Chapter 750
SALEM P.D.
Billie was writing names on a white board. Shawn-D walked in.
BILLIE: What have you found?
SHAWN-D: Not much to report, since Lawrence’s body was taken to the morgue this morning. What about you?
BILLIE: Just compiling a list of possible suspects.
SHAWN-D: Does the list include André DiMera?
BILLIE: Not yet, but it’s definitely one I’m thinking would be good to add. Let’s see, so far we have Carly Manning, André DiMera, Victor Kiriakis-
SHAWN-D: Why are Uncle Steve, Jennifer and Victor’s names on there?
BILLIE: Well, Victor should be obvious. Lawrence was the head of his biggest competition.
SHAWN-D: Yeah, but Philp is in charge of Titan now, and so far as we know, Lawrence didn’t make any moves against Titan this time. Also, Nicholas is the one in charge of Alamain Industries, and technically was even when Lawrence was alive.
BILLIE: Good point.
SHAWN-D: And the other two?
BILLIE: Steve should also be obvious, since he helped the DiMeras make it look like Steve had died all those years ago.
SHAWN-D: Uncle Steve is also an ISA agent. Whether he has any ill will towards Lawrence or not, he wouldn’t make a move against him unless he had proof Lawrence was involved in criminal activity, or the ISA told him to.
BILLIE: True. And if it was the ISA who told him to silence Lawrence, it would have been cleaner and quieter. I’ll talk to Director Donovan, but you’re probably right.
SHAWN-D: And Jennifer?
BILLIE: She’s got motive.
SHAWN-D: So does half the town!
BILLIE: But she’s got more motive than half the town, after what Lawrence did to her.
SHAWN-D: Look, I’m sure she’s not Lawrence Alamain’s biggest fan, but I seriously doubt that Jennifer is capable of murder. And if she was, wouldn’t it make more sense for her to have done it years ago when Lawrence raped her?
BILLIE: Possibly. Well, there’s one more suspect I’ve yet to write down.
Billie wrote down Nicholas’ name.
SHAWN-D: You’re kidding me.
BILLIE: He had motive, too. There were rumblings that Nicholas wanted his father out of the business and was looking for a way to get rid of him.
SHAWN-D: Get rid of him as in get him out of the position of CEO. Billie, I’ve known Nicholas since we were kids, he wouldn’t murder his own father! Besides, he has an alibi.
BILLIE: What was it?
SHAWN-D: He was at the Salem Inn when we suspect Lawrence was murdered.
BILLIE: There are cameras at the Salem Inn, right?
SHAWN-D; Outside of the rooms, yes.
BILLIE: Good. I’ll have someone from Forensics take a look at them.
SHAWN-D: Billie, you don’t seriously think he did this, do you?
BILLIE: Honestly, Shawn, I don’t know. But we can’t leave it to chance. Until we know that one or more of these people have air-tight alibis, they’re all suspects.
SHAWN-D: I still think we should focus on André.
BILLIE: Why?
SHAWN-D: One, it’s his M.O. Two, when I went with the medical examiner to look at the body, Nicholas told me that he spoke to André about getting help with removing Lawrence from the company, but he thought he was talking to Tony.
BILLIE: Well, I can’t say that that’s not easy mistake to make. Look, I’ll work on getting the CCTV footage from the Salem Inn, you look into André.
SHAWN-D: With pleasure.
ALAMAIN MANSION
Nicholas, Trix and Ciara sat at the table, eating dinner.
CIARA: This is good.
NICHOLAS: Thank you. I will have Ivan tell the cook you enjoyed it.
TRIX: Dad, can Ciara stay over tonight? Please?
NICHOLAS: Of course. You’re welcome anytime, Ciara.
CIARA: Thanks.
Ciara took Trix’s hand under the table. She noticed Trix hadn’t eaten much, and gave her hand a small squeeze. Trix squeezed her hand back. A short time later, Ivan came back with three plates of apple crisp and three glasses with an almost clear liquid in them. Nicholas and Trix took their plates and glasses.
IVAN: Would you like some, Miss Ciara?
CIARA: Thanks. Can I have water, though, actually? Sorry, I’m just on some meds and shouldn’t drink with them.
IVAN: Of course.
Ivan returned a moment later with a glass of water for Ciara.
NICHOLAS: Ivan, how is Aunt Viv?
IVAN: Madame is still in mourning in her room, though she did take dinner this evening.
NICHOLAS: Well, that part’s good, at least.
IVAN: If you do not require anything else, I think I shall go check on her. I shall return for your dishes shortly.
NICHOLAS: Of course. Thank you, Ivan.
Ivan nodded and walked upstairs. The three finished their cake and drinks in silence, none of them knowing exactly the right thing to say. After they’d finished, Trix and Ciara excused themselves from the table. They went by the front door and Ciara put on her shoes.
CIARA: I should pick up some stuff for tonight and tomorrow morning, and let my mom know I’ll be staying with a friend. You wanna come with?
TRIX: No, that’s okay. I’ll probably take a shower while you’re gone.
CIARA: You sure? I hate leaving you right now, even if it’ll only be for about twenty minutes.
TRIX: I know. I’ll be okay, though.
CIARA: Okay. I’ll be back soon.
Ciara hugged Trix tight. Then, Ciara walked out the door, and Trix walked upstairs to her room.
SALEM INN
David pulled his car up to the parking lot. He looked again at the piece of paper with a number written on it and looked up.
DAVID: Well, here we go.
David got out of his car, walked up to a door and knocked on it. After a moment, it opened.
TRISH: David. Well, this is a surprise.
DAVID: I’m sure it is.
TRISH: What are you doing here?
DAVID: I think I could ask you the same question.
TRISH: Sorry, I’m not quite sure what you mean.
DAVID: Oh, cut the crap, Trish. Now, I wanna know what’s really going on here. And I’d like to know now.