oldEpisode Two-hundred-seventy-four:
The Gun Has Two Sets of Prints, April's
and Someone Else's; this Seems to Deeply
Disturb Jack. Jack Asks Jo to Help Him
Search April's Apartment for the Letter.
[Air mid-April 1991]
SCENE ONE: JACK AND JENNIFER ARE WITH BO AT WINGS WAITING FOR HIM TO TELL THEM WHO KILLED NICK.JENNIFER: Bo, come on, what did you find out?
JACK: Yeah, come on, I mean we got fingerprints from the gun. Who's glass do they match?
BO: April's. The fingerprints I took off the gun that killed match the prints I took off April's glass.JACK: April?
JENNIFER LOOKS EXCITED BUT JACK LOOKS WORRIED.
BO: Huh, uh.
JENNIFER: Yeah, she was on the list and it had to be one of the suspects.
JACK IS THINKING OVER SOMETHING.JACK: So it was April who killed Nick?
BO: Maybe.... and maybe not.
JACK NOW LOOKS VERY VERY WORRIED.JENNIFER: Bo, what do you mean, maybe, maybe not?
JACK: Well come on. You said.... you said that the prints on the gun matched the prints on April's glass. Ergo, April is the killer.
BO: Not necessarily. There were two sets of prints on the glass.JACK LOOKS A BIT SICK.
JACK: Two sets.
BO: Huh, uh. One of them matched the gun.
JENNIFER: Were those April's?
BO: That's just the thing, I don't know.
JACK: Who's was the other set?
BO: I don't know that either.
JACK: Well did you try? Did you check April, Julie, Johnnie?
BO: Yeah, checked all the suspects. No match.
JENNIFER: It's somebody else entirely?
BO: Exactly. I mean all we know for sure is that it's not one of the suspects and it is someone who was at the party.JACK WALKS OVER TO THE BAR AND LEANS ON HIS HAND, FROWNING.JENNIFER: Okay, so that's easy. All we have to do is find out who those prints belong to, the ones that match the gun, right. Alright so Jack, what do you think we should do? Do you think....
SHE NOTICES THAT JACK IS COMPLETELY DISTRACTED.JENNIFER: Jack? (Beat)
JACK: Huh, what, oh I'm sorry, what?
JENNIFER: Is something wrong?
JACK: No, no nothing's wrong. Nothing could be wrong. I was just ready to.... to congratulate myself for a job well done and it turns out the job hasn't been done at all.
BO: Well it could be. We could wrap this thing up very quickly.
JACK: How could we do that?
BO: We give all the information we have to Roman. Let him run it through his computer.
JACK: NO.... NO.... NO! We can't do tha.... look that is not the agreement. The agreement was we go to the authorities after we get a positive ID. I think we should stick with that agreement.
BO: Jack, this isn't a game we're playing here.
JACK IS GETTING PANICKY.JACK: Don't you think I know that? I mean don't.... don't you think I know.... that we have a lot at stake here?
BO: Well I'm beginning to wonder. Look you don't have any experience in this kind of thing. What makes you think you could solve a murder case?
JACK: I don't know. I just think that if I had twenty-four hours I could do something.
BO: Oh come on, what can you do in twenty-four hours?
JACK: I don't know. Give me twenty-four hours to find out. If you needed twenty-four hours you would give it to yourself so just.... just.... just give me twenty-four hours. That's all I ask.... please.BO: Okay. You got it. When twenty-four hours are up, we're going to the cops. Let me tell you something, if you hurt this pretty little lady in the process, I'll kick your butt into next week.
BO WALKS OUT.JACK: Oh ye of little faith.
JENNIFER: Jack, what's going on? You're obviously really upset about something and I know it has nothing to do with this little set back. So tell me what it is. (Beat) Jack what's bothering you? And don't tell me it's because we lost some ground.
JACK: Alright, I won't tell you that although that's precisely the reason I'm not my usual cheery self.
JENNIFER: The whole reason?
JACK: Yes. (Beat)I mean think about it if for a minute. We had the killer right here in our hands and now all we've got is a worthless glass of champagne.
JENNIFER: No, Jack, we have two sets of fingerprints including April's.
JACK: Well that's right. April could be the killer.
JENNIFER: Right, so.... so, what should we do? What should we do now?
JACK: We go to April's apartment. If she did it, the letter will be there. I plan to go through April's apartment with a fine tooth comb and find the correspondence and turn Miss Ramirez over to the police and get myself a medal.
JENNIFER: Wait, wait, wait. What about me? I mean I might want a medal.
JACK: I think you can borrow Eve's medal.
