To Kill a President

by By Marc james

  “Oh no worries, I’m the building supervisor Roy Truly. If you need anything just ask.”

  “Actually now you mention it I could do with a Coke have you got a vending machine in here?”

  “Yeah, follow me.”

  Bobby did as Roy said and they entered an elevator. “So how’s the new floor coming on?” Roy asked.

  “This is actually my first visit so I’ll tell you on my way out.” Bobby replied.

  “They seem to be working pretty hard don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.”

  The elevator door opened and Roy led Bobby into the lunch room. Sat down at a table in the corner was Lee Harvey Oswald.

  “Okay you got your vending machine there. Your workers are up on the sixth floor, just take the elevator up. You okay from here?”

  “I am thanks Roy.”

  “No problem.” Roy went back into the elevator and returned to the ground floor.

  Bobby looked over at Oswald. “Would you like a coke?” He asked.

  Oswald looked up awkwardly. “Um yes thanks.”

  Bobby bought two cokes from the vending machine and hobbled over to the table Oswald was sitting at and sat down directly opposite him.

  Oswald gazed at him for a moment. “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”

  “Yes you do Lee we met at the Carousel Club.”

  “That’s right. You’re a friend of Jack’s?”

  “No I wouldn’t say that Lee. I’m a friend of yours. In fact as of now I’m the only friend you’ve got.”

  Oswald was shocked. “What’s going on?”

  “They’re going to kill him Lee, we have to leave.”

  “Kill who?”

  “The President. You know what I’m talking about.”

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m a lawyer Lee, the mob want me to silence you. They are going to kill him and pin it on you. I know everything.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Yes you do! The staged fight in New Orleans that you had with Carlos Bringuier, they made you do that to make you look like a communist nutcase. The Hiddel ID they have other people using it Lee. They have other people using your name too. We have to leave.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Lee seriously why would I lie?”

  Oswald considered this for a moment. “Why would they lie? I’ve been an agent for years.”

  “Trust me Lee think about your kids.”

  Bobby was silent as a woman walked through the room. Oswald had a terrified look on his face. “Nothing is going to happen, I’ve warned everyone. I gave a note to the FBI here in Dallas warning them. I was infiltrating the group that were plotting to kill him. It’s these Cuban exiles, but the CIA has a team here stopping it.”

  “The CIA are in on the plot Lee, they are going to make you take the fall.”

  “If that’s true then running would just make me look guilty.”

  “I know that’s how it seems. I’m not really sure where you should go but they will kill you if you stay here.”

  “If something goes wrong I’m to meet with my handler at the Dallas Theatre. We can go there.”

  “No they’ll find you. You have to leave town.”

  “What about my family?”

  “You can’t go for them there is no time. But if you get out of town I’ll get them to you I promise.

  “How do I know you’re not trying to frame me?”

  Bobby considered this for a moment. “I suppose you don’t.”

  Bobby looked down at his watch it was 12:30. “Christ we are too late.” They both jumped at the sound of gunfire. They could hear people screaming.

  Chapter 67

  As Bobby Kennedy watched the motorcade make its way through Dallas he could not believe what he was seeing. The Secret Service were nowhere near the Presidential limousine. The Police Motorcycles were behind the President and not at the sides of the car as they should be. As friendly as the crowd seemed they were too close to the car they were practically filling the road. Why were there no police cordons? He could see that throughout the street there were open windows. It was amateur hour.

  At 12:25 he could take no more he had to get in touch with the motorcade. He picked up the telephone and dialled the Secret Service at Love Field Airport.

  “Put me through to someone in the motorcade.” He barked.

  “Who is this?”

  “It’s the Attorney General. I need to speak with someone in the motorcade.”

  “Okay sir I’ll patch you through.”

  “Mr Kennedy, is everything alright?”

  “Who is this?”

  “It’s Agent Youngblood sir is something wrong?”

