Chapter 9: The Mekong Angkor Hotel

 

“Hi Major, good to see you.  How was everything in Phnom Phen? You weren’t gone very long.”

“Got some good news to tell you, Blake—my goodness, Maria, you look absolutely beautiful today.”

“Well, thank you, Sir, it must be this tropical climate.”

Giving Maria’s hand a gentle squeeze, Sutton then said, “Well, let’s go grab a table and I’ll tell you what I found out.”

“Blake, while I run up to my room and fetch my pack, what about a couple of cold beers? Maria, what will you have?”

A few minutes later Sutton opened his notebook and began to speak. “OK, first the facts—Elephant Mountain and that village is not going to be easy to reach.

 

Elephant Mountain photo by: Laetitia

 

 

Most of the area is densely covered with forest and sparsely populated. And another thing I learned is that Elephant Mountain is being protected by some pretty loyal soldiers. Probably the Khmer Rouge for all I know.  But that’s a good thing because they seem to be keeping the really bad guys out.”

“But I thought the Khmer Rouge were the bad guys.” 

“Well Blake, the last thing we want to do is start taking sides.  Yes, in the past there have been some horrible things done to the people of Cambodia but let’s not generalize because after all, the Khmer is the major ethnic group in Cambodia and obviously we have been meeting some wonderful Cambodians.  All I know is that they have been keeping Elephant Mountain relatively safe and if this is where Maria’s father has been all these years, then I am going to call them my friends.”

Sutton could see the concern spread across Blake’s face. “I understand, Major Sutton.  I should have said that differently because I certainly didn’t mean to imply that everyone in Cambodia is somehow responsible for the atrocities that were committed by a  minority of evil men.  But still, Cambodia is a very dangerous place. Look, I can’t see that any of this is going to be a piece of cake.”

“So, does that mean we can’t look for my father beyond these ruins?”

“No, Maria, but it does mean that I’ve had to get us some help. Remember that bartender I introduced you guys to back in Phnom Phen? The American.  Well, that’s the guy I flew back to see.  I explained everything to him and it turns out that he knows this English woman—Judy—who travels all over Cambodia in her own helicopter.

I met with her and it appears that her husband was a  millionaire who left her a bundle after he died. Now she has dedicated her life to running an orphanage and the best part is that she is quite willing to fly me to Elephant Mountain.

Now, I don’t want you two to jump to any conclusions but I think we hit it off pretty good. She had me stay for dinner and gave me a tour of her orphanage.”

Maria reached across the table and took Sutton’s hand. “Oh, that’s wonderful news, Major, but why do you say she’s willing to take, just you? Didn’t you tell her about us? We want to go, too.”

“Maria—Blake—I’m afraid it’s just too dangerous and besides, what do we really know? The monk wasn’t even that specific and besides, I was told that there are several villages on Elephant Mountain. Yes, it’s a good lead but that’s all it is. Plus there’s the fact that Cambodia is a bit more dangerous than I was ever told by the State Department. I just think the best thing is for me to go in alone. That will only take a few days and if I find anything I will come right back and get you. Judy said that she’ll pick me up on her way back from a refugee camp she’s scheduled to visit.”

Maria was the next to speak. Her words came out with equal force—her conviction just as strong. “No, Major, I won’t let you go alone. Alright, I admit that I’m not a big explorer and you’ve already seen me take a bad fall. But if you’re going to go into those mountains, then Blake is going with you.”

“That’s right, Major Sutton. You never hesitated to ask me along, before.  And if I remember right, the last place you took me was so dangerous that we had to have a small army to escort us—and they carried automatic weapons—and you had a .357.” 

“But this is different, Blake. OK, you’re right. When we were searching for the B-52—yes—we had soldiers with us, but here we’re on our own. Don’t you see the danger? It’s just not the same.”

Maria was quicker to respond than Blake, although he tried to speak at the same time. “No Major—Blake and I have talked this over. While you were gone we discussed all the different possibilities that you would be coming back with and this was one of them. No, we’re both together on this.

Maria continued:  “OK, in some places—mostly around the western part of Phnom Phen—fighting occasionally takes place. But as you said, the Khmer are keeping Elephant Mountain safe.  And besides, you’re not here as a soldier. We’re in the 90s. This is not 1970. So please, let’s start planning this out with Blake included. We insist. I’ll go meet Judy and work in her orphanage while the two of you are gone.”

Sutton took a deep breath, followed by a long sip of beer. Placing his drink on the table, a big smile broke out on his face. “OK, you two. It’s me and Blake, then. Let’s check out of here and catch the flight back to Phnom Phen. I think we have about two hours before it leaves.”

All three got up at once. Maria walked over to Sutton and gave him a big hug.