“Well, looks like Simon Kent may have finally stepped in one pile too big to scrape off on someone else’s shoe.” Wella took Jessica’s seat.
“Is the man just an total idiot?” Ian couldn’t believe him. “Did he honestly think he could get away with something like that?”
“I don’t mean to frighten you, but if he had managed to get that out to the press…”
“I know. If the press believes it, it’s never possible to correct the error even with the truth.” Ian sighed. “I hate this town for that.”
“The press has been very kind to you.” Wella assured him.
“I am well aware of that fact. I just hope I never get on their bad side. Fortunately, Kent and his minions have tried too hard with the wrong facts. I’m sure there’s enough in my past, and future for that matter, to make me Attila the Hun.”
“Rest assured, you are still Mary Poppins,” Wella rubbed his free arm. “Today anyway.”
“Ouch.” Ian winced. “Sorry, Wella, nothing hurts from the neck down if I don’t move it, touch it or remember it’s there.”
“Oh, honey.”
“So exactly what is the press saying…?” Wella looked at him with wide eyes. “Oh come on, Wella. They took the TV out, apparently no one bothered to print a newspaper since Friday night and as usual I have no idea where my phone is.”
“I think maybe your family doesn’t want you worrying yourself about that right now.”
“Wella, Ella’s boyfriend came out of the closet and tried to shoot me. If it weren’t for Ronnie’s cat I’d be dead! To top it all off the last words out of Blue’s mouth were Darla Hutton! I haven’t seen or heard from my son, and I’ve got more needles stuck in me than the original cast of Saturday Night Live. For crying out loud, how can I not be worried about what is going on?”
“Fine.” Wella put up her hands. “Fine. The truth is no one really knows what the truth is but the press is being very kind. They are only reporting what the police assume, which is you walked in on a burglary in progress…”
Ian shook his head. “No, that’s not right. It’s impossible…”
“Stop…stop…” Wella cut him off. “You see? This is upsetting you. Now calm yourself down.”
“Okay.” Ian took a deep breath. “That hurt. Happy?”
“Very.” Wella smiled. “Now as far as the press goes, they are making you out to be a tragic victim, they even broke into regular programming on all the networks to tell the story. The only names released to the press have been yours and Blue Richards. David Turner even did a press conference yesterday morning telling everyone of your progress and delaying the fall schedule announcements until tomorrow.”
“They put it off?”
“Yes, Mr. Hunka Hunka HRT, they put it off until they could announce you were awake and annoying the hell out of everyone.”
“Who’s doing the conference, not Kent or Lance Crockett?”
“Actually Saxon Allen and Mr. Turner.”
“Saxon?” Ian smiled. “She’s really taking this Executive Producing thing seriously, isn’t she?”
“Ian, don’t kid yourself.” Wella scowled at him. “She’s taking you seriously.”
“Next subject.” Ian smirked. “Ella…how’s Ella? Tell her I want to see her. This must be terrible for her.”
Wella tried to touch something that wouldn’t make Ian wince and gave up. “Ian, Ella’s disappeared. She called in Monday morning.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
“No one’s been able to get hold of her since. Blake and Daryn have even been to her apartment. She doesn’t seem to be there.” She put up her hand before Ian could say anything. “Don’t worry, she’s probably somewhere between upset and mortified. She’s family, we’ll get her to open that door.”
“Good.”
“And as far as your son goes, he’s been here almost around the clock since they told him. From what I understand the Tyson’s didn’t tell him anything until Sunday night when they brought him home from fishing. He caught a sea bass by the way. Finally Jesse just picked him up, kicking and screaming like his father, and took him back to the Shores. Jesse finally got him to sleep when they told him you were awake.”
Ian put his head back on the inclined bed. “Thanks. Everyone just changed the subject whenever I brought it up. I much prefer knowing what everyone else doesn’t know.”
“Stupidity is always much more comforting when it’s a group thing.” Wella smiled and reached into her purse. “Okay, I didn’t do this.” She handed him a cell phone. “Blake just figured it was gone and got a new one. It’s ready for you to destroy.”
“As soon as I can get my hand to my ear, I’ll try and live up to my electronic expectations.” Ian slipped it under the sheets and looked at the monitor. “I’m surprised that thing hasn’t caught on fire.”
“Or at least begged for mercy.” Wella stood and kissed Ian’s forehead. “Did I find a place that didn’t hurt?” Ian nodded. “I’m gonna let you get some rest…no arguments…I need to run back to the team and let them all know you live to torture us another day.”
“Am I really that awful a boss?”
“Ian, you are driven, demanding and you never, ever let up and that’s only on yourself. The rest of us are just humans trying to keep up. If we don’t, we know we’ll get left behind and miss out on all the fun.” This time she kissed his cheek. “I will see you tomorrow.”
“Bring Sausage and Egg McMuffins!” Ian yelled as she headed to the door.
“With Cheese.” She said over her shoulder and disappeared.
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