“You know how boys do when they have a gun, they carry it.”
Fritz pulled out an evidence bag containing the bullets they had found on Oswald. “Why did you have these with you?”
“I just had them in there. They were already in my trouser pocket.”
“So how did you get back to your home?”
“I got a lift from a work colleague.”
“Who?”
“Charles Givens.”
“That’s a lie. He did not leave the School Book Depository.”
“Yes he did sir.”
“No he didn’t. We found this in your shirt pocket when you were brought in.” Fritz placed a bus pass stating today’s date and 12:40 on it.
“That is not mine. I have never seen that before.”
“Well we have witnesses that saw you on the bus.”
“I was not on a bus today sir.”
“The witness said that you told her about the Kennedy assassination and laughed.”
“No sir.”
“I’m sorry why would he kill the President then get on a bus and implicate himself by laughing about it?” Bobby asked.
“I don’t know why did you do it Oswald?”
“I have not shot anybody and I have not been on a bus today sir.”
“We also have another witness who says you got into his taxi because the bus was stuck in traffic and he took you to your rooming house.”
“No sir I have not been in a taxi today either.”
“What about this.” Fritz pulled a wallet from the box. “This was found beside Officer Tippit’s body it has your identification and the identification of an Alek Hiddel.”
“That cannot be my wallet sir. My wallet was taken from me at the theatre.”
“And what about these?” Fritz pulled out two order forms under the name Alek James Hiddel, one was for a Mannlicher-Carcano rifle and the other was for a Smith & Wesson revolver. “You ordered these guns and used the rifle to assassinate the President and Officer Hargis and used the revolver to kill Officer Tippit and wound another man.”
“No sir, I do own a revolver but I didn’t shoot anyone. I do not own a rifle.”
“You tried to shoot a police officer at the theatre.”
“His gun didn’t work. So clearly he couldn’t have shot Tippit with it.” Bobby stated.
“Well we also found this at your rooming house.” Fritz again delved into the box and pulled out a Fair Play for Cuba leaflet.
“I am a supporter of Fidel Castro’s revolution.” Oswald stated calmly.
“And you have been using the name O.H.Lee at your rooming house. Tell me why would an innocent man require three aliases?”
“I do not use the name Alek James Hiddel. My name is Lee Harvey Oswald. My landlady could not understand my name. It was her idea to call me O.H.Lee.”
“And you are a member of the Communist Party?”
“No sir.”
“But you are a Communist?”
“No I am a Marxist but not a Leninist-Marxist.”
“What’s the difference?”
“There is a great deal of difference.”
“So you ran a branch of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee and were then arrested for fighting with anti-Castro Cubans.”
“I was arrested for disrupting the peace. But I was only handing out leaflets when I was attacked.”
“And then you went on the radio to debate with the man that you fought with?”
“Yes sir.”
“I heard that went quite badly. Is that why you lashed out? To get people’s attention.”
“Well everyone will know me now.” Bobby could not believe Oswald had just said that.
“So that is why you did it then?”
“No sir, I just meant that I went on the radio to raise publicity for the committee and as you said it did not go very well. But everyone will know about it after today.”
“So you shot Kennedy because he invaded Cuba?”
“No sir, as I’ve told you I did not shoot the President. I liked him, he had a nice family.”
There was a knock at the door once again. “Sir it is time for the next line-up.”
“Excellent.” Fritz said.
The four men once again entered the corridor. The large crowd had grown in numbers and it was nearly impossible to get through them and into Line up room. As Bobby hobbled through the crowd his arm was grabbed by Ray Hawkins. He broke away from Oswald, Fritz and Hosty and was led by Ray into the room where Chauncey was being held. Chauncey was gone. When Ray closed the door Bobby took a seat where Chauncey had previously been sitting, Ray sat across from him.
“What happened Ray?”
“They let them go.” Ray stated, he sounded exasperated as he spoke.
“They let them go? Why?”
“I have no idea I told them what I knew and the other guys agreed to keep them in custody until Captain Fritz was available. Then we get a call from J Edgar Hoover and they walked.”
“What reason was given?” Bobby asked infuriated.
“He told us they were not suspects and that they were vagrants just passing through town on the train.”
“He said they were tramps?”
Ray nodded.
“That’s insane!”
“I know, I tried to stop it but they let them all go. He told us to let them out discretely so the media wouldn’t see them.”
“Son of a bitch!” Bobby yelled.
“It gets worse.” Ray said.
“Tell me.”
“The FBI is taking all of the evidence to their Head Quarters.”
“But this isn’t a federal crime!” Bobby yelled again.
“I know but no one can stop Hoover you know that. He said it is a matter of national security.”
“I can’t believe this. What weapons were found?”
“At the Book Depository we found a Mannlicher Carcano which is very strange.”
“How do you mean?”
“Well I just can’t see why anyone would have chosen to use that gun. They were made in the 1890’s and it’s a bolt action gun, meaning it takes longer to reload and they are not the highest quality rifles, they are considered unreliable at a distance over 300 metres. Not only that but it was my buddy that found the rifle, he told me that the scope wasn’t even lined up correctly and that the firing pin was faulty.
