Secret Desire(21)

“Yes, the market can bounce, which is why holding on any longer is pointless. I’ll make more money than I’ll ever spend. Why be greedy?” He was aware that Mark was trying to get a better deal not necessarily because of Dustin, but for himself—Mark worked on points. The commission alone would be more than most families earned in a year. In a way, Dustin felt guilty for getting so much for doing so little. A simple invention. No one suspected a patent would be worth so much.

At first he had not sold the patent, just the rights to cell phone companies. Dustin had created a secured system, using a new software code that to date could not be broken apart.

Then the legal wrangling started and he found himself up in an office filled with attorneys, day after day, up to his eyeballs in contracts and copyright legalese. He had no time to create, only to go after companies that infringed on his patents. He wanted to sell the technology instead of being some patent troll, embroiled in lawsuits and fighting over rights.

He decided to leave any career that included being chained inside an office, before it was too late.

“I want the deal locked up by tomorrow. Overnight the contract documents. I’ll sign and scan copies and courier the originals back to you. And Mark don’t let me down.”

Dustin was well aware that he could walk away from the deal and take this sale and the ensuing commission to another broker. He’d heard from Mr. Robertson that Fran had become a high-powered broker but not one he’d ever consider using. He’d seen her in New York, getting into an elevator. Living the city life, he supposed. He’d avoided making contact as she passed by him holding on to a young woman with a death grip, snarling garishly enough to make people take a step back. He’d heard along the financial grapevine that she clung to a man who’d inherited his company from his father.

If Fran ever came clean about what she’d done to Claire, hell would freeze with flying donkeys. She seemed more hard-core than ever. No, if he had any hope to set things right, it would be done by him alone. Claire would have to take a stand on who to believe. Somehow that thought sucker-punched him in the gut.

He walked back to the barn, wondering if Claire was seeing anyone special. He’d kept up with her life by occasionally speaking about her with Mr. Robertson, but he’d never downright asked if she was involved with someone.

He approached the 1974 Honda Elsinore he’d bought at auction a month ago. Riding and working on vintage motocross bikes freed his mind. If he hadn’t thought he’d scare the daylights out of Claire, he’d have followed her and found her in Seattle. But stalker status was not exactly an improvement in relationship with Claire. After buying his parents’ farm months ago, he was just about finished with the renovations of the house. He wasn’t certain whether he’d stay. That all depended on Claire.

A car door slammed. Her car bolted down the driveway, lifting up dust from the gravel road. He made another call. “Hello, may I please speak with Mr. Chase, Jr.?” He waited for the connection. “Bob? It’s Dustin Murray.”

“Dustin, what’s going on?”

“I’ve got a favor to ask. You’re representing Claire Robertson in the matter of her parents’ estate.”

“Yes. That’s true.”

“Send the bill to me.”

“What?”

“I’d like to take care of the cost of the probate. They don’t have much and she doesn’t need to be concerned with another bill.”

Bob laughed. “I think Claire’s parents had us all fooled.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well you know I can’t break client confidentiality but it’s fair to say Claire’s parents left her a wealthy woman. They may not have spent much money, but that didn’t mean they didn’t have any. Mr. Robertson made some sound investments that paid off.”

Dustin watched the line of dust that continued to rise from where Claire’s car was headed. “I couldn’t be more pleased for her. Still, send the bill to me. On principle. I already offered and won’t withdraw just because her financial picture is brighter.”

“Dustin, from what will soon be public probate knowledge, the Robertsons will be considered one of Mill Spring’s well-off families. I’m not saying up to your status, but comfortable. Speaking of success, you’ll probably be in Forbes before the year is out. Small town doesn’t mean small mind.”

“Just dumb luck.”

“Well then hooray for idiots.” Bob chuckled. “Maybe I’m closer to a gold mine than I realized.”

Dustin said his goodbyes. He wasn’t taken aback by the news. Claire’s father had asked for tech financial advice from time to time. If Mr. Robertson had been able to use that information, then bully for him to be smart enough to invest at the right time.