by Marc James
“You slept with her?”
Bobby could not bring himself to answer verbally, he just nodded his head.
Ethel let out a loud sob.
“I’m so sorry honey.”
She had her eyes closed, trying to hold back more tears. “How could you?”
“I can’t explain it. It was the biggest mistake of my entire life.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“Well you have hurt me Bobby.”
“I know.” His eyes were now filled with tears, he didn’t care about the Presidency, at this moment all that mattered to him was Ethel.
“Did you kill her?”
“No of course not, I was there to find her diary. Jack had apparently told her some military secrets and she had dates of meetings with him. I couldn’t find it and when I left she was alive, her doctor killed her.”
“And you covered it up?”
“I had to.”
“You chose to.” She snapped back.
Bobby had no response and no excuses.
“Your country needs you.” She said bitterly.
“I don’t want to leave until we sort this out.”
“I need time to think.”
Bobby rose to his feet slowly as Ethel rolled over to her side once again. He walked from the room desperately wishing he could stay. He walked down stairs and bumped into Jane and Faraday.
“How are you Bobby?” Jane asked.
“I’m okay, how are you both?”
“We actually need a favour. David is in hospital and we need him to be released.”
“What happened?” Bobby asked shocked, this was quickly becoming a terrible Christmas period.
“He tried to kill himself, but I don’t know what they’ve given him, he is completely out of it.”
“I don’t really have the time to deal with this just now.”
Faraday was stunned. “We can’t leave him in there.”
“Did you see Oswald this morning? You know what I’m facing.”
“If it wasn’t for David you wouldn’t even be President.” Jane snapped.
Bobby sighed. “I’ll look into it as soon as possible, in fact I think Abaddon knows a couple of the doctors there. I’ll ask him to give them a call.”
Chapter 16
As the jet touched down it was 17:05. Will and Chase watched from the back of the FBI Agent’s car. It had been a nightmare of a day thus far. Once Oswald had hit the car they had been required to wait on the New York Police Department and then a local FBI agent, named Paul Hastings. Bobby and Edgar had flown into New York in order to be present for the interrogation of Mengele. They had decided that he was without a doubt the best lead regarding the Apollo 8 explosion.
When the jet had come to a halt and the stairs were in place Will stepped from the car, pulling at Mengele to ensure that he followed, Chase stepped out the other side. They walked the short distance to the jet and walked Mengele up the stairs. When they got inside the jet all three men seemed to be stunned by how nice the decor was. It was wood panelled and had luxury sofas where the usual seats would be.
They sat Mengele on the couch to the left, directly across from Bobby Stinson, beside Bobby was J Edgar Hoover. As Bobby looked at Mengele he was disgusted by the man, Mengele looked scared, which was the least he deserved.
“Hello Josef, I am Bobby Stinson and this is J.Edgar Hoover.”
“I know who you are.” Mengele replied.
“Of course you do, we’ve been looking for you for some time, in fact my friend Will here used to be a prisoner in Auschwitz.” Bobby stated.
Mengele looked up at Will without the slightest bit of sympathy.
“I believe you worked there?”
Mengele was silent.
“Well perhaps worked is the wrong word. You performed evil experiments on the prisoners, I hear that you sowed twins together and injected dye into their eyes. You carried out bone transplants without using anaesthetics. You practised torture techniques on children, you kept people in freezing conditions and then threw them in boiling water. You tested mustard gas on the prisoners and of course you murdered millions.”
Mengele smirked at his achievements.
“I hope you know Mr Mengele that you will receive no mercy here. Nobody even knows we have you in custody, we can do whatever we want. I think maybe Will should cut your fingers off one at a time and then feed them to you?”
Mengele laughed. “I’m not stupid Mr Stinson, we both know you do not have the power to do that.”
“Like he said Josef, nobody even knows we have you in custody.” Hoover stated.
“If you choose to cooperate we can ensure that you receive a trial.” Bobby continued.
“I will be free within the day.” Mengele replied arrogantly.
“Are you working with Jacob Cohen?” Hoover asked.
“You should be more concerned with the communists.” Mengele replied with a smile.
“What do you know about the Soviet involvement in the explosion?” Bobby asked hopefully.
“Now you are asking the right questions, but I am afraid that you are asking the wrong man.”
“Were they involved?” Bobby asked again.
“I would have thought so.” Mengele smiled.
“Why are you here?” Hoover tried.
“Because your dogs arrested me.”
“I meant in America?”
“I do not wish to tell you that. The only thing I will tell you is that there is a war coming, and you are all looking in the wrong place for the man causing it.”
Bobby didn’t know how to respond, he noticed how anxious Chase was looking. It was a hell of a first day in the field for the kid.
“I think we should head back to Washington. The agents are out there looking for Cohen, if he’s here we’ll get him.” Hoover stated.
Bobby nodded his approval.
Chapter 17
Jacob and Sirhan arrived at the safe house to find the phone already ringing. Jacob walked over to the telephone and answered the call.
“Hello.”
