Belly of the Beast

In Thailand a decade earlier, Jake Hopper works as a CIA operative and fights thugs alongside his partner Sunti. The operation ends badly when Sunti escapes with his life after accidentally killing a woman, forcing Jake to leave the agency and return to the United States after his wife dies. Sunti later becomes a Buddhist monk to atone for his sins.

After retirement, Jake builds a successful private security business and remains a devoted father to his daughter Jessica. He tries to leave the past behind, but the sense he is watching over his family never fully goes away. The calm of his life is about to be broken by events in Thailand.

While hiking in Thailand, Jessica Hopper and Sara Winthorpe are kidnapped by a group calling itself Abu Karaf. The captors claim responsibility and demand the release of 20 prisoners in American custody. The search for the girls begins as the political stakes rise.

Tom Collins recognizes Jessica on the ransom tape and tips Jake off, forcing him to act personally. Jake realizes his daughter's safety depends on him going back into the fray. This tip reconnects him with his old intelligence allies and enemies alike.

A former CIA colleague arranges contact with Leon Washington, an active agent working in Thailand. Jake also narrowly survives an assassination attempt orchestrated by unknown forces as he lands in Bangkok. The mission quickly becomes a duel against hidden powers.

Leon introduces Jake to Soku, the internal security chief for General Jantapan, who is courting power and dabbling with dangerous spiritual forces. Jantapan's maneuvering hints at a deeper conspiracy than the kidnap case. Soku provides Jake with a cover story, while the CIA contemplates removing him from the operation.

As danger mounts, Jake consults his Buddhist master Paijan Paitoon for guidance. Paitoon arranges a divination from the order's oracle to gain insight into the forces arrayed against Jake. With spiritual aid and Sunti at his side, he resumes the hunt for the abductors.

Jake enlists Sunti to recruit Lulu, the girlfriend of arms dealer Fitch McQuoid, to steal information leading to the Abu Karaf. The stolen data points Jake toward the group’s operations and their weaponry. The plan puts Lulu in grave danger as enemies close in.

The leads take Jake and Sunti to a warehouse where they discover evidence of highly sophisticated weaponry. They protect Lulu as enemies close in and the danger spikes. Jake also begins sharing what he learns with Leon, despite growing suspicions about the loyalties around him.

Mongkol, leader of the Abu Karaf, confirms that General Jantapan engineered the kidnapping to corner rival narcotics and arms interests. He also explains that Jantapan framed the Abu Karaf to clear his own path and abuses the hostage situation for leverage. The revelation pushes Jake toward a bold, dangerous rescue.

Under cover of darkness, Jake and Sunti storm Jantapan's mansion to free Jessica and Sara. They dispatch two guards and continue onward, but corrupt Thai police arrive, leading to a deadly shootout. Jake and Sunti fight their way through a tangle of enemies to reach the upstairs confrontation.

Jake confronts Jantapan in a brutal showdown, disarming and breaking the villain's neck, ending the immediate threat. Sunti is fatally wounded, dying in Jake's arms after saving the hostages. Leon's troops arrive but are ordered to hold fire as Jake stands with the survivors and the fallen.

A Buddhist funeral for Sunti unfolds, with Jake leading the ceremony. He releases Sunti's ashes into the river, and a vision of Sunti smiles as Jake watches and whispers goodbye. The story closes on Jake's quiet reflection beside the river.