Perfect Partners

has been in a brawl down at the Anchor. He has severely pummeled my CEO , and I am extremely upset over the matter.”
    “Joel is hurt?”
    “Yes, he is. He has been subjected to a totally unwarranted assault. I am, in fact, seriously considering a law-suit,” Letty said. “I will not have my employees beaten to a pulp by jealous husbands, and I will not tolerate having them thrown into jail without just cause.”
    “What are you talking about?” Diana whispered, sounding badly shaken.
    “Your husband has spent the evening defending your honor, Mrs. Escott. Due to his efforts on your behalf, he is in no condition to drive. I suggest you get down here to the Anchor and pick him up immediately.”
    “Keith? In a
fight
? Good God,” Diana muttered. “This is crazy.”
    “My sentiments exactly. If you do not get here in the next fifteen minutes, Mrs. Escott, I shall take your husband back to the motel with me. He can spend the rest of the night in Joel’s room.”
    Letty dropped the phone back into the cradle and rounded on Stan, the bartender. He was staring at her in growing consternation.
    “Just what the heck is going on here? Are you that Miss Thornquist we’ve been hearing about?”
    “
Ms
. Thornquist to you, Stan. I am the president of Thornquist Gear, and that man who has just been unfairly hauled off to jail is my CEO . I am not a happy camper.”
    Stan’s expression turned mulish. “Me neither. You can see for yourself he tore up my place. Won’t hurt him none to spend the night in jail.”
    “Thornquist Gear will pay for any damages that you may have sustained, Stan. You and I, however, have something to discuss.”
    “Yeah? And what’s that?”
    “I am told that you intend to press charges against Mr. Blackstone.”
    “Damn right I’m gonna press charges.”
    “You may wish to reconsider your decision after you have taken a couple of things into account, Stan.” Letty sat down on one of the barstools and gripped her purse on her lap. “I expect you have heard the rumors of Thornquist Gear’s involvement with Copeland Marine.”
    “Yeah, I heard ‘em.”
    Letty smiled sweetly. “You will no doubt be aware, then, that the entire town of Echo Cove finds itself in a very delicate situation.”
    “Delicate? Jesus, lady. You are something else.”
    “Thank you. As I was saying, the situation is”—Letty fluttered a hand in the air—“unstable, to say the least. Grave decisions that will affect the future of this entire town will soon be made. I want you to understand, Stan, that as president of Thornquist Gear, I will be the one making those decisions.”
    Stan stopped mopping up spilled beer. He eyed her warily. “What are you tryin’ to say?”
    “Simply put, the situation is so extremely delicate that the least little contingency could shift the balance, as far as I am concerned,” Letty said. “At this moment, for example, the balance is shifting quite rapidly in favor of shutting down Copeland Marine tomorrow morning at eight o’clock. Do I make myself clear, Stan?”
    “You’re threatenin’ me, ain’t you?” Stan looked scandalized.
    “How do you think the Copelands will feel if they discover that they have no time left in which to negotiate—and all because of you, Stan?”
    “Goddamn it. This is outright blackmail. You’re one tough little broad.”
    “Thank you.”
    Stan grabbed the phone from behind the bar. “I’ll call Echler right now and tell him I ain’t pressin’ charges.”
    “A very wise decision, Stan. Rest assured I will not shut down the yard tomorrow morning at eight. Nor will I mention to Victor Copeland how extremely upset I was to discover that you had my CEO hauled off to jail at midnight. Bygones will be bygones, Stan. I am, however, making no promises concerning the future.”
    “Damn,” Stan said. “Damn.” He dialed the police station with trembling fingers.
    Letty walked out of the tavern a few minutes later. A pale yellow Mercedes was just pulling up in front. Diana Escott got out and immediately accosted Letty. “What do you want? Haven’t you caused enough trouble? Why can’t you just get on with the business of shutting down my father’s boatyard? Finish it, will you? Just finish it before there’s any more violence.”
    “There will be no more violence,” Letty said firmly.
    “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You don’t know how bad this could get. Just do what you came here to do and leave, damn