  “Yes something is wrong no one is protecting the President what is happening get some Secret Service agents up there! Pull the motorcycles forward.”

  There was silence on the line for a moment. It was 12:29, he looked towards the television. They were no longer showing the motorcade.

  “Sir the Vice President says there is nothing to worry about, we are almost at the freeway.”

  “I don’t care pull them forward.”

  “Sir the Vice President has ordered them back.”

  “I don’t care. I’m ordering them forward.”

  “Okay sir I’ll...”

  “Hello...” The line was dead. Bobby replaced the receiver. He picked it up again, there was no dial tone. He ran out to the hallway and tried that phone, it was dead too. He looked at his watch it was 12:31.

  Chapter 68

  As the Presidential limousine entered Dealey Plaza Governor Connally’s wife Nellie Connally, who was sitting directly in front of Jackie Kennedy turned towards the President and spoke.

  “Mr President, you can’t say that Dallas doesn’t love you.”

  The President leaned forwards and said. “No you certainly can’t.”

  As Jane looked up the Hertz Rental sign turned to 12:30. The Presidential Motorcade turned left from Houston Street onto Elm Street. As the Presidential limousine proceeded along Elm Street the President waved to his adoring public. The people’s faces lit up as they waved back. It was then that the sound of screams and gunfire pierced the air.

  The first shot seemed to come from the direction of the south knoll behind Jane. She saw the limousines windshield crack and Kennedy put his hands up towards his throat. She was then distracted as one of the motorcycles sped up and was to the right hand side of Kennedy, it was one of the motorcycles closest to the grassy knoll. The second shot seemed to come from the Dal-Tex building, she heard the sound as it clipped the limousine. She was then distracted by a man collapsing on the other side of the street. The bullet seemed to have hit the pavement beside him. He was holding his face. She then heard what sounded like two or three shots coming from the Dal-Tex building but no one seemed to be hit. She immediately feared for David. The next shot seemed to come from the School Book Depository she could not see where it hit. People around her were screaming and began diving to the ground. As she looked across the street the Umbrella man had opened his umbrella and Orlando Bosch seemed to have his arm in the air as if celebrating. She then heard another shot coming from the Dal-Tex building, it sounded as though it hit the sign on the other side of the street that said “Fort Worth Turnpike Keep Right.” Another shot rang out from the School Book Depository that seemed to strike Governor Connally. Jane raised her camera ready to take a picture of the grassy knoll shot. As she did so she heard another shot from the Dal-Tex building, she didn’t see anyone getting hit. David entered her thoughts again. The next shot she heard was the loudest by far but it didn’t seem to come from the knoll, she took her picture as the man riding the motorcycle fell off his bike. The limousine seemed to almost come to a halt as two more shots sounded. At least one of them came from the knoll, Kennedy’s head shot violently backwards and to the left, practically exploding as it did so. She loo
ked towards the knoll and saw a cloud of smoke. Jackie Kennedy seemed to jump backwards as a Secret Service agent managed to jump heroically onto the back of the limousine. As he managed to get onto the car it sped up and raced out of Dealey Plaza. It had all happened in a matter of seconds.

  She saw a crowd of people running up the grassy knoll looking for a shooter. The Babushka lady who had like Jane remained standing throughout the shots ran towards the fallen police officer as did a few others. Jane noticed that the Umbrella man and Orlando Bosch were sitting down on the sidewalk as if nothing had happened. Orlando Bosch pulled a radio from his pocket and began to speak into it. How had nobody noticed these men before now? She wanted to pull out her gun and shoot them both. But she resisted temptation. She began to feel tears forming in her eyes. That had been the most horrifying experience of her life. She wanted a strong drink. She went over to the small crowd around the fallen police officer. He was dead. A bullet had pierced his helmet and killed him.

