Perfect Partners

reasonably secure now about his lack of romantic interest in Diana Escott. She had not sensed any deep undercurrents of romantic passion flowing between Joel and Diana. They definitely shared a past, and both were carrying scars from that past, but Letty was almost certain Joel was no longer attracted to the other woman.
    Letty turned the page in the report on the ad campaign and frowned over a photo of a male model in the process of pitching one of the new tents.
    The model appeared to have been taking steroids; he certainly had the biggest biceps Letty had ever seen. Everything else on him was rather large also. He could obviously have erected the new lightweight tent with one hand.
    This was not the right image, Letty decided. The new line was being targeted at families who were not experienced campers. The ads needed to focus on ordinary people discovering how easy it was to handle the new line of Thornquist Gear.
    Letty reached out to punch the intercom. Before she could activate it, Arthur’s voice squawked anxiously. “Professor Dixon is on his way in to see you, Ms. Thornquist. Is that all right?”
    Letty stifled a groan. “It’s fine, Arthur.”
    A second later the office door swung open and Philip strode into the room. The first thing Letty noticed was that he was not wearing his usual tweed jacket and oxford-cloth shirt. Instead, he looked riveting in a silver-gray suit, pale pink silk shirt, and discreetly striped tie. There was a dark pink handkerchief in his breast pocket. He was wearing highly polished wingtips and carrying an expensive leather briefcase.
    It was clear Philip had made the shift from respected professor to captain of industry.
    “Good morning, Letty my dear.” Philip smiled benignly down upon her. “How are you today?”
    “Just fine, Philip.” Letty eyed him warily. “May I ask what you thought you were doing in Echo Cove?”
    “Got word of that did you?” Philip put down his briefcase and settled into the chair across from Letty. “I came across a reference to the takeover while I was going through some papers on your desk the other day. Thought I’d better check out the situation firsthand.”
    “I see.” Letty put as much ice into her words as possible. “Philip, I don’t think you understand how much I resent your high-handed actions. This is my company.”
    “Yes, yes, I know, my dear.” Philip was apparently willing to be indulgent. “But, as we discussed, you definitely don’t have the background to handle the cut and thrust of the business world.” He chuckled. “This is hardly the reference desk at the Vellacott Library, is it?”
    “I think I’m doing all right,” Letty said. “Mr. Blackstone is quite capable of guiding me through the maze of the modern business environment. He has kindly agreed to act as my mentor.”
    Philip frowned. “That brings up a topic I think we should discuss immediately. My trip to Echo Cove revealed to me a great deal of information about our current CEO . I’m afraid the long and the short of it is that we shall have to dismiss Joel Blackstone.”
    Letty blinked. “I can assure you that will be easier said than done.”
    “Nonsense. Simply a matter of terminating his employment, just as one would do with any other incompetent manager. We can arrange a nice little bonus for him, if you like.”
    “I would hardly call Mr. Blackstone incompetent. He has single-handedly turned Thornquist Gear into a major northwestern corporation.”
    Philip made a tut-tutting sound. “Unfortunately, I feel that he is destined to be a victim of his own success. Frankly, he’s risen above the level of his own competence. To put it bluntly, Letty, Thornquist Gear needs stronger, more dynamic, more modern leadership.”
    “No kidding.”
    “Thornquist requires a man of vision at the helm.” Philip gave her a sober man-of-vision look. “It needs someone who can mix and mingle with the major players who occupy the upper strata of today’s business world. It needs a man with a solid grounding in the intricacies of modern economics and finance. It needs a leader who knows how to network with other leaders in the industry.”
    “And that man is you?” Letty hazarded a guess.
    Philip gave her an approving smile. “I knew you would understand that eventually. You’re really quite bright in some ways, Letty.”
    A loud commotion in the outer office interrupted Letty before she could think of a suitable rejoinder to that