Idoya Valdez

By J Bennington

A world renowned fashion designer is shot and comatose. His shooter remains at large and a theft of DVDs is detected by his daughter, Idoya Valdez. The investigation in Peru continues with no media involvement and Idoya is sent "unofficially" to find Sun Ni Lee, the one person believed to be guilty, but not proven. She lands in Manhattan, falls in love with a PI who just happens to be the ex-boyfriend of the woman she seeks. With a stalemate in Peru, she hires Jim Bradford to help her and Oops! Love bites her and he causes heartburn in America and Peru to help Idoya and prove Sun Ni innocent.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J Bennington
• Release date: Aug 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310900754

J Bennington

J Bennington: Fresh out of High School, I spent 21 years in the Air Force, serving in Viet Nam, Thailand, United States, and Germany. After retiring from the Air Force, I drove a limousine under contract for Conrail, moving train crews from stations to trains, and anywhere needed. I wrote 5 books, longhand, while waiting in rail stations, State Prison fields at 2 A M, and forlorn rail crossings right out of Stephen King novels with all the demons and terror. Following that interesting but tiring job, I tackled a few independent businesses that failed. Worked two years in a restaurant as the salad bar manager. Worked 1 year as Electric Meter Reader for the City of Dover, DE. Then a friend arranged a part-time clerical position in the State Probation Office. From there I applied for full-time positions and worked 20 years for the Department of Transportation, selling Hauling Permits to truckers or trucking companies, billing companies for Outdoor Advertising, and later I paid the bills to State Contractors. I retired in February 2014 and now I’m doing what I love, writing and working to publish the books collecting electronic dust over the years.

Book preview

Idoya Valdez

Copyright 2015 J. Bennington

Published by J. Bennington at Smashwords

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

About J. Bennington

Other books by J Bennington

Sneak Preview: Silent Train of Dreams

Connect with J. Bennington

Acknowledgements

Cover Design by Betibup33. More covers are available on www.bookcoverdesigners.com.

Chapter One

The lights went out; a gunshot shattered the silence; the taxi driver cursed and jammed the gas pedal to the floor, forcing her the rest of the way into the back seat.

Evaristo! Sun Ni Lee shouted and jerked awake from another short nap induced by fatigue, stress and the long flight. She loved what happened at each end, but the flying time took a toll on her.

The passenger beside her grumbled, sighed from frustration and stared crossly at her. Sun apologized again and the captain recommended that the passengers pay any last visits to the restroom and then buckle in for landing at JFK Airport in 45 minutes.

Sun did that and applied a small cover of her fuchsia lipstick. She returned to her seat and longed to be on the ground where she could use her cell phone and try to contact Evaristo again. Something had to be wrong, but no one would pick up the phone to give her an answer. She knew so many phone calls to his house was wrong, but fear and worry overrode her obeying the rules. He had been too depressed all the while she was with him this time. She did not know how to contact his children, and she would die before she communicated with his wife. She sat in silence; her fuchsia colored nails drumming the seat handles until the descent started. From the time to returning to her seat and the time the wheels hit the ground, she had decided to accept the worst case scenario. She was on her own in the world.

Maybe it’s the best for me. Perhaps I need a break from Evaristo and get on with my life, she whispered to herself.

Not necessarily on my own, she thought. I have Jim waiting for me. That’s what he does. He’s always waited for me to say yes and share my life with. him. Maybe I’ll just give him what he wants and see what happens.

She took a taxi from JFK to Manhattan and tipped him nicely at Jim Bradford’s apartment building. She entered with her suitcase and smiled at the security guard who welcomed her back home, along with a compliment about her performance in Lima. She sucked up the praise and entered the elevators.

Once inside the apartment door, she leaned against it and breathed deeply. The familiar scent of his rooms filled her head and her wildly beating heart settled into a more reasonable rhythm. She left her suitcase in the hallway, deposited her keys on the hall table and went straight to the bathroom. She washed herself quickly and dressed only in panties, slipped beneath the sheets with Jim.

He rolled over to wrap her in his arms and kiss her hello. Welcome home, love. Was the flight boring?

From Peru, always. You make it worthwhile though. Miss me?

That’s a given. He moved his arms and hands down her back. Whoa. Your skin. It’s not covered. Are you okay?

She giggled. Of course I’m okay. I’ve been thinking. I know you told me that’s dangerous, but over the last 4 trips away from you, I’ve been thinking about us. I know you love me. And I’m tired of waiting and putting you off. So, while flying home, I decided to give us what we want. I’ll marry you, accept your last name. Then we need to grow out of Manhattan.

We do? He slid his fingers around her body and down to her panties and back to outline a breast. He enjoyed her warm skin like he yearned to do so long. I’ve often suggested that. Where do you have in mind? His hand nudged the breast and she moved to let him caress it.

I’ve looked at a small place overlooking the ocean in the Philippines. It’s on the north side of Manila and in a good and quiet neighborhood. I’ve made some sound investments, and I can afford to buy it. It’s still on the market. We can stay there and raise a family for a couple of years and then move on to anywhere. During the stay in the Philippines I’ll have a good business going, and there’ll be no limit to what we want to do. What you think?

