After putting Stephanie down for her nap, Kayla walked into the living room just as Steve hung up the phone. He had been on the phone almost continuously since they had returned home. From his side of the conversations, it was obvious that he was touching base with Roman and other Salem PD contacts to try and get as much information about the shooting as possible.
Kayla knew that Steve would do anything he could to help protect Andrew and she loved him for that. However, a little part of her could not help but wish he would stay out of it and away from the possible danger. She knew it was selfish. After all, Andrew was her nephew and she loved him dearly. But that didn't keep those fears away.
"Is Stephanie all tucked in?" Steve asked as he looked up and saw Kayla.
"Yeah," Kayla replied. "She went right to sleep for a change. I guess all the activity at Ma and Pop's tired her out."
"Probably so," Steve said, focusing on the notes he had taken from his phone conversations.
"Did you get any more information?" Kayla asked, pushing aside her fears about Steve's involvement in the investigation.
"Not really," Steve replied, running his hand through his hair in frustration. "Roman is sure that the shooter was after Andrew, not Kim, but the car was destroyed in an explosion, so there isn't much physical evidence to go on."
Kayla sat on the couch trying to come to terms with the idea that somebody wanted her nephew dead. Andrew was just a little boy. He was sweet, kind and innocent. Who could do such a thing? She knew that the main suspect was Lawrence but she found it hard to believe that even he would be so cruel.
"Does Roman still think that Lawrence is behind all of this?" Kayla asked.
Steve nodded and joined Kayla on the couch. "It's the only thing that makes any sense," Steve replied. "Unfortunately, he covers his tracks so well that there is no evidence to prove it."
"That's nothing new where Lawrence Alamain is concerned," Kayla said bitterly. She remembered how hard she had tried to prove that Lawrence had been responsible for Steve's death, but he had always covered those tracks as well.
"I know, baby," Steve said. He turned and looked and her. "But I promise you this. One of these days that dude is going to slip up and when he does, he's going to go down . . . and he won't be getting back up again."
Kayla felt the fear well up again at Steve's pronouncement, but she forced herself to set it aside. "I know." In a small voice, she added, "I just hope nobody else we love gets hurt before that happens."
Steve put his arm around Kayla and pulled her close. "I hope so too, Sweetness," he said quietly. "You know that your brothers and I and . . . Donovan are going to do everything we can to keep the family safe and prove that Alamain is responsible."
Kayla nodded, but did not respond. What's safe anymore? she wondered. Would there ever really be a day where she didn't have to fear what might happen to Steve, Stephanie or another member of her family? She tightened her hold on Steve as she tried to control the fear and anger.
"Baby?" Steve said, concern in his voice. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Kayla said, her voice muffled against Steve's chest. What good would it do to tell him how scared she was for him, for Andrew, for Kim, and for everyone else? He would hold her and tell her that everything would be fine, but no matter how much he meant them, they were just words. She had heard them before, when he promised that his investigation into the Riverfront Raider wasn't dangerous and that nothing would stop them from taking their trip around the world. He had been wrong.
"Kayla, you're trembling, baby." He pulled her closer. "That's not nothing."
Kayla took a deep breath and sat up. "It's really nothing, Steve," she said, offering a small smile. "I guess all the events of the day just kind of caught up to me."
Steve eyed her closely, clearly not convinced. Then his eye widened and he said, "Oh man, with everything that happened today you never told me what happened with the hearing."
Thankful for the change in subject, Kayla quickly gave Steve a rundown of the hearing and how Bo had gone to bat for her with the Board. Looking at the clock, she said, "I guess I better call Neil and find out what the Board decided."
Kayla stood and walked to the phone. The events of the day had caused her to almost forget that her future career was in the hands of the hospital board. But now that the moment had arrived, she was scared to death to find out the decision. Steve walked up and stood beside her as she dialed the number. When the hospital operator answered, she asked for Neil but was informed that he was in the delivery room. Hesitating, Kayla then asked for Dr. Horton, hoping that he could give her the necessary information. She waited as the call was transferred to his office.
"Dr. Horton, it's Kayla Johnson," she said when he answered.
"Oh . . . hello Kayla," Dr. Horton replied. "What can I do for you?"
"I was told that Neil is in delivery and I was hoping that you could give me the decision from the board since he is unavailable." Kayla tried to keep her voice level.
"I'm not sure that's appropriate, Kayla," Dr. Horton said. "It really is Neil's place as Chief of Staff."
"I understand," Kayla said. "But it's been kind of a difficult day, and I would really like to know what the decision was, so I know what I'm dealing with."
"Yes . . . I heard about what happened at the school." Kayla heard Dr. Horton sigh. "All right. It's not quite standard protocol, but I know that Neil would understand."
Kayla braced herself and felt Steve's arm snake around her shoulders. She leaned into him. "Thank you, Dr. Horton. So what did the board decide?"
"The board didn't decide," Dr. Horton said. "The vote was tied."
Kayla was confused. "How could the vote be tied? There are nine people on the board."
"You know I can't divulge the details of the vote," Dr. Horton said sternly.
"Of course." Kayla took a deep breath. "So what does that mean for my reinstatement?"
"Unfortunately, because the vote was tied, your suspension still stands."
"Oh." Kayla felt like she had been punched in the stomach as all of the air left her body. "I . . . I . . . " She took another deep breath. "So I guess this means it's over then," she said, trying not to think about what that really meant.
"Not quite," Dr. Horton replied. "Because the board could not come to a majority decision, you can appeal to the state hospital board. If they decide that you should be reinstated, then the hospital must abide by that decision."
Tears spring to Kayla's eyes as she suddenly found new hope. "Thank you, Dr. Horton."
"You'll need to come by the hospital tomorrow and fill out the paperwork for the appeal. After that paperwork is filed, you'll be notified regarding when the state hospital board will hear it."
"Of course," Kayla said. "Please tell Neil that I will be by in the morning."
"I will." Dr. Horton hesitated for a moment and then continued. "I want you to know something, Kayla. If something like this had happened to my family, I would have done the same thing you did."
Kayla felt the tears begin again. Dr. Horton had been a mentor, a supporter, a colleague, and a friend for many years. "Thank you, Dr. Horton," she said, trying to maintain her composure. "I don't think you'll ever know how much I needed to hear that."
"You take care, Kayla," Dr. Horton replied. "I'll tell Neil that you will be by in the morning."
"Goodbye." Kayla hung up the phone. She turned to Steve who was clearly confused by the conversation. "The hospital board vote was tied. That means I have to appeal to the state hospital board. I'm supposed to go in tomorrow and fill out some paperwork for the appeal."
Steve let out a deep breath. "Okay then, if we have to go to the state hospital board, then that's what we'll do."
Kayla gave a small smile. "Is that your way of saying you want to go with me?"
"I promised I would be with you every step of the way and I meant it," Steve said. "I know this isn't what you wanted, but it's just a delay in the process. You will get your reinstatement."
"I know," Kayla said, forcing herself to remain positive.
Steve wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Kayla nestled her head against his chest and let Steve's strength and support wash over her. In his arms, she could almost forget everything that had happened today. She knew that reality would intrude before too long, but she would take all of these little moments she could find along the way.