Bo & Hope #74 July 25, 2008 - January 2, 2008: 8 hour original edit

DVD #74A Caroline confides in Kayla that she believes Bo is in big trouble and Hope thinks so too. She asks Kayla if Steve knows anything as if Bo tells anyone would be Steve. Kayla admits no he hasn’t told her anything. When Steve returned home from visiting Bo, he tried to reassure them that Bo hadn't told him anything they needed to be concerned about. Caroline announced that she was going over to talk to Bo and Kayla went with her.

When Kayla and Caroline arrived at the Brady’s, Caroline went upstairs to see Ciara. Kayla told her Bo that she wasn't going to pry, but she knew something was going on with him. He swore there was nothing to worry about, but added that he was canceling Hope's surprise. Kayla urged him to reconsider, and to tell Hope what was going on, pointing out how harmful it was for a couple to keep secrets from each other.

Kayla left for home, and Caroline returned downstairs. She echoed Kayla's words about keeping secrets, which she'd overheard. When Bo asked about Victor, she reminded him that Victor couldn't have visitors because Philip and Bo's visits had upset him. She told Bo that the whole family was worried about him, but he still claimed there was nothing to worry about, and rebuffed her advice that he at least confide in Hope. With a sigh, Caroline asked about Hope's surprise, and Bo told her that he'd decided not to cancel it after all.

7/28 At the police station, Hope gave Bo the cold shoulder because she told him that she was upset with him because he did not trust her with new information about the Hollingsworth case. While Bo and Hope discussed the case, Bo received a phone call that Philip was shot at the DiMera mansion. Bo and Hope arrived at the DiMera mansion and Bo asked Hope to take Morgan back to the station.

Morgan told Hope that she did not mean for anything to happen to Philip or anyone else, and said she was sorry that Philip was shot and for her part in the incident. Hope advised Morgan that she should not have confronted John on her own. Morgan told Bo and Hope that her father should not have been involved with John Black, and in anger told them that if she had a gun, she would have killed him on the spot. Hope suggested to Morgan that maybe Paul set up his own disappearance, but she needed to trust that the police would find her father and the truth behind his disappearance. Bo and Hope reminded Morgan not to do anything foolish or say another word that could implicate her in a crime. Bo could not help but think that he withheld evidence to protect Philip, and that he could not tell Morgan that Philip appeared even guiltier than John Black did.

Hope told Morgan that there was no proof or evidence against John Black. Morgan told Hope that her father told her many stories about his work as a customs official. Hope asked Morgan if Paul mentioned anyone specific that could be a threat to him or his family. Morgan hesitated and then told Bo and Hope that her father told her to stay away from Philip. Morgan added that she thought that John Black forced her father to make Philip appear guilty. Morgan told Bo and Hope that Philip genuinely cared about her and always helped her, so he could not possibly be involved in the matter. Bo seemed concerned that things were heating up against Philip and left the room. Later, Bo told Hope and Morgan that Philip's condition was stable and that he would recover. Hope confronted Bo about her concerns and told him that she knew he was withholding evidence. She badgered him to tell her or else she would go to Abe with her suspicions. Bo became angry and told Hope not to go to Abe because he would handle it, and then stormed out of the office.

Bo arrived to talk to Victor, but Daniel refused and accused him of almost killing Victor the last time he visited him. Bo questioned Daniel about Victor and Philip's health. Daniel assured Bo that they both had a long road ahead of them, but he felt confident that both would survive. Bo asked Daniel if could speak to Philip to question him about what happened at the mansion. Daniel advised Chelsea, Kate, and Bo that Victor and Philip needed their rest. Hope arrived to be with Bo and apologized for pushing him so hard. Hope assured Bo that she was on his side and wanted to help. Bo thanked Hope but said that he had to do it on his own. Bo left and stood outside Philip's room and recalled his past relationship with his brother. Bo thought about his conversation with Philip when he did not think he would survive, and remembered that Philip was a brother to him.

Bo's thoughts consumed him and then he decided to ignore Daniel's order and entered Philip's room. Philip remained sedated, but Bo encouraged Philip to get well and told him how sorry he was that he did not believe in him. Bo explained to Philip that he thought that he committed a crime and that he wanted to protect him. Bo assured Philip that everything would work out and that he would take care of everything. Just then, Morgan arrived to visit Philip, and Bo left.

7/30 At Salem Hospital in Victor's room, Bo asked Daniel for an update on Victor's health. Angry and reluctant to even let Bo in the room, Daniel told Bo that Victor's blood pressure was still elevated due to stress. Waking up, Victor softly asked Daniel to let him talk to Bo. Daniel reluctantly ceded to Victor's wishes and told Bo that he had two minutes to talk to Victor. Bo sat beside his father and let him know that Philip was going to be okay. Victor told Bo that he knew where to get blood for Philip's transfusion, but Bo told him that Philip no longer needed the blood.

Worried, Victor insisted that one of his men would get the blood just in case, but Victor also told Bo that he could not be involved. Victor then thanked Bo again for helping to destroy the evidence incriminating Philip and, still on edge, Bo reminded Victor that his family also included Hope and his children who might be greatly affected by what Bo had done. Trying to calm Bo, Victor whispered that the evidence was gone and that no one needed to know. Uncomfortable, Bo explained that he knew what he had done and that Hope was growing suspicious as well.

Hope questioned Morgan about the contents of the package. Morgan did not remember seeing anything in the package other than the letter and the money, but after checking with Abe about the package, Hope hinted to Morgan that the proof that was promised in the first letter had yet to turn up. Worried, Morgan asked if Hope believed that Morgan was withholding evidence. Hope assured her that she did not think that about Morgan.

Back at the Salem Police Department, Hope asked Bo for an update on Victor and Philip. Still acting distant, Bo gave Hope a brief update on them, before walking away. Hope pursued Bo into the next office and told him about her conversation with Morgan at the hospital. Hope shared her suspicions about the missing proof from the package and pointed out the gap in the chain of custody when Bo was left alone with the package. When Hope asked Bo whether he had looked in the package and seen anything, Bo averted his gaze. "My, God. There was something else in there, wasn't there?" Hope said, astounded. Bo denied that there was more evidence and started to walk away just as an officer approached Hope with the printout of an anonymous email. Reading the email aloud to Bo, Hope said, "What happened to the evidence in the Paul Hollingsworth case? Looks like a police cover-up. What do you think?"

8/1 At the police station, Roman and Hope discussed the anonymous email they'd received, which had alluded to missing evidence in the Paul Hollingsworth case. Hope said she'd reviewed all the evidence and couldn't figure out what could be missing. She then said she would talk to Harry, who could determine the source of the email. After some digging, Harry determined that the email had been sent from a computer at the Java Café, but it had also been routed through a server at the Kiriakis mansion. Hope and Roman knew it couldn't have been Philip or Victor, since both were in the hospital. Privately, Roman told Hope he felt even more strongly that this information showed John had something to do with it, and with Paul's disappearance.

Hope then went to the Java Café, where Evan informed her that the only way to track down who might have sent the email was to review their security footage. Evan went in back to retrieve the security DVDs, while Hope greeted her father with a hug and kiss. After they'd chatted a bit, Hope asked Doug if he would ever break the law to protect a family member. Doug reminded her that he'd done a lot of lawbreaking-even prison time-in his younger days as a con man. He declared that once a person crossed that line, they didn't forget it-but he probably would break the law for a family member. Doug assured his daughter that she could come to him for help any time, then asked her what was going on. Hope replied that she couldn't get him involved, but promised him that she wasn't in trouble. Evan then returned with the videos, so Hope kissed her dad goodbye, and they promised to get together soon.

Hope viewed the security DVD that Evan had loaded onto a laptop, and saw that Ava had been using a computer at the Java Café around the time the email had been sent. She called Roman and filled him in, adding that it all but proved John had been behind sending the email. Roman asserted that it wasn't enough proof to get a search warrant, but they could assign someone to tail Ava, and maybe she'd lead them to evidence about Paul.

Bo visited Philip in the hospital and told him about the email the police had received. Philip divulged that he'd gotten a note at home that read, "I know your secret." Bo declared grimly, "Somebody knows what I did. They're not going away. They're after us-both of us." Philip was sure it was John. Bo admitted that he was relieved to know that Philip was innocent, because it made it easier to live with having suppressed evidence. He added that he'd never believed it mattered that he was a Kiriakis by blood, but he'd realized that biological family was just as important as the family who'd raised him.

Philip agreed and said it wasn't until Bo got sick that he understood how important their relationship was. Bo said he was glad that he and Philip were getting to know each other better, but pointed out that he'd put both his families at risk by giving the tape to Victor. Philip vowed that he'd always have Bo's back, but apologized for putting his brother in such a terrible position. Bo shrugged it off and urged Philip to concentrate on recuperating. They concurred that John had to be behind the note and the email, and that they had to find the trail that led back to John.

At home, Hope showed Bo a postcard from Shawn, Belle, and Claire, which they'd sent from Fiji. Bo told his wife that he'd had a long visit at the hospital with Philip, and then asked how Hope's day had gone. Hope described how she'd investigated the anonymous email and learned that Ava had most likely sent it. Bo wasn't surprised, and they agreed that Ava's involvement pointed to John's. A worried Hope then pointed out how secretive Bo had been ever since the day Morgan had opened Paul's package, and reminded him that she'd backed off as he'd asked. But then, she said, they'd gotten the email hinting at a police cover-up. She urged him to finally tell her what he knew about the missing evidence. At last Bo confessed that he'd tampered with evidence to protect Philip. Hope, shaken, fumbled for words, and finally exclaimed, "My God, Brady, what have you done?"

8/4 At Bo and Hope's, Ciara and Hope were having breakfast. Bo walked into the kitchen, and Hope gave him the cold shoulder. Ciara asked Bo why Hope was sad, and Bo and Hope looked at each other strangely. Ciara left the room to get ready for school, and Hope told Bo that she was worried that he had withheld police evidence. Bo told Hope that he was certain that Philip had not killed anyone and that Bo had done the right thing for his brother. Hope, disappointed in Bo's comments, told him that he was acting more like a Kirakis as opposed to the Brady that she loved.

Bo dropped off Ciara then returned home, where he and Hope continued their conversation. Bo convinced Hope that justice was the most important duty of his job and that he intended to find the truth. Bo admitted to bending the rules as he always did, and said that she should understand his position. Bo told Hope that maybe she did not know him as well as she thought she did. Bo later apologized to Hope because he had wanted to keep her out of the matter, but since she knew that her husband had withheld evidence, he asked her if she was going to turn him in or trust him. Hope reminded Bo that the matter was more complicated, since John, Philip, Morgan, and others were involved. However, Hope told Bo that she would always stand beside him, no matter what happened and that they would deal with it together.

8/5 Henderson took a pitcher of lemonade out to the Kiriakis pool, where a shirtless Philip sunned himself in a lounge chair. As Henderson was returning to the house, Hope arrived and announced that she and Philip needed to talk. She said when she'd confronted Bo, he'd told her about the tape then she angrily asked how Philip could have asked Bo to risk so much for him. Philip replied that no one had forced Bo to give Victor the tape, adding that Bo had done the right and honorable thing by protecting his family.

Hope pointed out that she was as guilty as Bo, since she knew a crime had been committed, but she had to keep silent to protect Bo. She also told Philip that the truth was bound to be revealed because the anonymous email proved that someone else knew they'd suppressed evidence. Philip asked why Hope didn't believe in his innocence like Bo did. Hope reminded Philip that he'd threatened to kill Paul and that Paul had since been presumed dead. Philip smugly asked if Hope was investigating John because they both knew that John Black was responsible for Paul's disappearance. Hope refused to discuss it and said that she was only concerned about what happened to Bo. Philip swore that he would protect Bo if it were revealed, but Hope declared that it might already be too late for that.

