Clyde Makes an Outrageous Claim to a Gun-Wielding Chad — and EJ Confronts Melinda

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Over the phone, Nicole tells Rafe that Sloan hit EJ with a flower pot and took off. She says EJ is at the hospital getting checked out, but in reality, he’s at Melinda’s office confronting her about Sloan. After hanging up with Nicole, Rafe makes calls, ordering people to find Sloan.

At the mansion, Nicole vents to Eric about Sloan getting away. She knows that Eric’s feelings are more complicated than hers because he loved Sloan. A sullen Eric says it’s hard to believe that any of it was real. “I guess it wasn’t,” he says. “None of it was.” Eric will get Nicole the official birth certificate so they can change Jude’s name. Nicole isn’t sure they’ll do that. The name suits him. He’d love it if she kept it, especially since she is the reason he chose it.

In her office, Melinda seethes over Sloan telling EJ about her involvement in Jude’s babynapping. She tries to defend herself, but EJ rails at her for devastating Nicole. She did not deserve that. “And Eric did?” Melinda retorts. She knows EJ’s just trying to keep Nicole from the man she truly loves. EJ pontificates about his and Nicole’s love and how Jude cements their family. Melinda points out Jude is the son of a man EJ despises. How will it feel to raise Eric Brady’s child?

At the campsite in Montana, Harris implores Ava to lower her gun from Clyde. When she does, Harris cuffs Clyde and gruffly orders Ava back to the hotel. She reluctantly leaves as Harris starts to read Clyde his rights. He’s interrupted by Chad, who picks up Ava’s gun and aims it at his wife’s killer. Harris tries to reason with Chad, but Chad wants to know the truth about Abigail’s death.

Stefan finds Rafe in the Square to talk to him about Melinda refusing to reopen Li’s murder case. Rafe shares that Melinda won’t help him with Gabi unless he helps her with her legal troubles. As they sit to brainstorm ways to deal with the DA, Rafe expresses his appreciation for Stefan sticking by his sister. His faithfulness to their marriage is the only thing getting Gabi through. Stefan flashes back to having sex with Ava.

At the mansion, Eric explains that St. Jude is a symbol of faith when people feel hopeless. He chose the name because of the baby he and Sloan lost, but also because he was thinking of her. Nicole offers to let him spend as much time with Jude as he wants. Eric appreciates it, but it just makes it harder.

In Melinda’s office, EJ proclaims that Jude is a DiMera who will want for nothing. Melinda counters his father will be a cold-hearted swine who kept him from his real dad. EJ reminds her she made a mother think her newborn was dead. If they both keep their mouths shut, they’ll come out as winners. “Do we understand each other?” Melinda will keep quiet for now, but she may need a favor in the future. EJ will happily oblige.

Ava returns to the motel, where Lucas tells her the feds took Goldman away and that Chad’s in Montana, too. Ava worries about all the lies she’s told. Some of which Harris doesn’t know about. She wonders how much he’ll be willing to forgive. Lucas advises her not to go to the worst place with this. He can tell Harris cares about her. Ava quips about taking advice from a man who kidnapped his ex-wife. Lucas admits to letting his doubts creep in. If he hadn’t kidnapped Sami, they’d still be together. Ava worries that they haven’t heard from Harris.

In the Square, Rafe tells Stefan that the ISA decoded Clyde’s black book. If there’s even a whiff of a deal on the table, Rafe is confident Clyde will take it. Stefan wonders if Clyde’s word would be enough to free Gabi. If it’s not, Rafe says they’ll keep fighting. When Rafe leaves for the station, Stefan pensively looks at his wedding band.

At the campsite, Chad presents his theory that Clyde killed Abby because she was getting too close to his drug operation. Chad wasn’t there to protect his wife, but he can avenge her. Clyde says Abigail was killed for way more than drug money. She got what she deserved, and so did Chad. Chad tightens his grip on the gun. Clyde dares Chad to pull the trigger. When Chad vows to absolutely end him, Clyde claims that Abigail is alive.