He rolled a nipple between thumb and forefinger and slid his hand upward to rest his fingers against the side of her throat. He could feel her pulse throbbing in her veins.

I find it hard to think clearly with a scantily clad beautiful woman in my arms. I’ve waited for this for how many years? Why did you change at this moment in time? 

What do you mean by that?

Her heart raced, and he felt and heard the subtle breaks in her voice as well as the scent of nervousness and fear in her sudden change in body chemistry. I mean, why now? Why did you make this sudden decision? Yes I want it. I’ve wanted and tried to get you to go sexual for years versus living as friends. What happened in Lima?

Lima was just the turning point, honey. I’ve been thinking about this for a while. It’s just there that I decided and you know me. When I decide, I also make a move to make it happen. So, that’s why I’m here with you, with only panties in the way, and they’re easy to remove anyway.

You’re lying. He unwrapped his arms from her and turned the light on as he sat up on the bed. He sighed at the wonderful sight of her body and then groaned. Man, oh man. What happened in Lima to prompt this? You know what I am. You know how skilled I am at understanding who’s lying and who’s not. I’ve told you. You’re lying to me, Sun.

I want to give you what you want. She nearly sounded like she begged him. I never expected this.

Yes, you’d give me what I want, and maybe there would be a family, but for how long? How long before you disappeared back into this life? This is in your blood. And for all I know, maybe some other men are in your blood. And you’ll be gone. If you’d done this 5 years ago, no problem. What happened in Lima?

Nothing! She sat up and crossed her legs on the bed and he stood to pull on his pants. Look, maybe it was just my biological clock that set off my alarm. I don’t know. I was miserable the whole time I was there and couldn’t wait to get back to you after I made my decision. Can we just talk about it?

No! Get dressed and go! I never thought it would end like this. Your heart is beating like crazy. Your breathing is causing your voice to break. And you’re acting like a nervous flighty teenager getting ready to lose her cherry. That smacks of lying, and I won’t start a marriage that I’ve wanted for years with a lie! Tell me what happened in Lima to cause you to do this right now? Will you? If you will, I’ll listen and try to help you.

This sucks! She stormed to the bathroom and emerged shortly, dressed as when she arrived.

He kept his voice neutral and held out his hand. I’d like the key, please.

I’ll keep it for a while. Maybe you’ll grow up and consider this some more. I’ll be in touch. I’ll let myself out and lock the door. Bye.

She passed the security guard again.

Leaving so soon?

Yes. Been evicted after so many years.

You need a room? A place to stay? I have a place for you.

No thanks, Garcia. I’ll be back once he grows up or lonely, I’m sure. Have a good weekend.

She walked outside and groaned at the sky while waiting for a taxi to stop. She called her friend while she waited.

Lisa, this is Sun. Sorry to wake you, but Jim just evicted me, and I’m tired and I don’t want to deal with driving through Harlem this time of the night. Can I crash with you?

Of course you can stay with me, and you don’t have to phone ahead. Just show up. You know I love you like a sister. Come on. Do I need to make some coffee? You sound rough. Do you want to talk tonight?

No thanks. It’s been a lousy pageant, a terrible flight and now a dreadful argument and eviction with Jim. I need sleep most, and I’ll talk you ears off when I recover from jet lag and lack of sleep.

In Lima, Peru, Idoya Valdez, Evaristo’s daughter entered her crime-scene- taped and barricaded home and was greeted by Gustavo Toledo, the Lima City Chief of Police and another quiet gentlemen she knew only as Rainerio from the government’s security staff.

I can’t believe this. She swiped at tears as she viewed the chalk outline in the hallway.

Is he dead? she dared to ask in a whisper.

Rainerio shrugged swiftly. He’s critically wounded, and still alive, but we don’t know for how long? That is not to be answered as of now. Too early to make conjectures.

Great! Are there any clues as to who did it? Is there any motive? Just shoot him and leave? Is anything missing?

That’s why we called you. Do you know if he had a mistress?

I’m not sure, but there are a couple of women in the fashion world who could conceivably be his mistress. When my father was around them, he frequently flirted with them to the point of making you gag. I’ve often expected him to throw them on a table and do them in public. Women, beautiful women, are his only vice.

Well, we’d like you to go through the house and see if anything obvious is missing. Just be careful not to touch anything with your fingers.

He handed her a pair of latex gloves.

She frowned at him and then the gloves. You’re a government official on the President’s staff. Why are you involved here? My father is a clothes fashion designer, not a political figure or government employee.

I’m aware of that. However, he is a very high profile figure in Peru and in the world. His name is recognized by sight and sound. What he does can be used for political purposes, even if he isn’t a political figure himself. His status can and is used sometimes for the benefits and betterments of Peru.

I didn’t know that. She slipped on the gloves. I’ve often wondered why men treated me differently most of the time. Why the question about him having a mistress?

We’ll discuss that later. It might make itself apparent.

Did you contact Almudena?

We tried. She remains incommunicado. Do you know where she is?

She is at her sister Isabella’s in Buenos Aires. I’ll call her when I’m done here. I doubt she’ll hurry anyway. She can be a real bitch at times.

She looked at the chalk outline again and wandered through the house. She muttered to herself as she