To Kill a President (30 page)

“Who were they?”

“Eladio Del Valle and Orlando Bosch.”

“What are their roles again?”  Bobby asked.

“Orlando will be beside the umbrella man and Eladio will be in the Dal-Tex building.”  David replied.

“Okay.  I think we need to try Bobby Kennedy one more time.  If we can give him names and positions and the people behind the plot surely he would listen.”  Bobby suggested.

“I’ll give it a go but I doubt he’ll listen.”  David rose to his feet and walked through to his bedroom he needed peace and quiet for this.  He glanced at his watch.  It was already midnight Bobby probably wouldn’t take the call.

David took his wallet from his pocket and took out the card that Bobby Kennedy had given him.  His hand was shaking as he looked at the card.  This was the most important phone call he would ever make.  He dialled the number and waited.  After three rings the phone was answered by a woman.

“Hello.”

“Hi I’m eh looking for Bobby?”

“What time is it?”

”It’s midnight, I’m sorry to call so late but it is urgent.”

David could hear Bobby Kennedy in the background.  “Who is it Ethel?”

“Who is this?”  Ethel asked.

“It’s David Lewis I met with your husband recently he’ll know what it’s regarding.”

As Ethel relayed the information David had butterflies in his stomach.  Would he take the call?

“He says he will take it in the study, please hold on a minute.”  Ethel said.

“Thank you.”  David replied.

A couple of minutes passed before Bobby Kennedy’s voice came on the line.  “Hello David what can I do for you?”

“Mr Kennedy you have to believe me you can’t let your brother come to Dallas.”

“David we have discussed this, I don’t believe you.”

“I have proof.  I know who is behind this, you were right Lyndon Johnson knows everything.”  There was silence on the line for a moment.

“Are you sure about this?”  Bobby asked.

“One hundred percent.  He’s not alone the CIA, FBI and the Mob are all in on this.”

“How do you know this?”

“We have been speaking with CIA agents.  Think about it Bobby look what happened to Jim Garrison and Guy Bannister.  It’s because they thought it might get out.”

Bobby Kennedy was silent for a moment.  “What about the Secret Service they will be on hand anyway they wouldn’t let anything happen to Jack.”

“Bobby the Secret Service are currently hammered in a nightclub here.  They won’t be up to it.”

“I don’t believe that for a second David.”

“It’s true!”  David argued.

“Listen I’ve heard you out but I don’t share your concerns.”

“Wait!  David Rockefeller is in on the plot too!”

“What?  How could you possibly know that?”

“I do Bobby trust me.  Why has he got a grudge against your brother?”

“Are you serious?”

“I’m deadly serious Bobby.  Has he got a problem with your brother?”

“Yes, he does.”

“I couldn’t have known that unless this is true.  What is his problem?”

“Let me call Jack and I’ll get back to you David.”

“Okay sir thank you for listening.”

As David replaced the receiver he wasn’t sure how to take what had just happened.  Had he been successful?  He sat for a moment and then lit a cigarette.  He took a deep pull and then rose to his feet.  He walked into the living room and made his way to the table where the others were sat perusing the black ring binder.

“How did it go?”  Jane asked as David took his seat.

“I think he believed me he is phoning the President and then he will call me back.”

“Oh my God we’ve done it!”  Faraday exclaimed.

“Not yet we haven’t.  Not until we hear back.”  Bobby interjected.  “I’m going to go to bed and get some sleep.  If this doesn’t work we need to be on form for tomorrow.”

“That’s a good idea you should both do the same.”  David said.

“What about you?”  Faraday asked.

“I don’t sleep anyway and I need to wait on Kennedy calling me back.”

Faraday, Jane and Bobby rose from the table and disappeared into their bedrooms.  David took another draw of his cigarette and prayed the President would listen to the warning.

Chapter 61

The mountain of cigarette ends was now overflowing in the ashtray.  David had been staring at the clock for three hours.  It was now 04:00.  He had still not heard back.  He didn’t know whether to take it as a good sign or a bad one.

When the phone rang David jumped.  The silence had finally been broken.  He rushed to the phone and lifted the receiver.

“Hello.”

“David its Bobby.”

“How did it go sir?”

“Listen we discussed everything you told me and Jack still wants to go ahead.  He says he is used to death threats, he won’t be intimidated by the bankers.”

“Bobby you have to change his mind.”

“Listen David I can’t.  Jack is not afraid he is prepared to die for what he believes in.  He said that just like our brother Joe’s death led Jack to the Whitehouse, his death would lead me to the Whitehouse and God forbid my death would lead Teddy to the Whitehouse.”

“But no one needs to die Bobby.  He doesn’t need to do this.”

“He disagrees, why should he hide?  The people of this country chose him to lead them.  Nobody chose the Rockefeller’s and their friends. Jack told me that if anyone of them is crazy enough to kill a President, let them do it.  But they will be laying down their lives for his.”

“Well you should at least make sure that the security is tight.”

“I have David.  I have phoned Emory Roberts he is the Assistant Special Agent in charge, he has assured me there will be agents riding on the steps of Jack’s car, there will be police lining the streets blocking anyone getting too close and there will be sniper’s in position to remove any threat.  Motorcycles will be driven alongside the Presidential car.  No one will be able to get him.”

“Okay well then I guess that’s all we can do Bobby.  Thanks for listening to me.  I hope we don’t need to meet again.”

