCENE_BREAK] Martine: Isn't Abe Carver married to DiMera's daughter, Lexie? Roman: Yeah, but he's not the only suspect with close ties to the murder victim. Victim. I never thought I'd use that word to describe Stefano DiMera. His life's work was making victims of everybody else. Martine: Well, looks like one of those victims turned the tables on him in a big way. Roman: Yeah, which takes us to the next suspect we're gonna focus on. Somebody I cared about once, very much. Kate Roberts-DiMera. [SCENE_BREAK] Kate: I will not let you control my life anymore. Do you hear me? Not anymore. Ian: You're thinking about Stefano, aren't you? Kate: He was all I could think about last night. It's just hard to believe that he's gone. [SCENE_BREAK] Roman: There is another suspect who has even closer ties to Stefano than Kate. Blood ties. Martine: Let me guess, your former son-in-law? Roman: Yep. His son. Chip off the old block. Our honorable Mayor, EJ DiMera. [SCENE_BREAK] EJ: [Panting] I am going to kill you. Stefano: Do you think you're up for it? EJ: Learned from the best. Stefano: Well then, stop waving that thing around and do it. [SCENE_BREAK] Sami: Um...hey. I just read it in the news online. Um... Stefano's really gone. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. EJ, I can't imagine what you must be feeling when you--what you're going through. EJ: I appreciate your concern. Sami: Are you shocked? EJ: Yeah. It was sudden. Sami: I mean... I guess I just...think about all the enemies that he's built up over the years. You know...it's just amazing that someone...finally got to him. They actually did it. 'Course, he is the Phoenix. Are you sure he's really dead? [SCENE_BREAK] Kate: I guess I just can't accept the fact that he's actually gone. Ian: Well, it must be quite a shock; such a great part of your life. But when you think about what he was doing to you, you must also be relieved. Kate: I know he was never going to stop coming after me, he was never going to stop punishing me for failing his stupid loyalty test. The test I failed because I let you into my life. Ian: Hmm, well, I had firsthand experience of how cruel he could be. Kate: He was the most vindictive person I have ever met. Not only did he throw me out of the house. Well, that wasn't enough. He had to take absolutely everything. Even my two companies. You know, but that didn't satisfy him. That wasn't enough, right? So he comes up with his non-compete clause. He had to take away my very ability to make a living. Ian: I told you I wasn't gonna let that happen. Kate: Well, he was coming after you next. I'm sure after he was finished picking my carcass clean. Ian: Well, now he can't, can he? He's dead. Kate: Well, being dead, that's not gonna stop him. Ian: From the grave? No man cheats death. Not even Stefano DiMera. Kate: That's where you're wrong. Unfortunately, that's where you're wrong. [SCENE_BREAK] Abe: You know I'm sorry. I...thought it would upset you to read about your father's murder. Lexie: Well, no matter how upsetting it is, I have to know what happened. [Knock on door] Abe: I'll get it. Oh, Roman. Roman: Hey, Abe. Uh, Abe, Lexie, Officer Martine Kent. Martine: Good morning. Roman: Uh, I hate to disturb you both this morning, but I need to talk to Abe. Lexie, you mind? Lexie: If it's about my Father, I wanna hear it. Abe: Are you sure? Lexie: Absolutely. Abe: Uh, Roman, do the police have a suspect yet? Roman: Actually, a few. Abe: Well, there's no surprise there. Roman: And...well, I hate to put this so bluntly, but, uh... Abe, you are one of the names on that list. Lexie: Abe? Roman, Abe would never do such a thing, you know that. Roman: Lexie, I would like to believe that. But, Abe, your gun was found at the scene of the crime. And ballistics has established it was the gun used to kill Stefano. Lexie: N-no, there's no way Abe did this. Roman: Lexie, look, I understand how you feel. All right? And the Abe carver I've known all these years, obviously would not murder a man. But I still gotta know, how in the hell did your gun end up down there in the first place? Abe: Because I went over there last night. Lexie: What? Abe: And I threatened him. Roman: With your gun? Abe: Yes. Lexie: Abe? Abe: I did not kill him. Roman: Well, what the hell happened, then? I mean, what? You just left the gun? Abe: I can explain it. Theo: Daddy, what's going on? Abe: Oh, hey, son. It's nothing for you to worry about--excuse me. Roman: Hey, Theo, how you doing, man? Your dad and I are just talking about some city business. Theo: But he's not mayor anymore. Roman: No, he's not, but he's still one of the smartest men in town. Lexie: Sweetheart, why don't I take you into the kitchen and make you some breakfast, okay? I'll be right back. Roman: See you later, Theo. Abe. You gotta know how bad this looks. Last night when we spoke, why did you lie to me? Why did you tell me you hadn't seen Stefano? Abe: Roman, my wife is dying. Her father was murdered. The last thing she needed was for her to think that her husband might have done it. Roman: All right, okay. You know what, I understand