Something Serious Has Happened on Air Force One (a Tl/story by Geon)

[Geon]

A short time later Robert Kennedy and his aide were looking over the reports from the ballistics experts and the coroner. Ironically the coroner who did the autopsies on Johnson and O’Donnell was the same man whose insisted that J.F.K.’s autopsy be performed in Dallas before his body was moved to Washington, namely Dr. Earl Rose.

“The evidence is pretty clear,” said Guthman. First, the three shots came from the same service revolvers used by the Secret Service. Each bullet was from a different weapon. Second, based on the trajectory of the bullets came from behind O’Donnell and Johnson. So, it looks like the timeline for this is first there was a scuffle between an angry O’Donnell and Dr. Rose. Then one of the DPD officers probably Bradley panicked and drew his weapon. The gun fires by accident. The agents immediately draw their guns and fire. One or more of the other police officers fire their weapons. Beyond that we don’t know who managed to get things under control but after one round of shots were fired both sides came to their senses thankfully.”

“Thankfully,” Kennedy said and shook his head. “Edwin we’ve got the DPD threatening to strike and a political maelstrom brewing unlike anything I’ve seen before. There’s very little to be thankful for after what happened here!”

“We need to get James Rowley in here to see this. Did any of the agents who were debriefed when they got back to Washington even mention any of this,” R.F.K. asked?

Guthman shook his head. “I read and re-read the transcripts. The one thing all the agents agree on is that things happened fast. None of them thinks a shot was fired from their direction but their answers leave a lot of room for doubt.”

“Get James Rowley in here as soon as possible, and I want the three agents whose guns discharged to be interrogated again today. We need answers now Edwin, I feel like we’re trying to keep the dike from breaking and the cracks are spreading!”

 

[Geon]

First I will fully admit I am no expert in ballistics or firearms. What I know is from various discussions with those who are so versed. Where I am in error please bear with me.

That said, here is the next part.
----------------------------------------------------
Dallas, TX, Federal Building, 12:20 p.m. C.S.T.:

J. Edgar Hoover was furious as he listened to the Attorney General on the phone describing the latest findings from the ballistics and forensics lab. But in this case his anger was not directed at Robert Kennedy but at the investigative teams.

“How the bloody hell did the forensics people miss something this obvious!” It was both a question and an exclamation. “We’re supposed to have some of the best people working for us in this field, and they missed something this basic?”

On the other end of the line Kennedy replied. “It appears so Mr. Hoover. I don’t know if someone was deliberately trying to cover up the data or if it was a simple blunder, but the problem is that this puts us all in a bad light.”

“Mister Attorney General I agree with you,” Hoover replied, and I never thought those words would come out of my mouth regarding a Kennedy he thought.

“Mr. Hoover, I suggest we have these results double checked by an independent laboratory that can either confirm or deny the validity of these results,” Kennedy said in as reassuring a voice as possible. Hoover hated others telling him what needed to be done or how to run his organization

To Kennedy’s surprise Hoover agreed. “That’s probably the best option. We need to be sure of things. And we need to grill those agents again on what happened. I’m going to come back on the next flight to Washington. I want to be there when we talk with these men.”

“Very good Edgar, and one other thing, until we get independent verification from the labs, we keep this quiet. Until we have facts to present to the public, we don’t want this to be leaked to the press,” Kennedy responded.

“One other thing,” Kennedy continued, “Anything new regarding Bradley?”

“We have one possible lead Mr. Attorney General,” responded Hoover. “A gas station attendant at a Texaco outside of Little Rock identified a picture of Bradley yesterday evening. There’s nothing since then – that is if you don’t count the number of unverified reports, we’ve gotten that he’s anywhere from California to Florida!”

Kennedy chuckled briefly then said, “All right then Mr. Hoover, I’ll expect you back here in Washington by tomorrow aftrernoon to go over those transcripts of the interviews with me.”

After getting off the phone with Kennedy, Hoover ran the conversation over in his mind and realized what had been unusual about it. Out loud he said, “Did Kennedy just call me Edgar?”

 

[Geon]

Montgomery, Alabama, A private home; 1:30 p.m. E.S.T.:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was finishing up lunch. He had been staying with a group of well-wishers and supporters in Montgomery for the past two days following the memorial service at Grace Baptist Church.