“We won’t David everything will be fine.” 

Chapter 62

The 22
nd
November 1963 was a beautiful day in Dallas.  The forecast predicted overcast and cool weather.  The morning indeed had seen some light rain but it had cleared up and there was not a cloud in the sky. 

At 07:08 David was the only one in the condo that was awake.  He had tuned in to watch the local news on television.  He watched as the Police Chief Jesse Curry appeared and announced that Dallas wanted no incidents today.  He asked citizens to alert the police of any potential demonstrations that they are aware of.  David could not believe his eyes and ears, about twelve hours ago this man had been at Clint Murchison’s party.  They were plotting something considerably worse than a demonstration.

By 11:38 Bobby, Jane and Faraday had joined David in the living room.  Jane was wearing a black dress.  Bobby was wearing a black suit white shirt and a black tie.  Faraday has chosen a grey suit and white shirt.  David was wearing a navy shirt and black trousers.  He was due to start work at the hospital at 13:00.  They had gathered in the living room to watch the footage of Air Force One arriving at Love Field Airport.  As Mrs Kennedy stepped from the plane she looked absolutely stunning.  She was wearing a strawberry pink and navy trim collared double breasted Channel woollen suit.  She was also wearing a matching pillbox hat.

“She looks amazing.”  Jane said.  Tears were forming in her eyes.

They could hear the crowd applauding the arrival of the couple.  As Kennedy looked around it was clear that he was amazed by the reception he was receiving.  “This doesn’t look like an anti-Kennedy crowd.”  He exclaimed.

“Well I guess we should head out to take up our positions.”  Faraday said.

“Yes we shouldn’t leave it any longer.  Okay so everyone do what you can to get a picture of the assassins.  Jane you will have the hardest decision to make with regards to when you take the picture.  You’ll have to be quick.  I would either aim for the grassy knoll or the gunman in the storm drain.”  Bobby said.

“Will do.”

“David don’t attract any attention to yourself.  If either of us are spotted in the buildings we could well get arrested.”

“Yeah I know.”

“Faraday try not to stand out too much, you are probably in the most dangerous position.  Don’t take any chances if someone tries to shoot you make sure you shoot first.”

Faraday nodded.

“Has everyone got their gun and camera?”  Bobby asked.

Everyone nodded.

“Okay then just be careful everyone, try and find out what you can but just come straight back here if you think you are in any danger.”  Bobby said.

The four of them rose from the couches and headed towards the door.  Bobby was hobbling behind them.  He looked back at the condo.  The thought had just dawned on him that he may never see it again.  They walked through the lobby and out into the street.  As they walked towards Dealey Plaza they could see that a large crowd was already awaiting the Kennedy motorcade.

Faraday and Jane shared a long embrace.

“I love you so much Jane.  Don’t do anything stupid.  Just take the picture and get out of there.  If someone tries to take it from you don’t resist.”

“You too.  Don’t try to stop them killing Tippit.”

Bobby and David hugged one another.  “Look after yourself David.”

“You too Bobby.”

“Good luck everyone.”  Bobby said.

The four of them headed their separate ways in the hope that they had already done enough to save the President.

Chapter 63

As Bobby Kennedy sat in his study watching his brother arrive at Love Field Airport he could not escape David’s warning repeating in his mind.  He watched as Jack and Jackie descended the stairs and made their way to the Presidential Lincoln.  As they took their seats in the car he could hardly believe what he was seeing.  Why was the car an open top?  This is Texas they are visiting, even without the death threats this would be a terrible idea.

He watched them in the car, he could tell from the gestures Jackie was making that she wanted the bubble top up but Jack was having none of it.  He lifted the receiver on his phone and was put through to the Secret Service at Lovefield.

“This is Bobby Kennedy, why is the bubble top not on the Presidential car?”

“Hello sir the bubbletop was removed this morning at the request of the Vice President.”

“Who is this?” 

“It’s Roy Kellerman.”

“Roy go and tell Jack that the top has to be put up on the car.”

“One moment.”  Bobby watched on television as Kellerman approached the President.  He watched Kellerman speaking and saw Jack shake his head.

“Jesus Christ don’t be stupid Jack.”  Bobby muttered.

Kellerman returned to the phone.  “Mr Kennedy, the President says he is happy with it down.  He said since this is Jackie’s first trip to Dallas he wants the people to see her.”

“Tell him I want it up.”

“I did sir but he disagrees.

“Fine!”  Bobby slammed the phone down muttering under his breath.

He watched as the motorcade began to move.  He was happy as he saw Secret Service agent Rybka run alongside the motorcade.  Suddenly Rybka turned and started flapping his hands in the air staring at the next car in the motorcade.  He was getting shouted at by Emory Roberts to stay away from the Presidential limousine.

“What the hell are they doing?”

Chapter 64

It was 12:00 when Jane found herself alone in Dealey Plaza.  The crowds that had gathered were huge.  The sun was beating down on Dealey Plaza and the people lining both sides of the street looked so happy and excited that the President would soon pass by.  Jane could feel herself getting emotional once more.  Poor Jackie Kennedy she thought.

She decided that the best vantage point would be to stand on the grass between Elm Street and Main Street.  That way the President and the grassy knoll as well as the storm drain would all be in front of her.  If she timed taking the picture right she may manage to catch the shooter in the act.