that. And I wanna give you one more chance to tell the truth. So you tell me and Officer Kent here everything that happened. [SCENE_BREAK] Sami: I just dropped off the kids at camp so you don't have to worry about keeping your voice down. Are you going to answer my question? EJ: Which question? Sami: About Stefano? Is he really dead? EJ: Just got back from my house where I identified his body for the coroner. He's dead. Sami: Wonder if my Dad has any leads yet. Do you...have anyone you suspect? EJ: No. Sami: Well, I mean, you gotta admit half of Salem probably had wanted him dead at one time or another. Myself included. I'm not even the only person in this room who wanted him dead. EJ: What exactly do you mean by that? Sami: EJ, I know how you felt about your dad, but you gotta admit, even just recently you've had a million reasons to want him gone. [SCENE_BREAK] Abe: I'll tell you everything. I went over there and I laid into Stefano about Lexie's condition. Roman: Oh, damn it, I knew I shouldn't have given you that information. Abe: You kidding me? I needed to know for sure. I would not have stopped until I had proof. He's responsible for Andre holding her captive in those tunnels. It was in those tunnels that she was exposed to toxic gases that caused the tumor that's killing her. Roman: Abe, I know this isn't easy, I'm sorry. Abe: Stefano didn't think that I would kill him. And he was right. But...when I left, I did... leave my gun behind. Roman: Why? Abe: I-I-I didn't trust myself. I-I was afraid that if I held onto it, I would go back and I would use it. And also, I... Roman: Also? Abe: I had this twisted fantasy that if I-if I left the gun right there in front of Stefano, he would pick it up and use it on himself. Roman: Well, looks like somebody beat him to it. Abe: You do believe me, don't you? Lexie: I do. Abe: Oh, sweetheart. I-I'm just so sorry that you had to hear that-- Lexie: Shh. I'm not. Roman: Uh, well, all right. You know what, I think that's enough for now. Uh... partner, you know the drill. Stay in town. Abe: You know, I'm not going anywhere. I'M...gonna stay right here at Lexie's side. Roman: But I will need you to come down to the station as soon as possible for a gunshot residue test. Lexie: Roman, is that really necessary? Abe: It's--it's all right, sweetheart. Roman's just doing his job. Roman: Lexie, I'm hoping this test will help me exclude Abe from the suspects list. All right? Thank you very much. We'll be on our way. Martine: Sorry to disturb you, Mr. and Mrs. Carver. Lexie: [Sighs] [SCENE_BREAK] Kate: You know just because the papers and the police say that Stefano... was murdered, it doesn't...mean that he's really dead. He's been dead and un-dead so many times that I can hardly count. Ian: Kate, I'm pretty certain he's dead and he's in hell where he belongs. He'll never be able to hurt you again. Kate: I feel so terrible about it. Ian: You've got to let it go. Kate: Thank you for being here for me. Ian: I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I want you to level with me. Kate: About what? Ian: Yesterday. When you went for a walk, did you really go to clear your head? Did you go to the DiMera mansion? Kate: What are you asking me? Did I murder Stefano? Are you asking me if I killed him? Ian: Did you? [SCENE_BREAK] Lexie: I never doubted you. Not for a minute, you know that. Abe: Thank you. Lexie: God, this is unbelievable. Abe: You know, the last thing...the last thing you need is more stress and grief and worry. Lexie: You are the kindest, gentlest man I know. There's no way you'd murder my father. Abe: After what your father did, I sure as hell came close. Lexie: But you didn't. So the question is, who did? [SCENE_BREAK] Ian: You can trust me, Kate. I wouldn't tell anyone. But I can't help you unless you tell me the truth. Did you have anything to do with the sudden death of your husband? [Knock on door] Ian: May I help you? Roman: Sorry to disturb you, Mr. McAllister, but your assistant told us you were both in here Kate: Roman, what are you doing here? Do you have information about Stefano? Roman: I do, and Officer Kent and I would like to ask you some questions about it in private. Kate: Do I need an attorney? Roman: I hope not. But if you would feel more comfortable with one present... Kate: No, of course not. I have nothing to hide. Roman: I'm happy to hear that. Mr. McAllister, would you mind giving us some privacy? Ian: Kate? Kate: No, that's fine. Ian: All right. I'll excuse myself. Roman: Thank you. Kate: Well, it must be pretty important for you and the officer to come all the way over here. Roman: It is. Your fingerprints were found on the gun used to kill Stefano. So Kate, I need you to tell me what really happened last night. [SCENE_BREAK] EJ: Okay, fine, yeah, there were times when I wanted my Father dead. Come on, look at all the hoops he made me jump through just to prove I was worthy of my last name. Sami: EJ, you have to know that you were his golden child. I mean, like, in my family, it's Carrie. He loves you most of all. Stefano: Something has changed. I