Page 31 of Wild Temple (Tyson Wild Thriller #84)
“ B rooke’s in the car parked down the road,” Rex said.
"Do you realize what kind of a shit show this is!? I just killed Caspian’s business partner.
That screws up his entire operation. As you're aware, he owns all the cops in this town. Granted, he'll get another local stooge to come on as his business partner. But you’re gonna have every thug and cop in this town looking for you. And they’re going to be looking for me too.
I can't go back to my bar. I can’t go back to my normal life.
My entire world here is fucked because of you two.
” He sighed and shook his head. “We’ll all be lucky if we can walk away from this. ”
I had to admit, the outlook was pretty bleak at the moment.
Before we left, I rummaged through Slim’s pockets and took his cell phone.
I used facial recognition to access the device.
Once inside, I searched his recent calls and texts.
There were plenty of calls and texts to Caspian.
I scrolled through the messages, looking for any information regarding Isabella or Hannah .
There was nothing useful.
We left the tin shack and headed down the road to Rex’s red Jeep.
Relief washed over Brooke's eyes when she saw us. We hustled down the dirt road to the vehicle. Brooke clutched a 9mm pistol that he had given her. She put it on the dash, climbed out of the Jeep, and squeezed me tight. "Thank God you two are okay!”
"All the thanks goes to Rex," I said.
"Did you find where Hannah and your friend are?"
My eyes flicked to Rex as he climbed behind the wheel. "No. But I'm sure Rex can come up with something."
He had already done more than he wanted. But at this point, he had nothing else to lose.
We hopped into the Jeep, and Rex cranked up the engine. He banked a U-turn and headed us back to town. The wind swirled around the open top, blowing Brooke's long, blonde hair.
Talia had made arrangements for us to stay at the Nest. I had checked into the Bamboo Lofts under an assumed name and I planned to do the same at the Nest. I figured with enough cash, they wouldn't ask too many questions.
Slim’s phone buzzed with a text from Caspain on the way back into town. [Is it done?]
I wasn't sure how to respond.
I could buy a little time and give us the element of surprise. Or I could confront the situation head-on .
I replied: [Taken care of.]
Keeping the element of surprise was probably our best tactical advantage, but I couldn't resist. [If you ever want to see the map, you’ll give me both girls, alive and unharmed.]
I pressed send, then waited for a response.
I got one a few moments later when the phone rang. I answered with a smile in my voice. "Caspian?”
"Who is this?"
"It doesn’t matter who I am. I have what you want. You have what I want.”
"Where's Ace?”
"Unfortunately, he and his associates have taken an extended vacation. In hell.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line.
His breathing grew tight and heavy. He was pissed. In a slow, deliberate voice, he said, “You’re lucky I don’t kill the girl right now.”
“Do that, and you’ll never get what you want.”
Caspian went silent for another moment.
“You’re not going to let Pura Jiva pass you by, are you? You’re so close.”
“Okay, smart guy. We’ll meet at the Black Opal in two hours.”
“No,” I said with an incredulous chuckle. “I pick the spot and the time. But I need proof of life. Both Hannah and Isabella, or no deal. ”
“Then it looks like we don’t have a deal,” Caspian said. “I don’t know who Isabella is.”
"Bullshit," I said.
"I promise you," Caspian replied. "I don't know anyone named Isabella. I keep a tight watch on my inventory. I know everyone who comes in and out of my operation. I don't know anyone with that name."
My jaw clenched tight. "You expect me to believe you?"
"I don't care what you believe. The deal is for Hannah in exchange for the map. No trouble. No tricks. A simple exchange. We both get what we want, just as you said. Take it or leave it.”