8/6 At the Brady house, Bo was bustling around, going over a last-minute checklist with Chelsea. Chelsea was briefly distracted because her dad had just shaved off his beard, but an anxious Bo urged her to focus. Chelsea happily assured him that everything was taken care of and complimented Bo's choice of white roses, which he said were Hope's favorite flowers.

Bo answered the doorbell, and instantly the house was filled with Hortons and Bradys, as Julie, Maggie, Steve, and Kayla filed in, chattering excitedly, their arms filled with shopping and garment bags. Julie took charge, ordering Steve to get Bo ready and Kayla to change out of her scrubs. The women briefly discussed Stefano's condition until Bo overheard and told them to change the subject. Maggie asked if Hope had suspected anything, and Bo replied that she only knew that something was going on, not what it was.

Hope arrived home to boisterous laughter and asked what everyone was doing there. They all shrugged and feigned ignorance, and Bo teased, "It's a surprise." Julie sat Hope down on the couch then dismissed the men, who grabbed their garment bags and went into the kitchen. As Julie began to apply makeup to Hope's face, Hope asked again what was going on. The others kept mum and told her to just relax and let them pamper her. In the kitchen, Bo opened a couple of beers as Steve reassured him that Hope had been completely surprised. Bo confided that he'd almost cancelled the whole thing, but he'd changed his mind after finally confessing to Hope that he'd concealed evidence in the Hollingsworth case. Steve wasn't surprised to hear that Bo had admitted it only after Hope had begun to put the pieces together herself. Bo then told Steve that the police had received an anonymous email alluding to missing evidence.

Bo added that the police suspected that John was behind the missing evidence, because they'd discovered that Ava had been using a computer at the Java Café around the time the email had arrived. Steve was surprised but also confident that Bo was in the clear, since the email hadn't mentioned Bo's name. Bo vowed to find out who was responsible and lock them up. Julie finished Hope's makeup and sat back to admire her work. The others exclaimed that Hope looked like a princess. Hope peered into a hand mirror and gasped, "Where's Hope?" She kissed Julie and thanked her just as they heard a knock at the front door. Chelsea then admitted Glorianne, Hope's hairdresser. Glorianne revealed that she only made house calls for special occasions, but Julie ushered her upstairs before she could spoil the surprise. Hope pulled Chelsea aside and begged her to divulge what was going on, even threatening not to let Chelsea borrow any more jewelry unless she did.

Chelsea firmly refused to spill the beans. Chelsea went to the kitchen to give her dad an update on Hope's progress. Bo asked if Chelsea thought what he had planned was corny. Grinning, Chelsea rolled her eyes and admitted she thought it was very romantic. Glorianne returned downstairs and announced Hope's arrival. Smiling from ear to ear, Hope glided down the stairs and modeled her new, glamorous 'do as the other women applauded. Hope guessed that Bo planned to take her to a fancy dinner, but the women still wouldn't tell her what the surprise was. Julie then ordered Hope to get dressed.

A bit later, Maggie, Julie, and Kayla were gabbing about the lengths to which Bo had gone to arrange everything, including ordering gumbo and crawfish étouffée. Hope then returned down the stairs, looking radiant in a simple, one-shouldered sheath of sand-colored silk. The ladies oohed and aahed over how beautiful she looked, and Hope posed so they could admire the dress. Hope said she'd overheard them talking about the food and confessed that she hadn't had those things since she had been in New Orleans with Bo. Dreamily, Hope recalled her time there with Bo, many years before. The two of them had dressed up in antebellum costumes, and Bo had carried her up the staircase of a grand Southern plantation, where they'd made love for the first time. A blissful Hope snapped out of her reverie at last and softly declared that it had been an unforgettable trip. The others wanted to know what had made it so special, other than being alone with Bo. Hope confessed somewhat sheepishly that it was when she and Bo had first been married. Julie and Maggie exchanged a conspiratorial glance as Kayla looked at the floor.

Hope explained that it had just been the two of them, and therefore not a legal marriage, but it was still very romantic. She remembered floating down the staircase in an off-the-shoulder white dress, covered in lace and ruffles, to where Bo awaited, clad in a long, pale tan coat, complete with ascot. Hope had carried a lace fan, and Bo had presented her with a small bouquet of white roses. They'd recited their vows before two similarly dressed mannequins. Bo had slipped a plain gold band onto her finger, and they'd shared a tender kiss. As Hope described how beautiful it had been, suddenly a light dawned, and she snapped out of her dream state, exclaiming, "I'm getting married today! Right?"

Steve returned to the kitchen and informed Bo that everything was progressing as planned, with Doug and Mickey setting up lights in the back for the reception. When Steve declared that Hope was "drop-dead gorgeous," Bo excitedly tried to get a look at her. Steve stopped him, maintaining that his orders were to keep Bo away from his bride until it was time. Steve praised Bo for putting together something so cool for Hope. Bo acknowledged that Hope was an amazing woman who had stood by him through lots of tough times and that he was a very lucky man. The two men then left to don their "monkey suits." Hope was thrilled that Bo had arranged such a wonderful surprise for her. The ladies admitted that Bo had been planning for them to renew their vows for months. Maggie then presented Hope with a lace-trimmed handkerchief from the Brady hope chest, which Chelsea said was Hope's "something old."

For "something new," Kayla gave Hope a fleur-de-lis bracelet that Hope had admired in a store. Julie helped Hope put on her "something borrowed”, a necklace that had belonged to their mother. An emotional Hope began to get teary-eyed, but Chelsea prevented her from ruining her mascara by giving her a traditional blue lace garter for "something blue." Hope thanked them all for making her day so special. Soon, the women announced that it was time. Chelsea gave Hope a bouquet of white roses to carry as Kayla escorted the giddy bride out the front door. Maggie praised Julie and Chelsea for getting Hope ready in time then reminded the ladies that they all still needed to get dressed as well.

Hope was soon standing, blindfolded, in a park. She begged Kayla to take off the blindfold, and right away, someone did just that. Opening her eyes, Hope was amazed to see a beautiful white horse and carriage festooned with white flowers. She turned around and found Bo, looking handsome in his tux. Ecstatically, she threw her arms around her groom and kissed him, and Bo picked her up and swung her around. Bo tried to ask, "What do you think, Fancy Face?" but Hope kept smothering him with happy kisses. At last, she gushed that she loved it and thanked him for everything he had done. He picked her up and carried her to the coach. The two of them paused happily to remember a similar carriage ride they'd taken on their New Orleans wedding day. Bo then lifted Hope into the carriage and told the driver that they were ready. The beaming bride and groom kissed and snuggled as their horse and carriage drove them through the park.

8/7 Bo and Hope rode in a horse-drawn carriage to their recommitment ceremony, reminiscent of the time they "got married" in New Orleans years earlier. Hope was impressed with Bo's romantic gesture and agreed to marry him again. Bo opened the doors to the church sanctuary, and all their loved ones were there to greet them. Bo read a letter from Shawn-D and Belle, thanking Bo and Hope for being their inspiration for how to stay together when times got tough. Bo asked his mother and Hope's father to officiate their ceremony.

Steve and Kayla recounted the evolution of Bo and Hope's love for each other as they flashed back to each time Bo and Hope had been married. When they remembered their first real wedding, Ciara asked Hope if she looked like a princess, and Bo said she did all those years before, and she still did. Kayla and Steve continued their trip down memory lane to when Bo and Hope had left town on their boat with Shawn-D when he was a baby. They remembered when Bo and Hope had gotten married in the hospital as Zack was being born. Hope said Zack would be in their hearts forever. Kayla and Steve remembered how Bo and Hope had had a formal wedding at Christmas the same year that Zack was born.

Caroline read something that Alice had asked her to read, which Alice had read to Alice's husband, Tom, at their first wedding. Hope said the words had more meaning every time she heard them. Bo and Hope said their vows, and since Hope didn't have anything prepared to say, she spoke from the heart. She couldn't believe they'd been together for 24 years, but she said when she looked into his eyes, she still saw the man she had fallen in love with when she was a girl. Bo drove Hope crazy with his stubbornness, Hope said, but that was one of the reasons she had fallen for him because of his integrity and courage to follow his heart. They would always stand by each other, no matter what lay ahead, she said. Bo said he still wanted and needed only Hope. Bo didn't deserve Hope, he said, and her faith in him made him the man he was.

Bo and Hope exchanged wedding bands. Bo provided a replica of Hope's original wedding band, and Bo asked Ciara to give him his wedding band. It was the one that had belonged to his father, Shawn, and was meant to be worn as a symbol of a new beginning and of a love that, like Caroline and Shawn's, stood the test of time. Caroline prayed that God would continue to bless Bo and Hope in their lives together, so they would be an example of what true love could be. Doug said Bo could kiss his bride even though Bo had sneaked in a few kisses before. Doug and Julie rushed to Bo and Hope's house to get ready for the reception. Bo and Hope thanked everyone for helping to arrange everything and keeping everything a secret. Bo invited everyone back to their house for a New Orleans-style barbecue. Before they could walk out, a reporter from the Salem Spectator showed up to ask Bo how he could sleep at night, knowing he was a liar and disgrace to the police. John lurked in the background, watching.

8/8 At the church after Bo and Hope's vow renewal ceremony, the Brady family stared stunned at reporter Brad Baker as he accused Bo of tampering with evidence. Caroline angrily turned on Victor and demanded to know if he knew about the accusation. While John watched from the shadowy corner, Brad quieted the confused and murmuring crowd by telling them that he had proof. From his jacket, Brad pulled out a copy of the email Hope had received that read, "What happened to the evidence in the Paul Hollingsworth case? Is there a cover-up going on?"

At the back of the church, Abe yelled for quiet and asked Brad to follow him to the station in order to make a statement on the record. Provoking a stronger reaction from the family, Brad announced that Paul was dead and that Bo was protecting the killer. Bo continued to remain silent throughout the commotion, and when Abe asked if he had tampered with evidence, Bo still said nothing. Brad continued to make his case, stating that there was a tape-recording and that Bo had "gotten rid of the evidence." Worried, Chelsea interrupted in order to defend her father, but Abe quieted her down and asked Bo, "Was there a tape?" Obviously struggling with his emotions, Bo quietly admitted, "Yeah. There was." Abe asked Brad to accompany him down to the station, and they left.

Bo turned to his family and said, "I'm sorry, everybody. There's no excuse for what I did. I made a bad decision. I'll accept responsibility for it." Hope quietly whispered to Bo that they all loved him just before Roman entered and asked Bo for answers. Bo told Roman that the evidence had been destroyed, but he would say no more about the tape. When Roman guessed that Bo was covering for someone, Bo denied the charge and told Roman that he was willing to accept full responsibility. Roman attempted to escort his brother from the church, but Chelsea ran over to intervene. Bo pleaded with Daniel to take her home. "Is he going to jail or not?" Chelsea cried out. With a deafening silence in the air, Mickey offered to follow Bo down to the police station. As the family rushed out after Roman and Bo, John stepped out of the shadows, whipped out a notepad, and crossed an item off a list.

8/11 - 8/25 no B&H

8/26 Bo and Hope anxiously waited for Roman outside the Brady Pub. Roman was clearly miffed when Bo asked for his help as a brother, not as the police commissioner. After some arguing, Roman agreed to hear Bo out. Bo confessed that the package Paul Hollingsworth had sent Morgan had contained a tape of Philip threatening to kill Paul. Bo then produced the original tape and gave it to Roman, explaining that only a copy of it had been destroyed. Roman demanded to know why Bo hadn't handed over the tape instead of allowing the whole fiasco at the church to happen. Hope jumped in to help Bo clarify that they needed more time to draw out the actual perpetrator, who they believed had set Philip up. Bo declared that their main suspect was "the new and rather strange John Black." Roman reminded Bo that regardless of his intentions, he'd still broken the law by withholding evidence. Bo and Hope begged for a little more time to find out what happened to Paul. Though very disinclined, Roman finally agreed.

