A Suitcase Mystery: Part I by Ned Stevens

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A SUITCASE MYSTERY begins during the final days of the Second World War, in Latvia, which at that time was under Russian occupation. Bendicks (Ben) Kalninsh, was just a child when he watched the Soviet soldiers hide two suitcases of gold in a well-concealed abandoned mining tunnel. He just knew it had to be guns- he wanted one for himself-so he search an abandoned coal mine tunnel.
He didn't expect was to be caught by one of the soldiers, back to steal the stash for himself. Ben finds an AWOL Soviet Army officer Andris. The officer, Andris, turns to Ben’s father for help, setting a scheme in motion that carries on to 1962, with murder, theft, and the involvement of two governments. Unknown to Ben, one of the valises holds a diary with top Soviet secrets related to espionage in the US. The moment he enters the tunnel he sets into motion events which will follow him into his adult life.
Ben travels to America with his veterinarian father, mother, and his two younger brothers, where they settle in the Nordic-friendly town of Forks, Minnesota. In his new home he forgot about his encounter in the tunnel as well as Andris. He becomes a boxer with a promising future.
When both his father and friend are murdered, FBI and several other interested parties are on the trail. Investigators are transferred, threatened, blackmailed with evidence that is manufactured, pressure is placed to either slow down or stop the investigation. Who can be trusted?
Before Ben’s mother embarks on a new life she gives Ben a sealed envelope containing a letter from his father. Ben learns where his father's money came from, his father's friendship with Andris is revealed and what he needs to do next.
It seems that there was more than gold hidden in the tunnel that day a long time ago and the Soviets want that extra little find -the diary. It also appears they will never stop searching and killing until they have it. Why was that diary more important than gold?
A Suitcase Mystery Part 1 is a book of mystery, suspense, murders, WWII, that takes you into the world of espionage, betrayal, and lies.
Author Ned Stevens writes a riveting suspense-filled thriller, spanning 17 years and involving several nations. Ned Stevens is Steven Nedelton's pen name. He is presently working on the sequel.