I went back to the School Book Depository and looked from the window where the shots came from. If the shooter wanted to kill Kennedy from that position he would have fired whilst the limousine was coming directly towards him on Houston Street. Instead he waited until the car turned onto Elm Street and was driving away from him. There is a huge oak tree that obstructs the view of Elm Street from that window.”
“Well I did tell you they were pinning it on him.”
“I know you did but they are covering up any evidence that could dispute that. I was told by an officer that a Mauser Rifle was also found at the scene. That has now disappeared and nobody will confirm it was there.”
“Hoover is covering everything up.”
“He told us that only four shots were fired. How could he know that? He wasn’t there! I was and I heard at least ten. You know what else?”
“What?”
“I found your friend the doctor fleeing from the Dal-Tex building, there were three bodies and he told me another guy was there with a rifle. Hoover had some FBI guys take over the scene and they just announced it was an unrelated event. They have said there were no fourth or fifth men. It’s insane!”
“About half an hour ago Fritz accused Oswald of killing them.”
“Well I’m guessing that won’t be the case now.”
“Well I suppose that’s a bonus.”
“It still gets worse.”
“What?”
“The limousine, they’ve sent it to be stripped down and rebuilt.”
“I can’t even say I’m surprised.”
“I can’t believe it. I’m going to have a w
ord with Fritz before you go back in with him.”
“I don’t think it will make much difference.” Bobby stated.
“I have to try.”
They both stood up and made their way through the crowded corridor and into the Line up room. Oswald was again lined up with the same three officers. But this time there were three people standing beside Agent Hosty and Captain Fritz. “Well thank you all for coming in today. We think he killed the President as well but with your identifications we will definitely nail him on Tippit.”
“You can’t be serious Fritz.” Bobby said.
“What is it now?”
“Did they identify him individually or as a group?”
“As a group.” He replied.
“You know that’s illegal you are framing him!”
“It’s only a technicality.” Fritz stated. He glanced at his watch. “It’s time for the arraignment.”
Bobby, Oswald, Hosty and Fritz walked towards a courtroom just along the corridor. The arraignment was the shortest that Bobby had ever attended. Judge David Johnson told Oswald that he was accused of the murder of JD Tippit. Oswald pled not guilty. Bobby informed the Judge of the illegality of the line ups which was promptly ignored. They were then led back to the line up room. On the way Ray managed to have a word with Fritz who simply told him they would discuss it later.
As Oswald took his place in his third line up Bobby was absolutely stunned. The three men on this occasion were convicts they were standing in the line up all wearing prison jumpsuits.
“Fritz this is fucking ridiculous give him a jumpsuit.”
“We haven’t any spare.”
Bobby flew towards Fritz intending to knock him out but Hosty grabbed him and threw him back towards the door.
“You should have let him hit me, he and Oswald could be cellmates.” Fritz chuckled.
“I swear to God I’ll kill you Fritz!”
“Get him out of here!” Fritz bellowed.
Bobby was dragged from the room by Hosty and taken back along to Fritz’s office. The two men sat in silence until Bobby so infuriated had to ask a question.
“Hosty you are an FBI agent why are you railroading my client?”
“Come on Bobby we both know he did it.”
“I know he didn’t! Do you not feel guilty about those line ups at the very least? Who the hell wouldn’t pick Oswald? The three other men were clearly in jail whilst the shootings were happening.”
“It’s a mere technicality Bobby.”
Bobby just shook his head, there was nothing he could do. After another few minutes Oswald and Captain Fritz entered the room. Once they had taken their seats it was Oswald that spoke first.
“I think I have talked long enough. I don’t have anything else to say. What started out as a short interrogation has become rather lengthy. I don’t care to talk anymore. Although I will say one thing I lied about how I got home. You were right I took a bus, but due to traffic I got off the bus and got a taxi.”
“Lee what are you talking about? You were never on a bus?” Bobby asked.
Oswald ignored him. He wasn’t an easy client to have. He was completely unpredictable and it seemed as though he was now happy to be framed.
“Well that’s a start Mr Oswald.” Hosty said.
“Well I think it is about time we took some fingerprints and administered a paraffin test.”
Another officer was called into the room to take the fingerprints and conduct the paraffin test. This was done by brushing layers of warm liquid paraffin, inter-leaved with layers of gauze onto Oswald’s skin. The idea is that it the heat opens up pores and picks up any foreign material present on the surface of skin. When the paraffin cools it forms a cast which is then processed with chemicals which turn blue when in the presence of nitrates. As gunpowder contains nitrates in theory it will show if someone has fired a gun. The problem with the test is that it is not specific to gunpowder, it will show up as positive if the skin has come into contact with nitrate of any kind. Casts were taken of both Oswald’s hands and the right side of his face. No nitrates were found on Oswald’s face. No nitrates were found on the backs of his hands and a small amount of nitrates were found on the palms of his hands. This showed that Oswald could not have fired a rifle and that he had most likely touched something containing nitrate. When Fritz saw the results it was the first time doubt crept in to his expression.