Victor came out of the pub and asked to speak to Bo, so Hope reluctantly left them alone. Victor apologized for putting Bo in such an impossible situation, and then informed Bo that he'd told Caroline about what they'd done. After Victor had gone, Bo and Hope discussed their next move, which they agreed was to determine whether Paul were alive or dead. Hope wondered if John really could have killed him, but Bo only shrugged. Philip called Bo just then and declared that things had gotten out of hand. Bo suggested they meet right away at the pub. Philip continued: "You and Hope risking your careers to protect me-it's not right. I want you to know that I'm not going to let you take the fall for this. That just cannot happen." Bo hung up, incredulous.

8/27 Bo and Hope waited at the Brady Pub for Philip, debating whether two days was enough time to find out what had happened to Paul Hollingsworth. Bo was certain that John Black was behind Paul's disappearance, but Hope wasn't convinced. Each of them admitted to being worried about the other losing his or her badge over the case. Philip went inside and joined Bo and Hope. He repeated what he'd told Bo on the phone about how things had gotten out of hand, adding that he wanted to take responsibility for his actions-even if it got him arrested. Once Hope had left so the brothers could talk alone, Bo asked Philip not to come forward until he and Hope could figure out who was actually responsible for Paul's disappearance. Philip admitted he felt bad about how Victor had strong-armed Bo. Bo reassured him that he'd known about the possible consequences when he'd made the decision to hide the evidence. A process server interrupted to present Philip with a grand-jury subpoena. At a table nearby, Hope expressed her sympathy to Morgan about Paul's disappearance, but assured her that she and Bo were doing everything possible to find out what had happened. Morgan was skeptical because she knew about Bo's withholding evidence. Hope insisted that, while Philip might sometimes do unethical things in business, he was no murderer. She added that Bo never would have broken the law if he hadn't believed in Philip's innocence. Abe arrived and Bo privately filled him in about the subpoena. Abe stressed that Bo had to turn over the tape in 48 hours. Both men worried that the grand jury would file kidnapping and murder charges against Philip if they heard the tape, though Bo was sure that he and Hope could prove Philip's innocence before it came to that. Abe asked if Philip knew about the original tape's existence. Bo said he didn't, because, even though Philip was his brother, he was still a suspect.

Morgan was gazing over Hope's shoulder through the window. Suddenly Morgan bolted out the front door, shouting, "Daddy?" as she frantically searched for Paul. Hope followed her outside and Morgan swore she'd just seen her father looking in the pub window, but he was gone. Hope rushed back inside and breathlessly told Bo and Abe that Morgan thought she'd seen Paul. Abe, Bo, and Hope went outside to question Morgan, but she swore it had been her father and not just a figment of her imagination. She begged them to find him, and Abe informed her that they'd already put out an A.P.B. After the three cops had gone, Philip tried to convince Morgan that he hoped Paul was all right-but for her sake, and that of their relationship, not his own.

9/2 At the DiMera mansion, Anna, E.J., Marlena, and John were stunned to hear Tony talking to Stefano on the phone about returning to the mansion. As Tony warned Stefano that returning would be a big mistake, Bo entered the mansion and overheard the phone conversation, as well. Realizing that Stefano was planning on returning home, Bo grabbed the phone from Tony and put the call on the speakerphone. After a brief bit of gruff conversation, Bo hung up on Stefano and walked over to John to ask him about Paul Hollingsworth. Before Bo could get any answers from John, Marlena interrupted to urge John to stop Stefano from coming back to the mansion. Bo called the police to inform them of Stefano's impending arrival. John informed Bo that if Stefano were not kept away from Marlena, then John would kill Stefano. As John questioned EJ if he has legal rights to the house, Stefano strolled into the room clarifying that it is his house and always would be. He then declared, "It's good to be back!" Bo immediately arrested Stefano, while Stefano continued to taunt Bo and John. After Bo escorted Stefano out.

At the Salem Police Station, Philip stopped by to talk to Paul, and ominously told him, "You made a big mistake in switching alliances." Unfazed, Paul told Philip that he did what he felt he had to do, and that he was going to do the right thing. After hearing part of the conversation, Hope asked Philip what he was talking to Paul about. As Stefano was escorted into the police station, Roman welcomed him, with Hope and Steve close behind. Unable to contain himself, Steve attacked Stefano and demanded, "What did you do to my boy?" No sooner had Stefano entered Roman's office than a call came in from the district attorney to release him. Frustrated, but out of options, Roman ordered Stefano's release. While Steve and Bo pleaded with Roman to ignore the order, Abe rushed in and informed the group that he also had been ordered to free Stefano. Noting that no one was actually freeing Stefano, Abe unlocked his handcuffs and sent him out the door. "Give my best to your families," Stefano chuckled as he casually walked out of the station.

9/3 At the police station, Abe, Roman, and Hope were in Abe's office, bemoaning that the D.A. had ordered them to free Stefano. Abe said that John could still file a civil suit against Stefano, which they all hoped he would do. Roman pointed out that Stefano had connections everywhere. Morgan asked Bo when she could see her father. Bo replied that Paul was being processed, which could take a while. Philip asked Morgan how she was doing. She brushed him off and crossly reminded him that she wasn't going to apologize. Bo pulled Philip aside and informed him that they weren't off the hook just because Paul had been found alive, and that Bo still had to answer Internal Affairs' questions about the recording.

John arrived at the police station and Morgan confronted him, demanding to know what he had said to her father. She declared he is so terrified that he won’t even talk to her. John didn't understand why he'd been called to the station, so Bo explained that when Paul was arrested he claimed he'd already been planning to turn himself in. Bo continued that there would be a thorough investigation, so John should come clean right then about what he did to Paul. John instead wanted to know why the D.A. wasn't filing charges against Stefano. "Corruption. Failed bureaucracy," was Bo's pithy reply. Bo agreed with John that Stefano belonged behind bars.

Abe came out of his office, so John confronted him, threatening to sue Stefano since the police couldn't do anything. Abe said they all hoped he would, because it might be the only way to get the old man. Abe then informed Bo that Internal Affairs needed to talk to him, so the two of them left, and Hope followed. John seemed to believe he was off the hook, so Roman privately reminded him that he was still a suspect in the Hollingsworth case.

9/5 Hope stopped Daniel in the hallway and asked him what he'd done to upset Chelsea so badly that she'd fled to France. Daniel wasn't aware that Chelsea had left the country, but refused to discuss his relationship issues with Hope. He argued that it was private, and he and Chelsea had to work things through on their own.

9/8 Bo met Hope and joined her for a romantic picnic in the park, with both taking time out of their busy schedules to enjoy time together. While they talked, Bo asked Hope where she was earlier that day. Hope told Bo that she went to the hospital to talk to Daniel to find out why Chelsea left town so abruptly. Hope told Bo that Chelsea looked very sad when she dropped her off at the airport. Hope told Bo that Daniel said that he and Chelsea had a fight. Bo was angry and told Hope that he wanted to talk to Daniel, but Hope advised Bo to let Chelsea and Daniel work things out on their own. Hope was happy that Chelsea was planning to spend time in France with Max, Stephanie, and Nick. Bo apologized to Hope for involving her in the Hollingsworth investigation and regretted that his actions could put their entire future in jeopardy. He told Hope that he did not know what he would do without her and thanked her for her love and support.

9/9 While Steve studied his files at a table in the pub, Hope stopped in with the information from the background check she ran on Trent. Though the background check included no scandalous information, it did show that Trent appeared to be married. While Hope and Steve discussed who Trent's wife might be, a stunned Nicole walked by and overheard their conversation. As Nicole watched Steve and Hope from the bar, she overheard Steve say, "If we find out who his wife is, maybe it'll explain why he's so hell-bent on keeping Max from his sister." Curious, Hope asked Steve why he was investigating his own client, and Steve informed her that Trent's interest in Max and Stephanie made him uncomfortable. As Steve and Hope agreed that Trent's wife could be the key to finding out Trent's secrets, Bo joined them and agreed that something about Trent seemed suspicious.

9/12 Hope and Bo were in Abe's office, listening as Abe ranted about not being able to find a way to lock Stefano up for good. Both of them sympathized, but since Abe seemed more upset and angry than usual, they wondered if something else were bothering him. Abe admitted he'd been feeling useless lately because he was unable to help his son, Theo. Lexie arrived just in time to overhear, so after Hope and Lexie exchanged hugs and promises to get together soon, Bo and Hope made themselves scarce.

Back at their respective desks, Bo and Hope and placed bets on whose background search would go through first. Suddenly Hope whooped and declared that she'd won, because she'd just learned Trent's wife's name: Misty Circle. Puzzled, Hope assumed it was part of the woman's address and not her name, but Bo said he recognized it. Hope, looking over his shoulder at his computer screen, didn't sound surprised when she read that Trent had been married to a porn star-although she did wonder why Bo was so familiar with the name. "'Cause we're related," Bo replied with a mischievous grin. He then filled his bemused wife in that "Misty Circle" was none other than his former stepmother and Victor's ex-wife, Nicole Walker.

9/16 At Salem Hospital, Hope and Kayla drank coffee and discussed their husbands' mutual obsession with putting Stefano behind bars. Kayla confided in Hope that she was worried that Steve would take matters into his own hands, and Hope promised to keep an eye on Steve. As the two chatted, Marlena walked by and greeted them. Kayla invited Marlena to join them on their night out, and once Marlena accepted, Kayla headed off to change.

Hope asked Marlena how she was feeling, and then asked Marlena if she knew why Stefano had targeted her. Taking a deep breath, Marlena said that Stefano's attack was payback for what she had done to him. Before Marlena could explain, Kayla returned. Noting the awkward silence, Kayla looked at Marlena, who repeated Hope's question. Kayla nervously looked down, and Hope realized that Kayla already knew the answer to the question. Marlena explained, "Because I was responsible for his coma." After telling Hope how she had injected Stefano, Hope thanked her for her honesty. Marlena admitted she was not proud of what she had done, but said that she would do it again to protect her family.

9/19 Bo and Hope learned from Nicole how she married Trent under her porn name of Misty Circle. The marriage turned ugly and Nicole left, assuming Trent had filed for divorce. She went back to her maiden name and had only recently discovered she was still married to Trent. Steve and Kayla tried to talk Max down after he threatened to kill his father. Caroline stepped up and reminded Max of the father who raised him. She told him Shawn was watching, and told him not to do it. Max lowered the bottle and Trent told Bo and Hope he wanted his son arrested for attempted murder. Nick told Trent if he pressed charges against Max, Nick would tell everyone at the university what Trent did to his daughter. Bo laid into Max for getting violent. Max said he was trying to protect his family. Melanie stepped up and told Trent she hated him and she should kill him herself because he deserved to die!

9/22 Bo, Hope, Steve, and Kayla tried to restrain Max and calm him down. They questioned him about his behavior and violent outburst against Trent. Bo and Steve encouraged Max to apologize to Trent, but Max was still very angry and upset. He said that he was sorry that he didn't kill Trent. Max tried to explain to everyone that Trent was a horrible father and deserved to die.

Inside the pub, Steve, Kayla and Melanie talked about what happened in France. Stephanie said that they were doing fine until Melanie's near rape and then Nick getting shot trying to rescue her. Stephanie told her parents that she was worried about Max, but Steve assured her that he and Bo would watch out for him. Bo and Hope noticed that Victor and Nicole were in the pub and Hope suggested that perhaps it was not the time to tell Victor about Nicole and Trent. Bo decided to talk to Victor, who was shocked to learn that Trent was Max's biological father and that Melanie was Max's half sister. Bo told Victor that there was something that he needed to know about Nicole. Bo prompted Nicole to tell Victor the truth and she agreed.

Caroline was incensed at Trent's behavior and told Bo that she would help Max to keep his temper in check. Bo reminded Caroline that she needed to keep her temper under control, as well. Caroline looked at Bo and said that she would do anything to protect her children. Max joined them and Bo asked Max to promise to stay away from Trent, but Max told Bo that he could never make such a promise and then walked away.

