Copyright © 2000 HHT Irrevocable Trust. All rights reserved.

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Chapter 5

MANILA, PHILIPPINES

BILL AND HARRY LANDED AT MANILA International Airport. The flight from Bangkok allowed them to sit back and relax. Relaxing, however, is never possible in the Manila Airport. Thousands of people scurry around like a bunch of rats, going first one place and then another. At times, Bill would insert his earplugs to block the noise and close his eyes. After a twelve-hour layover, they boarded a propeller-driven plane and flew toward the Philippine Island of Palawan. The small plane bounced wildly in the turbulent air emphasizing their departure from civilization.

“This is a real puddle-jumper, compared to the 747,” Bill said turning toward Harry, surprised to see he had fallen asleep.

Bill watched with amazement as Harry slept soundly. Harry had grown accustomed to switching from major airliners to smaller planes—“One of the few men in the world who can sleep on a helicopter while being transported into a jungle for battle,” Bill thought. “He has been a jungle fighter for over half his life.”

Harry awakened four hours later as the plane set down on a short runway at Puerto Princesa. The unpainted, concrete terminal, designed to withstand high humidity and intense storms, stood dwarfed against a jungle background.

“There’s, our man standing outside the doorway.” Bill said. “I’m surprised he received the message.”

Bill had telephoned Pedro from Manila informing him of their arrival, and Pedro had faxed a letter to Teofisto explaining their schedule. The letter was then hand-carried to Teofisto at his hut

“I’m surprised too,” Harry commented, as he stretched and yawned. “Communications in these islands are only one step above jungle drums.”

Bill laughed and began gathering their belongings.

Teofisto smiled when he spotted Bill descending the plane, but suddenly frowned as he remembered he had bad news. After being introduced to Harry, he explained the problem. “They moved the Orphans six hours into rough jungle. Ernie came back five days after you left and used two native tribes to move them. He hired a chief, who rules both tribes, to guard the Orphans. It was done at night, in secret. Then Ernie went back to Manila.”

Both Bill and Harry listened to the disheartening news, feeling a gut-wrenching agitation. Ernie’s unexpected act would cause them an almost disastrous delay—most of their plans would be scrapped or revised.

Teofisto continued telling the details of following the natives all night to the far end of the island. There he watched as they hid the Orphans in a cave and covered the opening.

“We’ll have make a lot of adjustments; that area of the island is hazardous to one’s health.” Harry commented. “Besides the rebel forces, the natives have a hatred for foreigners. We’ll need to send scouts to check it out—which will cause a few weeks delay. All we can do is wait it out.”

“I have something for you to do while you’re waiting,” Teofisto said under his breath.

Both Bill and Harry ignored him as the details of a plan change occupied their thoughts.

They moved through the terminal with their luggage, and Teofisto directed them to a waiting automobile.

With the automobile loaded, Bill and Teofisto squeezed into the back seat, and Harry sat next to the driver.

Teofisto introduced the driver, a shifty nervous man who never looked directly at anyone. “This is Ramos.”

“Komusta ka pò?” Bill said in a gesture of friendship.

Ramos, looking over his shoulder, returning the greeting, “Mabuti.”

Harry simply glanced in the driver’s direction and nodded.

“Ramos has been working on a gold recovery in Mindanao,” Teofisto continued. “Maybe you want to get in on it.”

“We can’t allow ourselves to be sidetracked,” Bill said.

“True, but maybe you purchase more gold at the same time,” Teofisto anxiously replied, but heard no response.

Harry interrupted the silence that followed by asking, “How much are you talking about?”

“Maybe forty tons,” Teofisto answered with renewed hope.

Harry showing particular interest asked,” Could, I get a sample?”

“No sample, but I can show you,” Ramos answered.

“We’ll take a look if we have time,” Harry said and glanced out the side window quickly calculating an approximate figure of $40,000,000 and thinking with a smirk on his face, “I could use that kind of money. Maybe I could get C2 to finance the purchase of the gold, and we could become partners on a side deal. His devious mind began planning a secret project.”

While staring out the window, Harry’s imagination continued to wander, remembering an article he had read a few months ago in a newspaper. —Russia has only two hundred and forty tons of gold in their treasury. That doesn’t seem possible, but it might be true. Nations go to war for forty tons, he thought.

Bill, unaware of Harry’s thoughts, changed the subject, “Has Ramos been with you long?” He asked Teofisto.

Teofisto, sensing that Bill was uneasy with Ramos’ presence, responded quickly, “You don’t have to worry about Ramos; he is my cousin he worked with me and Pedro many years.”

“Has he helped with the Orphans?”

“Yes, he helped me watch and trail the Orphans every day—all day,” Teofisto answered.

“Where are we going now,” Harry asked.

“We are staying with Beth and Nellie since the Orphans left.”

“Are they girlfriends?” Bill asked.

“No, just friends of my cousin,” Ramos said with a smirk.

“Is everyone related around here?” Bill asked half jokingly.

Teofisto replied, seriously, “All Filipinos are related sometime.”

After traveling twenty minutes, they arrived at a bamboo-covered hut situated in the center of a small clearing. The yard looked typical with a heavy wooden table outside near the front door, a campfire pit for cooking and a washtub attached to the hut for washing dishes. This would be their base camp for several weeks.

As they drove into the yard two scantily clad and very shapely Filipina girls came out of the hut. They stood quietly waiting near the doorway watching as the car stop and the men got out. Ramos introduced everyone all around and led Bill and Harry toward the hut and introduced the girls. Bill took particular interest in Nellie, but Harry showed no interest—he had a distorted attitude concerning women. It was a “get-what-you-can-then-leave” attitude.

“There are only two things that women are good for,” he would say, implying something lewd; then he would leave the interpretation of the word “things” to the imagination of the listener.

Stepping toward Bill, Nellie said, “Let me help you with your bags. I prepared a cot for you.”

Bill gladly handed his small tourist bag to her and carried the heavy bags inside the hut. The hut was used for sleeping—two cots and a desk.

Nellie pointed, “That’s your cot Mr. Harry.” Harry went to it and stacked his bags in the corner.

Nellie placed Bill’s bag on a cot in the opposite corner, and Bill quietly whispered, “Thank you.”

“My pleasure, Mr. Bill.” Obviously, Teofisto had told her about Bill, and she had looked forward to the meeting. Like most Filipinas, she considered an unmarried American man to be a ticket to America.

