Page 22 of Wild Temple
I put a comforting hand on her forearm.
"We’ve been to the police," I said, flashing my badge. “They were less than helpful.”
Mr. Winslow frowned again. "I'm sorry. I know how traumatic this kind of thing can be. I really do. I wish there was more that could be done, but we don't have a lot of resources. We’re just a satellite consular office. Of course, I can call the local police department and encourage them to put more resources on it, but I have to be honest with you—not much will come of it.” He muttered aside, “I didn't officially say this, but cops around here are pretty much useless—except for when it comes to extorting money from tourists for parking infringements or illegal contraband.”
“How often does this kind of thing happen around here?" I asked.
Winslow shrugged. "There was a young man in here just last week. His girlfriend went missing.” He grabbed a piece of paper from a tray on his desk.
It was an official memo with the girl’s name, information, and picture, along with the details of her disappearance. Kelsey Carter was a gorgeous blonde, 20 years old, with blue eyes and a petite frame.
Winslow continued, “It's really hard to say. She could have met someone, gotten homesick, decided she needed some space. Who knows? The missing person usually turns upwithin a few days. They’ve either met someone, gone on an excursion, or flown back to the States without telling anyone.”
"I watched Hannah get abducted," Brooke said. “She’s not just going to turn up in a few days.”
"I know. Your case is more concrete.” Winslow paused and was hesitant to admit it for some reason. "From time to time, we do have American girls go missing, and we find out they’ve been trafficked. There are local and foreign syndicates moving high quantities of drugs through the area and engaging in human trafficking. The two kind of go hand in hand around here. There is nothing we can do to combat it. We have to rely on local authorities.” He paused again and took a breath. “You didn’t hear this from me, but the local authorities are often on the take. I don't mean to be negative, but I'm just being honest. The odds that you’ll recover your friend are not good.”
That hung there like smoke, and Brooke tried to keep it together as her eyes filled.
“She’s probably been taken out of the region and may be off the island by now,” Winslow said. “Many of these outfits have foreign buyers waiting, and there can be a long wait list.”
It didn't come as a surprise to me.
Brooke wiped the tears from her eyes. “So, you’re saying she’s gone!?”
"I just want to manage expectations.”
12
Iasked about Isabella and showed Winslow her picture while Brooke filled out paperwork. “Have you heard anything about her? She’s been missing for several days now.”
He studied the image, frowned, and shook his head. “You’re welcome to fill out paperwork as well. Your friend’s case is less cut and dry. She could have just moved on.”
“And left all her stuff behind?” I said, growing annoyed myself.
“Have you checked the hospital, the jail? Quite often, people run afoul of local laws and get in hot water.”
Talia had contacted the local hospital, but they didn’t have a record of any patients named Isabella and said they had no Jane Doe’s matching her description.
“I checked. No record of arrest.” If she had been traveling under an assumed identity, she could still be rotting away ina cell. But I figured she’d find a way to contact someone if that were the case.
“Where are you staying?” Winslow asked.
I told him. “I’m under an assumed name in #306.”
“Good to know, in case I need to get in touch.”
I filled out a report as well. What could it hurt?
We returned to the Bamboo Lofts. I escorted Brooke to her room on the second floor. She slid the key card into the slot, and we stepped inside. The room felt empty and heavy without her friend.
Brooke fell onto the bed and buried her face into the pillow. I took a seat in a chair and looked out the window. The midday sun was high overhead.
Brooke rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. "I can't believe this happened. I’ve got to call Hannah's mother. I don't know what I'm going to say to her.”
"Just tell her like it is. That's all you can do."
Brooke sat up. "I can't believe how screwed up this is. We’re never going to find Hannah. I’m never going to get to Pura Jiva.”
