Perfect Partners

article somewhere that said persistent insomnia should be investigated to rule out the possibility of a health problem.”
    Joel grinned slowly. “Believe me, I am very healthy.”
    She frowned. “All the same, it could be a psychological problem, you know. I mean, you might feel perfectly fit physically and still have some sort of neurosis that’s keeping you awake.”
    “I’ve got better things to do than waste my time being neurotic.”
    Joel studied her intently in the silence that followed. He was grimly aware that he was getting hard. She looked very soft and vulnerable lying there in the moonlight. The nightgown was hiked up around her knees and he could see that she had beautifully arched feet.
    This was insane, he told himself. The last thing he needed. Where the hell was his common sense? He had to keep his mind on the big picture. He was going to be juggling a lot of firecrackers during the next couple of months. He could not afford to let himself get distracted.
    But curiosity was riding him now, Joel realized. There was a mystery lying right in front of him, and he had a thing about solving dangerous puzzles before they exploded in his face. If he had learned one thing over the years, it was to be prepared. The more he knew about Letty Thornquist, the safer his plans would be, he told himself.
    “You mentioned earlier this evening that in addition to quitting your job, you broke off your engagement to somebody named Philip,” Joel said carefully.
    “Dr. Philip Dixon, associate professor in the department of business administration back at Vellacott College. Several publications in notable journals to his credit, consultant to industry and chairman of important faculty committees.” Letty was not looking at him now. She had her arms behind her head and was staring out the window with half-closed eyes.
    So the guy was not in the English lit department, after all. “Sorry to hear it didn’t work out.”
    “Thank you.”
    Joel could see the gentle curves of Letty’s breasts outlined against the cotton gown. “Maybe you’ll change your mind. Give things another chance or something.”
    “I can’t see that happening.”
    “Who broke it off?”
    “I did.”
    Joel absorbed that. Now he was more than curious. He had to know what would make Letty break off an engagement to a man who should have been perfect for her. “A misunderstanding?”
    “You could say that.”
    This was like pulling teeth, Joel decided. He kept prodding. “Did you find yourself interested in someone else?”
    “No.”
    “Did he, uh, get involved with someone?”
    Letty turned her head to look at him. Her eyes were drowsy as she focused on his face. “You want to know what actually happened?”
    Joel sensed victory at last. He kept his voice even, noncommittal. “If you feel like talking about it, I don’t mind listening.”
    “I haven’t told a single soul. It was too embarrassing.” Letty switched her gaze back to the moonlit deck. “We were engaged about six weeks. I went to see Philip in his office about ten days ago. He wasn’t expecting me. I knocked once and then opened the door. He had someone with him. A pretty graduate student named Gloria.”
    “They were in what might be called a compromising position, I take it?”
    “Philip was sitting in his chair, his legs spread, his pants unzipped. She was on her knees in front of him, and there was a rather appalling sucking noise. It was”—Letty paused—“quite amazing, really.”
    Joel drew a deep breath. “Yeah, I can see where that would have been a little upsetting.”
    Letty’s shoulders started to shake. She put her hand over her mouth and made a tiny, muffled sound. Joel stared at her, alarmed. Hell, she was going to start crying. He was no good with crying women. He had no idea what to do. “Letty, don’t. Christ, I’m sorry I brought up the subject. Look…”
    “No, you don’t understand.” She glanced at him, but her eyes slid quickly away before Joel could read the expression in them. There was another choked squeak, and then the giggles spilled forth.
    Joel realized with a jolt of surprise that she was laughing.
    “Oh, I was shocked at first,” Letty admitted as she struggled to catch her breath. “‘Stunned’ would be a better word. But then I realized I had never seen anything so ludicrous in my entire life. He looked so
silly
with his, uh, you-know-what…” She broke off again as words failed her.
    “Male member?”