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best to pretend for the moment that she knew nothing at all
    about Melwood's predicament, Olivia thought. There were times when taking the
    coward's way out was the only way to avoid painting oneself into a corner. In
    management-speak it was known as finessing the situation.
    "Please excuse me, Mr. Gill." She stepped briskly into the elevator and pushed
    the button for the first floor. "I'd love to chat, but I've got to rush back to Light
    Fantastic. We're absolutely swamped this month."
    "I'm so pleased to hear that business is good for you, Ms. Chantry," he whispered
    dolefully.
    "Couldn't be better." She winced as a flicker of guilt shafted through her. It was
    unkind to rub poor Melwood's nose in her success on the very day that he had been
    demoted.
    Fortunately the elevator doors closed quickly. Olivia sagged against the wall as
    the cab descended six floors to street level. She had not handled that small,
    uncomfortable scene well at all, she thought. Perhaps she should have talked to
    Melwood about the situation.
    … a united front ...
    The memory of Melwood's sad, resigned expression stayed with her as she
    walked down Western Avenue toward the Light Fantastic studios.
    She told herself that it wasn't acute depression she had seen in Melwood's eyes,
    just the perfectly normal unhappiness one would expect in a man who had been
    transferred to a less important position in his company.
    She was still pondering what to do about Melwood Gill when she walked into the
    studio a few minutes later and found it deserted except for Zara.
    Olivia's concerns about Melwood were instantly submerged beneath a far more
    pressing problem.
    Her aunt was perched on the high swivel chair at the drafting table, crying
    quietly to herself. Olivia knew at once that something gravely serious had occurred.
    Zara was sobbing just the way her character, Sybil, had on the episode of Crystal
    Cove in which she had learned that she might have to have brain surgery.
    "Zara."
    Olivia rushed across the studio, threading her way through the maze created by
    Merlin's Cave, five massive silver-foil flower arrangements, several boxes of red,
    white, and blue banners and a stack of electrical cords.
    Zara straightened quickly and dabbed wildly at her eyes with a tissue. "I didn't
    hear you come in, dear."
    Olivia halted on the opposite side of the drafting table and surveyed the mascara
    that ran down Zara's cheeks. "What on earth is wrong?"
    "Nothing, dear." Zara's smile was the same brave smile Sybil had given Nick the
    day she told him that she might not survive the brain operation.
    "Don't give me that," Olivia said. "You know damn well I won't buy it. Tell me
    the truth."
    "I'm just feeling a little blue."
    "Zara, please, this is Olivia you're talking to. Tell me what is wrong."
    With her uncanny knack for positioning herself in the most flattering light, Zara
    raised her chin and tilted her head. The profile she gave Olivia was the one Sybil
    had turned to the camera on the episode in which she had told Nick that she was
    leaving him for his own good.
    "There is nothing you can do, my dear." Zara blotted her eyes once more. "There
    is nothing anyone can do. I am doomed."
    Olivia's stomach clenched. "Oh, God, Zara. Is it a medical problem? A real one"
    She grasped her aunt by the shoulders. "You have to tell me."
    Zara's eyes widened. "Good grief, no, it's not a medical condition. I'm perfectly
    healthy."
    "Thank heavens." Olivia's insides untwisted. "Let's have it I'm not going to walk
    away and pretend I didn't find you sobbing like Sybil in the episode where she
    discovered that Nick had an affair with her best friend, Alicia."
    Zara tensed. Then she heaved a sigh and slumped in the chair. "I suppose I'll
    have to tell you everything now. In my heart, I knew that sooner or later,
    somewhere, someday, it would all come back to haunt me."
    "What would come back?"
    "I knew I wouldn't be able to bury it forever."
    "Bury what?"
    "He only wants a few