Bill turned toward her as she walked away and backed up toward his cot. “I’d like to get better acquainted, but first things first,” he thought while pulling his ST (Satellite Telephone) from his bag. Opening the case and positioning the antenna, he dialed ‘Big O’, who had stayed in Thailand. “We’re here safe and sound,” Bill said as ‘Big O’ answered his ST.

“Is everything under control?” ‘Big O’ asked.

Looking around the room, Bill wondered himself. “The Orphans have been moved, but Mr. T still has them under observation.”

‘Big O’ looked seriously at Doug who sat next to him. “Doug and I are leaving for the home base tomorrow—check with you when we arrive.”

“Send me an e-mail when you get there, will you please?” Bill asked.

“Okay,” and the ST went dead.

Bill and Harry were fatigued; so they lay on their cots to rest. It was now nearly 5a.m., and they had left Bangkok at 7 the morning before. Hot, muggy, uncomfortable sleep came slowly to both men. The others slept on grass mats placed on the floor.

Nellie and Beth were first to arise. They began preparing food immediately. Odors of fried rice and fish awakened the appetites of the men, causing them to stagger outside one by one, Bill being the last to join them.

“It’s times like this that I miss my swimming pool in Vegas,” Bill said. “My Jacuzzi would feel like heaven on earth right now.”

“I don’t want to hear about it,” Harry commented.

The men sat on wooden benches around a weathered table waiting to be served. Few words were spoken as they scratched their heads and rubbed their sleepy eyes trying to awaken their tired bodies. First one would yawn, then another.

After several minutes, Bill walked to a faucet, attached to a metal pipe coming from the ground and turned it on. Water came out with minimal force, but enough to dowse his head. Rubbing his head vigorously helped restore his mental and physical energy.

He returned with freshly brushed hair, and the other men followed his example. Cold water was the stimulus needed to bring them back to life.

Nellie was quick to respond to Bill’s needs. She brought him a plate heaped with food and set it before him. With a smile that caused Bill to take notice, she said, ”I fixed this for you Mr. Bill.”

The words, “Thank you,” were all Bill could say. This unsolicited attention was foreign to his ways—he had always been the aggressor.

The others washed and returned to the table as Beth and Nellie placed the food; and without hesitation, they ate in silence.

Finally Bill leaned back and said to Teofisto, “I’ve been thinking; I’d like to check the area where the Orphans used to be stored. Can you take me there?”

“Yes, Mr. Bill,” Teofisto said. “I’d be glad to take you.”

Harry wanting to be alone with Ramos, said, “That’s fine, but I think I’ll stay here and rest. You need to take a radio pack, so we can maintain communication.” Harry then went to the hut and prepared the radios.

It was 11:45 before Bill and Teofisto left for the orphan site. As soon as they were out of sight, Harry began asking Ramos questions about the Mindanao gold. Obviously, he had a plan in mind.

“Have you seen the gold in Mindanao?” Harry asked.

“Yes, there is much gold there.”

“How much for sure?”

“Many boxes on four trucks and boxes stacked around the trucks, maybe forty tons.”

“Could you take me there?” Harry continued.

“Yes, but we have to be careful, very dangerous—rebels in the area. A local man and his family found it and guard it all the times.”

“I can get the money to buy it if it’s for real.”

“It’s real, I have seen it.”

“Let’s keep this between us. I’ll go with you soon to see it, and you let me handle the financial details, don’t tell Bill or Teofisto I’m working with you on this.”

Ramos was pleased to deal with Harry; he related to Harry’s deceptive nature. “Very good Mr. Harry, just you and me.”

Harry turned with his jaw clenched deep in thought. “This could be my bonanza,” he thought—having a private stash delighted him. Picking up the radio pack, he turned the frequency dial and sent a signal to Bill. The hookup was made, and Bill responded.

“We’re in thick jungle, about an hour away from the site. I’ll call when we arrive.”

“Roger, ten-four.”

The midday sun was intense; causing the ground moisture to rise and making the jungle feel like a large sauna. Teofisto, with a swinging machete in hand, continued hacking the heavily overgrown brush covering the narrow trail as Bill followed close behind.

“Believe it or not, we pay good money to just sit and sweat in health spas in the States,” Bill commented.

Teofisto was too preoccupied to respond. He had traveled the same trail several times at night, but this was his first daylight trip. The environment looked entirely different; so he had to concentrate.

After fighting the jungle for another hour, they finally reached a rocky hill. Teofisto worked his way around the sliding rocks to an opening that identified a cave.

Crouching, they went inside. Using a flashlight, they saw a small room measuring six by eight with a five-foot ceiling.

Bill remained crouched for a while, and then sat on the dirt floor to continue his inspection of the cave. The room was empty except for a few broken boards. It was evident that recent activity had taken place in and around the cave.

“You saw the Orphans?” Bill questioned.

“Yes, right here,” Teofisto, answered, pointing to a spot in the center of the room. “I crawled in one night when the guard left his post”

“How large was each one?” Bill asked.

Teofisto held his hands together with his fingers forming a three by four inch rectangle and said, “About this big.”

The description fit the dimensions calculated from the gold molds found in Manila; so Teofisto was probably telling the truth.

“How far did they move the Orphans from here?” Bill asked.

“We walked all night, maybe six hours away.”

Distances are never measured in miles in the jungle—only according to time it takes to travel. Bill asked, “Are you sure? Where they are now?”

“Yes, very sure. We think that we know.”

Bill moved outside the cave and radioed Harry, “We’re at the site. I’m coming back to make further plans, over and out.”

“Roger,” Harry confirmed the transmission.

Bill and Teofisto followed their trail back to camp, returning quickly. Upon arriving, Bill and Harry sat alone making plans to locate and keep the Orphans under constant observation. Bill called Teofisto to join their conversation and asked him, “Do you have anyone besides Ramos who can go with you to watch the Orphans?”

“Yes, my cousin Mario. He’ okay.”

“Can we trust him?” Bill asked, knowing the answer before he asked.

“Yes, he’s okay.”

“I don’t like getting others involved, but we have no choice,” Harry said. “I’ll set up communications with a relay wire two hours from here; then Teofisto can take a radio pack with him.”