Victor walked over to Bo and Hope's table and thanked them for telling him about Nicole's marriage to Trent. Victor said it was nice to get some good news because Kate was rushed to the hospital for tests earlier that day. Chelsea overheard Victor and asked about Kate's condition, but Victor said that Daniel was running tests and would get back to them with the results. Victor assured Chelsea that he did not think that she should be concerned. Bo and Hope asked Victor what he planned to do about Nicole, and he told them that he planned to ask her to return all of his money. He admitted that what Trent did to her was wrong and that Nicole was a victim, but that fact that he benefited from her misfortune was not his concern. Victor left and Bo and Hope asked Chelsea what happened in France. She told them of the entire drama about Melanie's near rape, Trent's role in pimping Melanie to Claude to pay off his debt, and Nick's shooting.

Bo could not believe what happened and then left to attend to business. Chelsea told Hope that she was very worried about Nick, and said that she did not want anything to happen to him because they were still close friends. Hope pointed out to Chelsea that maybe Nick was more than a friend, and that Chelsea still loved him.

9/23 Lexie and Hope were enjoying breakfast at the Brady Pub when Hope noticed that Lexie kept checking the time. Embarrassed, Lexie admitted it was just a habit from always having had to be at the hospital early in the morning, but agreed when Hope suggested that resigning had been the best decision for Lexie and her family. Hope asked how Abe was holding up after walking out of his job as police commissioner, and pointed out that standing up to the mayor had been a brave and noble thing for him to do. Lexie fretted that Abe had been a cop for so long that his whole identity was wrapped up in it, but Hope was sure he'd have no trouble finding a high-paying job in the private sector.

Roman and Bo stopped by Abe's house to try to persuade him to let them do what they could to help get his job back. Abe had no interest in returning to the force, and instead tried to convince Roman to be his replacement. Roman laughed but refused, even after Bo tried to talk him into it. All three men were admittedly worried that if the job went to someone who wasn't a good, honest cop, the mayor would appoint one of his own toadies. Roman finally put his foot down and emphatically pointed out that he just could not deal with the bureaucracy that went with the job. Abe conceded that Roman was probably right, and then went to work on Bo. Bo scoffed that he was an even less appropriate candidate than Roman, and besides, he wouldn't want to give up detective work. After Roman got a call to return to the station, Abe tried to get Bo to reconsider. Though flattered, Bo replied that they would just have to find another person for the job-before someone else did. Roman called Bo at Abe's to tell him that the mayor was about to have a live press conference to announce Abe's replacement. Bo filled Abe in and then left, bumping into Lexie on his way out. Abe and Lexie sat in front of the television a bit later to watch the mayor's broadcast.

In Roman's office at the police station, May or Marino asked if Roman had any objections to his choice for commissioner. Roman agreed that the appointee would do a fine job, and the mayor looked forward to the positive press the department would surely get as a result of the announcement. As the press gathered in the outer office, Hope met Bo and asked if he knew whom the mayor would name. The mayor emerged from the office, and made a brief speech about how he demanded someone who would fight for justice and was tough enough to bring in the most dangerous criminals, ending with, "That's why I have decided that Abraham Carver's successor will be Hope Williams Brady."

The cameras whirled around to zoom in on Hope's stunned face. Lexie turned off the TV, annoyed that Hope hadn't told her about it earlier. Abe smirked and suddenly Lexie realized he'd orchestrated Hope's appointment. He admitted he'd decided on Hope after offering the job to Roman and Bo, because he knew she was fair, honest, and tough. Though happy for her friend, Lexie said they'd better pray Hope would actually accept.

9/24 Hope told Mayor Marino, obviously self-satisfied about his decision to appoint a woman, that she was flattered that he wanted her to succeed Abe as Police Commissioner. She added that she had to discuss it with her family before she could decide. He told her that he understood-but that she only had until the end of the day to give him an answer. Once the mayor had gone, Bo and Roman bombarded Hope with declarations of how proud they were of her. When they saw how hesitant she was to take the job, Roman reminded her that they'd have an even tougher time bringing Stefano down if the mayor were to appoint one of his minions to the position instead. Bo and Roman also tried to point out all she could accomplish if she took the job, including keeping the mayor and his cronies in check. Hope, frustrated, told them that instead of thinking of the "greater good" as they did, she could only think about how hard it would be on her family and her marriage.

In private, Hope confidently declared to Bo that she knew she would be a great commissioner, but she just did not want the job. She admitted that being away from Ciara was too difficult already, and she'd seen how the strain of Lexie's being Chief of Staff at the hospital had taken a huge toll on Lexie and Abe's marriage. Hope also confided that losing Zack had changed her perspective about being away from Ciara-but she also knew that Ciara would be just fine if she took the job. Bo reassured her that he understood all of her misgivings, and that he would always love and support her no matter what she decided. With a sly grin, she pointed out that, if she took the job, she'd be his boss. Bo, closing the office blinds, playfully told her that the very idea turned him on, then took her in his arms and kissed her neck.

Hope asserted that she could not take the job just to go after Stefano. Bo was pointing out that it couldn't hurt to have someone whom DiMera had victimized-like her-in the commissioner's seat, when Roman interrupted to tell them the mayor was on the phone for Hope. She picked up the phone and politely but firmly declined the job, and thanked him for the opportunity. After she hung up, she asked if Bo were disappointed, but he assured her that he was not, and that he respected her decision.

9/25 Bo accused Roman of judging Hope for turning down the commissioner's job. Roman said he was not judging Hope, he was just worried about who the mayor would appoint. Roman tried to convince Bo to take the commissioner's position. Bo said he wasn't willing to be commissioner either, and Roman said there was no reason why Bo could not be commissioner. Roman wasn't satisfied with Bo's refusal to take the job, so he asked Bo if he cared about the people of Salem and fighting corruption. After Bo said he cared, Roman said he was going to personally recommend Bo for the job.

Roman told Bo that he would realize that being commissioner was the best thing he could do. Then, Caroline came to the police station to talk to them about Max. Caroline said Max was angry at Trent for trying to use Melanie to pay off his gambling debts. Roman and Max told Caroline to calm down, but she said she wasn't going to calm down because it involved her son. Roman and Bo promised to talk to Max about Trent, but that wasn't good enough for Caroline. Caroline wanted them to do something about Trent. Roman said they couldn't get him to leave town just because they wanted him too. Caroline didn't understand why since Trent tried to make his daughter sleep with a man to pay off his debts. That happened on foreign soil, Bo said, and their hands were tied. Caroline said her arms weren't tied.

9/26 At Chez Rouge, Hope and Bo greeted Maggie at the bar, and Hope informed Maggie that she had turned down the job of Police Commissioner. While Maggie attempted to pep talk Hope into changing her mind, Steve and Kayla arrived for their dinner with Bo and Hope, and they agreed with Maggie. Hope explained that although she really wanted to take the job, she felt that it would mean spending too much time away from Ciara. When Steve suggested to Bo that he should go after the job, a beaming Bo announced that he had already accepted the position. The two couples headed to their table to celebrate, and Bo explained that his main focus in taking on the job was to keep an eye on the new mayor and his connection with Stefano Dimera.

Right on cue, the new mayor stopped by the table and warned Bo that he was still just a candidate for the position. After the mayor left, a self-conscious Bo fretted that his recent evidence tampering might keep him from becoming the new commissioner. Ever the cheerleader, Kayla passionately spoke encouraging words to her brother and urged him to stay confident about the job.

On the way to the cemetery to visit Shawn Sr.'s grave, Bo and Hope greeted a couple of police officers walking the beat. The two officers asked Bo if the rumors about him becoming police commissioner were true, and a smiling Bo admitted it was a possibility. In the cemetery, as Caroline was leaving the grave of Shawn Sr. Caroline Trent watched her from the bushes and stumbled over to her. Shocked to see Trent headed toward her, Caroline screamed aloud just as a bloody Trent fell on top of her. Noting with horror the knife sticking out of Trent's back, Caroline pulled the knife out and stared at it. Alerted by Caroline's screaming, Bo, Hope, and the two officers headed into the cemetery and found Caroline next to the body of Trent Robbins, the bloody knife still in her hand.

9/29 Bo and Hope were stunned to find Caroline in such a precarious situation. Bo asked Caroline if she was okay and what happened. Caroline was so upset, she could barely speak, and then Bo asked Caroline to put the knife down. Hope rushed over and advised Bo to do everything by the book. She advised Caroline not to say a word without an attorney present. Bo was visibly shaken, but asked Hope to call Mickey, and then instructed Officer Lopez to read Caroline her rights. Caroline tried to explain to Bo what happened, but Bo discouraged her from discussing the matter, and asked Officer Lopez to take his mother to the station. Mickey received a phone call from Hope, who explained that Caroline had been arrested for the murder of Trent Robbins and that she needed his help. Maggie, Mickey, Doug, and Julie were shocked to hear the news, and decided to join Mickey at the police station to support Caroline.

At the police station, Roman was called in on a new murder case unaware that Trent was murdered and Caroline was the prime suspect. When Bo arrived with Caroline, Roman could not believe that his mother was arrested for Trent's murder. Bo explained the facts to Roman, who insisted that their mother could not have murdered Trent in cold blood. Caroline told Bo and Roman that she did not kill Trent, and that she was scared. They assured her that everything would work out. Mickey, Maggie, Doug, and Julie arrived at the police station. Mickey told Bo and Roman that he wanted to speak to Caroline alone.

Outside the office, Doug asked Bo what happened, and he explained everything, but told him that there was circumstantial evidence present, and that he did not have a choice. Bo emphasized how important it was that he and Roman do everything by the book. Roman and Bo were anxious and upset that they could not be in the office with Caroline while Mickey questioned her. Maggie offered to stay with Caroline, and Bo and Roman agreed. Doug and Julie were upset at the thought that anyone could think that Caroline could murder anyone. Bo asked Melanie to identify Trent's body. She agreed, but asked Bo to give her a few minutes to compose herself.

Back at the cemetery, Hope called in Steve to assist with the investigation into Trent's background. Steve agreed to assist in order to help Caroline and prove that someone else wanted Trent dead. Hope and Steve discussed Nicole's marriage to Trent and the fact that she was very upset that he caused her to lose her divorce settlement from Victor. Hope told Steve that the preliminary reports indicated that Trent had several encounters that night, and that it appeared that more than one person might be responsible for his death. As Hope described Trent's wounds, several Salem residents were on their way to becoming suspects in Trent's murder. Hope walked over to Shawn's grave and prayed for him to help Caroline. Hope left the cemetery and Steve walked over to Trent's body. Steve looked down at Trent and felt that there were people who were probably very happy that Trent was no longer part of their lives.

9/30 At the Brady Pub, Hope rushed in to meet with Chelsea who was already sitting at a table struggling with her school registration paperwork. Chelsea launched into a complaint about how she was stuck in a class with Trent Robbins as her professor, prompting Hope's face to fall in discomfort. Reading Hope's awkward facial expression, Chelsea asked Hope to tell her what was wrong. Hope informed Chelsea about Trent's murder and Caroline's arrest, but asked Chelsea not to go down to the police station yet. Chelsea reluctantly agreed and suggested to Hope that she take note of Melanie as a suspect in the murder. Hope then asked Chelsea about her social life, and when Chelsea mentioned that she deserved the Daniel mess for how she ended things with Nick, a curious Hope wondered aloud whether Chelsea still had feelings for Nick. Chelsea denied that she did, and immediately informed Hope that Nick had moved on to someone else.

Down at the police station, Bo worried about Caroline's emotional frailty and discussed the facts of the case with Roman and Steve. According to the reports, the suspect was found at 9:15 PM in the cemetery and was covered in a multitude of injuries other than his stab wound. Steve played devil's advocate and suggested the other injuries could support a claim of self-defense by Caroline, but Bo and Roman both shot down the idea since Caroline would have already mentioned such a claim. Abe walked in during the discussion and offered his support. Unfortunately, May or Marino walked in, as well, and expressed his concern over the conflict of interest in the case. Abe assured the mayor that the best men were already assigned to the case, and the mayor agreed to leave Bo and Roman in charge, but he also warned them that internal affairs would be watching them closely. Roman had to hold back an angry Bo, who screamed, "What's your problem?"