“Mr Cohen, how did it go?”
“Very well sir everything went as planned. He’s dead.”
“And Josef?”
“He’s in custody.”
“Did anyone see you?”
“No sir.”
“Good, so are we on schedule for the next stage?”
“He’s with me now, we just need the time and place.”
“Is he ready?”
“Absolutely.”
“Well done Jacob. Have you contacted the journalist?”
“I’m just about to.”
“I won’t keep you, well done.”
Jacob replaced the receiver and picked it back up immediately, he dialled the number for Sarah Salmond.
“Miss Salmond how are you this evening?”
“Jacob I’ve had a wonderful day! They are promoting me.”
Jacob couldn’t help but laugh. “Well you’ve just got another scoop.”
“Really?” She asked surprised.
“Yes it seems that two of Bobby Stinson’s agents threw Lee Harvey Oswald from a window earlier today. One of my associates will be there with you soon, he has photographs that you should find useful. The President ordered the hit.”
“He’s dead?”
“Sadly, yes.”
“Who are you sending over?”
“Sirhan is just leaving now.”
Chapter 18
Bobby Kennedy was in a foul mood when he arrived back at the White House, he walked straight into Abaddon’s office. Abaddon was sat behind the desk with a troubled expression on his face. Kennedy stormed towards the desk and took a seat.
“What do we know?” He barked.
“Well sir, as you know we had a meeting this morning. The feedback I received is that this was certainly an act of aggression on behalf of the Russians. Marty and McNamara are agreed that w
e cannot allow this aggression to go unchallenged.”
“You’re saying that you want to go to war with the Russians?”
“It is only logical sir.”
“Well let us be thankful that you are not President.”
Abaddon blushed.
“We don’t even have any proof it was the Russians.”
“We have no way of obtaining proof sir, the rocket is in bits in space.”
“And yet you and the military want a war?”
“We do not want the country to look weak sir. The people think that the lack of aggression we showed in Vietnam and Cuba is deplorable. I would also suggest that we consider reinstating the CIA.”
Bobby could hardly believe what he was hearing. “Abaddon what has gotten in to you?”
“I’m just telling you what came out of the meeting sir.”
“Well I will deal with this. It’s a pity Khrushchev is no longer in power, he was a reasonable man.” Kennedy rose to his feet and headed towards the door. He turned on his heels when he remembered David. “Are you aware of what happened to David?”
“Yes sir.”
“You have friends at the hospital?”
“Yes.”
“Good, I need you to ensure that David is released this evening.”
“Not a problem.”
Chapter 19
“Good evening Mr Chairman.”
“Mr President.” Alexei Kosygin replied in his thick Russian accent.
“I presume you know why I am calling?”
“I had been expecting a phone call, but I hope you are not about to say anything rash.”
“No Mr Chairman that was not my intention. As you know I have strived for nothing but peace in our times.”
“I am pleased to hear that Mr President.”
“I must however ask if the Soviet Union has any information regarding the explosion on Apollo 8?”
“Are you accusing us of an act of war Mr President?”
“No Mr Chairman I most certainly am not. I have been advised that Apollo 8 could only have exploded by an act of sabotage.”
“And you believe the Soviet Union is behind it?” Kosygin asked aggressively.
“I am simply seeking assurances that this is not the case Mr Chairman. As you mentioned we would view this as an act of war and I am hoping that this is not the case.”
“We have no interest in a war Mr President. We do not need to sabotage your space program, we are progressing excellently with our own.”
“Thank you Mr Chairman, that’s all I needed to hear.”
“I see that you had Lee Harvey Oswald killed today Mr President. I didn’t think you were the type to get your hands dirty.” Kosygin chuckled.
Bobby wasn’t quite sure he had heard Kosygin right, but he could hardly ask. “That was not me Mr Chairman.”
“I’m sure your people will think otherwise. Good night.”
As the line went dead Bobby Kennedy could hardly feel his limbs. They were numb. What was happening? There was a knock at the door of the Oval Office, what the hell was wrong now?
“Come in.” He yelled.
The door opened and Bobby Stinson hobbled into the room. He approached the chair slowly and eased himself into it.
“I have just been informed that Lee Harvey Oswald is dead.” Kennedy stated.
“That’s correct sir it happened late this afternoon, an autopsy is being performed as we speak.”
“What happened?”
“I was here at the time. Will and Chase had tracked down Josef Mengele, we believe he is working with the man that brought Oswald back to America. A man named Jacob Cohen.”
“Yes I am aware of Mr Cohen.” Kennedy replied.
“Will and Chase secured Josef Mengele, and whilst they were getting him into the car Oswald fell from a building onto the roof.”
“Did he jump, or was he pushed?”
“Well that’s the million dollar question. I believe he was pushed, but by the time the Police and the FBI arrived on the scene there was no trace of Jacob Cohen or his accomplice.”
“His accomplice?”
“He was with a young Arab man, we do not know his identity.”
“So what exactly are we doing about this?”
