Page 27 of Wild Temple (Tyson Wild Thriller #84)

I scooped up Kelsey and carried her through the adjoining door into Isabella’s suite. Isabella hadn’t technically checked out yet, and the hotel was still billing her for it. She’d booked the room for a month.

The last thing I needed was to be arrested for trafficking in Tanjung Sur. I’m sure if the cops found a doped-up girl in my room, they’d try to find a way to spin it. A murder charge wouldn’t be any better, but at least it was respectable in certain circles.

JD grabbed our bags and hustled into Isabella’s room.

I closed both adjoining doors and dead bolted the one in Isabella's room.

JD pulled the curtain shut at the sliding glass doors that led to the balcony.

We hovered in the room, keeping still.

I had locked the deadbolt to our old suite. From the hallway, it would take the cops a minute to break down the door. At 5’6” and 120 pounds, these guys had their work cut out for them.

Kelsey stirred. “What’s going on?”

I hushed her and whispered, “I’ll explain. We rescued you from the traffickers. Keep quiet.”

She glanced around with terrified eyes, trying to make sense of everything.

We listened as the cops heaved a battering ram against the door, crashing into it multiple times.

“Who is that?” Kelsey asked, disturbed by the commotion.

I put my finger to my lips and shushed her again.

Finally, the door flung wide, and the officers stormed into the neighboring suite.

I'm not quite sure how they found us.

We listened as they ransacked the room.

The handle to the adjoining door jiggled.

After a few attempts, the officer gave up. I expected to hear a knock at the main door to Isabella’s room at any moment now. We all waited with dread.

Then it came.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

I exchanged a look with JD. Then I shuttled Brooke to the door. She peered through the peephole—two cops stood in the hallway.

In a timid voice, Brooke called through the door, "Who is it? "

"Police. Open up!”

I whispered in her ear, telling her what to say.

Brooke responded to the officers. "I'm not dressed. Can you give me a minute? What's this about?”

"We are looking for your neighbors. Have you seen them?”

"I'm sorry. No. I haven't. What did they do?"

"They're wanted fugitives, ma'am."

"Are they dangerous?”

"Extremely. If you see them, please call the police department immediately.”

"I will. Thank you.”

Brooke rushed into the bathroom, peeled out of her clothes, and wrapped a towel around her torso. She scooped water from the sink and lightly wet her hair.

I peered through the peephole. The officers stood there, waiting.

Brooke returned to the door and opened it, keeping the chain on.

I hid behind the door.

Brooke flashed that disarming smile. The towel was strategically placed to draw the eye to her lush valley of cleavage. “I don’t think I’ve seen my neighbors yet.”

The cop asked, “Are you staying here alone?”

“Yes. ”

He looked her up and down for a moment. “Gunshots were reported not far from here. Two men were killed. Witnesses saw two men leave on a scooter.” He gave her a description of JD and me, but it was a little off.

“That’s scary. I’ll keep an eye out,” Brooke said. “But I don’t think that’s who’s staying next door.”

“I’m sure you’re safe, but call us if you see anyone suspicious.”

“I certainly will. Thank you.”

It dawned on me that Winslow at the consular agency had probably ratted us out. He was the only one who knew where we were staying. The dirtbag was on the take. This town was beyond corrupt.

The two officers exchanged a glance with each other, then stepped across the hall and knocked on the neighboring door. Brooke closed our door as the neighbor across the hall opened hers.

The cops went through the same drill. The woman said she hadn't seen us in a few days.

The officers continued knocking on doors, rousting sleepy-eyed nomads out of bed.

They finally wrapped up, sealed our old room with crime scene tape, then took off.

We had dodged a bullet for the time being, but it was definitely time for a venue change. It was a good thing I had rented the room and the bike under an assumed name.

Jack approached and muttered, "What the hell are we going to do with Kelsey?" He nodded to the hazy girl. "She’s not exactly mobile at the moment.”

"Does somebody want to tell me what's going on?" Kelsey said.

I moved to her and took a seat on the edge of the bed.

I flashed my badge and made introductions.

I told her she'd been kidnapped and trafficked, which she was aware of.

But the last several days were pretty much a drug-induced blur for her.

She could only remember bits and pieces of the nightmare, and that was probably for the best.

"Who did you come to the island with?" I asked.

"My boyfriend.” She hesitated a moment. "How long have I been… missing?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe a week or so. Do you think your boyfriend is still in town?”

Kelsey shrugged. "He better be.”

"You remember where you were staying?”

“Yeah, the Hive.”

It was another place for digital nomads just down the street. She told me her boyfriend’s name, and I used the room phone to call the Hive. The clerk answered in a cheery tone, and I asked her to connect me with Troy Watson’s room.”

Her fingers danced across the keyboard, then she said, “Just a moment. I’ll connect you.”

I handed the receiver to Kelsey.

Troy answered after a few rings. “Hello? ”

“Baby,” Kelsey said, the tears flowing.

“Kelsey? Where are you?”

“I need you to come get me.” She looked at me. “Where am I?”

“The Bamboo Lofts.”

She relayed the information. “These guys saved me.”

“Tell him to meet you in the lobby,” I said.

She relayed the information and told him to hurry.

When she ended the call, I showed her Isabella’s and Hannah’s pictures on my phone. “Do you recall seeing either of them?”