His New Stepsister. His Biggest Threat. novel · Chapter 16 of 32
Chapter 16: The Harbor at Night
Gannon met me at the studio gate at 9:40 the next morning.
"If she has the photo," he said, "I talk first."
"If she has the photo, we're both dead, and it doesn't matter who talks."
"It matters to me."
The executive producer's office still smelled like printer toner.
The lawyer in the sweater vest was there.
So was the promo producer, in his black fleece vest and very white sneakers, sitting on the arm of the couch with his legs crossed.
He winked at me.
"Sit," the producer said. The real one. "This won't take long."
We sat.
"Your family," she said, and I stopped breathing. "We want them."
"Want them how?" I asked.
"Front row. Live." She flipped a folder open. "Dr. Boyle called my office yesterday asking for seats for himself and his wife. I'm inclined to give him the best two in the house. The stepfamily rivalry is the promo. Father and mother in the front row, champion versus challenger, the whole country watching them watch you."
"He asked for seats," Gannon said.
"Very politely. He's a fan."
Gannon's knuckles went white on his knees.
"That's all?" I said. "That's what this meeting is about?"
She looked at me over her glasses.
"What else would it be about, Ms. Dolan?"
"Nothing," I said. "I thought my mother had complained."
"Your mother has called contestant affairs four times this week to ask whether you're eating. She sounds very devoted."
I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted metal.
"I'd like a will-they-won't-they angle," the promo producer said.
"No," she said, without looking at him. "We're selling a rivalry. Section nine exists for a reason. Go study."
Out in the lot, Gannon didn't speak until we got to the truck.
Then he leaned both arms on the hood.
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