Page 60 of Dairy and Deadly

“That sounds like Clint.” Ashley leaned over to give Can Opener a smooch on the head to hide her grin. She was all business when she met Caro’s gaze again. “About that pending patent…?”

The FBI agent shook her head, making her pearl pendant earrings swing. “I really don’t know the best way to break it to you, so I’m just going to say it. Your mother filed for the patent.”

Ashley grew deathly still. “My mother,” she repeated. “How is that even possible?”

Caro dragged in a heavy breath and let it out. “She filed for the patent right before she…” She stopped and left the sentence dangling.

“I don’t understand!” Questions bubbled to Ashley’s lips. “How is it still pending now that she’s gone?”

“There was a co-signer.” Caro’s voice was grave.

“My dad?” For the life of her, Ashley couldn’t come up with another name.

Caro shook her head. “Some company called XAX. The Feds are digging into the details as we speak. I wish I could tell you more right now, but that’s all I have until our team can work their data mining magic on this latest finding.”

“I might be able to shed more light on it.” Ashley reached blindly for her phone.

“What are you doing?” Caro sounded cautious.

“Calling my dad.” All it took was the tap of a speed dial button to ring his number.

“Ashley,” Caro protested, “you can’t just?—”

“Dad?” Ashley was astonished by how quickly he accepted her call.

“Well, well, well!” His voice rang sarcastically across the line. “If it isn’t my long-lost eldest daughter!”

Your only daughter by blood,Ashley corrected inside her head, but she hadn’t called to argue. “Listen, I know it’s been a while since my last visit.”

“After skipping out on our wedding photo shoot, you mean?” His voice gathered energy, threatening to mow her down.

“Dad, please! I’ve been in the hospital, okay?”

“Again?” His shout quickly decelerated to a more moderate volume. “When? What happened?”

It was a couple of weeks ago, but it didn’t suit her current purpose to set his mind at ease too quickly. “I collapsed, and they rushed me to the ER in an ambulance. The doc found some shrapnel in my arm. It had gotten infected.” She was fine now. Better than she’d felt since before the shooting.

“Ashley,” her dad groaned, sounding so horrified on her behalf that it made her feel guilty.

“I’m better,” she conceded softly. “Not gonna lie, though. It was kind of a big deal. I was in the ICU for a few days. It was a real wake-up call.”

“Oh, honey!” Her father couldn’t have sounded more chastised.

“I’m okay now. Really. But I’d like to see you again.” She paused a few seconds before adding, “if that’s okay.”

“Of course, it’s okay, baby!” Jeff Perkins’ voice cracked with emotion. “Do you want me to drive there this weekend?”

Hook. Line. Sinker.Ashley shook her fist in the air in a sign of victory. “Actually, I was hoping you wouldn’t mind if I come…home.” She employed a soft, hesitant voice.

“Sure, sure.” He sounded harried. “I’ll tell Darla we need to clear out your old room. It’s gotten a little piled up since Blaire moved in after college.” His voice thickened with apology.

“Oh, that’s alright,” Ashley cut in hastily. “I’m happy to grab a hotel room. It’ll only be for one night.”

“That’ll work.” He sounded relieved. “Darla and Blaire are on a cruise right now, celebrating Blaire’s graduation. I’d hate to pilfer through their stuff without their permission.”

Pilfer through your own home?It sounded like his new wife and stepdaughter had taken over his home like conquering marauders.

“Would this evening be too soon for me to pop in on you?” Having Darla and Blair out of town would be perfect for what she was planning.

---