know...that you're not my blood. EJ: Look, Samantha, even if that were true... my Father was an incredibly difficult man to please. Once he made his mind up about something, it was almost impossible to get him to change his mind. I suppose now that he's dead... anything he made his mind up about is subject to change. Sami: He had just given me power to run Countess Wilhelmina. EJ: Samantha, I wouldn't worry about that. You have a contract. Even if you didn't have a contract, I wouldn't let anybody take that away from you. Sami: That's right, EJ. Now you're head of the DiMera family. EJ: Samantha, I haven't even thought about being the head of this family. I've spent all of my time recently trying to make amends with my Father. This whole situation just comes a complete shock. Sami: Well, of course I can understand that, but, you know, eventually the shock will wear off and then you'll have to decide what you wanna do and... you know, you have a chance to let go of your dad's baggage and run the company the way you see fit. EJ: Yeah. What do you mean by that exactly, Samantha? Sami: Well, it's like you told me about me having the chance to run Countess Wilhelmina. You said it was my chance to build a legacy for our kids. EJ: Of course. Sami: Now you have that chance. I mean, you are a great businessman. I saw it firsthand. You can let go of everything your father believed in and you can do what you think is best. You can build that company up; change DiMera Enterprises for good. And if you do, we might have a chance. EJ: We? [SCENE_BREAK] Abe: [Laughs] I tell you, Theo's gonna be glued to SpongeBob for a while. You hear him laughing his head off up there a minute ago? Lexie: Yeah. God, there's no sound I love more. Abe: So when was that taken? Lexie: I'm not sure. We look so happy. Maybe, um...one of the holidays. Theo's christening. I don't know. Abe: What are you thinking? Lexie: Um...that now, not only will I not be here for Theo, neither will my father. Go ahead, Abe, I know you wanna say it. Abe: Lexie, you know I know you wanted me to allow Stefano to be a part of Theo's life, and I understand why. But I have to admit... part of me is relieved that now he won't be. Lexie: No matter what else my Father was, he was Theo's grandfather. Abe: That's why I took your--your request to heart. He is Theo's grandfather. But he's also... he's also the one that's responsible for--for taking Theo's mother away from him. From all of us. [SCENE_BREAK] Roman: Kate, tell me. How did you fingerprints end up on a gun used to kill Stefano? Kate: I have no idea. Roman: Kate, come on, there's gotta be an explanation here. And would you please tell me why you didn't mention any of this when we spoke yesterday? Katie, talk to me. Look, I know your relationship with Stefano imploded. I know he did bad things to you. He kicked you out of your home. He dissolved one of your companies and gave the other one to Sami of all people. That had to hurt. Kate: You have absolutely no idea. After everything I did for him. For him to treat me that way, I was not hurt, I was furious. Roman: Furious enough to go to the mansion, pick up a gun and kill him? [SCENE_BREAK] Abe: You know, I'm sorry I brought this up, sweetheart. I didn't mean to upset you. Lexie: It's okay, it's okay. You needed to get it out. Listen, I've, uh... I've had a chance to process this and, in his defense, my Father didn't know the lengths that Andre would go to, Abe. He didn't know Andre would put me in that tunnel. Abe: Now Andre was Stefano's puppet. Andre's--the repercussions from his actions are Stefano's fault. I-I-I will never forgive your father. I'll never forgive him. Lexie: Honey, if I can forgive him, if I can let it go, why can't you? Abe: Never. Lexie: Look, sweetheart, you have to make peace with this. Abe: No. I can never forgive that bastard. For taking... taking you away from... me and...and our son. [SCENE_BREAK] Sami: I meant "we"--here, give me that--I meant "we" like, "we," like, the family "we." You know, we are raising our kids together and--trying anyway, and it's always been tough, because your father has stood in the way of that. And now that Johnny doesn't have a crazy grandpa trying to ship him off to mobster camp, we can do what's best for our children and, look, I know you can't focus on the future right now, I understand that. You have to focus on dealing with what's happened to your father and finding out who did this and making them pay. But after that, you can move on. You know, get on with your life. A better life. [SCENE_BREAK] Kate: Was I furious enough to kill Stefano? Yes, I was. Did I actually do it? No, I did not. Roman: But your fingerprints were on that gun. Kate: I swear to you I have no idea why. Roman. Come on, you know me. Roman: I do. Kate: Okay. Then you know the things that I'm capable of. And you know that I am not capable of murdering Stefano. Roman: Kate I-- Kate: Why would I murder someone who I am still deeply and desperately in love with? [SCENE_BREAK] Abe: All right, try to relax. The meds should kick in in a minute. You know I'm sorry I