Something to Talk About(60)

Annabeth’s agent gave Jo Annabeth’s number without a moment’s hesitation. He probably thought this meant Jo wanted her for a cameo appearance or maybe a role in Agent Silver, and she let him. She had to be delicate about this.

She and Annabeth made the standard small talk for a few minutes before Jo mentioned Barry.

“Barry Davis visited set the other day, actually,” she said breezily. “He directed your first big film, right?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Annabeth said. “That was Barry.”

Her voice hadn’t changed at all, still nothing but chipper with that hint of a Georgian accent.

“It was possible that he might direct an episode,” Jo said. “Though that is not what is going to happen.” She paused. Annabeth said nothing. “I imagine you might know why that’s not going to happen.”

If Jo was wrong about this . . .

The quiet way Annabeth said, “Why would I know?” confirmed she wasn’t.

“My production company will be releasing a statement, probably tomorrow morning, about exactly why he was not extended an invitation to direct,” Jo said. “Based on his behavior toward a young woman in my employ—his behavior that I will not tolerate. He does not have a heads-up about this, but I wanted you to. Just in case.”

“Right,” Annabeth said.

Jo let the silence hang.

Eventually, Annabeth took a deep breath on the other end of the line. “I really appreciate that, Ms. Jones,” she said. “I don’t mean to rush you off the phone, but I think perhaps I should talk to my publicist.”

“Please call me if you need anything, Ms. Pierce,” Jo said.

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you for the call.”



* * *



—

Jo had the statement by the afternoon. She should’ve probably trusted the people whose job it was to write these things, but she made a few minor edits anyway. Then she called Emma into her office.

“I have it,” she said, pushing the printed statement across her desk. “I thought you might want to read it in here.”

Jo wanted to give Emma the space to have whatever reaction she needed to.

“I’m going to get a refill,” Jo said. “I’ll close the door behind me and you can open it whenever you’re ready?”

Emma nodded. She looked sick to her stomach. Jo took her tumbler and headed out. She wanted to offer Emma some form of comfort, squeeze her hand or pat her on the back, but she didn’t think it was appropriate, didn’t ever want to touch Emma in a way she didn’t want. Instead she gave Emma the room, closing the door gently behind her.

The door was open by the time Jo returned. Emma was sitting on her couch, working on her tablet, which she set aside when Jo came back into her office. Emma smiled, and the tension in Jo’s shoulders eased.

“It’s a good statement,” Emma said.

“Good,” Jo said. “I agree.” She sat in her desk chair. “It’ll be released tomorrow, first thing in the morning. Probably before you even get in.”

Emma got up to stand in front of Jo’s desk.

“Tonight, set your phone so it goes straight to voicemail,” Jo said. “Record a new voicemail reminding people who they should contact if asking for a comment. You don’t need to deal with any calls tomorrow. Maybe not the next day, either.”

“Okay.” Emma nodded. Her eyebrows pinched together.

“We don’t have to do it if you don’t want to,” Jo reminded her.

“I want to,” Emma said immediately. She took a deep breath. “I’m nervous. But I want to.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the talk of the crew tomorrow,” Jo said. “Cast, too, maybe. Make sure you’re ready for that. I don’t want you to be caught off guard.”

“Thanks, boss.”

Jo didn’t know who else Emma had told. Avery, of course, but perhaps that was it. Jo hoped no one figured out who it was from the statement. She didn’t want Emma to have to reveal it to anyone if she didn’t want to. It was a vague statement, no names but Barry’s and Jo’s, but still. Jo worried.



* * *



—

The press release was live by the time Jo woke up in the morning. She made herself an espresso from the machine next to her bed and read hot takes while she sipped it. There was a lot of dissecting her background, discussing how she’d never shied away from controversy, the way she called out The Johnson Dynasty all those years ago, how she went to bat for her crew in her own contract negotiations. Her history meant most people believed the statement, thankfully.

By the time she got to work, there was a new article. An article with quotes from Annabeth Pierce and three other actresses detailing further harassment from Barry Davis. Jo felt like she should have a bucket of popcorn as she scrolled through the news. She shared a secret grin with Emma when she came into Jo’s office to ask a question about the filming schedule. Once Annabeth Pierce came forward, no one bothered trying to find out who Barry harassed on the Innocents set—they had bigger fish to fry now.

Jo had to say something to the cast and crew. She was right that it was all anyone was talking about, and it was both distracting and not something she wanted to make Emma relive in conversation after conversation.