Dr. King had decided to prolong his stay in Montgomery not only to take time to visit the families of the victims of the church bombing but also to try and speak with some of the Civil Rights movement in the area that had started sounding more and more radical in their pronouncements. At present they were stopping short of actively advocating violence but the Grace Baptist Church bombing and the news that civil rights legislation on a national level was being delayed had caused many in the movement to start considering more radical ideas.

King was concerned. Everything hinged on keeping their demonstrations peaceful. Violence only begets more violence. And that would be disastrous for everyone. At all costs the movement had to stay peaceful.

In the meantime, Dr. King was smiling as he read the account in the newspaper of one Minnie May Ewell. She was the older sister of one of the women who had died in the bombing. On the third page of the newspaper was a story about the older woman with a picture of her holding an open picnic basket with a freshly baked apple pie inside.

Minnie May had gone to the jail where the young man who had been the driver for the bombing was being held. A group of reporters happened to be there at the time trying to get more information on the investigation. Both they and the police were surprised when this elderly woman had simply walked in and asked to see the prisoner.

After an hour of argument, during which the police discovered how formidable Minnie May could be, she was allowed back to see the prisoner. The young man, Billy Robert McKay, was quite surprised and moved to see the elderly woman whom he remembered seeing at the memorial service.

Minnie May gave the pie to the young man and talked with him for half an hour. When she left the reporters asked her why she had done this for the man who had confessed to being a part of the incident that had killed her sister.

Minnie May had replied, “The good Lord laid this on my heart that this young man needed a friend. If one of my boys were in jail, I know I would want them to know they had a friend who cared about what happened to them. This poor boy don’t have no parents to speak of and just fell in with the wrong type of people. At the memorial service I said I forgave him. And this is the way I make what I said there real!”

Martin Luther King, Jr. smiled as he read the story. Bless you Minnie May we need more people like you.

Dr. King’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the front door.

The head of the house Dr. King was staying in went to the door and opened it to find a young white man standing there dressed in a suit and tie. Given the neighborhood Dr. King was staying in this young man stood out like the proverbial sore thumb.

“Is Dr. King here,” the young man asked, “I have a message for him.”

The young man handed an envelope to the man who Dr. King was staying with. After examining and opening the envelope the head of the house invited the young man in.

With a look of surprise on his face the head of the home came back into the kitchen and handed the letter in the envelope to Dr. King.

The letter, neatly typed on official Alabama state stationary said:

Dr. Martin Luther King,

I would like to meet with you at your convenience to discuss certain recent events in this area. You may set the time and place of our meeting, but I would prefer it would be kept as discrete as possible for both our sakes. Please let this young man who is one of my aides know when and where it would be convenient to meet.

Sincerely,

Governor George Wallace of the State of Alabama

“Now what do you think of that, said Dr. King to his surprised hosts?

 

[Geon]

Excerpt from an editorial in the New York Times; December 10th, 1963:

“Since the beginning of this whole nightmare the criminal investigation into the deaths of President Kennedy, Vice President Johnson, and Kenneth O’Donnell has frankly featured a series of bungling moves by both the F.B.I., the Dallas Police Department, and the Justice Department.

“It is time for an investigation of the investigators.

“Why is so much evidence being kept from the public? Why is R.F.K., who has such an active and personal stake in this still involved as head of this investigation? Why are neither the Dallas Police nor the Secret Service being forthright about what happened on Air Force One?”

“Such secrecy does not bode well for the future. The American Government must continue to be transparent if it is to remain credible in the eyes of its citizens. The best way to do that is for the Federal government to ‘come clean’ as much as possible about what it knows happened on Air Force One. Likewise, the Dallas Police Department needs to also be clear about what it really knows.”

“It is past time that an independent investigator be appointed to investigate all of this. Already so much evidence has been concealed or possibly altered that some of what actually happened on Air Force One may never be known.”

 

[Geon]

Chapter Fourteen: Meetings and Discoveries​

Dallas, Texas, City Hall, The Mayor’s Office, 9:00 a.m.:

Mayor Earle Cabell was meeting again with the leaders of the Union of Police and Firefighters. Mayor Cabell took the threat by the police and firemen of Dallas to strike if the 25 Dallas police officers went on trial very seriously. If that happened, he knew it would be a major disaster for the city in more ways than one. And so, for the past two days he had been meeting with union representatives to try and find a solution.

