At the hospital, Sarah visited Paulina in her isolation room. With a sigh, Paulina noted that she missed her family. Sarah examined Paulina. "As soon as it's safe to release you, we will," Sarah said. "No end in sight," Paulina muttered. Sarah counseled Paulina to be patient. Sarah and Paulina talked about Johnny and Chanel's trip to the Horton cabin.

"Although I don't think that the snowstorm was what they were expecting," Sarah said. Paulina chuckled. When Sarah joked about losing power, Paulina's smile disappeared. Sarah assured Paulina that the cabin had plenty of firewood and blankets to stay warm. "I'm sure they are going to be just fine," Sarah stressed. While Sarah worked on her tablet, Paulina looked at a transcript of E.J.'s press conference on her computer.

"This is not the way you apologize to a wrongfully accused teenage boy!" Paulina yelled. Sarah cautioned Paulina to put away the work because Paulina's heart rate was high. "Think happy thoughts," Sarah encouraged Paulina.

At Tripp's apartment, Harris helped Ava finish packing in preparation to move in with him. "I just don't want [Tripp and Wendy] caught in the line of fire again now that Clyde's still in my hair," Ava said. With a groan, Ava noted that the sound of Clyde's voice had made her skin crawl. "I've been trying to track his location. He hasn't left any trail," Harris said. Harris argued that Clyde had underestimated him and Ava.

"I'm the one who is going to bring his ass to justice," Harris said. "For you, justice is putting Clyde behind bars. But for me, it looks a little different," Ava said. Ava told Harris about when she had threatened to slit Clyde's throat. Harris said he would not let Clyde hurt Tripp or Ava again. "Or you. I like you better alive," Ava said. Ava complained about the black book.

"I don't even know where to begin looking for it," Ava said. Harris suggested that they work on a plan for an organized search of the Bistro. "I'm just glad I'm not doing this alone," Ava said. "And I'm just glad you told me about Clyde's call right away this time. Thank you for trusting me," Harris said. Harris argued that they had a shot at capturing Clyde once they found the black book.

In the town square, Nicole berated E.J. for his half-hearted public apology. "You didn't even mention Tate or his family," Nicole snapped. "I did, just before you arrived," E.J. countered. Nicole told E.J. that she was disappointed that E.J.'s apology had not been genuine. "I did exactly what I said I would do. No more, no less," E.J. argued. "You want to bury this, don't you? Are you even sorry that you locked up Tate? Or are you just embarrassed?" Nicole asked. E.J. explained that he was too busy with his job to do more. Nicole asked about Stefan's hearing.

"The judge said that they will take the plea agreement under advisement, which means I have no idea yet if the court is going to accept or reject the deal," E.J. said. With a curt nod, E.J. argued that he needed to get back to work and had no more time for the press. Before E.J. could leave, Chad and Xander blocked E.J.'s exit.

"You're unbelievable. Starting a press conference early to avoid the press," Xander said. "It's not a good look, D.A. DiMera," Chad added. Xander and Chad demanded to ask E.J. questions as members of the public. E.J. sighed and folded his arms defensively. "Did you apologize to Tate and his parents?" Xander asked. E.J. confirmed that he had apologized and that the family had been present.

"The matter is resolved," E.J. said. While Xander continued to question E.J. about the press conference, Chad walked over to Nicole. "Why would he start the press conference early? He didn't want the press here?" Chad asked. "I'm really not interested in talking about this," Nicole said. After a moment, Chad asked about Holly. Nicole said Holly was doing well and back at school.

"How have you been holding up?" Chad asked. Nicole admitted that she did not know what to do with herself since she no longer needed to care for Holly. "I thought I'd be raising my little boy," Nicole said. With a sad smile, Nicole noted that God had other plans for her. "I just don't know what they are yet," Nicole admitted.

Across the square, Xander asked E.J. about the investigation into who had shot Harris. E.J. confirmed that the investigation was ongoing. "We will keep you apprised of any developments," E.J. said. Xander spotted Harris walking by with Ava, and Xander called out to Harris to ask about any developments in the shooting. "Is your department any closer to finding the actual shooter?" Xander asked. Harris directed Xander to follow up with the police commissioner.

"Well, what about Clyde Weston?" Xander asked E.J. "We've initiated a nationwide manhunt for Clyde Weston and his accomplice," E.J. said. E.J. assured Xander that all leads would be investigated. Uncomfortable, Ava whispered to Harris about getting a cup of coffee. E.J. watched Ava walk away.

After Ava and Harris grabbed two cups of coffee, they stood by the Salem Inn. Ava apologized to Harris about having been grilled by Xander. "Can't blame him. He wants to know who set him up, and my shooter is his link to finding out," Harris said. When Ava apologized for her part, Harris told Ava that he was glad he had chosen to protect her. "Stefan's a little weasel, but he was under Clyde's control like you were," Harris said. "Am," Ava corrected. "Not for long," Harris said.

