Credit: Peacock screenshot
Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
At the Pub, Roman praises Ava’s work and officially hires her. They shake hands as Kate comes downstairs. Roman steps away with Eric when he comes in for pie to bring home to Sloan. Alone with Ava, Kate warns her not to get any ideas about taking over. If she tries anything, Kate promises she’ll be out on her ass without a job or place to live.
Stephanie comes to The Spectator with scoop that Paulina fired EJ and replaced him as DA with Melinda. Leo notes EJ is having a terrible week, but covers when Everett questions him. Everett suggests they go out for drinks, but Leo claims he’s on the wagon. Stephanie suggests Small Bar, which has a lot of hot, lonely guys as clientele, but Leo is also on the wagon from guys. Stephanie suggests he can get good gossip for Lady Whistleblower, which prompts Leo to lead the way.
At her apartment, Sloan won’t let EJ take her baby, reminding him they agreed to keep things status quo. EJ retorts that was before he saw Eric and Nicole kissing. That changes everything. He’s confident when Nicole has her son back, she will quit her job to focus all her attention on him and their family. Thus driving a stake through the heart of any lingering feelings she has for Eric. Sloan warns that she will tell everyone he isn’t Jude’s biological father.
Chad comes to Black Patch to share his theory about Clyde and Abby with Steve. She wasn’t just collateral damage, but Clyde’s target all along. Steve looks through her notes on the drug ring, suggesting Chad take it to the cops. Chad knows they won’t make it a priority because the case is closed. But Clyde killing Abby only because he couldn’t find Belle, who he wanted to kill as a message to EJ, never made sense. Steve says it’s not much to go on, but he’ll see what he can do.
At the Pub, Ava tells Kate she doesn’t like being threatened. Kate assures her it’s not a threat, but a promise, which unlike Ava’s boyfriend, she keeps. She tells Ava to remind Harris to come through for Lucas… or else. Kate may have married into one of Salem’s most respectable families, but neither Ava nor Harris want to know what she’s capable of.
At Sloan’s, EJ threatens to have her arrested should she talk. She points out she’ll end up in prison anyway if he takes Jude. EJ counters he can help her flee the country to avoid jail time. He’ll get her a new identity and a bank account flush with money. She’ll have a fresh start with no more stress or lying. All she has to do is keep her mouth shut permanently. If she doesn’t, they’ll go down together. But unlike her, he won’t be anywhere near a prison.
At Small Bar, a bored-looking Leo sighs as Stephanie and Everett do shots. Where are the gorgeous, lonely men Stephanie spoke of? She points one out, which only makes Leo grow sad thinking about Dimitri. Trying to lighten the mood, Stephannie and Everett banter over which appetizers to order. Leo asks if they’ve figured out what they are to each other. They engage in more banter, trying to explain their complicated status.
At the Pub, Roman detects Kate isn’t thrilled about Ava working there. Kate wishes she could trust her. Steve enters, looking for Ava. Alone, he tells her he won’t stand in her way with whatever she has cooked up for Clyde. Should Clyde end up in a body bag… so be it. Ava smirks.
At her apartment, Sloan tears up while looking at Jude. She asks EJ for more time. He gives her 24 hours, but assures her this is checkmate. There’s nothing she can say or do that won’t implicate her. Double-crossing him isn’t an option. She tries to reason with him, pointing out the baby isn’t his. He’s just prolonging the inevitable. “We’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we,” EJ smugly says before leaving.
When Eric comes home, he discovers both Sloan and Jude gone. Roman calls to tell him Sloan dropped Jude off after Eric left the Pub. While watching Jude, Kate is reminded of Lucas. She tells Roman if Harris doesn’t come through for her son, “this mama bear is going to take matters into her own hands.”
EJ comes home to find Chad waiting for him. He’s looking for guidance from him as his brother and as the acting DA. EJ briefly hesitates, before telling him to fire away. Chad presents his theory that Clyde specifically targeted Abby. He feels responsible because of his history with Ben. EJ promises if there’s anything he can do to avenge Abigail’s death, he will do it. Chad has one more favor to ask. They go upstairs where Chad hesitantly enters his and Abby’s old room. He recalls her death. He still can’t believe she’s gone. “It doesn’t get any easier.”
Leo finds a despondent Sloan drinking at another table in Small Bar. When he tries to engage, she tells him she’s not in the mood and orders another drink. Leo shuffles back to Everett and Stephanie, who continue to drink and have fun. Eric enters. A slurring Sloan is hostile toward him, especially when he tries to get her to leave. She rips her arm out of his grip, ordering him to get off of her. Her words reverberate within Everett, who watches Eric pull Sloan from her chair. “He’s going to hurt her,” Everett mutters and walks over. Sloan pulls herself away from Eric, and Everett punches him.