“I’d better stay at camp until Suwat’s team arrives,” Bill said. “What can you do that’s productive for the next few days.”

“I’ve been thinking about going to Mindanao with Ramos and check on the gold that he claims is stashed there,” Harry said.

“We’d better get to ‘Big O’ on that,” Bill said with some reluctance.

“I’ll prepare a coded fax and get it to him. With his ST, he can pick it up anywhere.” With that in mind, Harry withdrew to the hut to prepare a message.

Bill worked with Teofisto showing him how to operate the radio pack, which he understood without much need instructions—he had used one before. With a slow deliberate move, Bill then took a GSC from his pocket and held it before Teofisto’s eyes. “This will be your most valuable possession. Whenever you feel it vibrate like this…pressing a button and holding the unit against Teofisto’s body…you press this button here (a preprogrammed button to send an E-mail indicating his coordinates). It will send me an instant message telling me exactly where you are at that moment. You have to leave this button moved down (pointing to the on/off switch). During the day, hold it in daylight for fifteen minutes to recharge the battery—sunlight is best, but daylight will do. Do you have any questions?”

“No.”

“Okay, repeat to me what you are to do with this telephone—thinking it was easier for Teofisto to think of it as a phone.

Teofisto rehearsed his instructions until Bill was satisfied and placed the GSC in a zipped pocket. Bill continued explaining to Teofisto that he was expected to locate and observe the Orphans without being seen. His only responsibility was to make sure the Orphans’ exact location could be identified before Suwat’s team arrived.

Harry completed the message and faxed it to ‘Big O’. They awaited a reply.

As if on a schedule, a reply message came, stating that a lengthy response would follow on E-mail through Bill’s GSC.

Everyone laid around relaxing…preparing for the next day’s events. The need for sleep gradually overcame them again, and they retired for the night.

The following morning, according to schedule, all of the men proceeded with what they needed to do in order to fulfill their assignments. Harry left with Teofisto and Mario to string a communication relay wire for their low output radio transmitters. Teofisto and Mario would then continue through the jungle to establish surveillance of the Orphans.

An encrypted message from ‘Big O’ was waiting for Bill when he checked his E-mail. ‘Big O’ was not entirely satisfied with the plan of checking out the possibility of locating more gold in Mindanao but said, with some reservations, that he would leave the final decision to Harry. ‘Big O’ would also like an immediate source of funding if the Orphan project hit more snags, and expressed the idea that maybe the Mindanao gold could provide it. ‘Big O’ at that time still had complete confidence in Harry, not yet knowing his devious thinking.

‘Big O’ expressed his regrets in the relocation of the Orphans. He had returned to the United States with Doug, who was arranging for a ship to leave Long Beach and wait in Guam until it was time to go to Hong Kong. Doug would travel with the ship to Guam and then return to Saipan by air from there. ‘Big O’ would travel commercial jet to Hong Kong and meet Suwat’s team, connect with the ship from Guam; then sail to Palawan. The plans were nearly the same as before, but the timing had changed. Ken Abel would meet Doug in Saipan to prepare for the arrival of the Orphans.

Bill sent an affirmative reply to ‘Big O’, informing him that his message had been received, and that future correspondence would be at Worldwide headquarters in the States.

Nellie was busy sweeping the hut and surrounding grounds as Bill sat at the table reading. She intentionally made herself conspicuous.

“You look pretty this morning,” Bill said breaking the silence.

Nellie smiled and lowered her head in a naturally submissive manner that encouraged Bill to move in her direction. “Do you live in Palawan?” Bill asked.

“No mainly Luzon, but I came to work for you,” she replied.

“Teofisto didn’t tell me about you.”

“He said, maybe you need a good cook and housekeeper. I work with Pedro Lim too.”

Bill liked her reference that he was in charge and responded, “You’re a big help and we need help; so I’m happy you’re here.”

“I stay?” she asked with a relieved question in her voice.

“You can stay,” Bill assured her, thinking she would be good to have around and especially if the recovery was made.

Nellie smiled and continued her tasks thinking similar thoughts, but she also had her secret desire to go to America someday—maybe with Bill.

Bill returned to his reading and Nellie continued cleaning the area. “I’ll get to know her better later,” Bill thought.

About two hours south, Harry was busily engaged in climbing a tree to string the relay wire. One end had already been attached, and this would complete the task. Climbing trees was not one of Harry’s strengths, but he had sent Teofisto off, for testing purposes, so he was alone, for the time being.

Finally the wire was securely attached and stretched between the tall trees. Harry lowered himself to the ground using a climber’s nylon rope and began testing the transmitter.

To his satisfaction, Teofisto received a message, and communication was established. Gathering his equipment, he returned to the base camp.

“How’d it go?” Bill asked as he saw Harry enter the clearing around the hut.

“Fine, I think it’s all set.” Harry said as he set up the transmitter.

At first it seemed as if the selected frequency would have too much static, but suddenly, Teofisto’s voice came through clearly.

“We are near the orphanage, but it is still light; so we’ll wait for darkness to check the Orphans.”

“Roger, call back in three hours.”

“Hey, Mr. T,” Bill interrupted. “I want to test your GSC. Do you feel the vibration?”

“Roger.”

“Press the button.”

“Roger, ten-four.”

Bill looking at his GSC expressed delight as he observed Teofisto’s location on his screen. “That’s good, sign off now.”

“Ten-four.”

“That’s good equipment,” Bill commented, “I’m glad Teofisto has had some experience in communications, he’ll handle it okay.”

Harry nodded in agreement and responded to Bill’s comment about the equipment, “The radio had many years of field testing; we used this same transmitter in Nam twenty years ago. That new GSC is still foreign to me.”

“I’m glad to be working with pros,” Bill said. “By the way, ‘Big O’ sent a message.”

“What’re his plans?”

“He and Doug have returned to the States to arrange for a boat to leave Long Beach, California and station in Guam. He’s leaving the Mindanao thing up to you.”

“If the Orphans are accessible, we can have Suwat’s team come over right away,” Harry responded, hoping for a delay so he could check the Mindanao gold. “Where’s Ramos?” he asked.

“I don’t know; he’s been gone all day,” Bill answered and began arranging papers on the table.

Harry walked to the hut and asked Beth if she knew about Ramos.

“He had a meeting,” she answered without explanation, probably not knowing any details.

