To Kill a President

by By Marc james

  Now think about what has happened since Kennedy has been in office Bobby, tell me which other countries may take an issue with Kennedy.”

  “Well obviously Russia, Cuba and Vietnam.”

  “That is correct Bobby he was on the brink of nuclear war with the Russians one year ago. Oswald lived in Russia, he could be the assassin sent by the Russians, his wife’s uncle is actually a member of the KGB she could be too. Then you have the far right here that believe we should have nuked them. Then you have Vietnam we are waging war on them because of the spread of communism another good motive. Lastly you have the Cubans, he has repeatedly tried to kill Castro so he has an enemy there but he hasn’t gone far enough so anti-Castro Cubans hate him too. Then as I mentioned earlier his ridiculous alliance with Martin Luther King and his attempts at furthering Civil Rights have irritated the KKK, they’re quite big in your home state Bobby.”

  “You’ve left one suspect out Edgar.”

  “Who’s that then?”

  “You have as much of a motive as any of them. Everyone knows you only care about yourself, your free food and holidays and the FBI. You lose the FBI, you lose your power.”

  Hoover chuckled arrogantly. “Well I suppose that’s the trick isn’t it, misdirection. Make everyone look one way and then go the other. It doesn’t matter to me if you think this is my doing because you can’t hurt me Bobby. I told you I’ve got enough to put you in prison forever.”

  “Do you know something Edgar? You are a piece of shit. What good does any of that do me? You have listed three separate nations for Christ sake not to mention the CIA, Mafia, Oil Companies, Weapons Manufacturers, angry Cubans, the Vice President and the KKK. What am I supposed to do with that? You said yourself I have Nancy, David and Jane left to help me. I’m being watched by the CIA, they nearly killed Faraday and I’m about to go and see Lansky, God knows what he’s going to say. Why don’t you just do your job?!”

  Hoover grinned again. “My job is to look after the best interests of the FBI. I am doing my job Bobby. I’m afraid I must be getting back to the office.” Hoover stood up.

  “Wait! Who is Hidell?”

  “I’m afraid I’ve given you all you’re getting. Good luck Bobby.” Hoover walked from the restaurant and left Bobby with more questions than answers. He noticed that there was no bill for the food or drinks. Hoover’s a cheap fuck he thought, before leaving the restaurant.

  Chapter 47

  As Bobby returned to the airport he found Nancy sitting where he had left her it was 14:00 and the flight was at 14:30. “Do you want a coffee Nancy?” She nodded. Bobby went to the counter and ordered them both a coffee, as he came to sit with Nancy he could see that she had been crying. He put an arm over her shoulder and kissed the top of her head.

  “He’s not worth your tears Nancy things are going to be fine, you’ll always have me.” Nancy’s tears began once again. She turned and leant her head into Bobby’s chest and continued sobbing.

  “It’s okay Nancy you are going to be fine I promise.” It broke Bobby’s heart to see the woman he loved more than anything in the world so upset.

  “I’m pregnant Bobby.” Nancy said it in a whisper.

  “Is it his?” Bobby asked.

  “Of course it’s his, what am I going to do?”

  Bobby could feel her tears soaking through his shirt. “It’s okay Nancy I can look after you and the baby.”

  Nancy began to move her head up towards Bobby’s and tried to kiss him, he turned away quickly. “What is wrong with you Bobby? I know you love me, why are so scared?”

  “Nancy I do love you but not like that, I’ve told you before you’re like family to me.”

  “Bobby I need more than that, we can raise the child together. I know you want to be with me.” Tears were still streaming down her face.

  “Nancy I don’t want to be with you, I will help you with the child but as a friend.” He could tell that he was breaking her heart as she had once broken his on the night she died.

  The tears stopped suddenly and Nancy began to dry her face with a napkin. “Bobby we are done.”

  “What do you mean, don’t overreact.”

