Mindanao?"

"Why were they kidnaped?" Rick retorted.

"Obviously, we don't know. If we accept your idea, do we assume it was the same gang that traveled from Cotabato to Davao? Or, were both groups local people?"

Scotty swallowed. "If they were local people, that has to mean some kind of well-organized syndicate with members in just about every port!"

Rick nodded. He had seen at once the implications of his idea. "It could mean that."

Scotty sank back into his seat. "But whatever it means, it gives no explanation of why Tony and Shannon were kidnaped."

"We'll find the explanation somehow," Rick said, with more assurance than he felt. He added grimly, "We've got to!"