“I’m going to rest for a few minutes. Would you wake me when Ramos arrives?”

“Oh-Oh,” Beth answered, meaning yes she would.

The next two hours passed quickly for Harry as he fell asleep. He awoke to the voice of Ramos saying, “Mr. Harry!”

Harry stirred and sat on the cot’s edge trying to regain his composure. The atmosphere was hot and humid, dusk was settling in, and he was dripping with perspiration. “Hi Ramos, where you been?”

“I talked with the man from Mindanao. He is anxious to sell gold.”

“I have a plan, but we might have to take care of the Orphans first,” Harry said. “Tell me about the gold again.”

“They have much gold in a cave and want to sell it for 15% market value.”

“I could handle that. Will they sell a small amount first then the rest later?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“That way I could raise the money I need by selling some first at market value,” Harry thought as he began making plans.

Nellie’s voice was heard from across the yard calling them to dinner; so they stopped the gold discussion and met Bill at the outside table.

In the rural areas of the Philippines, all activities, except sleeping, are outside the huts, including washing dishes and clothes, even showering.

Bill looked up and greeted Ramos, “Well, you’ve been a busy man today. Where you been?”

“Just had a meeting.”

Bill had more important things on his mind so did not ask further questions. “By the time we finish, Teofisto should be calling.”

“That’s what I was just thinking,” Harry said and began eating the rice and stir-fried vegetables. “Hey, what’s this mixed in with the rice?”

Beth came to look and said, “That’s chicken, Mr. Harry.”

“Where did you get chicken?”

“I caught it in the jungle. It was wild.”

Harry then gave one of his few compliments, “You deserve a reward for that effort, it tastes very good.”

Beth turned with a slight giggle and glanced at Nellie who had turned toward the hut. Bill watched their actions as he continued eating and thought about the ancient Spanish voyagers who first came to these islands and how the sailors were probably awestruck at the beauty of these native girls. To worldly men, their naive actions will always have an enticing effect.

A short time after the evening meal, Bill and Harry positioned themselves near the radio receiver; and, as expected, Teofisto called to report about 7:00 p.m..

“Mr. T calling Batman, come in Batman,” Teofisto’s voice came across in broken words, but they recognized his code name, Mr. T.

Harry quickly adjusted the radio dials and pressed the transmission switch, “Harry here, reading you loud and clear, come in.”

To their joy, Teofisto returned message, “Roger, read you clear.”

“Acknowledge, give report.”

“Orphans have been relocated, we haven’t seen them yet but will continue watching.”

“Someone will be protecting them, so watch for anyone leaving the village. Are you near the village?”

“Roger, that’s what we do. We watch day and night. A man left and another returned, but I lost him when I followed in the dark. We keep trying.”

“Roger, call again at 0700 hours to report,” He then gave the necessary instructions for Teofisto to maintain a fixed reporting schedule at 0700 and 1900 hours each day and any other time there was an emergency.

“Roger, ten-four.”

“I can tell Teofisto enjoys the radio. He’s used one before,” Bill said.

“Yeah’, he said he’s carried one on other missions. Man, they’ve moved the Orphans. That means another delay. Do you think they’ve taken them from the island?” Harry asked.

“I can’t imagine it; Ernie hasn’t been there to supervise such a move, and I doubt if they would do it on their own.”

“Well, all we can do is wait,” Harry said. “In the meantime, I’m going to follow up on the Mindanao gold.”

“Okay, if you really want to,” Bill agreed. “I can hold down the fort here for a few days.”

Bill noticed Harry talking to Ramos later that night and sensed a feeling of uneasiness. He sat in the shadows listening to Harry speaking in hushed tones. Bill had the thought, “He doesn’t act like a team player right now; his attitude seems to be self-centered  I wonder if he and Ramos have something going on their own? No, that’s not right of me to think that of him. Surely he wouldn’t endanger the mission that way!”If Bill could have heard the words of Harry’s conversation, he would have known that Harry was preparing to go on his own. The gold bug was about to grab a firm bite on Harry and never let go.

“Let’s keep everything we say between you and me,” Harry told Ramos, and Ramos nodded in agreement. “I can get the money to pay for the gold; so it’s best not to get others involved.”

Ramos had no concern for ‘Big O’ or his team; he had never dealt with them. Harry, on the other hand was venturing toward a point of no return. ‘Big O’ and all connected with him lived by a code of ethics that didn’t allow deviation from a plan or any other action that could interfere with their agreed upon and predetermined their goals. It was clearly understood that anyone who caused a problem would be eliminated without hesitation.

Bill continued to watch Harry and Ramos for twenty or thirty minutes then gave into tiredness and went to bed.

The following morning, Bill was awakened by Harry, who reported that he had caught Teofisto’s early morning report and nothing had changed with them—they were still waiting for a lead to the new location of the Orphans.

“Ramos and I are fixin’ to take off in a few minutes. He’s made reservations on the 10:00 a.m. flight to Mindanao. I’ll check Mindanao out and fax the information to you in a couple days,” Harry hastily explained.

“Okay, good luck. I’ll check every day for a fax,” Bill responded, knowing Harry had set his mind and nothing would change it.

Bill laid back down on his cot to clear his mind, and Harry left with Ramos. Bill heard them drive away and decided to fax a message to ‘Big O’ at the Worldwide Headquarter. He hurriedly began preparing a coded message.

Harry and Ramos drove away in the old vehicle that Ramos had been using and drove off in the direction of the airport. When they arrived at the airport Ramos parked his old vehicle in the far corner of the lot, Harry handled his own gear and Ramos carried a small non-descript duffel bag.

As they arrived at the airport and parked the vehicle in the far corner of the lot, Harry handled his gear and Ramos carried a small duffel bag.

The eight passenger, twin-engine plane left on schedule. The six-hour trip was expected to be a rough flight. Flying out over the open sea proved to be a rougher experience than either of them had anticipated. The air turbulence kept the small airplane bouncing continuously, with an occasional unexpected down draft that hurled the craft down too close to the ocean for comfort.

At last, they landed in Cagayan de Oro. Ramos said, “I have a cousin coming to meet us. He has a car.”

Once again, Harry could not resist saying under his breath, “Is everyone over here cousins?”

“What was that?” Ramos asked.

“Nothing, I was just talking to myself,” Harry answered.

