Steve tells Kayla that all systems are go for the sting operation. Alex is going down to the courthouse with a Stephanie decoy and Jeremy’s about to be caught red-handed! Or not. But Kayla feels horrible that they didn’t do enough to help Stephanie with Jeremy — until now, Steve points out. They can and will protect Stephanie!

The Trap Is Set

Alex hands Stephanie discuss the plan in front of the bugged frame, which Mr. Stalker is listening to as they speak. Steph stays safe, Alex puts himself at risk, Jeremy’s caught, etcetera etcetera etcetera, it’s all over.

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Jada gets to the apartment with the officers accompanying Alex to the courthouse and Stephanie to the hospital. They all make final preparations — which for Alex includes dropping by his dad’s and filling him in! And with that (plus a few declarations of undying love), Operation Stalker Sting is on.

Stephanie Gets to Safety

Stephanie and her escort get to Kayla’s office, where she laments having ever written the book that drew Jeremy’s attention. She’s full of regrets for dragging just about everyone she knows into this, but her parents slap that down (in a gentle, loving way) and reassure her — plus, they really love Alex!

Steve and Kayla leave Stephanie alone in the office to get to work on a press release for EJ and his highly successful free clinic. Well, almost alone — her friendly neighborhood officer stations himself right outside her door.

Johnny Gives Bonnie Good News

Bonnie’s rambling nervously when Johnny shows up with news about her romantic epic, One Rainy Afternoon. Then Johnny just meanders slowly through his reply and the whole thing’s just dragged out before he finally gets to the part where DiMera’s making her an offer.

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Bonnie’s over the moon and Justin walks in just as Johnny gives her the contract. Her one stipulation is all her book signings have pink handcuff cookies. Classy.

Alex Tells Justin What’s Happening

By the time Alex finally shows up, luckily, Johnny has to take a call. That gives Alex the chance alone to tell Justin and Bonnie that he and Stephanie are already married. They’re shocked, but as were the Johnsons, also so happy for the newlyweds!

But Justin is definitely not happy with The Plan. Alex is putting himself in too much danger. Johnny gets back — conveniently once they finish talking things over — and asks Justin for free legal advice about finalizing Trey’s adoption. Well, he did just give Justin’s wife a book deal, so sure.

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Justin assures Johnny it’ll be fine, but it does give him a chance to mention adoption Joey and Vic, whom we’ve never met! Oh and Johnny tells them Chanel’s pregnant, even though it’s still super early and they aren’t family. But at least he asks them to keep it quiet. They break out the champagne to toast to all the good news!

Did Jada Find Proof Jeremy’s the Stalker?

Jada’s going over CCTV footage from Halloween on her laptop at the Salem police department, where she spots…“Wait. What was that??” That is apparently a scientist with a mask and knife in his hand about to stab Alex. That is also, she tells Steve, proof positive that Jeremy’s the stalker! “We have him dead to rights!” No, Jada, you don’t. He has a mask on. That’s not how this works.

But it’s good enough for her to arrest him, so they get on their phones; Steve to call Stephanie and Jada to text Alex. Stephanie’s almost in tears from relief, but as soon as she gets off the phone, a doctor walks in with a bunch of test tubes.

In the Show’s Final Moments

Jada gets the bad news that her cops can’t find Jeremy at the school and she loses it: “Find him, dammit!!” She and Steve just can’t understand what happened — nor can they get in touch with Stephanie’s officer.

The “doctor” finishes dropping off the vials, walks behind Stephanie (does she not have peripheral vision?) and chloroforms her. At the same time, Kayla gets to her next patient to find someone covered in a blanket — it’s the officer who was guarding Stephanie. And then we see the most alley-ist looking alley ever, and inside one of the buildings is Stephanie, tied up and unconscious. (Did Jeremy do it? Abigail Klein weighs in on one more twist!)