The final photograph was a full-length vertical nude taken from the rear. She was lifting her hair, knee bent, one hip slightly outthrust. Her unpainted skin formed a canvas for black and crimson handprints on her shoulder, the dip of her waist, the curve of her buttock, the back of her thigh.

Dan jabbed at the magazine photo with his index finger. “Some man must have had a good time doing that to you!”

Phoebe didn’t take time to consider that his anger seemed out of proportion for someone who was trying so hard to distance himself from her. “Men, darling. One for each color.” It was a lie. The body artist had been a pudgy, middle-aged woman, but he didn’t have to know that.

Ron picked up his pen and tapped it on the tabletop. “Phoebe, I’ve scheduled a press conference for both of us at one o’clock. Wally Hampton in PR will brief you. Dan, I want you to stay out of sight until tomorrow. When the press finally catches up with you, don’t comment on anything except the game. You know how to handle it. And unless you want the story to end up on the front page, keep your fists in your pockets if any reporter has the nerve to bring up the hotel room incident to your face.”

She rose from her chair. “No press conference, Ron. I told you from the beginning that I won’t do interviews.”

Dan’s lips twisted. “If you give her permission to strip first, I bet she’ll do it.”

“That’s enough, Dan.” Ron turned to Phoebe. “I apologize for the press conference.”

Dan gave a snort of disgust “That’s tellin’ her, Ronald. You sure do know how to crack the old whip.”

Ron seemed not to have heard. “Unfortunately, you can’t continue to snub the press without looking as if you have something to hide.”

“I don’t think there’s much left that everybody hasn’t already seen,” Dan sneered.

Phoebe caught her breath. Ron rose slowly from the table and turned to face the coach. “Your comments are uncalled for. You owe Phoebe an apology.”

Dan’s expression was rigid with anger. “She’s not going to get one.”

“You’re hardly innocent in all this. There were apparently two people in that hotel room. And if you hadn’t lost so many games, we wouldn’t be under attack. Instead of insulting Phoebe, perhaps you should consider doing something about all those turnovers.”

Dan seemed to be having trouble believing what he was hearing. “Are you criticizing my coaching?”

Ron’s Adam’s apple bobbled as he swallowed hard before he spoke. “I believe I’ve made my point. You’re being rude, belligerent, and insulting to Phoebe. Not only is she the owner of this team and your employer, but she is also a person deserving of respect.”