Ramos thought nothing of Harry’s comment and led the way toward a parking area.

“There’s my cousin now,” Ramos shouted, informing Harry but primarily to get his cousin’s attention.

Ramos’ cousin had been watching and easily recognized Ramos. Waving his arm in acknowledgement, he climbed in the cab of an open bed truck and drove through the field.

After stopping the rusty old truck, the cousin climbed from the cab and with a grin on his face greeted Ramos in Tagalog and turned facing Harry.

“My name is Bobbie,” he said.

Bobbie was happy to see them, possibly excessively happy. “I’m Harry,” Harry said, reaching forward to shake hands. The limp handshake that followed was the type Harry would never get used to. In all third world countries, the men and women shake with an acquiescent feel that to them probably represents humble friendship, but to American soldiers like Harry, it feels like a dead fish.

Bobbie eagerly helped load Harry’s bags into the back of the truck. The truck had high open sides and a metal bed. By the odor Harry could tell, though it was clean, that the truck had recently been used to haul cattle.

“Are you in the cattle business?” Harry asked.

Bobbie looked astonished, wondering who had told him about cattle, smiled and said, “Yes, I ship water buffalo to Manila, for McDonald’s hamburgers.” He then joked, “Buffalo today, burgers tomorrow.”

Without a comment, Harry looked the other way and smiled to himself—now, he knew why he didn’t like the burgers he had eaten at the McDonald’s in Manila.

The truck lumbered over rough roads for an hour before pulling up next to a corrugated metal hut with a palm leafed roof.

Looking around the clearing Harry made an inaudible statement: “If you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all.” The living conditions among the locals were the same throughout the islands, and all of the huts looked alike.

Bobbie lived alone at the time, but there was evidence of others recently staying in the hut. Harry reasoned that they were probably workers in the cattle business and could very easily be rustlers.

 “Just us live here now; you can have the bed.” Bobbie said to Harry, pointing at the only bed in the ten-foot square room.

“Thank you,” Harry replied and set his things next to the bed. The sun would set in an hour; so he knew it was after 1700 hours before looking at his watch.

The room was sparse.  The only furniture was the narrow bed, a small table with four wooden chairs and a small cupboard. Harry pulled a chair from under the table and sat. The others followed his example and joined him.

Three men sitting around a table at night, with a single light bulb hanging from a frayed cord presented a scene similar to criminals plotting a devious deed in a dingy back room. Harry was plotting his own devious plan, and unknown to him another devious plan was already laid behind the scenes. Nothing was as it seemed.

“Ramos tells me you have located a large amount of buried treasure,” Harry began the conversation.

“Yes, very big.”

“How big?”

“Too big.”

Harry was well aware of the phrase ‘too big’. The Filipinos used it all the time to emphasize the largeness of anything. He continued asking questions to get the details. “Ramos said maybe forty metric tons.”

“Forty tons, maybe more.”

“Can you take me to it tomorrow?”

“Yes, but we need to go before daylight,” Bobbie emphasized.

“Let’s get some rest and take off at three, how far away is it?”

“Maybe one hour.”

“We’d better leave at one o’clock,” Ramos said.

“That’s okay with me, the sooner the better,” Harry agreed. “Let’s get some rest.”

With that statement, they prepared to retire. Harry used the only bed and the others slept on the floor.

At one o’clock, Harry’s alarm wristwatch sounded in the stillness of the night, and Harry rolled over in disbelief.

Harry dressed, and the others stirred and stood fully dressed; they usually slept in their clothes.

Without even a cup of coffee, they boarded the truck and left. Harry being a natural pack rat, always had personal necessities stashed; so he pulled a couple of nutrition bars from his bag and offered one to Ramos. Ramos declined and so did Bobbie.

“You guys just don’t know what’s good,” Harry said jokingly, but at the same time glad they had refused.

“I have food for later,” Bobbie said, pointing to a small pouch hanging from his belt. Filipino workers usually carry a bolus of steamed rice and occasionally chicken was cooked in the rice.

As they traveled through the jungle on what was hardly more than a narrow trail. Harry attempted to remember the route they took, but after several circuitous turns lost track. One hour later, Bobbie drove the truck off the main road and down a dirt trail leading into the jungle. As dense brush engulfed the truck, hiding it from view, Bobbie turned off the engine.

“We have to walk for the rest of the way, which shouldn’t take us much more than about twenty minutes,” Bobbie said.

“It’s a good thing we left as early as we did,” Harry said, “it will still dark for only about two more hours.”

“Let’s hurry,” Ramos added, wanting to take advantage of every minute.

The narrow footpath proved to be tedious, but the clear night sky reflecting starlight provided fairly good visibility. Soon they arrived at a hill.

“I know the opening to a cave around the hill,” Bobbie said in hushed tones, “Follow me.” He then led them to a rocky area and began removing a pile of brush. A small dark opening gradually appeared, and Bobbie shined a flashlight inside in an attempt to illuminate the dark interior almost covered with spider webs.

Harry strained to adjust his eyes and finally made out three wooden crates resting on the dirt floor about ten feet below.

“Is the gold in those crates?” Harry asked quietly.

“There sure is, Mr. Harry” Bobbie whispered, as Ramos worked himself into position to look down the cave which sloped quickly downward.

“Where those crates moved there by Filipinos, or were they left in that position by the Japanese?” Harry asked.

“We moved them,” Bobbie answered.

“I want to be sure; because the Japanese often placed booby traps of cyanide and acid inside the crates to explode in deadly cyanide gas when the crates were opened.”

“These are okay, we opened them,” Bobbie assured him.

“Can we go down?” Harry asked.

“Yes, I hid a rope under that rock,” Bobbie said pointing then going to a nearby rock. He rolled the rock aside and withdrew a long rope. After tying one end around a large boulder and dropping the other down the hole, Bobbie edged himself inside the hole of the cave and down the rope. Harry followed, and Ramos was the last to enter.

Harry’s heart was beating with excitement as he walked to the crates and watched with bated breath as Bobbie pried open the top one. He anxiously watched Bobby remove a heavy metal bar.

As if reading Harry’s mind, Bobbie stated, “It’s ten kilos.”

Harry’s mind was calculating with frenzied speed. Ten kilos is twenty-two pounds. At $300.00 per ounce times 16 ounces to the pound that would make that single bar worth over $100,000. Harry hefted it in his hands. It felt like gold, but Harry, always suspicious, had brought an acid kit to be sure. Passing the bar back to Bobbie, he readied a scratch-glass and a small vial of acid.

