Foster Justice Read Online Free Page A

kiss the cheek of an overweight matron dripping in diamonds, not a wrinkle disturbed the expensive fabric. Mary’s fingers tightened about the price lists, but her smile was flawless as another couple came up.
    Some hours later, as the last guest left carrying a painting, Thomas was in an expansive mood. He kissed Jasmine’s cheek, and then Mary’s. “My two best masterpieces. Thanks, ladies. It was a smashing success, with your help. When Trey gets here, we’ll have an even better exhibition just for him.”
    Jasmine smiled a bit uncomfortably, but Mary pulled away when he kissed her. Accepting the sizable check Thomas handed her, Jasmine left. Thomas stretched and started to turn off lights, but Mary said, “Thomas, we need to talk.”
    He eyed her, but shrugged and led the way into his back office. It was like walking into another world. Here Thomas’s true self was displayed. The office was paneled with expensive walnut, and a huge Oriental rug in vivid burgundy, green, and blue covered the room from wall to wall, acting as the perfect foil for the Western art displayed in every quarter: paintings, sculptures, including a couple of originals by Remington himself.
    He waved her toward a leather chair before the desk and seated himself behind its massive, masculine bulk. “Are you packed yet for the trip to Amarillo?”
    â€œI’ve changed my mind. I’m not going.”
    He didn’t react with the anger she’d dreaded. He merely lifted one of those silver eyebrows and said calmly, “Why not? We’re finally ready to drill. The latest reports indicate the deposit beneath the Foster ranch will yield more than a billion metric cubic feet of natural gas alone. And I never could have convinced Trey to sell without your help. You’ll find me very generous when we start collecting checks.”
    Mary hesitated, and then said reluctantly, “Well, I guess I can finish the preliminary drilling preparation now we have the new seismic equipment available, but I have to see Trey before I go.”
    â€œHe needs to concentrate on his work, and he can’t concentrate on anything when you’re around.” He shoved a plane ticket and new cell phone, along with a six-figure check, across the desk. “Your share, with a bonus upon signing of the sales contract, as agreed.”
    Mary didn’t pick them up. “Thomas, why did you have Jasmine get a tattoo identical to mine?”
    â€œIt worked, didn’t it? That old biddy paid an obscene amount for the painting that matched your tattoos, just like I expected.”
    Twiddling with the ticket, Mary looked as if she wanted to believe him.
    Thomas continued smoothly, “Just get the drilling started, and I promise to explain everything to Trey myself after he’s settled. By the time you come home, he won’t be angry with you. Why on earth should you apologize for helping to make him a millionaire, anyway?”
    â€œTrey deserves to hear the truth from me.”
    â€œIt’s your decision, but he was on the verge of alcoholism when I got him to agree to sell and come back out to LA. If you tell him now, you’ll ruin his concentration and he really is a talented artist with a bright future. Keep to the agreement and everything will be fine. He just needs time to adjust to city life.”
    Reluctantly, Mary rose. “And when Chad Foster finds out?”
    The smile playing about Thomas’s lips turned cold. “Once he’s answered the bugle call to rescue his innocent little brother, we’ll have a clear field at the ranch. Get to work.”

CHAPTER 3
    T hree weeks later, beneath the huge Texas Ranger seal in his office, Chad was on the phone, glaring down at a crossed-off list. Stubble shadowed his cheeks and chin. His eyes were bleary and red. “No shit, LA’s a big place! But my brother hasn’t answered my calls in way over a week and he never does