Private Scandals

Legal.”
    “And if he sues?”
    Deanna sighed, barely refrained from rubbing her eyes and smearing makeup. She hadn’t slept well—and with Finn in Moscow, she’d slept alone. But it hadn’t been doubt keeping her wakeful. It had been anticipation.
    “Then he sues. To encapsulate what I got from Legal, he’s already gone public with his version. Since it’s a matter of his word against mine, I’m going public with my version. I could have done so in a dozen interviews since the tabloidshit. Two dozen,” she corrected, with a grim smile. “I prefer to do it this way, my way, on my own show.”
    “You know the press will jump all over it.”
    “I know.” She was calm now, dead calm. “That’s why we’re going to schedule it during the May sweeps.”
    “Jesus, Dee—”
    “I’m going public with this, Fran, and I hope to God even one woman who watches is helped by what I’m doing.” She used the heels of her hands to rub the dampness from her cheek. “And by Christ, I’m going to kill the competition in the ratings while I’m at it.”
     
    Deanna’s nerves were steady as stone before the show. In her precise manner, she had gone over her scripted question cards while Marcie put the finishing touches on her makeup. Prepared, even eager, she swiveled in her chair toward Loren Bach.
    “Now, are you here to observe, Loren, or to offer advice?”
    “Some of both.” He folded his long, white fingers together. “As you know, I don’t make it a habit to interfere with the content of the show.”
    “I do know that, and I appreciate it.”
    “But I do make a habit out of protecting my people.” He sat silently a moment, gathering his thoughts while he studied the orderly room filled with stacks of newspapers, magazines, all current, a shelf of neatly marked videos that could be slipped into the VCR for viewing. The room smelled lightly of cosmetics and lotions. Feminine, yes, he mused, but also tools of the trade. The dressing room was as much a work space as her office.
    “It’s possible for you to do this show, and do an excellent job, without bringing your personal experience into it.”
    “Possible, yes.” She rose then to close the door Marcie had left open. “Are you asking me to do that, Loren?”
    “No. I’m reminding you of it.”
    “Then I’ll remind you that I’m part of the show, not just a host. An intimate part; that’s what makes it work for me and, I think, for the viewing audience.”
    He smiled, and his eyes remained keen. She looked polished and poised, he mused. “I wouldn’t argue with that. But Deanna, if you have any doubts about what you’re doing, there is no need to go ahead.”
    “I don’t have doubts, Loren. I have fears. I think, at least I hope, that facing them is the answer. You may have concerns that Jamie Thomas will try some sort of legal retribution, but—”
    Loren waved that away. “I have lawyers to deal with that. In any case, it seems the brunt of the publicity backfired on him. He is, at the moment, on an extended vacation in Europe.”
    “Oh, I see.” She took a deep breath. “Well then.”
    “You don’t mind if I stay to watch the show?” He rose as she did.
    “I’d appreciate it.” On impulse she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. When he blinked in surprise, she smiled. “That wasn’t for my business associate. It was for your support.”
    When she opened the door, she found herself instantly scooped up into Finn’s arms.
    “You’re supposed to be in Moscow.”
    “I’m back.” He’d pulled every string he could grab to arrive in Chicago in time for the show. “You look good, Kansas. How do you feel?”
    “Shaky.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. “Ready.”
    “You’ll be fine.” He kept an arm around her shoulders and nodded to Loren. “Good to see you.”
    “And you. You can keep me company while Deanna goes to work.”
    “Fine.” Finn walked Deanna toward the set. “Working tonight?”
    “I have a network dinner at seven. But I think I can get out by ten.”
    “Want to come by my place?”
    “Yes.” She gripped his hand, hard. The closer she got to the set, the more her stomach twisted. She shot one look at Fran, braced herself. “Like diving into a cold pool.”
    “What?”
    She forced a smile as she glanced up at Finn. “Just some advice I got once. See you in an hour, huh?”
    “I’ll be here.”
    Deanna took her place with the three women already fidgeting onstage. She spoke quietly