"I don't like the Brady attitude," Mayor Marino responded. As Abe left the commissioner's office, May or Marino stopped him and offered him a freelance job keeping an eye on Bo and Roman. Shaking his head in disbelief, Abe said, "Unlike you I can't be bought."

Lexi introduced Scott, one of the members of the board of directors, to Abe. When Lexie went to pick up Theo, Scott asked Abe to run for the office of mayor against Marino.

Back in the commissioner's office, Bo, Roman, and Steve discussed the mayor's interest in the Robbins case and then began to list the possible suspects for the murder. Though Max was named, Steve adamantly argued that Max was unlikely, since he would not let his mother take the fall for a crime he committed. Nick was also listed as a suspect, but no one felt he was capable of stabbing someone. Bo theorized that Trent was blackmailing Nicole over their marriage, which surprised Roman who was still out of the loop on that information.

In the middle of the discussion, Hope walked in and added Melanie's name to the suspect list. When Stephanie stopped by, Bo asked her whether Melanie was capable of killing Trent. Before Stephanie could answer, Melanie marched into the room saying, "Why don't you just ask me yourself?" Melanie was stunned to have her comment greeted with silence. Unnerved by the mood in the room, Melanie announced that after coming to Salem for a fresh start, she was officially ready to leave town. Stepping in front of the door, Bo warned her that as a suspect in a murder, she was not allowed to leave town.

10/1 Victor showed up at the police station and demanded to see Caroline. Kayla arrived to hear him trying to get his way by throwing his weight around. Kayla angrily told Victor that Caroline did not need his kind of help, not when the District Attorney seemed dead set on prosecuting her for Trent's murder. Victor, offended, swore he would never intentionally hurt Caroline.

Bo visited his mother in her cell and warned her that, because she was the D.A.'s prime suspect, she might not get out anytime soon. Caroline was upset that she was still in jail, but Bo assured her that they were using every bit of technology they had to find someone else's fingerprints besides hers on the murder weapon. He vowed that, regardless, they would come up with a way to prove her innocence. Caroline admonished her son not to do anything that wasn't completely aboveboard, because the higher-ups were surely watching him like a hawk since he'd tampered with evidence to help Philip. She added that she'd turn him in herself if she found out he'd done anything like that for her, because she didn't want him jeopardizing his chances at becoming the next police commissioner. Bo was worried about Caroline's well-being if she had to stay locked up any longer, but she reassured him that she was tough, plus she had faith in the justice system and in God.

Chatsworth brought Bo a lab report that indicated there had been fibers on Trent that didn't match his clothing. Kayla fretted to Bo that Victor was trying to get closer to Caroline by coming to her rescue, but Bo dismissed her concerns, reminding her how strong their mother had always been. He was also sure it was only a matter of time before they found the evidence that would free Caroline. Bo soon learned that, because no other fingerprints were found on the knife, the D.A. planned to charge Caroline with Trent's murder. Victor returned to the squad room just in time to overhear Bo tell this to Kayla, but did not make his presence known. Kayla and Bo broke the news to Caroline, who was stunned into silence at the knowledge she'd have to stand trial for murder.

Dvd #74B 10/2 At the station, Roman told Caroline that the district attorney had filed murder charges against her. Roman questioned Caroline about Trent's murder. Bo asked Caroline to tell them about her relationship with Trent. Caroline recounted her run-ins with Trent, including when she told Trent not to visit the Brady Pub. Caroline said she threw Trent out of the pub when she found out how he had pimped out his daughter to pay off his gambling debts. Caroline said she also got into a heated argument with Trent when he came into the pub the night that he died.

Mickey asked to speak with Caroline alone as her lawyer, and he advised her to remember to think of Roman and Bo as officers of the law, not just as her sons, because anything she said could be held against her in court. Bo told Mickey that as far as they could tell, Caroline was the only one at the cemetery the night Trent was killed. Roman theorized that Trent saw Caroline before he was attacked and tried to reach her before he died to get help or tell her who stabbed him. Roman and Bo agreed to explore that angle. Roman asked Caroline if Trent said anything when she found him stabbed. Caroline said no. She was terrified by the look on Trent's face.

Roman asked Caroline to tell them about her encounter with Trent the night he died, but before she saw him at the cemetery. She said Trent had come into the pub looking for Max and Melanie, but Caroline told him to leave. Trent refused to leave his children, and Caroline said it was a little late for that, since Trent didn't have any trouble leaving Max when he was a child. Trent said the Bradys thought they were high and mighty, and even though he left Max as a kid, Trent did it because he wanted him to have a better life than Trent could have given him, and Trent never stopped caring. Caroline said she hadn't believe Trent. Trent told Caroline he had been following her and her family for years and they had their share of problems. Caroline admitted to having problems, but she said her family worked through their problems and bonded because of them.

The Bradys loved each other, and they didn't destroy each other along the way, Caroline told Trent. Mickey said Caroline was obviously angry at Trent, but there was nothing incriminating about what she said, because she was just protecting her family. But Caroline said that wasn't all. Caroline said Trent refused to leave the pub and the argument escalated. Caroline told Trent he was trespassing and if he didn't leave, she would call the police. Trent threw the phone, and Caroline picked up a knife to defend herself. She told Trent to leave the pub or she would kill him. Caroline told Bo and Roman that she didn't kill Trent, but she had murder in her heart at that moment. Mickey got a call and had to leave the room. Then Bo asked Caroline why she didn't tell them that before. Caroline said it was because it looked so bad. She swore she didn't kill Trent.

Roman said with Mickey out of the room, their conversation was off the record. Roman asked what happened after Caroline threatened Trent with the knife. Caroline said she had a few words with Trent and then he left. Roman asked if Trent ever saw Max or Melanie, and Caroline said she didn't know. Roman said that was good news, because that meant there were no witnesses, but when Mickey returned, it was clear someone saw something. The district attorney said a witness who was walking past the pub saw Caroline holding a knife on Trent. Mickey said there was no way Caroline could have murdered Trent, and Roman said they all agreed, but they had better find the real killer quickly.

10/8 At the Salem Police Department, Bo and Roman went over the murder case in the commissioner's office. Roman argued that Nicole should be the top suspect, but Bo insisted that he though Melanie was a more likely candidate. As Bo and Roman discussed the evidence, they were interrupted by the sound of Nick yelling, drunkenly, outside in the main room. Bo and Roman rushed out to see what was going on and found a laughing and clearly drunk Nick with an officer.

The officer explained that Nick had been brought in for a DUI. When Bo asked Nick why he was driving under the influence, Nick, still smiling, explained that his life sucked and that "it is because of me that Trent Robbins is dead." Surprised, Bo pressed Nick for an explanation to his statement and Nick cited his engine prototype as the reason for drawing Trent to town in the first place. Eager to find evidence on his top suspect, Bo asked Nick to tell him what Melanie had to do with the murder. Before Nick could answer, he got up and ran down to the bathroom to throw up.

While Nick drank coffee and attempted to sober up, Bo and Roman discussed Nick's status as a suspect. Bo argued that Nick was not capable of killing Trent, but playing devil's advocate, Roman reminded Bo that Nick had previously killed Willow Stark. Roman pushed Bo to keep an open mind and leave Nick on the list of suspects. Roman and Bo continued to discuss the murder case when Mayor Marino stopped by to commend them on the work they had done on the case so far. Noting Max's name on the suspect list, May or Marino complimented their work, despite the fact that their mother and brother were both suspects. The mayor then walked out, leaving a confused Bo and Roman in his wake. Roman argued that a search warrant would be necessary to rule out Max as a suspect, so Bo called the judge.

While Max and Stephanie talked, Bo knocked on the bedroom door and entered with Roman, another officer, and a search warrant. Almost immediately, the officer found a bloody shirt in Max's bathroom. Max promptly fessed up that he had been in a fight with Trent the night Trent was murdered, but that he did not kill him. Frustrated that Max had withheld this information, Bo and Roman took him into custody and logged the bloody shirt into evidence.

Back at the police station, Bo sent the shirt off to the lab to test the blood and fibers against the evidence that had already been collected. Bo and Roman lectured Max that he should have known better than to keep the information about the fight from the police. Bo took Stephanie outside to the main room and left Roman to talk to Max about the fight he had with Trent. While Roman talked to Max in private, Bo received the results from the lab, which proved the blood was Trent's and that the fibers on the body matched the fibers in Max's shirt. Bo showed the results to Roman and Max, and the three discussed the night of the murder.

10/9 At the police station, Bo told Max he was free to go, but their mother was still a suspect in Trent's murder. Bo said the fight that Max had with Trent the night Trent was killed explained Max's bloody shirt and the fibers on Trent's body. While Bo was talking to Max and Stephanie, Melanie slipped Trent's wallet into Stephanie's purse. Bo said he was surprised that Max wasn't happy to be released, but Max asked how he could be happy when his mother was still behind bars for Trent's murder.

After Max and Stephanie left, Bo questioned Melanie about the murder. Melanie tried to convince Bo that she didn't have anything to do with his death. Then Bo asked Melanie about the confrontation she had with Trent at Trent's hotel room the night he was killed. Melanie explained how Trent's gambling problem got out of control, and she tried to divert attention to Claude, the man who Trent tried to pimp Melanie out to. Bo told Melanie that if she did kill her father, he would find out and when she slipped up, Bo would be there.

At the jail, Hope visited Nick in his cell to give him some moral support, but she said she couldn't release him. Hope asked Nick why he was drinking and driving, and he asked for time to process things before he could explain his actions to Hope. She said Nick would be fined for having a DUI, but Nick wasn't in the mood for a lecture. He was worried that the university would fire him for what he did.

Hope had no sympathy for Nick, because he could have hurt or killed himself or someone else. Nick apologized for being insensitive to the fact that Hope's son, Zach, was killed in a hit-and-run accident. Hope clarified that Zach wasn't killed by a drunk driver, and Chelsea overheard them talking. Chelsea told Nick that while she would be paying for the rest of her life for killing Zach, what Nick did was unforgivable. Bo asked Hope what set Nick off, because it wasn't like him to drink and drive. Hope asked Bo if he thought Nick could have had something to do with Trent's murder, but Bo was more suspicious of Melanie.

Philip stopped by to see Bo at the PD, when he noticed Melanie. Philip asked Bo if Melanie had been questioned about Trent's murder, because Melanie asked Philip for help finding her father's killer. Philip said he told Melanie he couldn't help her, and Bo asked about the tip Philip mentioned. Philip saw Melanie at the police station and said he didn't mean to say a tip exactly. Instead, Philip said he planned to set up a donation to the families of fallen officers. Hope and Bo thought Philip's behavior was odd.

10/14 Bo chitchatted with Kayla until he noticed a grim-faced Nicole and E.J. walking down the hallway. Bo walked over and asked Nicole if she had any information on Trent's murder, but Nicole claimed she had no information to tell. Down at the police station, Max gave Trent's wallet to Bo, and Stephanie explained that she believed Melanie had planted it in her purse when she was standing next to her the day before. Bo dusted the wallet for prints, but unfortunately, the only prints on the wallet were those of Stephanie and Max.

10/20 At the Brady Pub, Melanie admitted to Max that she might have killed their father, just as Bo and Hope walked in. Bo sensed the tension in the air and asked if everything was all right. Max said it was, but Bo wasn't convinced. Max downplayed his conversation with Melanie, explaining that Melanie had an incident with Stephanie. It must have been some incident, Hope said. Bo said he stopped by to see Caroline, and Max said his mother had taken the twins to the park.

