Bali Bule Hunter

by Michael Powers

  “Your informant is an Indonesian in San Diego named Jaya?” Greg asked.

  “How you know?” Ahmad blinked, mouth wide open.

  Greg mopped sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. “He’s my roommate. I asked him to transfer funds to Aji’s bank. When he entered the password I gave him, the bank was supposed to notify Homeland Security. I guess the process works. If you had arrived much later, I’m not sure we’d still be alive.”

  Budi looked up at his sister. “Why do they call you Madam Director? Please tell me you’re secretly a world famous filmmaker.”

  Liana smiled, squeezing her brother’s arm lightly. “The President asked me to become Director of BIN six months ago. We agreed there would be no public announcement until I can get rid of corrupt agents. We wanted a successful operation to prove to the world we’re serious about fighting terrorism. I think this qualifies.”

  “I should think so,” Greg chimed in. “We’ve got a lot to talk about, but I think you’re needed outside. Promise we’ll catch up soon?”

  “You’re at the top of my list, Greg,” she smiled as two agents helped her to her feet.

  Greg caressed Budi’s forehead. “You risked your life for me today, you wonderful fool. I think I’m in love.”

  “If I’d known that’s all it takes, I’d have shot myself,” Budi joked.

  Approaching Yanto’s body, Liana tapped the agents’ shoulders, signaling them to stop. The bloody mess was beyond recognition. “When I took this job, I never thought my duties would include killing anyone with my own hands,” she murmured.

  “Not duty as BIN Director,” Ahmad comforted her. “Duty as human being.”

  Liana nodded, then left the cave. After conferring with her staff, she asked to see Greg, Donny, Rial, and Budi. “Before we leave this place, I want us to have an understanding. You are all heroes, but no one must ever know. We will not give your names to the press. You will not be called to testify since there is enough evidence to convict Aji and his followers without you. Other terrorist cells in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines might try to get revenge, so I’m pleading with you not to tell anyone what happened today, for your own safety.”

  Greg, Rial, Budi, and Donny nodded their agreement.

  “What happens to us when these guys get outa jail?” Budi wondered.

  “They’re terrorists, so they’ll be held in isolation until trial,” Liana assured them. “No communication with the outside world will be allowed. Conversations with attorneys will be monitored so they can’t pass on instructions to commit new crimes.” Liana paused briefly to control her anger. “You don’t have to worry about them getting out of jail. With the evidence we have, they’ll get the death penalty, which will be carried out immediately. No appeals.”

  “What about Kersen?” Greg asked.

  Liana admired Greg’s concern for a man he barely knew. “He has at least one relative in Sukadada. We’ll work with local authorities to find out if he has any other family, and return his body to them. His death will be explained as murder in the course of a robbery.”

  “Will you let me know if he has a wife and children? I feel partially responsible for his death, and would like to help them financially,” Greg explained.

  Liana patted Greg’s arm and nodded.

  When Greg emerged from the cave, Aji and several of his soldiers were being searched and bound for transport. Greg approached slowly, and Aji bowed slightly in his direction. “You played your hand well,” he complimented his adversary, “but the game is long, and we are patient. This changes nothing. Jaya will proceed with our plan.”

  “Don’t think so,” Greg smiled. “There was never a fifty million dollar wire transfer to your bank. I knew Jaya was working with you before sending the e-mail. The password I sent him triggered a Homeland Security alert. Jaya is spilling his guts right now to save himself. Most of your organization will be rounded up in a matter of days.”

  “You’re lying!” Aji shouted, spit dripping from the corners of his mouth.

  “Why do you think BIN showed up here? They’re working with my government to mop up your buddies right now!” Greg laughed. “I don’t care whether you believe me or not. You can read about it from your prison cell while you contemplate your short future. You realize Indonesia has the death penalty, don’t you? And they don’t fool around with appeals for a decade like the U.S. Once you’re convicted and sentenced, they’ll snuff out your miserable life in a matter of days. Maybe you already know this, but they use firing squads to carry out executions here. Liana has considerable influence with her government. I’ve asked her to get me on the firing squad that executes you.”

