Kayla sat on the couch watching Stephanie play with her toys. She was a little concerned and surprised that Steve had just left without telling her, but she knew that the article about his rescue had stirred up some memories, and she understood that he might need some time to sort it all out. She just hoped that he could.
Reading the article had been a reminder that, despite all that had happened since they had reunited in England, it had really only been a couple of months since Steve had been freed. Kayla knew Steve was still dealing with the effects of what Lawrence had done to him. The nightmares were still there, and Kayla had awoken several times in the last few nights to find Steve checking the locks and making sure that Stephanie was safe in her crib. She could not help but wonder what the article dredging up memories of the rescue might do to Steve.
Kayla again wondered how Jack had gotten the information. She knew that Shane would have never told Jack, and it seemed pretty unlikely that Jack could have tracked down Deakins, the soldier Steve had mentioned. Yet, she was also sure that Steve had been honest when he said that he had not talked to Jack.
Steve had never been able to lie to her very well. Even when he had been keeping secrets she had always been able to tell that something was wrong, just not exactly what it was. But when she had asked Steve about the article, there had been nothing but truth in his eye. He had been completely honest with her. Of that, she was sure.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of the phone. She reached over and picked it up.
"Hello."
"Kayla, it's Kim." Kim's tone was cold.
"Hi Kimmie . . . what's wrong?" Kayla felt kind of stupid at asking. She was pretty certain Kim was calling about the article in the Spectator.
"Is Steve there? I'd like to talk to him."
"No, he's not. He left the apartment a little while ago."
"Oh, I see." Kim's voice took on a sarcastic tone. "Did he go see Jack to give him another exclusive?"
"So that is what this is about," Kayla replied, still not understanding her sister's coldness. "Steve didn't talk to Jack."
Kim's sarcasm came through even stronger as she said, "I'm sure that's what he told you, Kayla. I just can't believe you bought it. Or maybe I can."
Kayla was shocked at the anger in Kim's voice. "Wait a minute, Kim. Even if Steve did talk to Jack - which he didn't - why are you so upset about it?"
"Because I just watched Shane being dragged off in handcuffs, that's why!" Kim said sharply. "All because your husband decided to destroy Shane's life."
"What?" Kayla was confused. "Shane was arrested? Why?"
"They wouldn't tell me," Kim snapped. "But I don't think it's coincidence that it happened the day that article came out. Shane told us that he could get in trouble if the truth got out."
"It didn't make any sense then and it doesn't make any sense now," Kayla replied, trying to remain calm in the face of her sister's accusations. "Shane and the ISA rescued Steve. How could that be something that would get Shane in trouble?"
"Why don't you ask the men that just dragged Shane away?" Kim was nearly shouting now. "Or my five-year-old son, who had to watch it happen? As if it's not enough that he's been shot at and nearly run over with a car, he had to see his father hauled off to jail."
Kayla felt sick at the thought. But none of this makes any sense.
"All Steve had to do was keep his mouth shut," Kim continued. "But even that was too much for him, wasn't it?"
"Kim," Kayla tried again. "I know you're upset, but it wasn't Steve. I asked him about the article. He said he did not give the information to Jack, and he wasn't lying." She took a deep breath. "I'd know if Steve was lying. Even if you can't trust Steve, can you at least trust me?"
"No, Kayla, I can't." Kim said coldly. "Ever since Steve came back, he's been angry at Shane. Over you. Over Stephanie. Over every little perceived slight. I know he attacked Shane just the other day just because Shane didn't support Steve's reinstatement to the police force. Well, I guess Steve figured this was his way of paying Shane back."
"I'm telling you that Steve wouldn't do that, Kim." Kayla was desperate to get her sister to believe her. "I know he's been angry at Shane, but he wouldn't do something like this. He told me he didn't, and I know he was telling the truth. He wouldn't do this."
"You don't know what he would or wouldn't do," Kim snapped back. "Steve's been out of control since he got back, and you've been covering for him every step of the way. And to think, I was even trying to help him."
"That's enough, Kim." Kayla was not going to be the target of her sister's anger anymore.
"You're right," Kim said. "Tell Steve that I hope he's happy now. Or maybe Shane needs to be sentenced to prison first. Then Steve can be thrilled that he's gotten Shane out of your life."
Kayla heard the phone slam down on the other end of the line. She stared at the receiver in shock, before laying it in its cradle. And all she could wonder was how one little newspaper article could cause so much trouble.