Salem is once again reeling from chaos, but this time the revelation shaking the town to its core isn’t from a scandal or a secret affair — it’s a psychic bombshell. Susan Banks, the town’s beloved eccentric with a sixth sense sharper than ever, is at the heart of a chilling mystery that may finally expose the real shooter behind EJ DiMera’s near-fatal encounter — and the twist? The culprit might be a child.

In the heart of Salem’s endless drama, psychic Susan Banks stands out as more than just comic relief. Known for her wacky behavior and uncanny premonitions, Susan is about to blow the lid off one of the town’s most perplexing cases. Her latest visions have drawn her back into the tangled web of the DiMera family — this time to protect her grandson Johnny from being wrongly convicted of a crime he didn’t commit.

Johnny in the Hot Seat

Ever since EJ DiMera was shot, suspicion has been swirling like wildfire. The mansion’s security footage was mysteriously corrupted that night, showing nothing more than flickering shadows and indecipherable sounds. It’s the perfect storm of confusion and conspiracy. And unfortunately, Johnny DiMera found himself squarely in the crosshairs.

He had motive — an explosive argument with EJ earlier that evening was witnessed by more than one resident. He even let slip in public his resentment toward his father’s manipulation and betrayals. That emotional turmoil, mixed with circumstantial evidence and Salem’s hunger for a culprit, has made Johnny an easy target.

Sheriff Jada Hunter’s investigation has yielded little in the way of concrete proof, but speculation is enough to wreck reputations in this town. Still, Johnny maintains his innocence — and Susan believes him.

A Grandmother’s Intuition

Enter Susan Banks, wielding her eccentric flair and unparalleled psychic gifts. As Johnny’s world begins to crumble, Susan arrives with a determined sparkle in her eye. She’s not just here for support — she’s here to find the truth.

Tapping into her clairvoyant abilities, Susan begins to read Johnny’s aura. What she senses is not guilt or malice — but confusion, heartbreak, and fear. As she attempts to reach EJ’s subconscious through her empathic abilities, she stumbles upon a fragmented vision: a child’s toy lying abandoned at the scene. A symbol, perhaps — or a literal clue that opens the door to an astonishing new suspect.

Rachel Black: The Hidden Piece

Susan’s visions begin circling around young Rachel Black, the daughter of Brady Black and Kristen DiMera. Though Rachel is not a DiMera by blood on Susan’s side, the psychic energy in Salem seems to have touched her too. Over the past few weeks, Rachel has been displaying unusual behaviors — recurring nightmares, anxiety attacks, stomach aches when near the DiMera estate, and a deep unease around the location of the shooting.

She even told Brady that just looking at the door where Johnny and EJ had their heated argument made her feel “weird inside.” These seemingly innocent complaints may, in fact, be suppressed memories of a trauma too big for her young mind to process.

Could Rachel have seen the shooting — or worse, accidentally pulled the trigger?

Psychic Showdown

Susan’s interactions with Rachel grow more intense. She senses guilt radiating from the child — but it’s unlike anything she’s felt before. There’s a psychic resistance, almost as if Rachel is subconsciously blocking Susan’s probes. The girl may not even remember what happened. Yet Susan starts picking up psychic flashes — images of Rachel holding something heavy, the echo of a gunshot in her mind, and a lingering shadow of regret.

In a bold move, Susan organizes a séance at the DiMera mansion, calling on spirits and energies to guide her. As the candlelight flickers and whispers fill the room, one name becomes clear: Rachel. The revelation is heart-wrenching, but it’s not enough to serve as courtroom evidence.

A Child’s Cry for Help

Meanwhile, Rachel’s behavior escalates. During a therapy session, she draws a picture of the DiMera mansion with a red “X” at the very spot where EJ was shot. She claims it’s a dream, but her therapist, Dr. Sarah Horton, grows suspicious. Using gentle hypnosis, Sarah helps Rachel unlock hidden memories — and the truth begins to surface.

Rachel, in a moment of fear and confusion, picked up the gun left behind during Johnny and EJ’s altercation. Startled by a loud sound or flash, she may have accidentally pulled the trigger. She was never meant to be a villain — just a scared child caught in a storm of adult conflicts.

Kristen’s Desperate Sacrifice

When Kristen DiMera learns the truth about her daughter’s possible involvement, she makes a stunning decision. She offers to take the fall, confessing to the shooting in a heart-wrenching attempt to protect Rachel from trauma and prosecution. It’s the ultimate maternal sacrifice — one that shakes even hardened Salemites.

Susan, faced with the truth of what she’s discovered, is torn. She knows Rachel is the key, but her loyalty to Johnny and her desire to shield the child from ruin lead her to confide only in EJ and Belle. Together, they weigh the consequences of unveiling the full truth — or keeping it buried to protect Rachel.

Echoes from the Past

As EJ processes the shocking news, he finds a letter Rachel once wrote expressing her anger at how fractured their family had become. In it, she unknowingly reveals emotions that align with Susan’s visions — resentment, fear, confusion. EJ is gutted, but in that heartbreak comes understanding. Instead of lashing out, he chooses compassion.

In a powerful scene, EJ confronts Kristen — not with fury, but a request: to help Rachel heal, not run.

The Aftermath

The fallout from Susan’s vision ripples across Salem. Johnny is cleared, but emotionally scarred. Rachel begins intensive therapy. Kristen prepares for a potential prison sentence. And Susan? She remains the town’s unsung hero, a quirky oracle whose psychic powers brought truth to light when no one else could.

As Salem begins to settle — for now — whispers of more visions begin to swirl. Susan’s powers are growing, and with Salem’s history of curses, resurrections, and ancient artifacts, she may soon be called upon again.