  “Good,” Aji chuckled. “I’ve enjoyed our time together so much. I wouldn’t want to leave this world without one more chance to say good-bye to you.”

  “Where did you get all the weapons marked Property of U.S. Government?” Greg asked.

  Aji laughed wickedly. “We can’t buy direct like the Saudis, so we use middlemen. Your government gave the Malays, Filipinos, and Indonesians weapons to fight terrorism. They kept what they wanted and sold us the rest at a remarkably generous price. Another example of your government’s stupidity. That’s why we’ll win. It’ll just take longer.”

  Greg shook his head, eyeing Aji with disdain. “I’m not an expert on oil, or the crusades, or global politics, but even if all your facts are right, what you did is wrong. You turned a bunch of poor teens into prostitutes to lure lonely old men to Bali, just so you could steal their fortunes. Then you let those old men die of thirst under the Trunyan tree. Nothing justifies that kind of cruelty. You’re not a freedom fighter or a religious martyr. You’re just another murdering thug.”

  “You’re so naive!” Aji scoffed. “There’s a global conflict, and my people are the underdogs. We’re entitled to use any means available to win. Your people still don’t get it, and that’s why you’ll lose. We’re waging total war. There are no non-combatants!”

  Greg cocked his head slightly. “You’re a champ when it comes to rationalizing.”

  “You’re a smart guy, Greg,” Aji persisted. “Don’t be so blind! You know my cause is just. My people will win because our enemies are so poorly led.”

  “I admit no such thing!” Greg scoffed. “I’m betting there are more people who think like me than you. That’s how I know you’ll fail.”

  Changing the topic, Aji smirked, “What will you do now? Return to your safe life in San Diego to squander your uncle’s fortune? Or maybe you’ll become a crusader, saving rich old men from Asian boys.”

  Greg scowled. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I think I’ll stick around Bali for a while. Maybe I can find a way to offer poor teens a better option than becoming prostitutes or suicide bombers for thugs like you.”

  Aji howled with laughter. “How little you understand human nature! You think one do-gooder will have any impact on our recruiting? There are hundreds of millions of desperate, angry young people anxious to join us. No matter how much money you spread around, you’ll never make a dent in our recruiting.”

  It was Greg’s turn to smirk. “Maybe I don’t need to. While you wait to face your executioner, consider this. With all your education, guns, bombs, and zealous followers, it only took a teacher, an art dealer, a hair stylist, a boatman, and two teen boys to stop you.”

  “You got lucky!” Aji sneered contemptuously.

  “Continuing a nine hundred year lucky streak!” Greg shouted triumphantly.

  A torrent of words spewed from Aji. From the tone, Greg guessed they were Arabic curses. He had more to say, but Greg realized his words would only fall on deaf ears, so he spun on his heel and returned to his friends.

  “Will he be all right?” Greg asked the medic hovering over Budi.

  The medic nodded. “I’ve stopped the bleeding. Doesn’t look like the bullet hit any major organs or arteries.”

  Kneeling by Budi, Greg held his hand. “How’s the pain?”<
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  “No pain,” Budi grinned. “See if you can get about a year’s supply of whatever that medic gave me.”

  Donny and Rial huddled by Budi as they waited for his stretcher to be loaded onto a helicopter. Greg guessed what was on their minds when he saw the anxious expressions on their faces. “Wondering what will happen to you now?”

  Donny and Rial nodded meekly. “What happen to our dream?” Rial asked timidly.

  Greg grinned. “It’s still possible. I think I can persuade the U.S. Consul to issue you real visas, and Liana can probably use her influence to get you real passports. I’ll help you find jobs and a place to live in the States. It’s the least I can do after all we’ve been through together.”

  Donny and Rial thanked Greg, then switched to Bahasa to discuss their future.

  Greg and Budi smiled at each other. “Any plan for us?” Budi asked.

  “I was hoping we might be business partners,” Greg replied.

  “Business partners?” Budi frowned. “Have you developed a sudden interest in hair and nails?”