JACK IS TRYING TO GET OUT AND AWAY FROM HER.JENNIFER: Jack, wait. Don't do this. Don't start telling me that this is dangerous or something. Now we have been doing this together so far.
JACK: So far. (Beat) But now I'm doing it on my own.
JENNIFER: Why can't I go with you?
JACK: Because.... well you have to take care of April. You have to keep her at work. I mean it wouldn't do to have her come walking in.... how could I explain going through her drawers. I mean, I ask you.
JENNIFER: Alright, alright, I'll be a decoy. But how are you going to get into her apartment? You can't break in.
JACK: I don't plan to. I think that Jo has a key. I mean she has a key for most everyone in Salem. I'm sure she'll have one for April's.
JENNIFER: Yeah but Jack do you really want to get Jo involved in all of this?JACK: (Beat) No I don't. But I don't think we have any choice, do we?JENNIFER: No, no I guess not.
JACK: Alright, without much further ado, shall we be on our way?
JENNIFER: Alright, I'll go to the Cheatin' Heart and I'll meet back up with you later, alright. (Beat) Good luck.
JENNIFER LEAVES AND JACK THINKS OVER WHAT HE IS ABOUT TO DO.JACK: Good.... luck.
SCENE TWO: JENNIFER GOES TO THE CHEATIN' HEART AND FINDS APRIL.JENNIFER: April, hi, can I talk to you for a minute?
APRIL: Ah, no, actually Jennifer I am beat and I gotta go home and....
ROMAN: Just the lady I am looking for.
APRIL: What is your problem?
ROMAN: No problem, just questions.... about Nick's murder.
APRIL: Oh man, here we go again. Roman how many times....
ROMAN: Yeah, here we go again. Here have a seat April. Make yourself real comfortable.
JENNIFER STEPS ASIDE BUT STAYS CLOSE ENOUGH TO LISTEN TO ROMAN'S QUESTIONS.
SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE JACK IS WAITING AT A TABLE AT WINGS AND LOOKING AT A SMALL PICTURE THAT STEVE GAVE HIM JUST BEFORE HE DIED. IT SHOWS A BABY JACK SITTING ON STEVE'S KNEE.JO: Jack, hi.
JACK: Hello.
HE DISCREETLY PUTS THE PICTURE AWAY.JACK: Thank you for coming. I'm sure you're wondering why I called this meeting.
JO: You know I'm always happy to see you.
JACK: Good, good. You'll be happy to hear I need some help from you.
JO: You need my help? Oh Jack, you can always have my help. Is it about you and Jennifer?
JACK: In a way, yes.
JO: Well, what can I do?
JACK: Well as you know Miss Horton and I have been trying to find Nick's killer.
JO: Well I.... thought it would be a little more romantic.
JACK: We have been.... trying to find Nick's killer. And we've gotten very close. We must be at the final couple of steps. That's where you come in.
JO: Jack, you know how I feel about this investigation of yours. Now I don't to lose my other son to avenge the one that I've already lost.
JACK: This isn't just about Steve, you know that. There is a lot more going on and it's for a lot of different....
JO: I know, I know. It's for Jennifer and anybody else who has to deal with Lawrence Alamain. And I know that you think he's still involved somehow.
JACK: It's not somehow. He's very involved in a very special and certain way.
JO: Oh.... oh.
JACK: Huh, uh. It's come to my attention that Lawrence is very interested in a certain.... (Beat).... in a certain something. And this certain something is in the possession of Nick's killer.
JO: I see.
JACK: I hope you do. It's very important for Miss Horton and myself to get a hold of this.... something, before Lawrence does. We feel if it falls into the right hands it could lead to Lawrence's downfall.
JO: Okay, I understand all of that but how do I fit.... into to all this?
JACK: Well that's the easy part. I need to get into April's apartment.
JO: You what?
JACK: April's apartment, I need to get into it. You have a key, don't you?
JO: Yes.... I have a key but I'm not going to let you use it, to let you in.
JACK: Let's go over this again. Perhaps I can explain it in a better way.
JO: No, no, no! I am not going to help you break into April's apartment so you can search it behind her back. And I don't think it's fair of you to ask me to do such a thing.
JACK: This is a way for you to clear April. Isn't that what you want?
JO: Of course it's what I want Jack. It's just.... it's.... it's....
JACK: What?
JO: Well I don't think it's fair to break into April's apartment, that's all.
JACK GIVES HER A LOOK OF SOULFUL EYES SHOWING HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HIM.JO: Oh.... god. (Beat) Alright, if it will make you happy, I'll do it. I never could stand to see an unhappy face on one of my kids.
JACK: No?
JO: But I'm only doing this because you said it would clear April's name, once and for all.
JACK: No, I said it.... might.... clear her name. But it will get to the bottom on this. So let's get on it, shall we?
