Precious Cargo — Jean Holbrook Mathews

Last time Julia Wentworth visited the Philippines, she barely escaped from a terrorist group. Now, four months later, she is again called to visit the tropical archipelago to find out why some microloan cooperatives her company financed are falling apart. This time, she promises her boss she will stay out of harm's way and tries to convince herself that there will be no danger involved in this simple, fact-finding trip. However, when she arrives in Manila, Julia discovers that danger is the reason the co- ops are failing. The young daughters of one of her clients have been kidnapped, and the family has decided that repaying their loan is no longer a priority in case a ransom is demanded. Determined to find the girls, Julia recruits an old friend to help -- a detective affectionately known as Monty. As the investigation unfolds, along with their growing attraction for each other, the pair uncovers a crime ring much more elaborate and dangerous than they could have ever anticipated.