  “Not exactly,” Greg replied as he knelt by Budi. “I’m thinking we could build some nice, affordable, safe apartments and boarding houses. I’ll need help since I don’t have any business experience. For instance, I don’t know where to build.”

  “I do,” Budi assured Greg.

  “I don’t know what to charge for rent.”

  “I do,” Budi grinned.

  “I have no idea where to buy furniture, supplies, and equipment.”

  “I do,” Budi beamed proudly.

  “So, you’re telling me you might be the perfect business partner?” Greg teased.

  “Absolutely! We can put computer terminals, coffee machines, and offer other services on the first level. There’s a thousand ways to offer better rental housing than is currently available anywhere on Bali!”

  “I love your enthusiasm, Budi! Thought I might need to twist your arm to join me.”

  “When do we start, Greg?”

  “As soon as I can persuade the California probate court to advance funds from my uncle’s estate, but that’ll only take a few weeks. We’ll start planning just as soon as you get out of the hospital and back on your feet.”

  “When did you get this idea?” Budi asked.

  Greg would never forget those precious few seconds. “As you were falling back into my arms when Yanto shot you, my life flashed before my eyes. Amazing how much can pass through the brain in a short time. I knew I didn’t want to live without you. I had this vision of us creating a new business, and spending the rest of our lives together, and knew that’s all I wanted. Nothing else mattered. I love you and want to be with you always.”

  Budi cocked his head, not sure if he was dreaming. “If that’s a marriage proposal, my answer is yes,” he smiled.

  Donny tugged at Greg’s sleeve. “You still have plan to take Ted body to California?”

  Greg nodded. “Why do you ask?”

  “Ted say he want to bury on Bali. I tell him about Trunyan before he come Bali. He like it so much. I show you e-mail.”

  “That’s not necessary. I have copies of all your e-mails on my laptop. I’ll check when I get back to the hotel. If that’s my uncle’s wish, I’ll honor it, Donny.”

  Donny bowed to the waist. “Thank you, Pak Simmons. You so good man, truly.”

  As Donny chatted with Rial, Greg turned to Budi and asked, “What does Pak mean?”

  “Sign of respect, similar to mister or sir in English. It’s mostly used in business writing or when children refer to their father. Or for very old men like you!” Budi teased.

  “Old man!” Greg winced. “I’m only five years older than you.”

  A flock of birds rose from the jungle and headed out to sea. Several BIN search dogs began barking. A troop of monkeys screeched and rustled among the trees, then it was deathly quiet. Budi glanced nervously at Greg.

  “What?” Greg demanded to know.

  “Animals have a sixth sense about things like quakes and tsunamis. My father told me to watch them. If they head for high ground, follow them to get away from a tsunami.”

  Greg watched as the birds and monkeys headed north. “And when they make a break for the ocean?”

  “That means a quake’s more likely,” Budi explained nervously. “Stay in the open, away from anything that can fall on you!”

  The ground began to vibrate. As the vibrations became more intense, the ground shook violently. Greg motioned for Donny and Rial to grab one end of Budi’s stretcher, and he took the other. Together they lifted Budi into a nearby helicopter. As Greg and Donny climbed in one side, Rial helped Liana in the other side.

  The pilot lifted off as the ground beneath the chopper caved in, then exploded like a geyser. The cave where they had sought shelter collapsed. Trees toppled all around them. Donny held Rial in his arms, praying for Allah’s protection. They watched soldiers below dart in every direction, scrambling to control their dogs, and keep the prisoners together. Aji’s hands weren’t bound yet, so he seized the opportunity to flee while the soldier guarding him calmed his dog.

  “Noooooo!” Greg moaned, watching helplessly as Aji disappeared into the jungle. “Liana! Tell the pilot to land. Aji’s escaping. We hafta get him back!”

  “He won’t get far,” Liana assured Greg. “We’ll find him if it takes the entire Indonesian military.”

  Greg wasn’t so confident. He knew Aji was a fanatic who believed he had a date with destiny. “Aji probably thinks Allah sent that quake just for him,” Greg fretted. “He’s desperate and resourceful. I wouldn’t take any bets on his capture.”

