Perfect Partners

makes too many decisions based on gut-level emotion.”
    Joel kept his gaze on Letty. “I told Escott we’d have dinner with him and Diana tonight. I’ll lay all my cards on the table then. Can you make it?”
    “Yes, yes, of course,” Letty said quickly before he could change his mind. She glanced at her calendar. “I don’t have any class to attend with Stephanie tonight.”
    “Good. I want you there,” Joel said. “You’re better at reading these people than I am.”
    “Why, thank you.” Letty was thrilled at the compliment. He was beginning to appreciate her business talents, she thought.
    Philip leaned forward in a bid for attention. “Are we by any chance discussing dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Keith Escott?”
    “Letty and I were discussing it,” Joel informed him. “You were not involved in the conversation, as far as I can recall.”
    Philip looked at Letty with an expression of disapproval. “I’m not so sure it’s a good idea to meet with Escott, Letty. Matters are at a rather touchy stage right now. Best leave this sort of thing in my hands.”
    Joel stood up. “Speaking of touchy matters, Professor.”
    Philip glanced at him. “Yes?”
    “I wonder if I might have your expert opinion on something that I have been debating for some time now.”
    “Certainly, certainly.”
    Letty stared at Joel, immediately alarmed by the smooth, deferential tone. “Uh, Joel…I mean, Mr. Blackstone—”
    “This is an executive matter, Letty,” Joel told her in an authoritative tone. “A little over your head.” He smiled thinly at Philip. “What do you say we go down the hall to the elevator, Professor Dixon? I want you to look at an item in our new product line.”
    “Be glad to take a look.” Philip got to his feet and picked up his briefcase. “I’ll be in touch with you later, my dear.”
    “Good-bye, Philip.”
    Letty watched with increasing dread as Joel guided Philip out of the office. She waited until she heard them walk out into the hall, and then she scurried after them.
    “Ms. Thornquist?” Arthur looked up in concern. “Did you want something?”
    “Shush.” Letty waved him to silence and peeked cautiously around the edge of the outer door.
    Joel had his finger on the elevator call button, his head bent in respectful consideration of whatever Philip was saying. Letty watched as the elevator arrived and the doors opened.
    Philip stepped inside, still pontificating. Joel nodded sagely then reached inside to the control panel and punched a button. He hovered between the elevator doors until the last possible second. Then he stepped back into the hall and let them close on Philip, who was still holding forth.
    The elevator descended minus one occupant.
    Joel turned to see Letty watching the show. His brows rose with mocking innocence. “He’s on his way to the basement. You see? It’s simple to get rid of a pompous ass.”
    Letty walked down the hall to where he was standing. “I’ll keep that trick in mind next time you become annoying.”
    Joel leaned one arm against the wall and looked down at her with gleaming eyes. “Mind telling me what you ever saw in him?”
    “I don’t know,” Letty said thoughtfully. “Maybe it’s the way he looks in a suit. Kind of dashing, don’t you think?” She surveyed Joel’s unbuttoned collar. “I’ve always been a sucker for a guy with a tie.”

    Morgan called at three-thirty, right after his last class of the day. Letty finished making a note regarding the over-developed male model in the tent ad and picked up the phone.
    “Hi, Dad. What’s up?”
    “Normally I wouldn’t bother you with this sort of thing, Letty. But I am a bit concerned.”
    Letty put down her pen. “About Stephanie?”
    “You know?”
    “About her earlier miscarriage? Yes, she told me last night. I’m glad she finally talked to you.”
    “She says you persuaded her to confide in me. I can’t believe she’s been holding all that anxiety inside all these months. She should have told me about her fears back at the beginning.”
    “She didn’t want you to think she was behaving irrationally.”
    Morgan paused. “Yes. I hadn’t realized. I told her I knew what she was going through and that I understood only too well. Mary was pregnant once before you were born. She had a miscarriage, too.”
    “Mother had one? I didn’t know that.”
    “No reason you should. It happened years ago, but I still remember the shock. And I also recall how nervous