Page 55 of Wild Temple
"Are you sure it's accurate?" Rex asked.
Brooke shrugged. "How the hell should I know? I haven't been there yet.”
She handed him the diary, opened to the page with the map. Rex studied it for a moment. "Well, I'll be damned."
"You know where that is?” I asked.
"I’ve got a pretty good idea.” Rex continued to study the map. "From the Twin Sisters, we take the trail to the north and pass through the Valley of Darkness. There is another temple here,” he said, pointing to the location. “That's about an hour north of the Sisters. From there, we follow the route all the way up to Pura Jiva, in the mountains.”
“How far is it to Pura Jiva?” Brooke asked.
“There's no easy way to get there. You're looking at two full days of hiking. That means food, supplies, water, shelter. That's dense jungle. There's no way to get a vehicle in there. If something happens on the way, you’re shit out of luck. There’s no trail, either. You’ll have to make one.” Rex looked at me. “And you know what that's like.”
I’d done my fair share of trekking through sweltering jungles and knew it was no picnic.
"There’s a reason that place has remained hidden all these years.” He paused, giving it consideration. “I say we meet Caspian here," Rex said, pointing to the first temple near the Twin Sisters. "Temple of the Wind. This valley will create a natural choke point. We’ll force them through and pick them off one by one.”
"What makes you think they’ll be dumb enough to walk into that trap?" I asked.
"I know Caspian. He’s used to bulldozing his way through everything. He thinks he can brute force a win.” Rex paused. "He doesn't know I'm working with you yet. I can take overwatch and snipe the bastard when he steps into view.”
"And what about Hannah?"
"I'll take out her handler first. We’ll ambush the son-of-a-bitch! The map is bait.”
I considered it.
“It’s the best plan of action,” Rex said with confidence. “Caspian has to come through the Valley of Darkness. There’s no other way.”
Rex knew the terrain better than I did.
I exchanged a glance with Jack.
He shrugged.
"And what if they refuse to meet as planned?" I asked.
"You know the drill. Play hardball. Caspian wants that map. Heneedsthat map.”
My eyes narrowed at him. “What do you know?”
“I know that in his current state, Caspian doesn't have long to live. That's why he wants the map. He's been trying to find Pura Jiva for years. But his time is running out." He looked at Brooke. "No offense, but you and your girlfriend ran your mouth to the wrong people. Stroke of bad luck. Bayu and Putu went right back and told Caspian everything. The plan was to kidnap both of you, take the map, sell you off, and find the temple.” Rex looked at me. "You put a wrench in their plans."
I glared at him. "How long have you known all this?”
"I tried to help you where I could. You know that. Like I said, we're even now.”
"If we’re even, why are you still helping us?" I asked with doubtful eyes.
Rex frowned. "Maybe I have a guilt complex.” After a pause, he said, “But don't look a gift horse in the mouth.”
Rex fired up the engine and pulled onto the road. He shouted over the wind and the whir of the tires, “I don’t think we should go back to Jatala. Too risky. I know a guy who can set us up with supplies. There’s still enough daylight to load up, hike to the Valley of Darkness, and prep the ambush. Call Caspian and set the exchange for tomorrow morning.”
Brooke cringed. “Does that mean we’re going to camp overnight in the jungle?”
I nodded. “You better get used to the idea if you ever want to find Pura Jiva.”
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