After rubbing the smoky scratch-glass across a corner of a bar, he placed a drop of acid on the gold colored mark—the mark remained.

“It checks out at least twenty-two karat,” Harry said spontaneously.

Bobbie replied in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, “Yes, it’s very good gold.”

“Where’s the rest of it?” Harry asked, while flashing the light around the empty chamber.

“You mean trucks?” Bobbie replied.

“Yes, the four trucks you described.”

“They’re not too far, but hidden very good. You want to buy this?” Bobbie asked.

“Yes, I’ll buy this first then the four trucks later—how much money for these?”

“Only $20,000 for one bar,” Bobbie explained.

“I can’t do that. Maybe fifteen bars for $160,000 US dollars?”

Bobbie nodded in agreement, and Harry reached for another bar. One by one he tested and stacked fifteen bars on the ground. Looking at a possible two million dollars he said to himself, “Let’s do it.”

“I need to make some phone calls to the States,” Harry explained. “Can you take me to a telephone?”

“Yes, a telephone office in Cagayan de Oro,” Bobbie replied.

“Let’s get back there as soon as we can,” Harry said with a tone of urgency in his voice, as he replaced the gold bars in the crates.

They left after Bobbie replaced the cover and carefully policed the area to cover any evidence of their being there. “I have to be careful,” Bobbie said, “The people I work with don’t trust anyone, and I’m not supposed to bring strangers. The chief’s son had his throat cut over this gold because he brought some people here on a phony deal that went wrong for everyone. The other people were also killed, or at least they have totally disappeared.”

“I understand,” Harry said. “You can trust me.”

Neither Bobbie nor Ramos acted concerned about security until Harry noticed they were returning by a different route. He realized that it was an intentional move to prevent him from remembering the location. He had to commend them, for they had completely confused him.

It was still early morning when they arrived in Cagayan de Oro. Knowing the telephone office was open twenty-four hours a day, Bobbie drove directly there.

While walking toward the office, Harry quickly calculated the time would be 1500 hours in California. “C2 should still be in the office,” he thought. C2, code name for Craig Bush, is a millionaire whose loyalty reaches only to himself. He pretends as if money isn’t important to him; when in reality, he would sacrifice anyone for more money. He had no scruples or morals of any kind. There were those who had dealt with C2 before who now simply referred to him as ‘the rat’.

The woman at the counter stood as he entered and supplied the form to request a telephone call. Harry filled it out and returned it.

“You wish to talk whom C2?” she questioned.

“That’s his nickname, C2.”

“You want me to ask for C2?” she repeated to be sure she understood such a strange request.

“That’s right, it’s a joke he and I have.”

“Okay, Mr. Harry. You may pickup that white phone,” she said, pointing to a white telephone in a booth near the corner of the room.

Harry listened as the telephone rang four times; and just as he was beginning to think no one was there, C2 himself answered.

“This is Cagayan de Oro calling for Mr. C2. Is this Mr. C2?”

“Yes it is,” he answered after a second’s hesitation.

“I have a collect call from a Mr. Harry, will you accept the charges?”

“Yes.”

“Go ahead, please,”

“Hi,” Harry said. “I’m glad you were in.”

“That C2 business threw me for a second. What’s happening?”

Harry spoke as quietly as possible, under the circumstances and the tone of his voice made it clear this was a serious matter; so, C2 knew it was something important. “I can’t talk over the telephone; so I’ll have to send you a coded fax. I just wanted to make sure you were available.”

“I’ll wait here until I hear from you,” C2 stated.

“You’ll have to trust me on this one. Don’t tell anyone we’re communicating. As soon as you receive the fax call me with an affirmative or negative. Don’t ask questions on the phone—I’ll be clear on the fax.”

C2 leaned back in his office chair with a keen interest thinking, This must be good or Harry wouldn’t be calling in such secrecy. “How long will it take for the fax?”

“About an hour and a half, maybe two.”

“Okay, I’m on your time,” C2 said jokingly.

“You’ll love me for this one.”

Harry hung up the telephone receiver, paid the woman and thanked her for her help. The woman smiled and pleasantly thanked him in return but thought, these Americans do funny things.

Harry needed to be alone for a while; so he asked if Bobbie would let him use the truck while he prepared a message. Bobbie and Ramos both willingly complied and walked away.

Harry’s message had to be explicit, concise and candid to capture the attention and positive reaction of C2. He didn’t want any doubt or delay to prevent this transaction from moving forward. C2 had to bring $160,000 to Mindanao within the next few days; so he could get the gold into his possession right away. After he had control of the gold, he and C2 would get it out of the country somehow, he had a couple of plans in mind. His message had to convince C2 to move quickly with complete faith.

The coded message contained many words that did not apply to the standard program; so they had to be spelled using double-digit letters for each letter of the alphabet—it was time consuming. He explained meeting Ramos, his flight to Mindanao, meeting Ramos’ associate, Bobbie, and about his personal inspection of the gold bars. He emphasized that this was a side project just between the two of them, and ‘Big O’ must not know anything about it. If ‘Big O’ asked him anything at all, he would need to report that he knew nothing. Harry and C2 needed to keep this entire venture totally private and be the only players. The clincher was that they could each earn a million dollars and possibly dissolve relations with the gold Buddha adventure.

Harry was correct in his estimate, for he finished and sent the message within two hours. C2 received it as planned and began the task of deciphering the code.

Harry knew that it would be after 1200 hours before an answer from C2; so he located Bobbie and Ramos and took them to lunch.

Sitting around a table, Harry began asking Bobbie questions so he could understand the details of the buried treasure.

“It’s time to get down to the nut cuttin’,” Harry stated, a phrase neither Filipino understood. “Exactly who owns the stuff? We’ll refer to the gold as stuff from now on.”

“A family owns it.”

“Let’s get serious. I’ve started the ball rolling to get the money, now you must arrange the exchange. Can you contact the family today.”

“Yes, maybe.”

“Bobbie, let me make myself clear,” Harry spoke forcefully with agitation, “The word maybe, isn’t good enough. You either can or you can’t. It’s time for you to be more definite. Do we have to steal the stuff, or can we buy it, either way is okay with me.”