  Trying to put a favorable spin on the situation, Budi shouted, “At least we don’t have to worry about Yanto. He won’t be beating any more young boys or old men.”

  Greg shook his head grimly. “Yeah, but Yanto was just the muscle. Aji’s the brains and far more dangerous.”

  “Where to?” the pilot shouted at Liana.

  “BIMC,” she shouted back.

  Greg’s familiar questioning look prompted Budi to explain. “Bali International Medical Center. Five minutes from the airport. Best hospital on Bali. Mostly used by rich bules like you so it must be good!”

  Greg grinned, momentarily forgetting Aji had just faded into the jungle.

  “They have a helipad, and are best equipped to handle gunshot wounds,” Liana shouted above the engine noise. “There are closer medical facilities, but we want the best for Budi right now.”

  The pilot handed Liana a set of headphones. As she listened, her face clouded over. She spoke rapidly into the microphone, asking several questions, then issuing orders in Bahasa. Several minutes later, she handed the headphones back to the pilot. “Looks like we won’t be the only ones at BIMC. The quake hit Kuta pretty hard. Several hotels collapsed. Many fires. Everyone is being evacuated from the southwest beach area. This is an enormous disaster.”

  “Kuta,” Greg blinked. “Where my hotel is? The center of Bali tourism?”

  Liana nodded.

  “Where my salons are,” Budi muttered. “My apartment building. Practically my whole life.”

  They flew in silence, staring out the windows, watching the quake damage grow worse as they approached the capital. Highways had buckled and many bridges collapsed, so traffic was at a standstill in most places. Water pipes were broken and power lines were down. When they were still twenty-five km from Denpasar, they saw several columns of smoke rising from the city.

  As they flew over Kuta Beach, Budi saw a twisted pile of concrete, glass, and steel where his apartment complex had been. Both his salons suffered a similar fate. The boarding house where Rial and Donny lived was belching flames and smoke, the center of a blockwide inferno.

  “I’ve lost everything,” Budi whispered, tears rolling down his cheeks.

  “Not everything,” Greg corrected Budi he stroked his arm gently. “You’ve still got us. We’ll help you start over. Promise.”

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sp; Liana nodded at her brother. “Whatever it takes.”

  Rial and Donny reached over and patted Budi’s legs. “We help, too,” Donny offered.

  Budi forced a smile. He didn’t like needing help, but at least he knew he could trust the people surrounding him. “Many of the small landlords don’t have insurance, Greg, so they probably won’t rebuild. This island is going to need some new apartments and boarding houses now more than ever.”

  Chapter 18

  Vital services were restored within days of the quake, but Bali authorities estimated it would take a year to rebuild the bridges, roads, homes, and other buildings which were destroyed. Since Greg’s hotel, Budi’s apartment, and Donny and Rial’s boarding house were all damaged by the quake, Liana invited them to stay in her home, while she spent much of her time in Jakarta and Washington D.C. Donny and Rial took the guesthouse. Budi and Greg shared a bedroom in the main house. Healing quickly, Budi was back on his feet two weeks after being shot. At least twice a day, Budi offered to show Greg his scar.

  Greg replaced Budi’s motorbike with a Toyota SUV. Elated, Budi felt the Toyota was more appropriate for the mature businessman he was about to become. Since most of Dana’s salons survived the quake, Budi arranged for his employees to work for Dana, deciding not to re-open his own salons and flower shop. He preferred to spend all his time helping Greg become Bali’s newest landlord.

  When Greg checked Ted’s e-mails, he discovered Donny was right. Ted planned to retire on Bali and wished to be buried there. Greg received permission from the central government in Jakarta to leave his uncle’s body under the sacred Trunyan tree after a short memorial service. Trunyan village elders were arrested for conspiracy to commit murder. Several villagers told investigators they heard pleas for help, but were forbidden to enter the cemetery by village elders. Many Trunyan villagers moved to Denpasar, melting into the city, ashamed to tell anyone where they were from. Fearing unfavorable media attention, the Indonesian government seized the cemetery and closed it permanently, forbidding all open-air burials after Ted Simmons was laid to rest.