Read Online Foster Justice by Colleen Shannon - Free Book Online Page B

operator was taking a while to answer. Chad shifted in his new dress shoes, hating the button-down shirt and dress pants he’d purchased. In anything but jeans, he felt like he was wearing a straitjacket. When the operator came on finally and denied there was a guest registered under that name, Chad gave an irritated sigh. “And what about Jasmine Routh?”
    A brief pause, then, “No, sir, no one under that name either.”
    â€œThanks.” Chad slammed down the phone. Now what? If Trey had said he’d be at the Beverly Wilshire and wasn’t there, he’d already gotten his own place or . . . Chad quashed the thought, but one thing was sure: His few leads were drying up. LA had way too many hotels for him to call them one by one, and Chad had a feeling it would be a useless exercise anyway.
    Nope, as much as he hated to have to continue to see her, his best lead stood about five feet six inches, had auburn hair, and knew Trey much better than she admitted. Chad was about to leave and get in his truck to go back to the dance club when he noticed elegantly attired couples entering a doorway. Inside was a black-suited maître d’ with a pile of menus in his arms.
    Hell, it was worth a shot. Chad walked to the entrance and scanned the packed dining room. His gaze drifted over her the first time. She was laughing at something her companion had said, and looked so classy in the white ruffled blouse, he almost didn’t recognize her. But her laugh was very distinctive, musical and husky at the same time, and his gaze zeroed in on the pair. She was with the same man who’d escorted her the first time he’d seen her at the art gallery.
    â€œMay I help you, sir?” The maître d’ smiled at him with that oily obsequiousness displayed only at the best places, which Chad seldom frequented.
    Chad hesitated. The direct approach hadn’t gotten him anywhere. Time to try finesse. Chad didn’t much like the taste of the little-used word, but the fear in his gut for his brother was a good motivator. “I like that little two-top over there near the window. May I have that?”
    â€œFor one?”
    â€œYes.” It was also right behind Jasmine. Careful to pass behind her so she didn’t see him, Chad sat down with his back to them but well within earshot and pretended to peruse the menu.
    One table over, Jasmine was beginning to think she’d made a mistake in agreeing to have dinner with Roger, but she had her own questions to ask. “So how long have you known Thomas?” Jasmine took a demure taste of her lobster bisque, soup spoon angled away as she’d been taught in fancy schools an eon ago.
    â€œAbout five years. I’ve been his attorney for three. I helped him form his various corporate entities.” Roger leaned across the table to take her hand. “Jasmine, why won’t you go out with me?”
    Using the excuse of her napkin to pull away, Jasmine wiped her mouth and said lightly, “I just did.”
    â€œYou know what I mean. Really date me, not just have dinner with me.”
    â€œDespite my occupation, I have to get to know someone, Roger. And I’m too busy right now for complications.”
    Roger leaned back and blew a breath through his teeth. “So now I’m a complication? I thought you liked me.”
    â€œI do. But I’m not in a place right now where I can get involved with anyone. And since you and Thomas are both friends and business partners, that makes things even more difficult.”
    â€œHow so?”
    â€œThomas is my employer and a mentor to me and I . . . haven’t exactly had the best of luck with men in the past.” Jasmine searched for a way to defuse the situation and was glad when their meal arrived.
    As soon as the waiter left, Roger meticulously folded his napkin over his lap, his every movement controlled. “I get it. I’m good enough to use for my knowledge and my