Both Bobbie and Ramos concentrated as Harry spoke. They partially understood and promised to communicate more precisely, even though their lifelong habit of being vague to Americans would never allow it.

“I can talk to the head man of the family today and make him an offer.”

“That’s what I want to hear,” Harry said lowering his voice in a more congenial tone. “What do you think we have to pay—the bottom line.”

Out of habit, Bobbie nearly said the word “maybe” but caught himself, “He told me that he would settle for $1500 US for each bar.”

Harry wrote some figures on a napkin: “$1500 X 15 = $225,000". “We can’t pay that much on this first transaction, but ask him to sell fifteen bars for $160,000US, and we will then make arrangements to buy the forty tons later.”

“I can do that,” Bobbie responded.

“Let’s eat, and you can take me back to the hut and make your contact,” Harry suggested and received nods of agreement from both men.

After eating, they returned to the hut. Bobbie and Ramos left Harry and drove back to town to call the head of the family who controlled the gold.

“Will he go for the deal?” Ramos asked Bobbie.

“He’ll do it, but I’m not sure we can trust him.”

“Isn’t he honest?”

“Well, he wanted me to work with him to cheat those Americans who were here last year,” Bobbie replied.

“I’d hate to see him try to cheat Harry—he wouldn’t live long if he did,” Bobbie said.

As they approached the restaurant where they had previously eaten, Bobbie made a right turn and drove to the outskirts of town.

After traveling a couple miles, Bobbie turned down a dirt road leading to small-corrugated shed tucked among the dense brush. He stopped the truck, and both he and Ramos walked toward the shed.

Several loud knocks on the metal siding brought a scruffy looking young Filipino to the door.

“Yes?” he asked.

“I’m looking for Henry,” Bobbie said, speaking Tagalog. Henry was his link to the headman of the tribe holding the gold.

Opening the door, the young man invited Ramos and Bobbie inside. “Just a minute, I’ll get Henry,” he said and walked outside.

The young man’s actions were not rude; they were the way things were done in his village. Ramos and Bobbie sat on the only two chairs inside the flimsy shed and waited patiently.

After fifteen minutes, the young man returned with Henry following closely behind him.

“Well, Bobbie, where have you been for so long?” Henry asked, speaking in their native tongue.

“I’ve been working. I’d like you to meet my friend, Ramos,” Bobbie answered.

Ramos and Henry shook hands as a friendly greeting. Henry motioned for them to step outside, and their conversation continued around a wooden table by a shed, according to Filipino custom.

The men sat in silence for a few seconds until Bobbie finally spoke: “I have a man interested in buying the fifteen bars of gold to start with and more later.”

“How much money does he have? Henry asked.

“Plenty.”

“Is he American?” Henry asked, guessing he probably was.

“Yes, American,” Bobbie answered.

“Very rich?”

“Yes, very rich. He wants to buy the fifteen bars first then the four trucks.”

Henry stared at the ground without asking the next question, “Did you show him the bars.”

Bobbie had to explain quickly because he knew the secrecy involved, “Yes, I showed him, but I drove in a confusing direction; so he can’t find it again.”

“I asked you not to do that,” Henry stated with agitation.

“I was very careful and had to do it, or my American would not have stayed. He wants to buy and has sent to the US for money.”

“How much money?”

“I’m not sure,” Bobbie answered, “but he said he would pay $160,000 for the bars and buy the gold in the trucks next.”

“I wanted $250,000,” Henry stated.

“You had better take what you can get. He said $160,000 was his only offer.”

Henry looked toward the jungle trees and began contriving a devious plan of deceit. He had worked a scam before with small success, but another time his son had his throat cut by an angry American who had been cheated. Henry wondered if this was another chance to cheat the buyer, become rich and keep the gold for himself.

Turning to face Bobbie, Henry made a quick decision and agreed with the terms. “Only if he can do it soon,” he said.

“He’ll be ready in a few days,” Bobbie assured Henry.

Ramos had not joined the conversation; he held back and observed. If he suspected deceit, he didn’t mention it.

“He already saw the bars?” Henry asked as if he were thinking aloud.

Bobbie had already told him about going to the cave; so he didn’t answer.

Henry continued, “We have to do it at night, and I want Pesos.”

The request seemed strange to Ramos, for Filipinos usually prefer US dollars but he nodded his head because he knew that gold always made people do the unexpected. Dealing with gold creates a mental dysfunction, which manifests itself in bizarre actions. Paranoia replaces rational thinking, greed replaces basic consideration for others and achieving the goal of protecting the gold becomes paramount at any cost. Even the extreme act of murder is considered justified self-protection—not realizing that the opportunity for murder would not exist if the act of gaining an advantage by corrupt means did not exist. Greed, deceit and distrust always take control when dealing with gold, especially buried treasure.

“He will get pesos, but why would you want the money in pesos? It will be difficult to exchange that much money,” Bobbie answered.

“Did you know we were given counterfeit money last year?” Henry asked.

“No, I didn’t know,” Bobbie replied.

“Yes, a Japanese businessman took ten bars and left fake US hundred dollar bills. I’ll never deal with Japanese again.”

Bobbie shook his head in amazement and said; “Now I understand, but it will still be difficult.”

Henry stood and stated, “It’s the only way I’ll deal.”

Both Bobbie and Ramos stood in unison and walked closer to Henry, who had turned slightly, giving the impression of leaving.

“My man will do it, but we want a percentage for bringing him to you,” Bobbie stated with boldness.

Henry answered, after thinking for a few seconds, “Okay, I’ll give you fifty thousand pesos.”

“Maybe one hundred thousand pesos,” Bobbie countered.

Henry stood his ground, knowing Bobbie would do it for less than fifty thousand, but finally agreed to sixty thousand.

A bargain was struck, and details of the transfer were arranged—Bobbie would contact Henry when the money arrived, and they would meet at the cave to exchange money for gold. The arrangement was simple and straightforward, but a feeling of distrust lingered, perhaps caused by the nature of the product.

Back at the hut, Harry was delighted with the favorable news, and decided to return to the telephone office and call C2.

Within an hour, C2 was contacted and a short conversation consisting of an affirmative response resulted. C2 would leave early the next morning and meet Harry in Manila. The Hilton Hotel would be their rendezvous point.

