Perfect Partners

her little blue suit had been freshly pressed that morning. Joel knew for a fact it had been, of course, because he had watched her get dressed.
    Letty’s militant expression was not one whit marred by the fact that her glasses were tilted and she was slightly out of breath. Nor was her triumphant entrance hampered in the least by Mrs. Sedgewick, who was clutching at the hem of Letty’s suit jacket.
    “I tried to stop her, Mr. Blackstone,” Mrs. Sedgewick called from behind Letty.
    “Thank you, Mrs. Sedgewick. I know you did your best.” Joel hid a grin. He got to his feet and gazed at Letty with polite inquiry. “Was there something you wanted, Ms. Thornquist?”
    “Yes, there was. I mean, yes, there is something I want.” Letty turned and closed the door in Mrs. Sedgewick’s outraged face. Then she summoned up a lofty smile and aimed it at Diana. “I was told you were here, Mrs. Escott. I knew you would want to speak to me as well as to Joel. After all, the entire management team should be present for this kind of meeting, don’t you think?”
    Diana looked from Joel to Letty and back again. “What is going on here?”
    “You’d never know it,” Joel said, “but we’re trying to run a company.” He waited until Letty sat down, and then he resumed his own seat. “You may be interested to hear, Ms. Thornquist, that Professor Philip Dixon paid a recent visit to Echo Cove.”
    “He
what?
”
    “Yes, I was a bit surprised to hear it myself. Apparently he’s telling everyone who will listen that he intends to marry you and take control of Thornquist Gear.”
    “Oh, my God,” Letty said, dismayed. She turned to Diana. “I imagine you’ve come here to find out what’s really going on, haven’t you?”
    “Yes.” Diana studied her coolly. “I take it there’s no truth to Dixon’s claims?”
    “Heavens, no,” said Letty. “Now, then, I hope we’ve settled that issue.” She drew herself up and straightened her shoulders, which did little to unrumple the blue jacket. “I suppose the next thing on your mind is the status of your husband’s excellent management plan.”
    Diana glanced uncertainly at Joel. “Well, yes, as a matter of fact, it is. I was just telling Joel, and I may as well tell you, that it’s cruel to let things drag along. It’s obvious you’re going to shut down Copeland Marine. Do it and get it done.”
    “What’s your hurry, Diana?” Joel asked softly.
    She shot him a grim, unreadable glance. “I want it over. What’s so hard to understand about that?” She stood up and walked stiffly to the window. “I just want it over. The uncertainty is making everything worse. Don’t torture Keith by making him think his plan actually has possibilities. He doesn’t deserve that.”
    Letty watched her. “Don’t you think Keith’s ideas should be examined before a decision is made?”
    “No.”
    Joel glanced at Letty and discovered she was staring at him with a confused frown. He didn’t blame her. He was feeling somewhat confused himself. “Why don’t you want us to review the plan, Diana?”
    “Because it’s a waste of time, that’s why.” Diana shot him a quick glance and then turned her attention to the scene outside the window. “Daddy has never been able to use any of Keith’s ideas. He says they’re all garbage. Why would you find them worthwhile?”
    Joel traded another glance with Letty. He was suddenly very glad she was in the room. He had the distinct impression he was missing something here. “Escott has done a lot of sound thinking. I’m not saying we’re going to implement any portion of this plan, but I will say it’s solid. He knows what he’s doing.”
    Letty gave Joel an approving look, which Joel pretended to ignore. Diana, however, looked stricken.
    “That’s right, Diana,” Letty said firmly. “We’re not trying to torture anyone. Joel—I mean, Mr. Blackstone—and I are giving Keith’s plan a thorough review and consideration.”
    “Don’t,” Diana murmured. “Please, don’t. Go ahead and shut down Copeland Marine.” She looked at Joel. “It’s what you planned all along. Do it.”
    Joel eyed her curiously. But he said nothing, because Letty was getting to her feet and he suddenly trusted her instincts in this situation more than he did his own. He could not figure out what was going on.
    “Are we to understand that you actually want us to liquidate your father’s company, Diana?”
    “Yes, damn it.” Diana