Page 14 of Wild Temple
I flipped open the laptop at the desk and was greeted by a security screen. Knowing Isabella, she had a complicated passphrase. This wouldn’t be a favorite movie, birthday, or a pet’s name. It was likely a random string of letters, numbers, and special characters. Fortunately, multiple wrong answers wouldn’t trigger a lockout.
After a number of failed attempts, we gave up.
Without access to the computer, I couldn’t log onto the Wi-Fi. There was no way for Talia to hack it remotely. I had no hacking tools, no bootable drives, no magic USB drive loaded with exploits. I didn’t have the tools to crack the case and tamper with it. For now, we were out of luck.
By that time, the sun hovered over the horizon. I made my way down to the lobby and grabbed something to eat in the main dining room. There was a decent crowd of pretty people relaxing after a long day of typing on keyboards and lounging by the pool. I sat in a booth and perused the menu. I went with the grilled sirloin and garlic mashed potatoes, trying to stick to more traditional American dishes for the time being. I slugged down some bottled water I had opened at the table. I didn't need any unnecessary downtime. Less scrupulous places might serve tap or pour tap into a bottle. Always twist and listen for the click.
I filled my belly, talked to a few more people, then set out on Sunset Row to get a feel for the local nightlife. I wanted to see if I could pick up any additional details about Isabella.
It was a rather eclectic place. You could find everything from hole-in-the-wall blues bars to pulse-pounding techno clubs. There were plenty of girls in short skirts and painted-on dresses. High heels and long, tanned legs. In the more casual bars, you could find cut-off jean shorts and bikini tops. Jatala had surged in popularity, and the locals didn't waste any time catering to the influx of tourists. It was a paradise for the young, single, and unencumbered. But there was a dark side to the island, and I had only begun to get hints of it.
After a few bars and a few drinks, I called it an early night and returned to the hotel. I settled in for bed and tried to adjust to the time change. It was a full 12 hours difference, which pretty much meant I would be dragging ass all day and wired all night. It would take a few days to adjust.
After breakfast, I continued hitting some of the local cafés and restaurants, asking around for Isabella.
I didn't come up with much of anything.
In the afternoon, I set out to meet up with Rex again. Whisky Tango Foxtrot smelled like beer, whiskey, and bad decisions. I recognized some of the same faces from yesterday, sitting at the bar—American expats, hanging out, telling old war stories.
Rex didn't look entirely thrilled to see me. I think there was a part of him that hoped I wouldn't return today. A big part.
I leaned against the bar, and he made his way over to me. After a cautious glance around, he leaned in and said, "I've got what you want. Are you sure you want it?”
I nodded.
"Just do me a favor. If you get caught with this shit, you didn't get it from me.”
“Get caught with what?” I smiled.
After another glance around, Rex reached beneath the bar, grabbed a duffel bag, and set it on the counter with a clunk. It was obvious something metallic was inside, but nobody else in the bar seemed to pay us much mind.
"What do I owe you?"
"Consider it a gift," Rex said.
"That's mighty kind of you.”
"Think of it as a bribe to stay away.”
I chuckled. "Fair enough. If you’re ever in the Keys, look me up. I'll be sure to return the hospitality.” I paused, then added, "One more thing. What do you know about Pura Jiva?”
He scoffed. "That's not what this is about, is it?”
"I don't think so. I'm just curious.”
"The Temple of Life?" He shook his head. "Just another jungle legend. It's never been found and probably doesn't exist.”
"Probably?"
"Never say never. Sure, these assholes on the street will try to sell you water of the divine, the spring of life, whatever you want to call it. But I wouldn't drink it unless you want dysentery.” He leaned close and spoke in a hushed tone. “The real Mata Vaya is said to convey life extension properties. It's all horseshit, if you ask me. Every year these dipshit influencersgo out looking for it. Most never come back. They think it's some kind of video game. But that jungle will chew you up and spit you out if you don't know how to survive. It doesn't take long out there to get heat stroke. Half of them end up with malaria, the other half get bit by a snake or spider." Rex chuckled. "Natural selection. Darwinism at its finest. You can get lost out there quicker than shit. Eat the wrong berry, and you're gonna be in a world of hurt. Make a misstep, and Ghost Fang will get you. All for a photo op.”
“Ghost Fang?”
“You don’t want to know.”
"I take it you’re not a fan of the tourists?”
"Not that kind. They're ruining this place. It was quaint and quiet before. Now it's becoming an overgrown paradise with too many people, too much noise, and the wrong element.”
