2.37: The Truth
Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

"Thank you all for coming," Lexie stated. She was standing next to her brother, EJ, and looked across the living room of the DiMera mansion to Abe, Bo, Roman, Hope, Arianna, and Maddalena, who sat in the chair Stefano used to sit in. Lexie continued, "EJ and I decided we needed to meet and discuss some things that are very important. First, with the great progress Abe has made, EJ and I have discussed and strongly believe Abe should take over as acting mayor again in July."

EJ went over and shook Abe's hand. "I really don't think I made good mayor material. The job is a lot harder than it looks."

As Maddalena pretended to be happy with this news, Abe gave EJ a smile of appreciation but was apprehensive about taking office again. "I'm not sure if this is the time to discuss this. Hopefully, I will be ready by then, but I hope you know I think you've done a fine job."

Lexie walked closer and agreed with her husband on the work EJ had done. "You may not enjoy being mayor, brother, but you have done some great work. You've helped prevent hate crimes and raised awareness on complete equality."

EJ nodded his head to Lexie and Abe with appreciation. Reflecting on the discomfort he felt from trying to stop all crime in Salem, he knew the pressure to be someone he wasn't used to being was too much for him. "That truly means a lot to me, but I still believe I am not a good fit in the role of mayor."

Turning to her husband, Lexie shared her one disagreement with what he said. "You will be ready, Abe. Things are going so well, and you have recovered faster than the doctors expected."

Roman rolled his eyes at the idea that EJ helped prevent crimes. Patting Abe on the back, he spoke, "I look forward to when Abe becomes acting mayor again because we really need Abe back in that office."

EJ bit his tongue and decided to play nice. "Well, the plan has always been for me to remain in office only to finish Abe's term if necessary. I need to focus on my family and our business, and I barely have time for that currently."

As Arianna began to wonder if EJ had any plans on coming clean about his father's death today, Bo stepped up to put EJ in the hot seat. "So have you heard from your father at all?"

Lexie traded a glance with EJ before replying for him, "That is another reason EJ and I have asked you all to meet us here. It's time we tell you the truth about what happened to our father four months ago."

Raising her eyebrow, Hope enquired, "The truth?"

Maddalena raised her eyebrows as well.

EJ placed his hands in his pockets and nodded his head. "Yes. My sister and I are going to tell you what really happened the night my father disappeared. Lexie and I found Chad and Will standing over him on the pier. My father was unconscious."

"I checked father over, and he was already dead when we arrived," Lexie clarified.

"We sent Chad and Will away after they told us they found Stefano injured. Someone had stabbed him and the two had no idea who did it. Chad did nothing wrong and just got scared. I believe that is why he left town without Will. It was too much for him to handle."

Bo wasn't so sure about Chad's part in all of this because he found EJ's coming forward with this information now too convenient. "We know how hurt Will was after Chad left, so only time will tell whether Chad had any part in that."

As EJ walked off to grab a box from the desk, Lexie implored, "Chad and Will had nothing to do with father's attack. I promise you!"

Abe was curious and couldn't believe Lexie had kept him in the dark about this. "How can you be so sure?"

"We found this," EJ said as he opened the box to reveal the knife used on Stefano. "This was used against my father. It is the same knife you claim is connected to Abe's and Will's attacks. My father was clearly set up to take the fall by someone, and that someone wanted to make sure my father knew."

Hope looked the knife over and couldn't believe it. "It is the exact same knife. I know we still have the one that was found here because I saw it in the evidence room this morning."

Arianna looked the knife over as well as she recalled, "It's possible someone put the knife in that piano bench because they knew I would find it there. They have been one step ahead of the police department this entire time."

Even though they hadn't seen eye to eye for a while, it hurt EJ to hear Arianna confirm she was the one who found the knife that helped put his father behind bars. She had betrayed him and went through his house without going to him about it.

"Was the corrupt cop ever found – the one who was leaking information to the media?" Lexie questioned.

Hope ran her hand through her hair as she answered, "No. He or she has not been found."

Abe couldn't believe the state they were in. Hearing that there was a corrupt officer working for the police department reminded him of how his older brother was killed by a dirty cop. With great certainty, he ordered, "We will need to do a complete overhaul at the police department because this is not good for the safety of Salem and those trying to keep it safe."

"I'm glad you said it, and not me," EJ commented breaking out of his thoughts.

Bo and Roman gave EJ a dirty look but agreed. "It's going to be a long process, but for the time being we need to know if there's anything else you two have yet to share," Bo said directing his voice to EJ and Lexie.

EJ and Lexie traded looks once again before they both said, "Yes."