After they left, Bo shares with Hope that he feels Max and Melanie are hiding something. He told Hope that Max turned in Trent's wallet and that Max would let Bo know if he had more information on Trent's killer. However, Hope doubted Max would do the right thing. Stephanie stopped by the pub looking for Max and ran into Bo and Hope. They told her that Max and Melanie had left earlier, and Bo questioned Stephanie about the incident she had with Melanie. Bo said he and Hope got the feeling that Max was covering for someone. Stephanie said she didn't know anything for sure, and she hurried off.

Melanie ran into Bo and Hope in the pub and tried to explain her odd behavior earlier. Melanie tried to throw suspicion onto Stephanie as Trent's possible killer. She said that Stephanie had a passive-aggressive personality and pointed out that Stephanie's prints were on the wallet with Max's. Stephanie went into the pub and told Bo and Hope that there was something they should know about what Melanie had done to Max.

10/21 At the Brady Pub, Stephanie told Bo and Hope that she believed Melanie killed Trent and that she had proof of her guilt. When Hope asked if the accusation was because Melanie had planted Trent's wallet in Stephanie's purse, Stephanie explained that the wallet was only a small part of her suspicion. Stephanie told Bo and Hope everything that Melanie had confessed to Max: that Melanie had struggled with Trent in the cemetery, hit her head, and woke up next to Trent's body without any memory of what had happened.

When Bo noted that Melanie did not actually confess to the murder, Stephanie argued that Melanie was devious and had no conscience or morals, and begged Bo to stop her before she hurt Max. With tears in her eyes, Stephanie explained that she had betrayed Max's confidence because it was the right thing to do to protect him from becoming an accessory to murder. Melanie walked in and was immediately confronted by Bo and Hope about the night of Trent's murder. When Melanie was reluctant to talk, Bo explained that he knew all about her confession to Max regarding her struggle with Trent in the cemetery. Melanie cried out that Stephanie was lying because she hated her and that Bo needed to ask Max because there was no proof of Stephanie's story.

10/23 Bo & Hope called Max down to the station to question him some more about Trent's murder, and he noticed that his sister Melanie's name was on the suspect list. Max said Melanie didn't deserve to be considered a suspect, and Bo told him that Stephanie said Melanie admitted to murdering her father and that Bo needed Max to back up Stephanie's story. Max told Bo that he and Stephanie broke up because she was convinced that Melanie killed Trent. Bo and Hope tried to console Max, then Hope said that Stephanie claimed Max confided in her that Melanie confessed.

Max denied that Melanie confessed, and Stephanie walked in and overheard him. Stephanie was upset, because Max seemed to be calling her a liar. Max denied that he was calling Stephanie a liar, saying that Melanie confided in him, not Stephanie. Hope took Stephanie outside the office so Bo could confront Max one-on-one. Max said his sister never would have killed their father. Max felt bad about the way that Melanie was brought up. Stephanie told Hope that Max changed ever since his sister came into his life. Hope said that if Max didn't admit that Melanie killed Trent, Stephanie would have betrayed Max for nothing. Bo released Max, and Hope urged Max to go after Stephanie before it was too late.

10/24 Max was bartending at the Brady Pub when Bo came in and tried cracking a joke to ease the tension between them. Max was still mad because he felt that Bo was trying to railroad Melanie, and Stephanie came in while they were arguing. Max came out from behind the bar, and he and Stephanie began quarrelling about Melanie. Max argued that he was Melanie's only family, while Stephanie tried to get Max to see that Melanie was just using him like she used all men.

As their voices grew louder, Bo tried futilely to referee, until finally he gave up and went behind the bar. On her way out the door, Stephanie told Bo that she would be happy to sign a sworn statement about what Melanie had confessed to Max. Bo was urging Max to apologize to Stephanie before it was too late when his cell phone rang. As Bo walked off to take the call, Stephanie returned. She and Max half-heartedly apologized to each other, but then began the same heated debate as before. Bo sat at a table with Max and Stephanie and tried to get them to stop bickering. He emphasized to Max that while he had no intention of wrongly charging someone with murder, he also wouldn't stop investigating a prime suspect just because she was Max's family.

Philip informed Bo that he'd seen Melanie with Trent's wallet after the murder. Bo wanted to know why Philip hadn't come forward sooner. Philip replied that he'd wanted to make sure he wasn't misreading the situation, but that he'd since determined that Melanie was desperate to keep him quiet. Though Max urged her not to say anything without a lawyer, Melanie began ranting defensively that there was no proof that she'd done anything wrong. Bo finally declared that she might want to listen to her brother, adding, "But don't leave town." Melanie stormed out. Bo told Philip to leave the detective work to the police, while Stephanie approached Max and acknowledged how tough it must be for him to watch Melanie self-destruct. Max again tried to excuse his sister's behavior, arguing that Melanie's childhood had been horrible, and that Stephanie just didn't understand her. "No, Max. I don't understand you," Stephanie asserted before walking out.

10/28 At the Salem Pub, Bo and Hope stopped by to visit Melanie. When Hope headed upstairs, Max pulled Bo aside and warned Bo that that he was starting to believe he made a mistake in believing Melanie. "I think Melanie is the one who killed Trent Robbins," Max said. Melanie opened the door to find Hope, who ordered her to get dressed and meet her downstairs. Hope returned to the pub and listened to Max confide in Bo that he was beginning to believe Melanie was guilty of murdering Trent. Max suggested that he understood why she might have done it, and told Bo that he was not defending her; he was only worried that Melanie might do something desperate.

Right on cue, Melanie walked by the front windows of the pub with a suitcase in tow. Bo and Hope hurriedly rushed out to stop Melanie from leaving, just as she was calling a cab to pick her up. When Bo reminded her that she was not to leave town, Melanie countered that since there was no proof, she could go wherever she wanted. Just as Melanie attempted to prove her point by walking off, Bo stopped her cold in her tracks by announcing that Trent's lawyer was about to read Trent's will.

At the police station, Trent's lawyer read the will, which announced that all of Trent's possessions and interests would go to Melanie. The lawyer then told the group that there was a codicil to the will that bequeathed a box to Max. Still resistant to accept anything from Trent, Max declined to accept the gift and walked out of the station. Melanie offered to take the box, but Bo interceded and offered to give the box to Max himself. Bo headed outside to talk to Max, and left the lawyer alone with Melanie.

The lawyer advised Melanie that he had an envelope that was to be opened during the reading of the will. Melanie urged the lawyer to give her the envelope, and he finally relented, but made her promise to do the right thing and pass it on to the cops after she read it. When the lawyer left, Melanie tore open the envelope. Before Melanie could read the contents of the mysterious envelope, Bo and Hope returned and grilled her about her discussion with the lawyer. When Melanie made it clear that she was not going to tell them anything, Bo said, "The letter. Aren't you at least gonna tell us what's in it?"

1029 At the police station, Bo and Hope tried to get her to at least acknowledge the letter's existence, and when she played dumb, they informed her that they had set her up-with the help of Mr. Berman, her father's lawyer. Bo and Hope let Melanie know in no uncertain terms that they were tired of her games, and Bo asked her again to hand over the letter. Melanie reluctantly complied. Bo donned gloves to open the envelope, and then he and Hope fell silent as they read it.

Melanie asked what it said, but Bo and Hope wouldn't tell her. They pointed out that it was evidence, and told her she could leave. They went about the business of sealing it in an evidence bag and logging it into the computer, ignoring Melanie as she declared that the letter must have cleared her, otherwise she'd be wearing handcuffs. She went on, ranting that she was going to file a harassment suit against them, but Hope only calmly handed Melanie the phone number to call to complain. Melanie ripped the card in half and told them to go to hell, then left, slamming the door behind her. As Bo was placing the letter in an evidence bag, he suddenly found another envelope inside it.

A short time later, Hope returned from the lab with the envelope. She announced that the lab had confirmed the handwriting to be Trent Robbins', and only Trent's fingerprints were on the second envelope and letter, while Melanie's and Mr. Berman's had been on the outer envelope. Bo asked Hope what she thought about the new evidence. "I think we need to pay someone a little visit," she replied. Bo agreed, so they left together.

Nicole was less than thrilled to find Bo and Hope on her doorstep. They informed her that they needed to ask her some more questions about Trent's murder. Nicole defensively replied that she'd already told them everything she knew, but Hope said they needed her help interpreting some new evidence. Bo tried to get E.J. to leave them alone, but he reminded the cops that he was Nicole's lawyer. Bo just shrugged, adding, "We need to know what really happened the night of Trent's murder."

Bo produced Nicole's original statement from a file and asked if she would sign and date it again-unless she wanted to amend it. A befuddled Nicole asked E.J. what they were trying to do, so Hope clarified that they were documenting that they'd given her the opportunity to change her statement. Bo added that perhaps she wanted to add that she and Trent had argued in the cemetery that night, but Nicole insisted her original statement was true. E.J. declared that Bo and Hope were harassing Nicole, and Nicole asked, "Why are you doing this to me?"
Bo replied, "Because we know you're lying-and we've got proof."

10/30 Nicole wanted to know why Bo and Hope accused her of lying about Trent's murder, but they had evidence that made her look guilty. It was a torn up copy of Nicole's marriage certificate to Trent, and Hope wanted to know how it got that way. Nicole tried to lie, saying she hadn't touched it recently, but Hope said the forensic evidence said otherwise. E.J. stood by Nicole, saying that a torn piece of paper wasn't proof that she murdered anyone, and he ordered Bo and Hope to abandon their line of questioning. As E.J. tried to defend Nicole, Nicole got fed up and agreed to tell Bo and Hope everything. She said she threatened Trent the night he was murdered and tore up their marriage certificate, but she didn't kill him.

E.J. accused Bo and Hope of harassing Nicole, and Nicole said they were too busy harassing her to worry about solving the mayor's murder. Then Bo and Hope filled E.J. in on Nicole's history with Victor Kiriakis and Colin Murphy, she had tried to kill both of them. Bo showed Nicole the letter that was found in the envelope with Nicole's marriage license. The letter said if Trent turned up dead or mysteriously missing, the police needed to know that Nicole finally followed through on her threats. Bo and Hope produced a search warrant, saying they had probable cause. Hope found a dress that was missing a bead and revealed the missing bead was discovered in the cemetery. Nicole admitted she argued with Trent and threatened to kill him, but she didn't murder him. E.J. reminded Nicole not to say anything, and Bo read Nicole her rights before he arrested her.

10/31 Bo and Hope dragged a handcuffed Nicole into the police station, where she angrily protested that she hadn't killed Trent. They took Nicole into Bo's office and removed her handcuffs, then, when she deemed their case against her "weaker than a wine cooler," reviewed the evidence against her: She had motive, because Trent had cost her millions of dollars by invalidating her divorce settlement from Victor. They continue with the missing bead from her dress placed her at the scene of the crime; and Trent had left an envelope containing a hand-written note that implicated her in the event of his death, as well as his and Nicole's torn-up marriage certificate, for the police. Nicole was confidently declaring that E.J. would never allow his baby to be born in prison when E.J. arrived.

Bo and Hope left the two of them alone, and E.J. cautioned Nicole that, because of her history, things didn't look good. He recounted how she'd allegedly shot Colin Murphy and tried to kill Victor. Nicole maintained that both men were alive, and besides, she'd never been convicted of anything. He asked her to tell him the "unfiltered version" of what had happened with Trent. She told him how she'd argued with Trent outside the Brady Pub the day before he was killed, and again the next night in the cemetery-but he'd still been alive when she'd left. E.J. asked why she hadn't told him before, and Nicole replied that she hadn't thought it mattered. Her voice shaking, she asked if he thought she'd killed Trent.

E.J. coldly replied that it didn't matter what he believed; all that mattered was that he could keep her out of prison. Nicole became even more upset, and asked what kind of future they were going to have if he didn't trust her. He lashed out, angrily pointing out how she hadn't told him Trent had been harassing her, or about the argument in the cemetery, and how her decisions no longer affected only her, but also him and their unborn child. Nicole tearfully apologized, but E.J. didn't soften.

