Thursday - 8/15
SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
NICHOLAS: It seems that you and I agree on something at last, Philip. If Melanie doesn’t make it out of this in one piece, there will be consequences for whoever did this to her, I can promise you that.
Philip nodded.
CARLY: Nicky, I’m so glad you came.
Carly and Nicholas hugged.
NICHOLAS: Of course I did, Melanie is my sister. Any word yet on her condition?
DAVID: Not yet, but she’s being operated on by Dr. Wesley.
NICHOLAS: Good. I’ll see to it that she gets the best care.
PHILIP: I’ll see to it, she’s my wife!
NICHOLAS: It’s not a competition, Philip.
DANIEL: Look, we all have Melanie’s best interests at heart. I’m sure, between all of us, we all want what’s best for her. Fighting is not going to help her right now, at all.
Both Philip and Nicholas sighed.
PHILIP: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Daniel’s right, this isn’t helping.
NICHOLAS: For the second time in the same day, we agree on something.
PHILIP: And I suppose, if Daniel and I were able to call and hold a truce when Melanie got married…we could probably work on a truce. Maybe.
NICHOLAS: Should’ve done so long ago.
Philip folded his arms and glared at Nicholas. Nicholas put up his hands.
NICHOLAS: All right, all right. If you can agree to an, at least temporary truce, so can I.
PHILIP: Good.
Nicholas extended his right hand. Philip looked at it warily, then slowly extended his own. They gripped each other’s hands and shook.
STEVE (under his breath): Never thought I’d see the day.
NICHOLAS: Well, now that that’s settled, I’m glad you’re all here. Thank you for coming, David.
DAVID: Of course.
NICHOLAS: And Daniel, where’s Nicole?
DANIEL: I called her on my way over. Unfortunately that creepy boss of hers, Miles Molloy, wouldn’t let her leave early. She should be done in a little bit and promised to swing by.
NICHOLAS: Right.
STEVE: Well, I am gonna get in touch with some of my associates and start looking into what’s goin’ on. I know Shawn-Douglas and the cops are on the case, but they don’t have all the resources I do, and she was found in my home.
CARLY: Thank you for looking into this, Steve.
Steve nodded. He patted Philip on the shoulder.
STEVE: I’ll let you know as soon as I find out anything.
PHILIP: Okay.
Steve walked away. A moment later, Philip cleared his throat.
PHILIP: If you’ll excuse me.
Slowly, he walked towards the elevator.
NICHOLAS: I wonder what that’s all about.
SALEM P.D.
Bo sat at his desk, talking on the phone.
BO: All right, well I plan on stopping by to check in with Philip in a bit once my shift is over. Okay, thanks, kid. Love you, too. Bye.
Bo hung up. Hope knocked on the door, which was open.
HOPE: Not a bad time, is it?
BO: No, just chaotic, as usual. You just getting in?
HOPE: I am. I’m on the night shift tonight.
BO: I don’t envy you.
HOPE: What’s going on, Brady?
BO: I take it Shawn hasn’t updated you on the latest in the Melanie Kiriakis case?
HOPE: No, I haven’t talked to him yet. Have they found her?
BO: Oh, they found her. Well, Steve found her, in Stephanie’s bedroom closet with a stab wound. Melanie fell right on top of Stephanie when she opened her closet door.
HOPE: My god! Do they have any idea what she was doing there?
BO: Nope, but Shawn’s looking into it. Philip seems to think there’s DiMera involvement, but was a bit vague when asked why.
HOPE: Seems like the first suspect’s always a DiMera.
BO: You’ve got that right, Fancy Face, and not without reason. Anyway, like I said, Shawn’s looking into it. And if I know Steve the way I know him, he’s gonna be looking into it, too.
HOPE: I should hope so! If someone with a stab wound fell out of Ciara’s closet, I know we’d both want answers!
BO: Meanwhile, I’ve been trying to follow up on a potential lead in the E.J. DiMera case, but the London authorities are a little busy at the moment, what with all the unrest over there lately.
HOPE: That’s understandable. Hopefully once things settle down, they’ll be more cooperative.
BO: Here’s hoping.
HOPE: Well, thanks for the update. Have I told you before how glad I am to have you back on the force, Brady?
BO: A couple times, but it’s always nice to hear it again. We make a good team, Fancy Face.
HOPE: That we do. Well, I’m gonna check in with some of the others, see how things are with their cases. If I don’t see you before you clock out, have a good night.
BO: You too.
Hope nodded and walked out of the office.
SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Philip made his way to the hospital chapel. Slowly, he walked up to the front and lit a candle. He took a deep sigh and knelt down.
PHILIP: Look, I know we don’t really talk or anything, or at least we haven’t on a regular basis…but if you actually exist, my wife really needs you right now. If she dies…I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I still don’t know how I’m gonna explain any of this to my three-year-old daughter. All I know is that we need her. This can’t be her time, not yet. From all I’ve heard, you’re not cruel, and it would be incredibly cruel to take Melanie when we’ve barely started our life together. I get it, I’m not perfect, I’ve done…I’ve done things I shouldn’t do. But don’t make her pay the price for what I’ve done. Please.
Philip took a shallow breath.
PHILIP (quietly): You have to be okay, Mel. We need you.
Philip bowed his head and took another breath. After several moments, he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up. Maggie stood next to him.