JO STILL LOOKS WORRIED AS SHE STANDS UP.JO: Ooooooh.
JACK PAUSES BEFORE FOLLOWING HER. HE IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT ALL THIS.
SCENE FOUR: BACK AT THE CHEATIN' HEART, ROMAN HAS SHOWN APRIL A CREDIT CARD RECEIPT FOR A BROKEN HEADLIGHT ON HER CAR. IT SEEMS THAT A CAR WITH ONE HEADLIGHT WAS SEEN LEAVING THE SCENE OF NICK'S MURDER. APRIL IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT IT. ROMAN QUESTIONS HER AND ASKS IF JO JOHNSON COULD SHED MORE LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT. APRIL TELLS ROMAN TO LEAVE JO OUT OF IT BECAUSE SHE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. APRIL TELLS ROMAN SHE DID SEE NICK THAT NIGHT BUT SHE DID NOT KILL HIM. SHE DID HAVE A GUN BUT SHE PUT IT BACK UNDER THE FRONT SEAT OF HER CAR AND LATER THE GUN WAS STOLEN. ROMAN ASKS IF ANYBODY HAS THE KEYS TO HER CAR BUT SHE HESITATES AND SAYS SHE CANNOT REMEMBER ANYTHING ABOUT WHO HAS KEYS OR WHO SHE MIGHT HAVE LENT HER CAR TO THAT NIGHT. ROMAN LEAVES.JENNIFER IS LISTENING TO ALL THIS AND BEGINNING TO LOOK VERY WORRIED AND AFTER ROMAN LEAVES SHE GOES OVER TO TALK TO APRIL.
JENNIFER: April.APRIL: What are you doing here? Were you just listening to me?
JENNIFER: That's exactly what I was doing. Roman thinks that you're holding out on him and so do I.
APRIL SQUIRMS.
SCENE FIVE: AT APRIL'S APARTMENT, JACK AND JO HAVE JUST GONE INSIDE.JACK: Lights please.
JACK IMMEDIATELY BEGINS RUMMAGING IN DRAWERS AND SEARCHING THROUGH PAPERS.JACK: Oh come on, it's got to be here somewhere.
JO: Would you mind.... do you mind telling me what you're looking for?
JACK: Well it appears that Nick Corelli had a letter on him when he died. (Beat) A letter the killer confiscated.
JO: Letter.... to who?
JACK: Well how should I know. I have no idea what was in it.
JO: Then why is it so important?
JACK: It's important because it was important to Lawrence so it's important to me to get it first.
JO: Jack, I've never seen you so driven.
JACK: You can understand that, can't you?
JO: Yes.
JACK: My desire to see Lawrence get his.
JO: I understand more than you know. I understand.
JACK: You know if it's one thing we've agreed on, it's Steve. The fact that if wasn't for Nick Corelli and the directions of Lawrence Alamain, Steve would still with the living.
JO: And I'd still have my boy.
JACK: And I a brother. (Beat) You know it's taken me a long time to think about that, come to terms with it. (Beat) And just about the time that I did, enter Lawrence Alamain and his grand plan. I can't tell you what I'd do to get back at him for that.
JO: Jack.... there's not much I wouldn't do to punish the person who murdered my son.
JACK IS FACING AWAY FROM JO BUT HE PAUSES AND LISTENS CAREFULLY TO WHAT SHE IS SAYING.HE TURNS TO FACE HER.JACK: Oh really. (Beat) How far would you go Jo?
SCENE SIX: BACK AT THE CHEATIN' HEART, APRIL IS UPSET BECAUSE SHE THINKS JENNIFER IS ACCUSING HER OF NICK'S MURDER.JENNIFER: You're right, you're right, we don't have much to back it up. But Jack and I are getting closer to the truth every minute and we are almost there. It's just a toss up who's going to get there first, us or Roman.
APRIL: It has absolutely nothing to do with me.
JENNIFER: Alright, either way it's going to come out in the open. So I know you're hiding something. Tell me what it is. What is it, what is it that you're hiding?
APRIL: It's not a what, it's a who.
JENNIFER: What did you just say?
APRIL: Jennifer, somebody out there has been very very good to me. They kept a secret that would otherwise make me look very guilty and I am not guilty.
JENNIFER: Alright, alright, go on.
APRIL: So I will not put this person in danger. I will not get this person in trouble. So just back off Jennifer. Jennifer I am serious, back off.
JENNIFER: Listen it doesn't just revolve around who killed Nick, alright. Jack and I are so close to bringing Lawrence Alamain down April.
APRIL: Lawrence Alamain? What does he have to do with any of this?
JENNIFER: Are you kidding me? You.... don't know?
