Perfect Partners

apparently sensing the grimness in Joel’s voice.
    “It looks as if Copeland went on a rampage through my apartment this afternoon. He destroyed the place.”
    “Christ. The man’s gone over the edge.”
    “Yeah, I think that’s a real possibility.”
    Keith sighed. “I’ve suspected he was getting worse for some months now.”
    “Letty thinks Diana’s afraid of him, and I do, too,” Joel said. “Diana is frightened of what he might do if he gets too angry.”
    “And afraid I won’t be able to protect her or myself if that happens. I know.” Keith sounded weary, as if he had been fighting that battle for a long time.
    “If it’s any consolation, she didn’t have any faith in me, either, fifteen years ago,” Joel said quietly. “Her daddy is very scary. But now it looks as if the two of us are going to have to do something about him. I’m going to call the police after we hang up. I’ll tell them what’s going on and who we think is behind this vandalism. But don’t count on them being able to do much at this point. We don’t have any proof.”
    “You think he’s on his way down here?”
    “I think it’s a real good possibility. Everything under control there?”
    “Yes,” said Keith. “I’ve got two men doing sentry duty shifts twenty-four hours a day. And I’m here in the office all the time. I’ve moved in for a while.”
    Joel went over to the window and lowered his voice. “You armed?”
    “Are you kidding?” Keith said equally softly. “I’ve got an automatic. Bought it three years ago right after I married Diana and began to realize just how close to the edge my new father-in-law was.”
    “Right. I’ll talk to you in the morning. If anything happens tonight you can reach me at my office.”
    “Got it.” Keith hesitated. “I’m going to call Diana. Tell her to stay in the hotel room. I don’t think she’s in any real danger. Copeland has never hurt her, as far as I know, but apparently he used to beat her mother. She let that much information slip once.”
    Joel slid a glance at Letty, who was watching him intently. She had her arms folded tightly under her breasts. “Look, I’m going to send Letty over to her father’s place. You want Diana to go there with her?”
    “Thanks,” Keith said, sounding relieved. “I’d feel a lot better if I knew she wasn’t alone.”
    “I’ll take care of it.” Joel started to hang up the phone.
    “Blackstone?”
    “Yeah?”
    “If I manage to keep Copeland from torching this yard and if I pull it out of the red, you and I are going to have to do a deal. Fair enough?”
    Joel smiled humorlessly. “Fair enough. Save Copeland Marine and I’ll sell it to you. Real cheap.”
    Keith chuckled. “I’ll call you if anything happens.”
    Joel hung up and turned to Letty. “Let’s go, honey. We have to stop at the hotel and pick up Diana.”
    She looked mutinous. “I don’t want to be tucked away somewhere while you’re trying to protect yourself and Thornquist Gear from some crazy man. This is my company, Joel. I’ve got a right to help defend it.”
    “Not a chance. I’m the one who dragged Thornquist Gear into this situation. I’ll take care of the cleanup.” Joel took her arm and drew her out of the devastated apartment and into the hall. “You’re not going to be anywhere near Thornquist Gear or me tonight.”
    She gave him an anxious look. “Are you saying he might come after you personally?”
    “He hit my apartment. I don’t know where he’ll go next. I still have a hunch he’s on his way to Echo Cove. But who knows for certain? As Escott said, the man’s gone over the edge.”
    “Joel, please let me stay with you,” Letty begged.
    “No.”
    “Damn it, I own the company. I am ordering you to let me stay with you.”
    “The answer is no, Letty.”
    “But why?”
    “You know why.” He got her into the elevator and punched the lobby button. “This entire situation exists because I set up the takeover of Copeland Marine. It has nothing to do with you, and that’s the way I intend to keep it.”
    She touched his arm, her eyes pleading. “Joel, this is not your fault.”
    Anger washed through him. “It is my fault, goddamn it, and I am not going to risk your neck. Escott and I will deal with Copeland, and that’s final.”
    “But, Joel…”
    “What’s the matter?” he bit out. “Don’t you think I can handle this? You told Diana she should have more faith in Escott. Well, where’s your