In the outer office, Bo hung up the phone and excitedly told Hope that the district attorney was dropping the charges against his mother. He left to go tell Caroline the good news, but first wished Hope luck with Nicole. When Hope came in. Nicole pleaded for help, imploring Hope that prison was no place for a baby to be born. Hope, completely unmoved, replied, "Maybe you should have thought of that before killing a man in cold blood." E.J. returned and took Nicole's side, arguing that she needed to be someplace comfortable and not out on work detail. Though Hope retorted that Nicole wouldn't have much else to do in a jail cell besides sit or lie down, she did agree that she'd do what she could to make sure Nicole and her baby weren't harmed.

Bo came into the pub and informed Max and Melanie that the police had arrested Nicole for their father's murder, and that they had a strong enough case to get the charges against Caroline dropped. As Bo was going upstairs tell Caroline, Melanie warned him that she still planned to file a harassment suit against the Salem Police Department. Bo reminded her that she would still be a suspect were it not for the evidence against Nicole, and urged Max to wise up about how manipulative Melanie was.

11/3 At the police station, Bo and Hope brought Nicole her new wardrobe, orange prison garb. Hope notified them that it was time for her bail hearing, but E.J. wanted a few more minutes to question her. Bo said Nicole could just stay in jail until her trial, so E.J. decided to drop his questioning of Nicole for the time being.

At the hearing, E.J. advised her he made sure that a judge the Dimeras had in their pocket was assigned to her case, which would ensure Nicole would get released on bail soon. E.J. requested that Nicole be released into his custody, but the District Attorney called on Bo to testify why Nicole should be denied bail. Bo mentioned the bead the police found at the crime scene that matched Nicole's dress. He also mentioned Nicole's past murder attempts on Colin Murphy and Victor Kiriakis. Despite E.J.'s objections, the judge let Bo continue his testimony. The judge later denied Nicole bail. Back at the station, Bo told Hope he had second thoughts about Nicole being Trent's murderer and he wanted to get to the truth.

11/5 At the police station, Bo and Hope discussed his possible promotion to the position of commissioner. When Hope suggested they leave to get ready for Abe's acceptance speech, Bo seemed confused by the idea of changing into a suit. Hope reminded Bo that he would have to make a few changes in his life, and Bo reluctantly followed her out the door. Back at the Brady Pub, Bo and Hope headed in, and Abe and Roman also arrived. The election results were soon announced, and it was declared that Abe had been elected mayor by a landslide as all of his friends cheered his victory.

11/6 At the Brady Pub, Bo and Hope congratulated Abe for being elected mayor. Hope was certain that Bo would be appointed commissioner, but he didn't want to assume anything. E.J. asked for Bo's help in locating Nicole. They went outside, and E.J. explained to Bo that no one at the jail or university hospital seemed to know where Nicole was. Bo found out that Nicole was moved to the prison hospital ward, and E.J. wanted to know if the baby was all right. Bo didn't know, so E.J. took off to see Nicole. Bo told Hope that E.J. was worried about Nicole, and Hope said she felt better knowing that Abe was one elected official who was not in Stefano's back pocket.

At his press conference, Abe thanked his supporters, but said there was something they needed to know. He told the public he was committed to making the city safe. Roman congratulated Abe and is glad that he accepted the position of mayor. (Note: Abe feels responsible for the hit that Stefano put on the former mayor and feels responsible for his death). Roman assures Abe that he shouldn't worry about Stefano trying to corrupt Abe as the mayor’s death is not Abe’s fault as he didn’t know anything about it.

Roman promised to keep their visit with Stefano to himself. They vowed to get enough evidence to nail Stefano for Mayor Marino's murder, and Abe volunteered to take the fall as long as they could get Stefano. Abe is willing to take the fall as long as they get Stefano in the process. Roman is confident they will finally get the upper hand with Stefano. Abe tells Bo that City Hall is going asked Bo to be the new police commissioner, and he accepted. Tony congratulated Abe and Bo, and said he felt like Salem was finally in capable hands, but Bo and Abe said they had their hands full trying to solve two murders.

11/7 Bo and Hope toasted with sparkling cider in his office, celebrating his appointment as police commissioner. After they'd closed his office blinds and kissed, Bo told Hope that he'd need her help to clean up Salem, and she willingly agreed. E.J. called Bo's cell phone just then, and when Bo hung up, he informed Hope that Nicole was ready to talk. Hope grabbed a tape recorder and the pair headed for the jail. Bo and Hope went into Nicole's cell, and expressed their sympathy for what she'd gone through in the infirmary. E.J. told them that the whole ordeal had affected Nicole, who stated that she was ready to tell the truth. While Hope got everything on tape, Nicole, her voice shaking, confessed that she had followed Trent to the cemetery with a gun, because she had intended to kill him-but she hadn't been able to pull the trigger.

A skeptical Bo asked if there had been any witnesses. Nicole began to tell him no, then suddenly remembered that she'd seen someone else, whom she'd thought was male, at the entrance to the cemetery that night. When Bo asked her to describe the man, Nicole could only remember that he was tall, adding that she'd assumed at the time that he was the caretaker. E.J. then indignantly asked Bo and Hope if anyone had bothered to interview the caretaker. As Bo and Hope started to leave, promising to investigate what Nicole had said, Nicole stopped them. She asked why they hadn't come after her earlier, if she'd been a suspect all along, when they'd been trying to prove Caroline and Max's innocence. They informed Nicole that they hadn't had enough evidence before, and that they'd only found the bead that matched the one from her dress during a second sweep of the area. Nicole was stunned that they'd only recently found the bead, but E.J. just huffed about the incompetence of the Salem police force for not finding it before.

Bo and Hope stopped before they left the jail to discuss whether they bought Nicole's story. Hope said she believed Nicole, and Bo seemed to agree, since Nicole didn't have an alibi or any witnesses. Bo informed Hope that there hadn't been a caretaker on duty the night Trent was killed, so the person Nicole saw might be the killer.

11/10 Bo and Hope went over Nicole's testimony that she went to the graveyard with a gun with the intent to kill Trent but didn't. They started to believe Nicole's claims that she was innocent and suspected that the guy Nicole claimed to have seen that night might be the real killer. Bo was beginning to have second thoughts about being the police commissioner after receiving a call from the district attorney for them to have a breakfast meeting with him. Bo and Hope realized that Nicole's testimony did not clear Melanie as a suspect. Hope theorized that whoever killed Trent was connected to Nicole or Melanie.

11/11 Hope knocked on the back door. Seeing the cake, she told a skeptical Melanie that she hoped it had been a happy birthday for her. Hope then told Nick that she needed to talk to him alone. Though Nick protested, Melanie announced that she was going out for some fresh air so the two of them could talk. Hope asked Nick how he was doing with Mickey and Maggie out of town. Nick inferred that she was concerned about his being alone with Melanie, and hotly told Hope to leave Melanie alone. He pointed out that the police had arrested Nicole, which meant that Melanie was innocent. Hope cautioned him that the case against Nicole wasn't closed yet. Seeing the troubled look on Nick's face, Hope wondered if he knew something about Trent's murder, but he denied it. Hope confessed that she was concerned about Melanie being in Nick's life. Nick angrily declared that Melanie didn't kill Trent, and Hope couldn't make him say that she did.

Melanie returned to the Horton house and overheard Nick defending her to Hope. Hope then said her goodbyes and left. When Nick told her that Hope had just been nosing around for information, Melanie was worried that he would start to believe the things Hope seemed to be insinuating. Nick asserted, "How can I, when I know the real truth?" Melanie asked how he could know the truth about her father's murder, but Nick only replied that he knew in his heart that she didn't do it. He has a flashback of him killing Trent! When Hope returned to the station, Bo asked if she thought Nick was protecting Melanie. Hope confided that she sensed something wasn't right, adding that she was afraid Nick's involvement with Melanie would have disastrous consequences.

11/14 At the police station, Bo and Hope agreed that they had to identify the tall man Nicole had seen at the cemetery the night Trent Robbins was murdered. After making some phone calls, Hope informed Bo that Ray Jackson, the caretaker, had actually been at the cemetery that night. She continued that Ray had lied to them because he'd been stealing headstones and selling them on the black market.

Later, Bo and Hope went to the Cheatin' Heart on a tip. They found Ray Jackson at the bar, and began grilling him. Ray insisted that he hadn't been on duty on the night in question, but finally admitted it when Bo threatened to bust him for his illegal side business. Hope asked if Ray had seen anyone else at the cemetery that night, and she and Bo were stunned when Ray said that he had. They showed him some photos, asking if the person he'd seen was in any of them.

11/17 Bo and Hope showed a picture of Melanie and Nick to the cemetery caretaker, and he identified Nick as the guy he saw at the cemetery the night that Trent was murdered. Bo and Hope worried about what kind of trouble Nick had gotten himself into. Hope suggested that they not warn Nick that they needed to talk to him again. Hope wondered if Nick saw Melanie kill Trent.

Bo and Hope stopped by Maggie's house looking for Nick and Melanie, but they were gone. Maggie realized Nick was in some kind of trouble. Hope wondered why she let Melanie move into her house, and she said she did it to calm Nick down, since he was always worried about Melanie. Bo asked if Nick had been agitated, and Maggie admitted he was, saying she thought it had something to do with the painkillers he was taking. Hope remembered that Nick's mother, Jessica, was on painkillers when she started having problems.

Maggie said the difference was that Jessica had a split personality. Hope said she wasn't accusing Nick of having a split personality, but she noticed that Nick was sensitive to Melanie. Hope and Bo tried to calm Maggie down, and she told them that Nick denied taking the painkillers when he was arrested for DUI. Hope asked where Nick and Melanie might have gone, and Maggie was afraid they'd run away. Hope asked to use Maggie's bathroom in hopes of seeing clues about where Melanie and Nick might be. Maggie asked Bo if he thought that Melanie killed her father. Hope said that Nick and Melanie's things were gone, so they probably skipped town.

11/18 At Maggie's house, Bo and Hope learned that Nick and Melanie had run away. Max and Chelsea arrived and learned the news. Max immediately defended Melanie and wondered aloud whether they had left town together, since Melanie had seemed uncomfortable with the idea that Nick was in love with her. Bo determined that Nick had refilled his prescription that morning before leaving, just as Maggie nervously brought him a note she had found in the bathroom. The note read, "I saw you at the cemetery. I know what happened." Maggie recognized the stationary as her own and Chelsea confirmed the handwriting was Nick's.

At the police station, Hope took a call from Chelsea regarding her musings about the note. Bo and Hope theorized that if Nick were in love with Melanie, he would need a way to scare and isolate her. At first, Hope denied that Nick was capable of acting so cruelly, but eventually Hope admitted that because of Nick's painkillers and his mother's history, the theory could be correct. Looking at the evidence, Hope announced that Nick had to have been the one at the cemetery, and she noted the exact wording in the note said, "I saw what happened," and not something like, "I know what you did." Bo chimed in that the evidence showed the stab wound was consistent with an assailant over six feet tall, like Nick. The two discussed the evidence and worked out that Nick, obsessed with Melanie, followed her to the cemetery, saw her fight with Trent, and then stabbed Trent while Melanie was unconscious.

11/19 Bo and Hope were in his office at the police station, reluctantly concurring that they believed Nick, not Melanie, had killed Trent Robbins. Bo tried to convince Hope to let him handle things from that point forward, since Nick was her cousin, but she refused. Angry with herself for not seeing the changes in Nick sooner, Hope vowed to reach out to him once they found him. The phone rang just then, and when Bo hung up, he informed Hope that they might have a lead on Nick and Melanie's whereabouts.

Bo and Hope, on the computer in his office, learned that Nick's credit card had been used at the Salem Airway Motel. They were on their way out the door when Philip and Stephanie showed up. They quickly brought Bo and Hope up to speed about the phone call, and how the plane they'd heard in the background led them to believe that Nick and Melanie were at a hotel near the airport. Bo and Hope told them that information confirmed the lead they'd just gotten, and after admonishing them to let the police handle it, raced out the door. Melanie crying suggested that he confess. He insisted that he'd only wanted to make her happy and then he was worried that he'd never see her again if he went to prison. When Melanie promised that she'd visit him often, he knocked the phone out of her hand and threw her down on the sofa. Grabbing her by the hair, he accused her of manipulating him, and of selfishly thinking of no one but herself.