  The Babushka lady began walking towards the School Book Depository as did the umbrella man. Jane didn’t know which one to follow. She could kill one of the conspirators or try and get some more evidence. It was just then that she remembered she had taken a picture. She looked down towards the camera and took the photograph from it. As she looked at it she realised she had managed to get a photograph of the officer coming off his bike, while Kennedy was holding his throat. She noticed in the bottom left corner that a gun was visible in the man hole. She had a picture of one of the shooters. She put the picture into her purse and continued following both the Umbrella man and the Babushka lady.

  Chapter 69

  David looked at the man grabbing his arm but he didn’t recognize him. What the hell was he going to say? He was surely going to get the death penalty.

  “What were you doing?” The Police Officer asked.

  “There were men shooting in the building.” David replied. The officer took out his radio and ordered that the Dal-Tex building be sealed off.

  “Where? Take me there!”

  David did as he was told and led the officer back up the fire escape. As they walked the officer started asking questions. “Why were you in the building?”

  “I’m a doctor. I was down here waiting for the motorcade when a man came out of the building saying someone had been shot.”

  “Where is this man?”

  “He’s up here, he’s been shot too.” The officer looked shocked.

  They walked into the corridor and the officer could see the man David shot.

  “Jesus Christ.” He muttered.

  “Is the President okay?” David asked.

  “I don’t know, I’m not sure if he was hit. There was a lot of shooting.”

  When they entered the room the policeman gasped once more. “What happened?”

  “Like I said the man came out of the building and told me someone had been shot.”

  “So who had been shot?”

  “I’m sorry?” David replied beginning to feel flustered.

  “Who had been shot when you got here?”

  Oh God who should I pick, who had shot who? He pointed towards the body of Jim Braden.

  “Right so what happened to the others?”

  “Well this man.” He said pointing to Bill Sawyer feeling terrible as he did so. “Shot the man that brought me here. Then a man leapt from that cupboard with a rifle, he shot that guy and then knocked me over. I got back to my feet and raced after him, but that’s when you grabbed me.”

  “He had a rifle?”

  “Yes I think they were trying to kill the President, he was Cuban.”

  “You need to come to the station.”

  “I will sir, but as I say I’m a doctor I need to get to the hospital.”

  The officer considered this for a moment. “Okay I will take you there and then I will wait until you are finished and then you have to come to the station.”

  “No problem.”

  The officer used his radio to summon some other officers to the room. Again David recognised no one.

  They headed back down the fire escape and towards the officers car. They got into the car and headed towards Parkland Hospital.

  Chapter 70

  “Lee we have to get out of here now!”

  They both rose from the table and were immediately taken aback as a Police Officer pointed a gun in their direction.

  “Do they work here?” The police officer said.

  Roy Truly appeared in the doorway. “Yes.” They then continued up the stairs.

  “Lee you have to trust me.”

  Oswald nodded. They headed towards the stairs and made their way towards the ground floor. As they exited the building they saw people running in every direction. “Come on Lee, this way. I have a car.”

  They began walking towards the condo away from the crowds. “How are you feeling?” Bobby asked not sure what else to say.

  “I’m absolutely fine.” Lee replied.

  “Really you’re not worried?”

  “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “That’s right. Don’t worry I’ll get you out of town.”

  “I’m not leaving town.” He replied casually.

  “Why not?” Bobby asked feeling exasperated.

  “My family is here. I have no reason to flee. I haven’t shot anyone.”

  They continued the journey in silence. As they arrived at the condo Bobby remembered the keys were upstairs. “I’ll just go grab the keys.”

  “Hold on.” Lee replied. “Hey! Charles!” As Oswald shouted a black man in a green Nash Rambler Station Wagon pulled up on the other side of the street. “Charles will drive us.”

  They both headed towards the car and got in. “Charles could you take us to 1026 North Beckley Street?”

  “Yeah no problem.” He began to drive towards Oswald’s rooming house. “This is fucking crazy, I think they killed him.”

  “Has the radio said whether he’s dead?” Bobby asked.