While at the telephone office, Harry decided to send a telegram to Bill. The message read: “Unable to verify Orphans, doesn’t look good. Contact you in three days.”

“That’ll take care of Bill for now,” Harry said to himself.

Harry told Bobbie to drive to the airport; so he could arrange to leave for Manila the next day. They encountered no problems and purchased an airline ticket for 7:00 a.m.—Ramos would wait with Bobbie.

Two days had passed since Harry had left Bill.. Now Harry was moving toward total independence. His thoughts were no longer on the team effort. His deceitful actions were unexpected by other team members; so he would have no interference by them until the completion of his deal. Then he would be rich, and the end would justify the means.

“Do not contact Bill or anyone in Palawan while I’m away,” Harry instructed Ramos while returning to their hut.

“I understand,” Ramos replied.

“I hope so,” Harry continued with a threat, “if you don’t do exactly as I say, your ass is on the line and your life won’t be worth a peso. Alám mo ba (do you know) what I mean?”

Ramos answered, feeling total intimidation, “Yes, okay.” Neither he nor other Filipinos appreciated crude language, but would never speak up against it.

Harry didn’t sleep well that night, for his mind continually rehearsed his anticipated future as a wealthy man. The acquisition of the gold was not a concern because he had the money coming and felt confident he could handle the details. His worry was transferring the gold from the Philippines to a safe location. In order to move that amount of weight, he could use extra help, but he could not trust anybody. Fifteen bars weighing ten kilos, or twenty-two pounds each would be three hundred and thirty pounds; so he, C2, Ramos and Bobbie would be carrying eighty pounds each.

It would be possible for four men to handle, but extremely hazardous. This important factor would prove to be Harry’s major obstacle and should have received more priority in his planning. It was not like him to neglect a detail as important as this, but the thoughts of immediate financial independence clouded his thinking.

The night passed slowly, but eventually the first hint of daylight arrived. Harry dressed and prepared to leave an hour ahead of schedule—he was anxious to complete the transaction before ‘Big O’ learned of it.

At 6:00 a.m. they drove to the airport, and Harry once again emphasized the importance of secrecy. Bobbie assured him that he could be trusted.

“Like all Filipinos,” Harry said under his breath with sarcasm, believing none of them could be trusted.

The airport was surprisingly busy. People were scurrying to tape their cardboard boxes shut and retying them with rope. It was a sight common to all third world airports—well-behaved children clinging to their mothers, and men dragging heavy boxes up to the ticket counter.

Harry had a physical build similar to Filipinos and Asians; so he wasn’t as conspicuous as most Americans, a fact that had been beneficial many times through his adventuresome life. He was able to blend in with the crowd.

Harry left Cagayan de Oro for Manila at 7:14 a.m.. At the same time in Palawan, Bill Goodwin received a radio message from Teofisto. Teofisto had not located the Orphans yet. He and Mario had been living in the jungle, sleeping on the ground and watching the village night and day; but had not observed anyone who appeared to be leaving for possible guard duty.

“Do you think they are still guarding the Orphans?" Bill asked.

“Yes, for sure,” Teofisto replied emphatically. “Maybe they’re safe without a guard, but someone will check them soon.”

“I’m tired of waiting here,” Bill said. “You leave Mario and come back for supplies, and I will travel with you—is it safe for me?”

“It’s okay if you hide with us.”

“Alright, you come to the base camp today.”

“Roger, ten-four,” Teofisto replied.

Setting the receiver on the battery pack, Bill stood and wandered around the camp area in boredom. He felt an uneasiness because he hadn’t heard from Harry for over two days, and the last message was vague.

“I don’t trust good ol’ Harry,” Bill said aloud to himself. “I wish we could get Suwat’s team over here and wrap this project up.” Teofisto started back to base camp right away.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Harry arrived in Manila. He was filled with anticipation as he thought about the surreptitious action being planned.

The negative magnitude of his actions was minimized in his mind by the potential enormous wealth. He willingly would sacrifice a lifetime of trust and friendship with ‘Big O’ and his team for gold. The die had been cast, and he now was at point of no return.

The hot busy Manila airport felt familiar to Harry as he brushed his way through the crowd, past customs and through the front door. Catching a taxi, he went to the Hilton and checked in to a nice room—intentionally avoiding the Sheraton. He knew the Sheraton was the meeting place of the Gold Buddha project, and he didn’t want any unexpected contacts.

C2 would arrive early the next morning; so Harry had time to take care of his personal needs. He relaxed in his room for an hour before going to the restaurant for a brunch buffet.

As he walked into the restaurant, he gazed at the vast display of food. “How quickly one forgets the frills of civilization,” he thought. The meal was delicious, and once again it was impossible not to overeat. 

Needing rest, Harry went to his room and lay on the bed watching television until he dozed off into a deep sleep. The day slipped by in a lazy way with nothing pressing—he could do nothing until C2 came.

C2 had made all the arrangements for the money and managed to catch his flight within minutes of departure. His main delay was caused by the time it took to get this amount of cash out of his safety deposit boxes and purchasing 17 cashiers checks, for $9,000.00 apiece and one extra one for $7,000.00. This took him to 18 different banks but gave him exactly $160,000.00, which he could easily carry with him and turn into cash again when he reached Manila. By handling it in this manner it would be easy to carry through Philippine customs. Also, none of the U.S. banks would be required to make any kind of a report. He didn’t want to leave any kind of a money-trail for the IRS. Going from bank to bank as he traveled around Los Angeles purchasing the cashier’s checks became a kind of game for him.

After acquiring the cash, he purchased a large aluminum camera carrying case and taped the money beneath the foam rubber on the bottom of the case. By cutting compartments for his cameras and lenses, the cash was well hidden. The purpose for that time consuming effort was so he wouldn’t have to declare cash entering the Philippines. Suspicion would always connect an American carrying a large sum of cash to the purchase of gold bullion, and it was illegal to purchase gold bullion in the Philippines.

C2 trusted Harry because of his reputation of being a competent Special Forces soldier. He had not known Harry long, but believed that it would take someone like him to get gold out of the country. “I’m risking a lot of money based on faith,” C2 thought, but he was totally willing to take the risk in order to acquire more money.

Relaxing in his large first-class seat, C2 listened to music trying to sleep. The fourteen-hour direct flight seemed longer than before, probably because of his anxiety. <