Impossible Choices
Chapter 8 - The Truth Is Revealed
As Steve and Mark made their way down the hallway towards the doctors' lounge they encountered many staff members who knew them both. Steve couldn't help but notice the pity that filled their eyes when they looked at him. So that's what I have become. he thought. I have become an object of pity. When you see people huddled and whispering I'm the subject of their conversation. Aren't you proud of yourself? he asked himself. As they approached the door of the doctor's lounge the voices he heard filled him with a comforting warmth. It gave him a sense of the way his life had been. Can I get that back? he asked himself. "Do you deserve it back?" asked the voice his mind had assigned to Kevin Rayburn. With a shake of his head he followed his father into the room.
Mark beamed, this was going to work. He refused to believe otherwise. With this team working together there was no obstacle they couldn't tackle. Everyone exchanged greetings and they settled around the table. "Steve," Mark began. "You know I have been pursuing the events of the morning at the Rayburn house." Steve nodded his understanding. "During the investigation Kendra Rayburn relayed and Sharon Rayburn confirmed a crucial piece of evidence. Steve, you did not kill that baby. The baby was dead before you and I even got there."
Steve's gasp and startled expression stopped his father. "Not my fault? Already dead?" He was grateful he was sitting down because he didn't think his legs would have supported him. "I don't understand, Dad? Please?" Steve's voice reflected his torment.
Mark reached a steadying hand towards his son's arm and applied a gentle reassuring pressure. "Yes, Son, the baby was already dead. You remember that Sharon Rayburn was a licensed nurse?" Steve nodded his affirmation. "She knew the baby was a boy. As best we can tell after she snapped and killed Kevin she made the decision that she and Kendra needed to be on their own. Her husband and her unborn child had to die. The morning we arrived there she had already completed that plan we just didn't know it. It was obvious that Michael Rayburn was dead. What was less obvious was the fact that the baby was already dead as well. Sharon Rayburn had injected a liquid iron supplement into her unborn baby. She knew exactly what dose would kill the child but leave her unharmed. Kendra witnessed it and Sharon Rayburn confirmed it. With Cheryl's help we got approval to exhume the body of the baby and Amanda's autopsy removed all doubt. The tissue samples we took from the baby's body contained high traces iron." Steve looked to Amanda who nodded her affirmation.
"Dad, I don't understand. The original autopsy report indicated the baby died due to the trauma of the shooting." Steve's tone was a mixture of disbelief and hope.
Amanda looked to Mark who nodded his approval. "Steve," she began. "When the original autopsy was performed the cause of death seemed pretty clear. No tests were done on any organs or tissue samples. There didn't seem to be a need. We were wrong. I also was able to confirm the needle mark on the baby's body where the injection took place." She allowed Steve a moment to absorb what they had told him. "Steve, you didn't kill this baby," She voiced with conviction.
Steve's mind was reeling. He found himself unable to comprehend or process everything that had just transpired. He looked down at his hands he had them clasped so tightly that pain was radiating up into his injured arm and shoulder. He used the pain as his focus point and gathered his turbulent thoughts and emotions. He looked up at the assembled group with hope filled eyes. His gaze focused on Cheryl. Unlike the others she was bound by law. She couldn't fabricate a story to make him feel better. "Cheryl, this is all true?"
"You know it partner," The warm smile that lit her face comforted him.
Steve's gaze once again dropped to his hands. Could this be true? The baby was dead, that was a tragedy that he couldn't change. He still would have to deal with that. But could it really be true that he had not directly caused that death? It was all so overwhelming. He looked up and found a pair of clear blue eyes locked on him. Those eyes were filled with love, trust and pride. He used them to help stabilize himself. For the first time in two weeks he felt the burden of guilt lifting from his spirit. With a smile that dazzled the occupants of the room he expressed his joy.