“Well we have the FBI and Police throughout the country looking for them. Hoover has told me that he believes Cohen is being funded by someone wealthy, and they have been trying to catch him for six years.”
“Yes I do not think he will be found.” Kennedy conceded.
“So what are we doing with regards to Apollo 8?” Bobby asked.
“I have spoken to Alexei Kosygin, he has assured me that the Soviets were not behind the attack. I am going to call a press conference and explain the rocket exploded due to a technical fault.”
“Will you discuss Oswald?”
“I will have to.”
“I would suggest that you put that down to suicide. Any mention of murder will spark rumours that you ordered the hit.”
“I think that is probably the right thing to do. So what is the situation with Mengele?”
“He’s at Washington County Jail, he’s not talking.”
“That figures.”
Chapter 20
When Abaddon arrived at Cape Cod Hospital it was 22:00. It had been the longest day of his life. He stepped from the car and as expected, Sidney Gottlieb was waiting for him outside the main entrance. He headed over towards the man, who waved with a smile when he saw him approach.
“How are you Abaddon?” Sidney asked.
“Tired to tell you the truth, it has been a hectic day, but this is the last port of call.”
“That’s good, have you a place to stay here tonight, or are you flying back to Washington?”
“I’m going to take him back to the Kennedy compound and then spend the night.” Abaddon replied yawning.
“I’m feeling much the same.”
“How are the tests coming along?”
“From all the test subjects I have seen thus far, LSD is too unpredictable. Dr Cameron seems to be making steady progress with the electroconvulsive therapy and from what I hear the hypnosis seems to be working well.”
“Yes so I’m told. What about David?”
“He didn’t respond well to the LSD administered this morning. We have not yet tried hypnosis or electrical therapy. He did mention something that we can use.”
“Oh yes?”
“Well your suspicions are correct.”
“Did he mention the others?”
“No he didn’t, but his wife died in 1993.”
“That should be more than enough leverage then.” Abaddon smiled as he spoke.
“Yes I should think so, will you send him back?”
“If he does as he is asked.”
“I would imagine he would do anything.”
Abaddon smiled. “Where is he?”
“I just brought him to my office, he’s inside.” Sidney turned and headed into the hospital, Abaddon followed closely behind. Sidney’s office was a short elevator ride away, on the second floor. When they arrived at the office, Abaddon looked through the glass to see a subdued David Lewis sitting waiting for them.
“Could you wait out here Sidney, I’d rather speak to him alone.”
“Certainly.” Sidney said with a smile.
Abaddon opened the office door and walked in. David turned and smiled slightly at the sight of a familiar face. “Abaddon are you here to take me home?”
“I am.” He walked to the far side of the room and sat on Sidney’s chair. “How are you feeling David?”
“I’m exhausted.” He replied.
“You are looking a little pale.” Abaddon commented. “What were you thinking of last night David?”
“It was an impulse, it won’t happen again.”
Abaddon smiled. “I am glad to hear that David. I met Dr Gottlieb just now.”
“He’s a nice man.”
“He is indeed. He mentio
ned that you were discussing your wife.”
David’s eyes gave away his pain. “Yes, he believes that her death caused my depression.”
“You must miss her terribly.”
“I do.”
“The doctor also mentioned that you were a little unpredictable earlier?”
David almost blushed. “My memory of today is quite hazy.” He conceded.
“Well he told me that your wife died in 1993.”
“I said that?”
“That’s what he told me. It brought to mind something I read in the papers just before John Kennedy was assassinated. Jim Garrison believed that a girl from the future visited him to warn him of the assassination. It just makes me wonder if there is something you are not telling me. I assure you that your secret would be safe with me, I may even be able to help you.”
“How could you help me?”
“Are you familiar with the name Edward Teller?” Abaddon asked.
“I recognize the name, but I don’t know why.”
“He was one of the Physicists working on the Manhattan Project.”
“Okay.”
“Well as you are probably aware I am responsible for the Office of Strategic Services.”
“I thought Kennedy worked on that?”
“He is partially involved, but in terms of day to day work it would be my remit. He only becomes involved when we make a breakthrough. Now what I am about to say is perhaps a little controversial.”
“Go on.”
“Can I trust you to keep the information to yourself?”
“Of course.”
“I believe that Robert Kennedy is perhaps the worst President our country has ever seen.”
“What?” David could not believe the words he was hearing.
“He has completely failed to tackle the communist threat that we face the world over. Just like his brother before him, he does not have the leadership ability to take us in to a war and win it, even when that war is essential.”
“But war isn’t essential Abaddon, he is working for peace.”
Abaddon laughed. “It’s a lovely idea don’t get me wrong, but how can you achieve world peace when the Soviet Union are stock piling nuclear warheads. The East have built the Berlin Wall, that is not peace. The communists have taken Cuba, Vietnam, China, North Korea and we have stood by and done next to nothing. If America fought the communists they would not be spreading so rapidly, it is the enemy of democracy. I tried to get President Kennedy to do the right thing earlier on today, we had an ideal opportunity to strike the Russians.”