Page 13 of Wild Temple (Tyson Wild Thriller #84)

" D uring the war, the Japanese hid caches of weapons, gold, and other loot all throughout Southeast Asia and Indonesia,” Brooke said.

"My grandfather's mission was to infiltrate the island, find hidden weapons caches, and destroy them.

He worked in a super secret four-man unit.

The Imperial Navy had a strong presence in the area at the time.

Through a network of informants and resistance fighters, my grandfather's unit was able to destroy several targets in Tanjung Sur.

At one point in time, they ambushed a Japanese platoon.

My father recovered a map from a soldier that led to Pura Jiva.

My grandfather and his team found the lost temple.

All of them drank from the sacred fountain.

All of them—every single one—lived an unnaturally long life.

You can't tell me that's a coincidence. There's something to it.” Brooke’s eyes filled again. "I thought if I could bottle that water and bring it back to my mother, then maybe she’d have a fighting chance. ”

"It doesn't sound silly at all," I said. "It sounds like you love your mother.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks again. "I do. So much.”

Brooke wiped the tears away and tried to regain her composure. She took a deep breath and summoned her strength. “I need to call Hannah’s mom. She’s gonna freak.”

Brooke found her phone and made the dreaded call.

As anticipated, Hannah’s mother flipped out. Her shrieking voice crackled through the speaker in Brooke's phone. Brooke answered all her questions and tried to ease her nerves. "I'm with a cop from the United States. He's trying to help find Hannah.”

"What good is an American cop going to do there?”

"Well, the local authorities aren’t doing anything."

"This was a ridiculous idea!” Hannah’s mother snapped. “I told you girls you shouldn't have gone alone.”

The attack was not what Brooke needed at the moment. Her eyes filled, and she burst into tears again. "I know. This is all my fault. I'm sorry, Margaret. I'm doing everything I can.”

"I'm on the next plane out.”

"Do you want to talk to the cop?”

"I’d like to talk to the local police. But right now, I'll talk to whoever I can."

Brooke handed me the phone.

"Margaret, this is Deputy Wild with Coconut County. I know this news is upsetting. ”

“Upsetting!?”

I told her about our experience at the police station and the consular agency. "Local authorities have been less than helpful, but I can assure you, I’m doing everything I can. I've handled a number of these cases before and am currently working on another missing persons case right now.”

It was of little comfort to Margaret. "What good can you possibly do!? You have no jurisdiction.”

"Maybe I have failed to communicate the situation,” I said in a calm voice. "The local authorities will do nothing. There is no cavalry coming. If I can't find Hannah, nobody will even bother to look.”

Margaret went silent for a moment.

"I don't mean to upset you, but that's the reality of the situation.

Now, you're more than welcome to hop on a plane and come out here, but I don't think it's going to do any good.

It may even complicate the situation. You can ruffle feathers and raise hell at the consular agency, but that's not going to get you very far.

Your resources are better spent pressuring officials back home.

Contact the State Department and the FBI.

They can put pressure on local officials.

Just sit tight. I'm on top of it. Brooke will keep you updated as information develops. "

I handed the phone back to Brooke.

I didn’t need to babysit Margaret if she flew out here. There was a good chance she’d get herself in trouble if she knocked on the wrong doors.

Brooke talked to her for a while longer .

I planned on having Brooke speak to a sketch artist at the department during normal business hours. I had gotten a brief glimpse of Bayu, but having a rendering of the two dirtbags might come in handy.

My phone buzzed with a call from Jack.

“Where are you?"

"I just touched down,” he said. “I'm heading your way now.”

I filled him in on the situation.

"Well, that complicates things, doesn't it?”

"Just a little.”

"Don’t get distracted. Isabella is your prime objective."

"I understand," I said. "But if somebody doesn't help, this girl is long gone."

Jack sighed. "I hear you. I'll be there shortly.”

I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket. I told Brooke I'd be back to check on her.

Her face wrinkled with distress. "No! You can't leave me. I can't be alone right now.”

I understood her fear. "Okay. Come with me. Stay close, and do exactly as I say.”

Brooke nodded.

She gathered her things. We left her suite and made our way up to the third floor. I slipped the card into the slot, and we pushed into my hotel room. "Make yourself at home. Help yourself to the minibar. Just don't go crazy. You hungry? You want room service? "

She nodded. "I'm starving.”

I figured Jack would be hungry, so I told her to order for the three of us. Another round of those smash burgers would do the trick.

Jack arrived about the time the food did. I introduced him to Brooke, and we chowed down at the breakfast table.

"How was your flight?" I asked.

"Great! Slept most of the way. I'm ready for action.”

"Something tells me we’re going to see plenty of it.” I gave him a recap of everything I'd been through since I'd gotten here.

After we ate, I figured I’d try my luck with Rex one more time. With Brooke in tow, I hoped it would elicit a little sympathy. She was adorable, and her story certainly tugged at the heartstrings.