  “I can’t do this anymore you have known how I felt for a long time and then I met Derrick, I was happy and he was just using me to get to you. I can’t be happy whilst you are in my life, I’m not coming to meet Lansky you can go by yourself.”

  “Nancy please you are just emotional you can’t do this.” He pleaded.

  “Yes I can and just so you know you and your little gang of friends are going to get yourselves killed. Don’t try to contact me.” Nancy got up and walked out of the cafe, he didn’t watch her go he knew this was supposed to happen. That was why she had never spoken of his grandfather and that was why she had apologised for not being there for him. It all made sense now.

  Chapter 48

  As Faraday awoke his entire body was in agony. He tried to open his eyes but his vision was blurred, he could just about make out Jane sitting beside him.

  “You’re awake, thank God. How are you feeling baby?”

  Faraday tried to speak but his jaw gave him a shooting pain. He could hear a man’s voice which he recognised as David’s.

  “You’re going to be fine, don’t try to speak whoever attacked you broke your jaw. Was it Derrick?”

  Faraday nodded which caused his neck great pain.

  “I’ll kill him!” Jane yelled.

  “Try not to worry Faraday you are safe here, Jane and I won’t be leaving your side until your back on your feet. We have had a chat and we are giving up on this whole Kennedy thing it is not worth any of us losing our lives. Jack Martin has already died. We don’t need any more casualties.”

  Jane squeezed his hand tightly and lent in to kiss him on the forehead.

  He managed to make a sound “oby”.

  Jane replied. “We don’t know about Bobby we came here with you last night, its 15:00 on Thursday now, he must be away meeting Lansky. I’m sure as soon as he gets back he’ll be in to see you.”

  Faraday closed his eyes once again and fell asleep. Jane began to sob. David put his arm around her. “He’s going to be fine Jane. We have to be strong for him. No one is getting near him. I’ve already told you he has a strong heart, he won’t leave us.”

  She continued sobbing. “How are we going to tell him about his eye David?”

  “We just need to cross that bridge when we come to it.”

  Chapter 49

  As Bobby arrived in Lansky’s office it was just after eight. The flight had felt like it had gone on for days, he couldn’t believe Nancy would leave him. She was the only real family he had ever known and she said that she couldn’t be happy if he was in her life. He knew who was to blame that bastard Derrick or Billy or whatever his name was. If Nancy was pregnant it meant that he could kill the man that ruined his life. The well being of Jack Kennedy was no longer a concern.

  As Lansky sat behind the desk Bobby could feel him studying his movements. He looked smart as always in a grey suit and black shirt. He gave nothing away his expression was blank. But Bobby was not scared, not anymore he had nothing left to lose. The silence was broken as Lansky began the interrogation.

  “Where is Nancy, I told you to bring her?”

  “I don’t know she has left. Derrick hurt her. She couldn’t bear to be around me anymore.”

  “Do you expect me to believe that?”

  “It’s the truth Meyer, she’s gone.”

  “Is this Hoover’s doing? He told me that you had lunch.”

  “No it isn’t Meyer. I promise you it was her decision.”

  “Not to worry I’m sure we’ll find her. So what happened in New Orleans and before you lie Marcello has told me about your meeting with Bannister and Ferrie.”

  “Well you’ll know I went to the meeting and then went for a few drinks with Jack and a friend of mine Jane.”

  “Yes I am aware of that but why were you asking Bannister
and Ferrie questions about the assassination, you have all of the information you need surely?”

  “Well Meyer I’m just curious as to what is going to happen, innocent people are going to be killed.”

  Meyer stayed remarkably calm. “Bobby do you know what compartmentalisation is?”

  “Yes.”

  “Right well think of this as a compartmentalised idea, everyone has their own role and doesn’t really need to be aware of anything other than that. For example you must keep Oswald quiet and I must ensure that you, Hoover and Chauncey do as you are told. That is where my problem lays Bobby, because Hoover and Chauncey are doing as they are told. You on the other hand have caused nothing but problems. Like your investigator Derrick Stinson who happens to be CIA, why would he go to Jim Garrison and tell him about the assassination, unless you told him to?”

