Page 9 of Wild Temple

“From here?” I asked.

“I think she was staying down the block at the Nest. It’s another place for nomads with co-working spaces and nice amenities.”

“Did you know her?”

“No. I’ve just seen the flyers around. We met her boyfriend one night. Poor guy. He’s been looking everywhere for her.”

“Do you recall her name?”

Jen exchanged a look with her companions. “Tatum, I think.”

“What was her boyfriend’s name?” Amy asked.

Jen squinted as she thought about it. “Cory?”

“No,” Alyssa said. “Cody.”

“That’s it,” Jen replied.

“It’s kind of freaky,” Alyssa said. “That’s two blondes in a week. I guess we should be careful,” she said, half joking.

“You all ought to be,” I cautioned.

They didn’t like the sound of that.

“We will,” Jen assured with a flirty smile.

I moved on and found two more lovely ladies to chat with by the pool—teeny bikinis, smooth skin, glistening with oil, flat stomachs. Heavenly.

“I hate to interrupt, but have you seen this woman?” I asked, displaying a photo of Isabella.

The two girls studied the image.

“She looks kind of familiar,” the blonde said. She had a fresh, wholesome face, crystal eyes, pouty lips, and elegant features. She shared a glance with her compatriot.

Her friend said, “No. I don’t recognize her.”

She had wavy chocolate hair that tickled her shoulders, hazel eyes, and golden skin.

“Are you sure about that?”

“We just got in last night,” she replied. “We really haven’t had time to socialize.”

"I'm Tyson, by the way," I said, extending a hand.

The blonde smiled and shook mine. "I'm Brooke. This is Hannah.”

We exchanged pleasantries.

"Where are you from?”

"Austin,” Brooke said. “What about you?”

"Coconut Key.”

"What's up with your friend?”

"I think she's missing.”