The longer Holly was gone, the more likely it was that Zanne would have to tell Ted. But right now, what point would it serve? She stood to go. Her phone pinged and she looked down, half expecting it to be Holly sending a picture of the sunset at Malibu pier, #nofilter.

But it was Jane who’d texted. Thanks for the heads-up. We’re on it!

“Oh no,” Zanne said. She could kick herself for having brought the publicist into this mess. Half an hour ago, the contours of the problem had seemed simple and sharp. A reporter was working on a story, and the publicist would make sure that it was favorable to her top clients. But now things were moving too quickly and people with only half the story were guiding decisions that couldn’t be undone. Holly was gone, Phoebe was back. If the situation blew up, Zanne’s failure to contain it would be self-evident.

Zanne texted Jane, Thanks. Send links when you have them.

Jane was already texting back.

“Everything okay?” Mark asked.

“We’ll see,” Zanne said.

The link arrived and she clicked on it. It took her to On Set’s website. There was barely an article, just the lede, “Stabler Slams Silver,” and then a statement from Ted. Zanne read the statement quickly.

“Fuck,” she said before she even got to the end of it. How did this happen so quickly? Ted must have drafted it himself after the meeting with Phoebe and told Jane to push it out. He was lying about what he knew, and if the press found out, it would be a nightmare. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

“I can help, Zanne. Just tell me what you need.”

What she needed was a giant muzzle. One that could silence Ted, Jane, Mark, and the voice in her head that told Zanne she was going to get fired, today, no severance, and then what? What would she have to offer Gaby? She’d lose the job, the house, and the girlfriend in one fell swoop.

24

Phoebe