  “I don’t know Meyer he wasn’t following my orders he put a friend of mine in the hospital last night.”

  “Do you remember what happened to Bugsy Siegal?”

  “Of course I remember.”

  “Good because the heads of the Mafia held three meetings about Bugsy before I finally gave the go ahead to take him out, you know I didn’t want to do it but there is only so much I could do. Now they have already met twice to discuss you and that has been in the last week. Do you understand what I am saying Bobby?”

  “I’m on my last chance?”

  “That is correct and Marcello wants you dead now. So I’ve been informed to tell you that if you try to interfere anymore or don’t follow your instructions to the letter both you and Nancy will be taken out. This is my last warning to you Bobby. There is no coming back if you continue to meddle in our affairs.”

  After all they had been through Meyer was willing to let them take him and Nancy out. “Understood." He replied.

  “Well that’s a relief now you better head back to Dallas.”

  Chapter 50

  When Bobby arrived back in Dallas it was 03:00. He had decided to head back to the condo and get some sleep before going to visit Faraday in the morning. As his taxi pulled to a halt he could see a police car sat right by the entrance to the building, he knew it was bad news. He got out and paid the driver then entered the lobby where Kevin was pacing frantically back and forward.

  “Kevin what’s going on?”

  Kevin looked relieved when he saw Bobby. “Mr Stinson there’s been a break in, I don’t know how they got past me I didn’t see anyone come in. The policemen are in your condo just now. I’m so sorry.” Kevin looked terrified.

  “Don’t worry Kevin it’s not your fault do you know if they got much?”

  “No Mr Stinson it looks as though they have just trashed the place, I’m so sorry I never saw them.”

  “Kevin just relax. It happens.” Bobby entered the elevator and couldn’t decide if it was the CIA, FBI or the Mafia. As he arrived on the twelfth floor he saw that the door had been badly damaged. He walked into the hall and gazed into David’s bedroom, everything was smashed, even the bed was broken and his clothes were all over the floor. He limped towards his own room and saw that the situation was much the same they had even gone to the trouble of tearing his suits. He entered the living room, once more he was surrounded by carnage but this time there were two of Dallas PD’s finest to greet him. He recognised them immediately as the two police officers that had arrested him.

  “Hello again Mr Stinson.”

  “Sergeant Hill and Walker I believe?”

  “Actually Detective Walker, it appears we’ve had a break in.”

  “You might just be right Detective.” Bobby replied.

  “Looks as though they haven’t taken much. It’s strange that they would come to the twelfth floor purely to wreck your home. Do you have any idea if they may have been looking for something?”

  “No I’m not sure detective.”

  “Any idea who might have done this?”

  “No.”

  “Have you got anywhere else you can stay?”

  “I’ll find a hotel, it’s not a problem.”

  “Would you like us to take you to a hotel Mr Stinson, we will need contact details so we can let you know of any developments.”

  “I have a feeling you won’t catch them boys, but here is my card.” Bobby handed over his card. “Could you take me to Parkland Hospital?”

  “Are you injured sir?”

  “No just visiting a friend, I’ll stay there tonight.”

  Chapter 51

  Bobby hobbled towards Faraday’s room his hip was playing up it had been another bad day. As he got closer to Faraday’s door it opened and David came out. “Bobby thank God.” David threw his arms around Bobby and hugged him tightly. When he released him he said “I was just nipping out for a smoke do you want to join me?”

  “Sure.” They made their way to the nearest fire door and stepped outside. “So how is he David?”

  David lit his cigarette before answering. “He’s fucked. Derrick gave him a pounding.”

  Bobby inhaled on his cigarette before responding. “He had help. That prick Gerry from the club was there too.”