“Well I think that it’s time for a quick press conference. I believe the media have gathered in a room just down the hall.” Fritz’s smile had returned at the thought of parading Oswald in front of the media.
They were led back along the corridor to another room. The corridor was quiet this time, when they entered the room Bobby realised that everyone that had been in the corridor was now squeezed into the room for a press conference. The heat of the room was unbearable, with so many people and the flash of cameras. Bobby hobbled in at Oswald’s side wishing there was something he could do. As he turned to face the crowd he saw Jack Ruby staring straight at him with a smile on his face. He muttered to Oswald.
“Remember you don’t have to answer their questions.”
“I have nothing to hide.” Oswald replied. The barrage of questions followed.
“How did you get the cut?” A fat reporter with glasses asked.
“A cop hit me.”
“What happened during the arraignment?” A man with a moustache wearing a cowboy hat asked.
“Well I was questioned by Judge Johnson. It was short and sweet really. I don’t know what this is all about. All they have told me is that I am accused of murdering a policeman. I know nothing more than that.”
“Did you shoot the President?” A small thin man with red hair asked.
“No I have not been charged with that. In fact nobody has said that to me. The first I heard of that was when the news reporters in the hall asked me that. I did not shoot anyone. I am innocent.”
As Bobby listened to Oswald he was still mightily impressed by how calm he seemed. He had no idea how anyone could think Oswald had murdered people earlier in the day. They were then led through to the courtroom once more for Oswald’s next arraignment.
Chapter 79
Jane and Nancy raced from the condo into the elevator. Jane could feel how quickly her heart was beating. Once they reached the ground floor they raced out to Garrett Underhill’s black Cadillac Coup Deville. Nancy decided that Jane was in no state to drive so she drove. They had to pass through Dealey Plaza on the way to Parkland Hospital it was still filled with people unsure as to what had happened. To Nancy’s surprise there were people removing the sign that had been hit by a bullet. Why would they be doing that straight after the President had been killed? Surely it wasn’t that important she thought.
Once they had reached the hospital they were informed that Faraday was still in surgery. They found seats in the corridor and waited for news. Nancy had no idea what to say to Jane, they had only just gotten engaged. She couldn’t comprehend how she must be feeling. If something had happened to Bobby she knew it might kill her. But even that wasn’t the same. Bobby had never loved her back not in the way that she loved him.
“Would you like me to get you a coffee Jane?”
Jane nodded and gave a fake smile. “How do you take it?”
“Just with milk. Thank you Nancy.”
As she watched Nancy walk along the corridor she spotted a nurse staring at her sympathetically. What would she do without Faraday? He had been the only man she had ever loved. He had been the only man that had ever loved her. Her father hadn’t stuck around long enough to form any kind of relationship. Her mother and Faraday were the only family she had ever known and now she might never hear either of them speak to her again. She should have listened to Faraday. After he had lost his eye they should have stopped.
Nancy returned with two cups of coffee, she handed one to Jane and took her seat. They sat in silence again. Nancy could not think of anything she could say to
help. She took a sip of her coffee burning her tongue in the process. Why had they carried on trying to stop the assassination? It was far too big for four people to make a difference. She had told Bobby as much and now this poor girl would be left alone. How had they been planning to stop it? And even if they had stopped it they would probably have been killed anyway. How could Bobby have let this happen? She looked towards Jane and saw how much she was suffering. There was nothing they could do but pray.
As the hours passed Jane was growing more worried. How could they have no news? She looked up at the clock on the opposite wall and saw that it was 19:55. A nurse walked over to them and Jane leapt to her feat.
“How is he?” She asked. Unsure as to whether she really wanted to know.
“No news I’m afraid, he is still in surgery.”
“Do you know how much longer it will take?”
“I’m sure it won’t be too much longer and at the moment no news is good news. You have a phone call, it’s Dr Lewis.” Jane followed the nurse to the nurses’ station and was handed the phone.
“David?”
“How is he Jane?”
“No news yet. He’s still in surgery.”
“That’s a good sign. It’s been a few hours now so they may have been able to repair the damage. How are you feeling?”
“Like shit. This is my fault I should never have let him get involved again.”
“No you can’t blame yourself Jane. If anyone is to blame it’s me, I was the one that talked you all in to stopping the assassination.”
“I can’t lose him David. He’s all I’ve got.”
“Remember what I told you Jane he has a strong heart. How many men have travelled through time to save their girlfriend? The answer is one Jane. He won’t give up.” As David spoke he wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince Jane or himself.
“Thanks David. How did you get on?”
David was silent for a moment. “I got into a bit of a shootout but I’m okay.”
“I knew I heard shots coming from the Dal-Tex building.”
“I managed to kill one of them.” He offered.
“So did I.” Jane replied. She felt no remorse for what she had done. The bastards had it coming.
“Are you hurt?”
To Kill a President Page 27