APRIL: Jennifer I am completely lost. How on earth would Lawrence Alamain figure into any of this?
JENNIFER REALIZES THAT APRIL IS INNOCENT BECAUSE SHE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THE LETTER.JENNIFER: You didn't do it. You didn't kill Nick.
APRIL: Jennifer, I've been trying to tell you that. I did not kill Nick.
JENNIFER: Yes. I can't believe this. We were ready to solve this and we were ready to move on. And Jack was really upset before because everything got really complicated. He doesn't know about this. He's going to be really upset. H....
APRIL: You really love Jack, don't you Jennifer?
JENNIFER: Of course I love Jack. (Beat) April, what does that have to do with any of this?
APRIL BEGINS TO CRY.APRIL: It all kind of ties in together. You got a while. I think I should tell you this whole story and I think I should start at the beginning.
JENNIFER LISTENS WHILE APRIL BEGINS HER LONG TALE.
SCENE SEVEN: MEANWHILE BACK AT APRIL'S APARTMENT, JACK IS QUESTIONING JO.JACK: How far would you go to get revenge on the man who killed your son?
JO: That's a very strange question.
JACK: That's the only type of question I ask. Please do me the courtesy of answering.
JO: I don't know. I've never thought about it. But I will tell you one thing, my family is the most important thing in the world to me. And I'm make no excuses for that. Before I became a mother, before I had you children, I didn't know what love meant.
JACK: You know they say in the animal kingdom the most ferocious beast is the female protecting its young. (Beat) You'd do anything to protect your children, wouldn't you?
JO: Yes, oh yes, yes, I would. Is there anything wrong with that?
JACK LOOKS STRAIGHT IN HER EYES.JO (CONT.): When I gave up you and Steve, it was the worst mistake I had ever made in my life and I spent the next twenty years trying to make up for it. Do you know why Duke didn't kill me? Because I had to stay alive. I had to survive because I had to find my Stevie and I had to find my Billy. I couldn't die without seeing my babies. My sweet babies.... at least once. All those years, all your childhood years, Duke took those away from me. (Beat) But I found Steve and I found you and our family was finally getting back together. We were finally getting happy and finding a little peace and Nick.... he just took it all away. And we were destroyed a second time.
JACK: And you couldn't stand that, could you?
JO: No I could not!
JACK: So what did you do about it?
JO: Ah....
JACK: Tell me, what did you do about it?
JO: Ah, nothing, I didn't do anything. Jack I wish you would stop asking me so many questions. Our family has been hurt enough as it is. And I wish you would stop this silly investigation and I wish that you would stop looking for that letter.
JACK: Sorry, I wish I could but Lawrence set this whole thing into motion and there is nothing I can do to stop it.
JO: That letter's not going to help you.
JACK GLARES AT HER.JACK: Why? (Beat) How do you know what's in the letter?
SCENE EIGHT: BACK AT THE CHEATIN' HEART, APRIL HAS FINISHED TELLING JENNIFER HER STORY.JENNIFER: Oh I can't believe this April.
APRIL: I know. It's terrible and I only figured it out just now when Roman was asking me all those questions.
JENNIFER: The worst part about all of this is that it makes sense. But I'm really worried about Jack. I really don't know how he's going to take all of this.
SCENE NINE: AT THE APARTMENT, JACK IS STILL WAITING FOR JO'S ANSWER.JACK: How do you know what's in the letter?
JO: I don't.
JACK: You just told me the letter would be of no value to me if I was trying to get to Lawrence.
JO: Jack I don't know. Sometimes things just come out. It doesn't matter.
JACK: I don't think this is one of those times.
JO: I don't know what you mean.
JACK: I think you know what I mean. I think it's time to let go.
JO: I'll.... never.... let...go. I'm going to hang onto what I've got for all of my soul. (Beat) You know, I have such hopes for you and they're all starting to come true. You and Jennifer are going to be together and I want to be there to see it happen. I want to be there to see you and Jennifer happy.
JO TURNS AND PICKS UP HER BAG. JACK'S ANGER IS TOO MUCH AND HE GRABS IT FROM HER.
JACK: STOP IT! YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. DON'T BE STUPID, DON'T TRY TO HIDE IT ANYMORE. HE PULLS STUFF OUT OF HER BAG
JO: I DON'T HAVE ANY LETTER.
JACK: (Furious) YOU HAVE A LETTER! HE THROWS THE BAG TO THE FLOOR.JACK: Don't try to hide it. It's going to come out, huh.
JO: I DON'T HAVE ANY LETTER. WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I HAVE A LETTER?
JACK: (Beat) Because I know that you killed Nick.
JO: What.... oh.