Chad questioned E.J. on the record about the prison time recommended by the district attorney's office for Stefan's plea deal. "Considering you guys are family, any nepotism or conflict of interest would be very interesting for our readers," Chad said. "And yet, here you are, questioning me. Isn't that a conflict of interest, little brother?" E.J. countered. E.J. informed Chad that there had been a hearing, but the judge had not reached a decision. E.J. said he believed that Stefan would be given a just sentence for his role in the drug trade.

Stefan interrupted to announce that he had received justice. Across the square, Harris and Ava exchanged a look. "The judge followed the law, agreed to time served, and I'm a free man," Stefan said. E.J. ended the press conference. "Did you advocate for your brother's release?" Xander shouted as E.J. ran out of the square. Chad suggested that they talk to Stefan instead.

"Do you need me? There's somewhere I need to be," Xander said. With a shake of his head, Chad told Xander he could handle the interview with Stefan. Xander admitted that his main motivation to attend the press conference had been to question E.J. about who had set Xander up for attempted murder. "Doesn't seem very interested in finding out who was behind it," Xander muttered. As Xander left, he narrowed his eyes at Stefan. "Catch up with you later, mate," Xander growled.

At the edge of the square, Harris and Ava intercepted E.J. "You allowed Stefan to go free? How could you be so reckless?" Harris asked. "Me? You covered up the ID of your own shooter to cover for this slippery snake," E.J. countered as he motioned at Ava. Ava asked about Susan. E.J. scowled.

On the other side of the square, Nicole stared daggers at Stefan. This is unbelievable," Nicole grumbled. Chad asked Stefan how he had "wormed his way out of prison." Nicole demanded an explanation. "What is your problem?" Stefan asked. "You are my problem. You are my daughter's problem. You helped put those drugs on the street that almost killed her," Nicole argued. Frustrated, Nicole reminded Stefan that she and Holly were Stefan's family.

"I feel terrible about what happened to Holly, and I never intended on anybody getting hurt. I only allowed those drugs to get picked up and dropped off the loading dock. And that was under the threat of bodily harm to my wife. You have to believe me when I tell you I had no idea those drugs were laced with opioids. I only did what I did to protect my wife. That is it. And I am so sorry," Stefan said. Nicole told Stefan that Holly deserved the apology -- and Nicole did not want Stefan anywhere near her daughter.

When Stefan reminded Nicole that they lived in the same house, E.J. stepped in as an emotional Nicole walked off in a huff. "Don't be too sure of that," E.J. said. Chad chased after Nicole to see if she was okay. "I don't understand this, Chad. How can that loser be free after what he did?" Nicole asked. Nicole said she understood that Stefan had been afraid for his wife, but he should have told E.J. or the police about Clyde's threats. Chad apologized for how E.J. had handled the situation.

Nicole reminded Chad that he was not responsible for the actions of his family. "Quite the opposite. You wrote that article about Stefan working for Clyde," Nicole said. With a shake of his head, Chad admitted that Everett had broken and written the story. "But you published it, and you didn't have to. You put your family's dirty laundry in the headlines. That says so much about your integrity," Nicole said.

Across the square, Stefan warned E.J. not to renege on their deal. "What deal? You signed over everything to me," E.J. said. "And you agreed to give back half," Stefan countered. E.J. noted that he could not give Stefan half a house. "Forget the house. DiMera. You and I go back to running DiMera together as co-CEOs," Stefan said. With a shake of his head, E.J. noted that the board would not reinstate Stefan at the company.

"Fine. You're CEO, but I get everything else," Stefan said. E.J. shook his head no. Stefan looked over at Chad, and he smirked. "You didn't happen to tell Chad about our little deal, did you? Or Kristen?" Stefan asked. Stefan noted that he did not want to see another member of the family get his share.

"You said earlier that your blackmail was better than my blackmail. You're wrong. You see, E.J., if you don't hold up your end of the deal and give me back what is rightfully mine, I'm going to tell Nicole that you knew drugs were being moved through the Bistro and that I came to you for help. And you refused to do a thing about it," Stefan threatened. "You wouldn't," E.J. growled. "Wouldn't I?" Stefan countered with a smile. Stefan argued that E.J. knew that Nicole would never forgive him if Stefan told her the truth.

At the pub, Xander met up with Sarah. "How did the press conference go?" Sarah asked. "What a joke. E.J. called the conference before the press even arrived," Xander said. With a grimace, Xander noted that E.J. had not answered many questions. "Get this, Stefan DiMera showed up," Xander said. Xander told Sarah about Stefan's release from jail.