Melanie hastily apologized, and Nick relaxed a little. He suddenly began talking about how strange it had felt to stab Trent, so she asked why he'd done it. Nick described how, after he'd seen Trent knock Melanie down, he'd been afraid Trent would hurt her even worse. We see a flashback of the murder. He continued that he'd only followed her to the cemetery because he wanted to take care of her, to protect her, and he knew he should have called the police right then and then. But all he could think about was how much he loved her and if he had confessed, he would have to give her up. He insists that everything he has done was for her and it wouldn’t make any sense to give her up.

Nick then told Melanie about how he'd accidentally killed Willow, who he'd thought was his friend until she'd blackmailed him. He recalled struggling with Willow over a hairbrush that she'd planted to implicate Chelsea in a fire at Bo and Hope's house, and Willow falling and hitting her head. He declared, "It's all connected: I caused one person to die for Chelsea, and now another one for you. It seems like every time I try to do good, people end up dead." He asserted that he ruined everything he touched, including Melanie. Melanie tried to convince Nick that she could see how much he'd done for her, and it made her want to be with him. She suggested they leave right away for the airport, but Nick was sure it was just a ploy so she could try to get away from him once they were in public. Though she insisted she was sincere, he grew oddly calm as he told her he just couldn't let her leave. While he was putting the chain on the door, Melanie made a frantic dash for the balcony, but Nick caught her and grabbed her in the doorway.

While Melanie struggled again to get away from Nick, Bo and Hope arrived, guns drawn, outside the room's front door. They called for Nick and Melanie as they tried to determine which room the pair was in. In the parking lot below, Philip and Stephanie heard Melanie scream, as did Bo and Hope. Bo immediately started trying to break down the door. Yelling, Nick reminded Melanie that they were on the fourth floor, but she kept trying, frantically, to get away. When Bo finally broke through the door, Nick whirled around, loosening his grasp on Melanie, who went flying over the railing with a terrified shriek.

11/20 Bo broke down the door to the hotel room where Nick and Melanie were staying, which startled Nick, and he let go of Melanie. She tumbled over the balcony but hung onto the ledge. Bo grabbed Melanie's hand to help her up, while Hope held Nick at gunpoint. Bo saw Philip in the alley outside the hotel and asked him to climb the fire escape to help. Hope went outside to help, so Nick tried to sneak out, but not before grabbing his painkillers. Before Nick could make it out the door, Hope pulled the gun on him again and read him his rights. Philip was able to grab Melanie and pull her down to safety from the fire escape.

Nick said that after what happened with Willow, he didn't think they would understand, but that Melanie would. Bo said they knew about the note that Nick sent to Melanie, and Hope asked Nick why he tortured Melanie with the blackmailing phone calls. Nick said it was because he needed her near him in Salem so he could keep her safe. Bo said Melanie lied about wanting to marry Nick. Nick said that Melanie might have killed Trent if Nick weren't there because she went to the cemetery with a knife. Hope said Nick might have gotten Melanie killed, and he pleaded with Hope to help him, since there were family. She agreed to help him, but said justice had to be served. Nick asked to make a phone call. After his call was over, he asked to see Melanie, but Bo and Hope wouldn't let him. Bo told him to call his attorney, and he said he didn't call his lawyer.

Maggie walked in and hugged him. She cried, and Nick apologized, but Maggie said she was the one who was sorry, because she knew he was taking pills and drinking and she should have been there for him. Maggie asked Hope what happened next, and she explained that the case would go to the judge and jury. Maggie wanted assurances that Nick would not be convicted, but Bo said Nick was definitely going to prison. Bo and Hope brought Nick into the room where Max, Chelsea, Melanie, Stephanie, and Philip were, and Nick told Melanie he loved her and he did everything for her. Then he apologized to Max, saying he never meant to hurt Melanie. Nick looked at his friends one last time before Bo & Hope led was led away in cuffs.

11/24 At the Brady Pub, Maggie told Hope, Chelsea, and Bo that Nick's parents were distraught over the news that Nick killed Trent. Bo and Hope told Chelsea that Nick's chances of getting a light sentence weren't good. Bo advised Chelsea against going to see Nick in jail. Hope said that Nick needed psychiatric help, but Chelsea didn't believe Nick was crazy. Bo said that Nick was obsessed with Chelsea once before. Chelsea felt guilty for breaking Nick's heart, and Bo suggested Chelsea help rejoice in Kate's recovery at the celebration Kate's family had planned for her.

John and Marlena informed Bo and Hope about the shooter's attempt to get to Sami by trying to attack her mother, Marlena. Bo theorized that it was possible that the assailant who attacked Marlena wasn't the same as the man who shot the mayor. Bo told Marlena not to move anything, because forensics would be there soon to check for evidence. He told John that the police didn't need his help in finding the mayor's shooter. Later, Hope told Bo that he needed to take better care of himself. She suggested they go eat a healthy lunch.

11/26 Unbeknownst to E.J., Rafe tracked him down and saw him talking to Hope in the park. While a disguised Rafe listened in, Hope asked E.J. point-blank if Stefano had anything to do with the mayor's killing. E.J. denied any knowledge, and Hope warned that the killer would try to come after people close to Sami. After E.J. left, Rafe heard Julie tell Hope that E.J. was an extremely loyal father who would do anything for his kids.

12/2 Bo dropped by the Cheatin' Heart to see Max, who was getting the bar ready to open. Bo tried to give his brother the mysterious box that Trent had left for Max in his will, but Max wasn't the slightest bit interested in its contents. He irritably told Bo, "Keep it or throw it away, because I don't want it." Bo gave the box to Max anyway, declaring that Max had to make the decision as to what to do with it. Bo then reminded Max that, regardless of what had happened with his biological father, he still had family who loved him.

Brady joined Bo at the Brady Pub, and the two of them caught up over coffee. When Bo learned that Brady had been in touch with Nicole, he warned his nephew that, since becoming involved with the DiMeras, she was more dangerous than before. Brady argued that people could change, and that E.J. didn't seem anything like Stefano. Bo grudgingly admitted that E.J. had made an effort to change, and filled Brady in about how E.J. had gone against the DiMeras to let everyone John was still alive. Bo added that he still didn't believe E.J. was trustworthy, and that Nicole would be very sorry if she tried to pull her old stunts with the DiMeras.

No BH 12/4 - 12/11

12/12 At the Brady house, Bo wanted to rest after a hard day at work, but Hope reminded him that he'd scheduled a meeting for the Christmas food-drive fund there that night. She maintained that they needed to get their bare Christmas tree decorated, to help get people in the holiday spirit so they would make donations. As Bo tiredly trudged up the stairs, Hope shouted after him to bring down a box of fragile decorations from the closet-after which she heard a loud crash.

A little later, after they'd decorated the tree, Bo tried to get romantic with his wife, but she spurned his advances, reminding him they didn't want their guests to arrive and find them in a compromising situation. Hope noted that they still needed to put the star on top of the tree, so he went off in search of a ladder. When Bo had returned with the ladder and was wobbling atop it, Hope urged him to be careful. He had just gotten the star attached to the top of the tree when suddenly the ladder gave way and he went crashing to the floor.

12/15 Bo fell off a ladder trying to put the star on the Christmas tree. Hope took Bo to the hospital, and Kayla examined him and then made fun of him for trying to hang Christmas décor on a rickety ladder. Bo had a mild concussion, Kayla said. Kayla told Hope privately that even Steve almost got electrocuted trying to rewire their faulty light socket. Hope was relieved that Bo was okay after his fall.

Bo put on his coat and then had a vision seeing the Christmas star and his mother's present. Back at home, Hope said he was banned from putting up the star from that point on. Then she asked where the star was. Without looking, Bo said it was behind the tree on his mother's present. Hope looked behind the tree and found it. She wondered how he knew that, but he couldn't explain it. Hope said she was excited about the gift she got for Theo, and Bo asked what it was. She said it was a secret and then went to the kitchen to make hot chocolate. While she was gone, Bo stared at the package and then heard a a very loud scream. It startled him off the couch as he looked around hesitantly not sure if what he heard was real or just in his head.

12/17 Bo was at home, reassuring Hope on the phone that he was all right, and that he would continue to take it easy. When he hung up, he heard a child screaming, and ran upstairs to check on Ciara. Abe dropped by a little later to discuss work, but admitted he was concerned that Bo should be resting instead. Bo insisted he was fine, but Abe said he could tell something else was going on. Bo reluctantly confided that been looking at the Christmas tree and had heard a kid screaming, but it hadn't been Ciara or even the television, and it had sounded like the child's life was in danger. He added that it had also happened while he'd been looking at the tree the night before, but Hope hadn't heard anything and he hadn't told her about it yet. Abe urged him to go back to the hospital, in case the bump on the head had been more serious than a concussion.

At the hospital later, Daniel said all of Bo's test results had been normal. Bo asked what could be wrong, and Daniel told him it was likely the pressure of Bo's new job. He advised Bo to reduce his stress level with exercise and relaxation, and to watch his intake of alcohol and caffeine. Daniel added that Bo should come back if it was still happening after a couple of weeks. After Daniel left, Bo suddenly saw a vision of a paramedic bringing a child into a hospital on a gurney, and a nurse discovering that the child wasn't breathing.

12/23 Bo revealed to Hope his flashes of a crying child and she put it in context. It was Christmas when they lost their son, Zack. Chelsea arrived at Bo and Hope's and felt guilty about Zack, but the three came together and put the past to rest. Alone, Bo realized his visions were about Theo, who at the same time, pulled away from Lexie and headed toward the waters that could kill him.

12/24 It was Christmas Eve in Salem, as Lexie desperately searches the docks for her missing son. Meanwhile as Bo and Hope are wrapping presents, Bo gets flashes of a future Theo in the hospital and not breathing. Bo is terrified for Theo and as he goes to rush out of the house, he finds Abe on his doorstep. He anxiously demands to know where Theo is? Puzzled, Abe reports he is with Lexie. Bo begs Abe to call Lexie and check if Theo is okay.

At that moment, a hysterical Lexie calls Abe and tells him Theo is missing down on the docks. She is terrified that he has gone into the water. Bo goes down to the dock to help look for the child and sees Zach and follows him. With this help of a ghost from Christmas past, he followed Zach and when he got up to him and held him in his arms, he realised the child was Theo. Bo called the anxious parents to let them know their son was safe and sound.

Everyone gathers at the Horton’s for the traditional ornament hanging. A relieved Abe and Lexi are there with Theo. Hope is thrilled for Bo helping with that happy ending and Bo shares that he had help and he will tell her about that later. Doug toasts their guests to all of their friends and family, and loved ones in their hearts. Doug shares that he is blessed to have a place in this family and on that tree. He cheers to the Horton family and all of their honorary members. Chloe sang "Silent Night" at the Horton home to a montage of scenes.

12/25 Lexie, Theo, and Abe celebrated Christmas with Bo, Hope, and Ciara. They were grateful to be able to celebrate Christmas together. Ciara handed Theo his gift from Bo and Hope, and when Theo saw what it was, he pushed it away and folded his arms. Abe gave Theo a gift to give to Lexie. It was a person Theo colored for her. Theo hugged Lexie.

Doug dressed as Santa, with Julie as his elf arrive at the hospital for the Christmas party. Steve and Kayla arrive with Baby Joey and he is disgruntled to see Stefano there. Steve warns him to leave or Steve would make a scene and throw him out. Lexie and Abe arrive and see the confrontation. Lexie asks Steve to let her handle it and she asks Stefano to do her the favor of leaving. As he bends down to greet Theo, she begs him to please leave. Doug reads to the children about the birth of Jesus as Bo and Hope looked on.

No BH 12/26 - 1/2 **The End**