The Myanmar Maneuver
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Dena and Charlie went back to Khin's store early the next day to fill him in on what they had done. They told him they went back to the Bogyoke Market and inquired more about the Win family, in particular, Thiri Thuza and her son, Sanei Win. Since it was a dead end, they told Khin they were going to head over to the friend that knew of the Win family and its business years ago. They told Khin they would question the friend again and perhaps find out something that Khin missed in the conversation.
Before they could even think of leaving the Zeya Gem Store, a young man walked in. Charlie, Dena and Khin all turned toward the man and thought he looked puzzled. Khin walked over to him and asked him if he could help him.
"I am looking for a Mr. U Khin Zeya, the gem dealer."
"You are speaking to him, Mr.????" Khin tried to subtly find out his name.
"I am Lin Nyat, the owner of the White Elephant Craft Shop here in Yangon; I am an artisan skilled in the pantamault trade, which is sculpturing in stone. Have you ever been in my store?"
Khin replied rather quickly, "Why yes, I have been in your store and I admired your Buddha sculpture as well as the fine elephants you create. In fact I was there recently inquiring about the whereabouts of a family with the surname Win. Do you remember me being there?"
"Now that I am looking at you a little longer I do remember that it was you, Mr. Zeya, who I was speaking to. Now you can help me with some information. A Mr. Sanei Win, a friend from my younger days stopped by to see me yesterday. I believe he is the son of the woman you were inquiring about."
"Yes, yes, please come and sit with me and my friend from America. We are both interested in what you have to say. In fact, we are extremely interested."
Lin followed them with a little hesitation in his gait but continued, "Well, I stopped in to buy some merchandise from Sanei Win's bronze casting store and we got to talking about many things. In the course of our conversation I mentioned to Sanei that you were inquiring about his mother. He became quite upset at the mention of this and is worried that his mother is in some kind of danger.
Khin replied with immediacy, "Oh no, it is nothing of that nature. There is no danger involved, just some intrigue and confusion. Let me explain, if you have the time."
Lin answered abruptly, "I would rather you talk to Sanei Win himself. Would it be alright if I went and asked him to come back here with me? I know he would feel better if I was with him for moral support. Would that be okay?"
Khin turned to Charlie and Dena and asked if they minded waiting for the return of the two men. He said it wouldn't take long as Sanei's store wasn't too far away.
Charlie and Dena nodded their approval and said they would wait for his return with Sanei Win.
After Lin left, Khin said, "I can't believe the people we were looking for were right here under our noses all the time. We have a saying of Buddha that reads, Right focus brings about reality. I think we can apply that thought here, don't you?"
Charlie said, "That is so true. If we had concentrated a little better we might have found her ourselves. But I am still happy with the way things are turning out. Now I just hope Sanei Win cooperates with us to the fullest."
"I hope we get to meet and speak with Thiri Thuza, Sanei's mother, too, Dena said.
Lin rushed back to the store and found Sanei sitting and waiting anxiously to find out about this matter. He was overjoyed to see Lin return so quickly.
"So, what is this all about, Lin?" Sanei asked. "Is my family's safety in jeopardy for some reason? Or is someone out to make trouble for us? Please tell me what you found out."
Lin answered immediately so as not to keep Sanei in the dark and in a bundle of nerves. "Neither you nor your family is in any danger; that much I found out. However, I told them I would bring you back to the Zeya Gem Store with me. They want to talk to you. I will go with you so you will feel more comfortable."
"Alright, I will go with you; I must get to the bottom of this, not only for my mother's sake but for my own satisfaction as well."
Lin asked, "You didn't mention this to your wife or mother, did you?"
"Definitely not," Sanei said, "I thought I should wait until I know more about this before I bring it to their attention. Why upset everyone?"
"Okay, let's go over there as they are waiting for us."
Sanei stopped for a moment and turned to look at Lin, "What do you mean, THEY are waiting for us? Who else is there?"
"Khin Zeya has a frined and his wife visiting from America and they are the ones interested in you and your family."
"Okay, let's go and see what this is about," Sanei said with a skeptical tone to his voice.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
The Mayanmar Maneuver begins in the"Land of the Pagoda,"where cone-shaped pagodas dot the country everywhere. Charlie Ling, a gemologist from New York, on a business trip in search of precious gemstones, travels to the Mogok Valley to acquire rare rubies. While there, he not only experiences the "Land of Rubies," but he stumbles upon an unusual turtle sculpture that will change his life and those of his friends. Follow this intriguing journey to the "Golden Land" as the turtle and its treasure takes Charlie Ling on a trek of a lifetime. The journey begins in Bangkok, moves to the tropics of Mayanmar, continues in Chinatown in New York, jumps to New Jersey and finally returns to New York. The author brings characters of five different ethnic backgrounds together as she weaves her adventure. The lives of her characters are effectively intertwined with the turtle and its slow-moving quandary. The surprise the turtle holds for all of them is its secret cache, a rare ruby,which will affect each one of them and change their lives. In your mind's eye, observe what it does and how it touches the lives of the characters.
About the Author
Ruth A. Manieri was an elementary school teacher for twenty years. She is presently in a second career as a church secretary and organist. Last year Ruth published her first book, "Pounding Down...One Day at a Time." Having caught the writing bug, Ruth decided to venture into the realm of fiction. The Myanmar Maneuver is her first attempt at writing a novel, an adventure story. Ruth's hobbies include writing poetry and composing sacred music pieces. Writing The Myanmar Maneuver has enhanced Ruth's wealth of knowledge and peaked her desire to continue writing. A graduate of Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, Ruth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She resides with her husband, William in Sayreville, New Jersey.