"But didn't Stefan confess to helping Clyde run drugs through the Bistro?" Sarah asked. Xander said yes. Confused, Sarah asked why Stefan was out of jail. "He must have made a deal with the judge," Xander said with a shrug. Xander reminded Sarah that Stefan was a DiMera. With a sigh, Sarah told Xander about the numerous drug overdoses she had dealt with at the hospital. "Lives being destroyed. Families are grieving," Sarah muttered. Sarah wondered aloud if E.J. had helped Stefan.

"Doesn't seem like they care too much for each other, but you know these DiMeras, their shady tricks. Who knows?" Xander said. With a shake of his head, Xander wondered aloud if Stefan had played a part in having framed Xander for the shooting. "What if he did?" Sarah asked. "If Stefan was involved in throwing me under the bus, there will be hell to pay," Xander said.

Out at the Horton cabin, Johnny was alarmed to learn that Chanel had disappeared. "How long ago did she leave?" Johnny asked. "About ten minutes," Julie said. With a nod, Johnny called Chanel's phone, but the phone was still in the cabin. Johnny wanted to search for Chanel, but Julie worried about Johnny also getting lost. "I'm taking my phone. So, if she comes back, you call me. And if I find her, I'll call you," Johnny said. Johnny pulled up a map while Julie poured a thermos full of hot cocoa to warm up Chanel.

When Johnny was ready to go, Chanel's phone rang. Julie saw that Paulina was the caller. Panicked, Julie asked if she should send the call to voicemail. With a sigh, Johnny noted that Paulina would worry and call back. Johnny answered the phone. "Johnny? Where's Chanel?" Paulina asked. Johnny lied and said that Chanel was in the shower, and he had not wanted Paulina to worry if her call went unanswered.

"Well, I am worried. There's a storm out there. Everything okay?" Paulina asked. Johnny said all was good, and he asked Paulina about her isolation. "I'll get through it," Paulina said. Paulina apologized for having interrupted, and Johnny said it was fine. "I'll tell Chanel you called," Johnny said. After the call was over, Johnny explained to Julie that he had not wanted to worry Paulina after all she had been through. "I will find Chanel," Johnny said. "Be careful out there!" Julie yelled as Johnny left the cabin. Julie looked heavenward, and she prayed to St. Anthony for his help.

While Julie waited, she stoked the fire. Chanel's phone rang with another call from Paulina. Reluctantly, Julie answered the call. "Julie? Why are you at the cabin?" Paulina asked. With a chuckle, Julie explained how she had ended up snowed in at the cabin with the newlyweds. "Where's Chanel? I told you all I needed to have her call me after her shower," Paulina said. Julie said the newlyweds were out playing in the snow, and she promised she had bundled them up. Julie hurriedly ended the call.

Julie called Doug, and she told him about her trip to the cabin. "The moment Johnny comes back with her, and the roads are plowed off, I'm going to get the hell off this island," Julie said. As Julie said goodbye to Doug, Chanel's phone rang again. Julie saw that it was Paulina, and she muttered, "Can't this woman give it a rest?" Julie put Doug on hold, and she answered Paulina's call. Worried, Paulina demanded to speak to Chanel. Julie attempted to mute Paulina's call so that she could talk to Doug on the other phone.

"I can't tell her the truth. Listen, if she finds out that her daughter is missing, the woman will panic," Julie said. On the other end of Chanel's phone, Paulina heard every word that Julie had said to Doug. When Julie jumped back to Chanel's phone, Paulina told her that she knew Chanel was missing. Paulina demanded details. Julie updated Paulina, and Julie explained she had not wanted to worry Paulina.

"I'm sure the two of them are going to be just walking through that door any second now," Julie said. Julie heard the door open, and she was surprised to see that Johnny was alone. "Where is Chanel?" Julie asked. Julie held up the phone and said that Paulina knew about Chanel's disappearance. Johnny took the phone, and he whispered to Julie to call 9-1-1 for help. Johnny told Paulina he was sorry he had not told her the truth sooner and that Julie was calling for help in the search.

"How long has she been missing?" Paulina asked. "I don't know. Maybe 30 or 40 minutes?" Johnny guessed. Paulina worried aloud that Chanel would freeze to death. Johnny vowed to search the whole island and find Chanel. "You better!" Paulina yelled as she ended the call. Worried, Paulina called her assistant and demanded to speak to the Salem Public Works department.

When Paulina reached the person in charge, they told her that it would take hours to clear the bridge. "I'm the mayor of Salem, and you will have the head of your plow crew call me immediately," Paulina demanded. Paulina dressed to leave the hospital. "Hang on, baby girl. Mama's coming," Paulina said.

At the cabin, Julie told Johnny that help was on the way. "Damn it! Where could she be?" Johnny yelled. Julie noted that Chanel could have gotten lost on the trail. "Visibility is pretty bad," Johnny conceded. Johnny said he had returned to the cabin to get the sled in case Chanel needed assistance. "I've got to get back out there and find my wife," Johnny said.

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