  “Son of a bitch.”

  “Does he know why they attacked him?”

  “Probably but he can hardly speak they broke his jaw.”

  “Hoover told me they took out his eye.”

  “Yeah he doesn’t know yet, he’s slept most of the time.”

  “Poor kid this is our fault David.”

  David considered this and took another pull on his cigarette. “It’s not Bobby we had to do what we did.”

  “We didn’t David, we’ve done nothing. Everything has failed. Thanks to us Jack is dead, Faraday has lost an eye and Jim Garrison will probably be executed.”

  “You haven’t heard about Jim?” David asked.

  “Oh God please don’t tell me he’s dead.”

  “Nope, he’s been sent to a mental institution they think he’s nuts.”

  “Jesus he has kids David.”

  “How did you and Nancy get on today?” David asked before puffing once more on his cigarette.

  “Terrible.”

  “What happened?”

  “Hoover knows I’m from the future, he then listed half of the people on the planet as potential assassins. Nancy has gone, she is pregnant and its Derrick’s.”

  “Oh God.”

  “Yeah so she doesn’t want to hear from me again. Then Meyer told me if I step out of line again he will kill me and Nancy. Then I got back to Dallas and found out our condo had been broken into.”

  “We have to stop now Bobby.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  “Good Jane agrees as well and even if Faraday doesn’t he won’t be out of here until after they’ve killed Kennedy.”

  “At least Faraday has a bed, the condo is trashed. They broke the beds. They even tore my suit’s. I don’t know where we’re going to live.”

  “Well we can just stay with Faraday for now. Why don’t you just hire people to sort out the condo?”

  “I could. To be honest I’m not sure I want to stay here anymore.”

  “Because of Nancy?”

  “Partly but what do I have left? I doubt the mob will throw much work my way that’s if they even let me live, Nancy’s gone and the condo is wrecked.”

  “Do you regret everything we’ve done?”

  “Yup.”

  “Well you shouldn’t, we did what we thought was right at the time we did it. You know the day Faraday and Jane arrived?”

  “Yeah?”

  “He told me that the reason he had the tip of your cane was because he had found it by Loch Ness. He thinks that you committed suicide, he knows I committed suicide and he knows we didn’t try to stop the assassination.”

  “We committed suicide?”

  “Yes it makes you wonder what we did differently.”

  “Do you still believe we can change things?”

  “I would call it more a hope than a be
lief. I’m going to try and save Sharon but to do that I’d have to be alive. I don’t think it’s possible to stop the assassination and survive.”

  Bobby took a deep draw on his cigarette and flicked it away. David stubbed his out on the wall. They both headed back to Faraday’s room in silence.

  Chapter 52

  It was Wednesday 20th November 1963 when Faraday was released from hospital. His body still ached but it was the loss of his eye that had caused him the most pain, both physically and emotionally. Bobby had paid for his medical costs and Faraday wore a contact lens in his right eye and an eye patch over his left. His beard was now wild and his hair was going the same way. Bobby had followed David’s advice and hired people to clean up the condo and had then purchased all new furniture. They had spent their time between the hospital and a hotel and had finally managed to get back into the condo on the 17th. Bobby had also had to buy new clothes for everyone, the break in had left them with nothing. The police had not been in touch regarding the break in.

  The subject of the assassination had not been mentioned in days. Everyone was broken and exhausted by what had happened. Once they had got Faraday home Bobby decided to head out and buy some lunch for everyone. As he stepped from the elevator she was speaking to Kevin. She was wearing a black dress and looked as beautiful as she had when he had last seen her. As she turned and saw Bobby her face lit up and she ran towards him.

  “Thank God Bobby, I don’t know if you remember me.”

  “I do Gail how are you?”

  “Not good, I need your help.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Its Jack please come?”

  “Sure.”

  Gail drove Bobby to the Carousel Club breaking the speed limit at every turn.