  “No, nobody knows. I think he’s at the hospital but they think he was shot in the head. Why did you leave work Lee?”

  “I just guessed we wouldn’t be doing anything for the rest of the day.” He replied. “What about you?”

  “I couldn’t stay man. I’m a black guy with a criminal record, they’d love to pin that shit on me.”

  After a few more minutes Charles pulled the car to a halt just outside the rooming house. “Thanks Charles.”

  “Yeah no worries Lee.”

  When Bobby and Lee got out of the car they headed straight into the house. They were greeted by the housekeeper.

  “Hello Mrs Roberts, this is my friend Bobby.”

  “Hello, have you heard about the President, it’s just awful.” Lee did not respond he disappeared into his room.

  “Yes it is terrible, have they announced his condition yet?” Bobby asked.

  “No. Not yet.” She replied sounding rather choked.

  Lee emerged from his room having put a brown shirt over his white t shirt. “Let’s go.” He said. They began to head towards the door when Mrs Roberts spoke. “There’s a police car outside.” Bobby and Lee moved to the window. The officer sounded the horn twice, before moving on.

  Lee headed out of the door with Bobby following close behind. Who was the cop? Did Oswald know? As they reached the pavement Lee walked in the direction of the parked police car a little further up the road.

  “Lee what are you doing?” Bobby asked beginning to feel scared.

  “It’s okay he’s a friend.” Lee assured him.

  Oswald got into the front of the car and Bobby struggled into the back. Once he had taken his seat he recognised the man as Officer Tippit. It was so surreal seeing these men that were both doomed. What were they doing together? Oswald was supposed to have shot Tippit for trying to arrest him.

  “Who’s this?” Tippit asked.

  “He’s my lawyer.” Oswald replied. “What are you doing here?”

  “
They wanted me to kill you. You have to get out of here!” Tippit replied.

  “Who sent you?”

  “It was Jack. I don’t know what’s going on. I think he was involved in the shooting. We have to get you out of here. Where do you want to go?”

  “I have to meet someone at the Dallas Theatre.”

  “No we can’t go there! They’ll find you!” Bobby interjected.

  “I agree you have to get out of town.” Tippit said.

  “I’m not leaving. Just take me to the theatre.”

  “Seriously you have to listen to me, we can’t go there!” Bobby tried once more.

  “I need to go there.”

  “Why who do you want to meet?”

  “Billy Beane.”

  “No Lee believe me, he’s in on it.”

  “I’ve known him for years let’s go.”

  Tippit turned on the ignition and they headed towards the Dallas theatre. Bobby could not believe nobody knew if JFK had been killed yet. Had anything happened differently he wondered? Were the others safe? David and Jane surely couldn’t have gotten involved he would have heard something.

  When they arrived at the Dallas theatre Bobby checked his watch it was 12:54. Tippit’s radio sounded. “Officer Tippit could you proceed to the intersection of East 10th Street and Patton Avenue, we have reports of two suspicious men loitering in the area.”

  “Sure I’m on my way.”

  “You can’t go there. “ Bobby said.

  “Why is that?”

  “They’re going to kill you.”

  “I’m a cop.”

  “They shot the President about twenty minutes ago.”

  “I’ve got a gun, he didn’t.”

  “Come on Bobby.” Oswald got out of the car.

  “Seriously don’t go there.”

  “It’s my job.”

  Bobby got out of the car reluctantly. As he shut the door Tippit sped off, heading towards his death. Oswald walked into the theatre with Bobby close behind. They approached the counter and Bobby purchased two tickets for War Is Hell.

  Chapter 71

  As Faraday stood waiting at the intersection he wasn’t sure what to do. In all probability he could save a life. He had a much better chance of saving Tippit than they had had with Kennedy or even Oswald for that matter. He stood waiting and saw a man he recognized walking up the street. It was Derrick or Billy Beane the son of a bitch. This would be payback he had a gun this time.