upset you. Lexie: No, no, you didn't upset me, honey. This brain tumor upset me. Abe: I'll try not to say anything right now. Lexie: No, I--I want to because, um... what I have to say is important. Abe: Try to stay calm, all right? Lexie: Okay. Okay. Abe... I could easily be upset and angry with my father for what's happening to me. Abe: I know, I know. Lexie: You know, I mean, how could the man who said he loved me more than life itself put me in a situation where this could happen to me? Abe: Exactly. Lexie: Yeah, but... if I hold on to anger... then my last days with you and Theo will be filled with hurt and hatred. I think you and I both know that life is too short for that. [SCENE_BREAK] Kate: I shouldn't have still been in love with Stefano after everything he did to me. But... he was in my heart, and despite all the recent events, he had always been generous to me. Roman: Well, I don't know if "generous" is the word I'd use. Kate: You know, Roman, he was the only one there to pick up the pieces after that happened with Bill Horton. Roman: Yeah, that's a fact. But, given the personal services you provided for him, I wouldn't exactly describe his help as charitable. Kate: Okay, I agree with you. It was not a conventional relationship. Roman: Nor legal. Kate: It allowed me to take care of Lucas. It allowed me to raise my son properly. And even after that first relationship...changed and I was involved with other men, I was still in contact with Stefano. And ultimately, we married. Roman: Because you had no other choice. Kate: That's true. It started off as a business relationship. But then it... it evolved into something else. Roman: Well, Kate, I am very sorry he hurt you so deeply in the end. I don't like seeing you like this. Ian: Neither do I. Roman: Well, uh, tell you what, I think that's probably all we need, but until this case is wrapped, don't leave town. I do need you to come down to the police station right away and, uh, give us a gunshot residue test. Kate: I swear to you, I didn't do it. Roman: For your sake, Katie, I hope not. Let's go, Officer Kent. Martine: Yes, sir. Thank you both for your time. [SCENE_BREAK] Ian: How are you? Kate: This is a nightmare. Ian: I agree. We'll handle the police together. But first you have to exorcise your demons. Kate: I don't understand. Ian: I'm talking about you and Stefano and your long history together. The sooner you can start to put that behind you, the better it will be. [SCENE_BREAK] Sami: I realize that Stefano's death, to you, is a tragedy. But, you know, there's also a chance to look at it as a rebirth. You know? You could really... let go of everything Stefano did and all the damage he caused and you can take control and run this company the way you think it's best. EJ: You're right. You're right, I suppose now that my Father's dead I can...make the DiMera name what I want it to be. Sami: Absolutely. EJ: Yeah, although I do have a few loose ends I need to tie up first. Nothing too complicated, though. [SCENE_BREAK] Abe: Well, you feeling better? Lexie: Yeah. Yeah, thanks. Um, honey, uh...no, never mind. Abe: What? What is it? Lexie: No, nothing, no. Abe: Well, come on, come on. No secrets. Lexie: Okay, um, listen, I was...I was thinking that, um, virtually every one of our friends could have wanted to see my Father dead. Abe: Yeah, that's true. Lexie: Yeah, and, um, I mean, most of them have a compelling motive, you know? Abe: Well, that's part of your father's legacy. Lexie: Yeah, yeah, I know. I love our friends so much, and... I've had so much bad news. So I've decided that if one of them did it... I don't wanna know. Okay? Abe: Yeah. Lexie: Okay. [SCENE_BREAK] Ian: I understand you still have strong feelings for Stefano, but come on, you've gotta realize what a horrible man he was and he was very abusive to you. Kate: I know. I do know. But I loved him. And now he's gone. And I can't help feeling sad and guilty. Ian: Guilty? Why? You didn't do anything. I just heard you tell the police that you didn't murder him. Wait a minute. When you went for your walk, did you go to the DiMera mansion? Kate, what is it? I won't judge you. But you have to tell me the truth. Did you kill Stefano? [SCENE_BREAK] Roman: Hey. Sami: Dad. Roman: Officer Kent and I were looking for EJ. I took the chance he'd be here. EJ: Commissioner, what can I do for you? Roman: Mr. Mayor. Um, I'm just curious about something. EJ: What's that? Roman: Your father was murdered last night. EJ: I think we've established that, thank you. Roman: Yeah, I'm just kinda wondering why you're not all over that. EJ: What do you mean? Roman: I know how close you two were and, uh, I just kind of expected you to be banging on the police station door, demanding quick action, going on TV, offering a reward, threatening to take matters into your own hands and find the killer yourself. Sami: What are you getting at, Daddy? Roman: Well, that's the way the EJ we know usually behaves, but not this time. And there's only one reason I can think of. Sami: What's that? Roman: You already know who the killer is, don't you, EJ?