So far, they had not found one.

Cabell shook his head, “Chris Murchison, Jr. was on the phone with me last night. He warned me that if there were a strike it would cause some fans to stay away from home games out of concern for their families’ personal safety. And that means he might have to cancel any remaining home games for the Cowboys. He’s also hinted strongly that if there is a strike it could be the impetus for him to uproot his team and move it. The recent incidents where the Cowboys have been openly booed as they came on the field in some of their games up north is also entering his thinking. This strike could cost this city their football team.”

It was clear the union members were concerned about what they had just heard. Some of them nodded. Then one of them spoke up, “Mister Mayor, we do sympathize. Understand please, we are not blaming you for this mess. We know you weren’t involved in the arrests. And we know you have a solid record supporting the Dallas police and fire departments. But this is a matter of justice.”

The representative continued, “Our people both police and fire personnel need to know that they can do their jobs without the federal government constantly peeking over their shoulders. They need to know that their every decision, many times a life-or-death decision isn’t going to land them in jail because some federal bureaucrat didn’t think a I or t were properly crossed.”

“You know this isn’t about a simple bureaucratic mix-up. It’s about the death of Vice President Johnson and presidential aide Ken O’Donnell,” responded the mayor.

“Yes, under circumstances that are clouded at best,” responded the union representative. From what we’ve learned the Federal government has so far got very few answers about what happened on that plane. Yet their willing to arrest over two dozen good men, including police chief Jesse Curry, and destroy their careers based on hearsay evidence. This is a witch hunt by a government that looks like it is trying to find scapegoats for their own ineptitude,” declared the representative his voice rising slightly in anger.

“One of your own, Daniel Bradley, has admitted to panicking. You have his resignation note where he admits to his gun accidentally discharging,” the mayor said calmly.

“And we acknowledge that fact,” another of the representatives replied. “And if Bradley is found which we hope he will be then hopefully he can shed light on this whole situation. But in the meantime, you have men whose only crime was following Texas law being held for a crime we don’t even know if they were a part of.”

The union representative who had just spoken shook his head. “I am sorry Mister Mayor; believe me we want to avoid a strike as much as you do. We’re not unmindful of what problems a strike might cause for this city and for you personally. But as I said this is a matter of justice.

The mayor took a moment to collect his thoughts then said, “Gentlemen, you should know, that after our initial meeting on this situation I called Governor Connally to let him know what was happening here and to ask him to put pressure on Washington to reverse its decision to prosecute these officers. Governor Connally suggested that if there is a strike, I fire every individual that refuses to return to work. I told him flatly that I would not do that! I want you to know that is one promise I intend to keep. If you decide on this – and I hope and pray that you reconsider this, I will not fire anyone who takes part in this strike.”

The union representatives clearly were shocked both at the mayor’s honesty with them and the governor’s suggestion. After a moment one of them said, “Mister Mayor we appreciate both your honesty with us and your willingness to support us. Again, let me emphasize we don’t want this strike if it can be avoided but the only way, we see it can be avoided is if somehow, we can convince the Federal government to release the officers it presently has in custody.”

One of the representatives spoke up and said, “Maybe it’s time for a show of solidarity here. Would you be willing to stand with us if we sent a letter to Governor Connally signed by you, members of this union, and members of the Dallas City Council?”

After a moments thought Mayor Cabell replied, “Why not go one better? What if we not only had the letter signed by the Council and yourselves, but also by all the members of the Dallas Police and Fire Departments and their families? And we send it not only to the governor, but also to the state legislature, to our representatives in Congress, our Senators, and to the President? And finally, we send a copy of it to every newspaper in Texas to be published.”

The Union representatives nodded. “Good idea!” One of them exclaimed. There were murmurs of approval from the others.

“Of course,” the leader of the group cautioned, “This may not change anything Mayor Cabell. But I will say you’ve just earned a great deal of good will with this Union; I can tell you.!”

“Thank you, gentlemen, I sincerely hope we can work together to avoid the worst happening come mid-January,” the mayor said hopeful that this was a breakthrough that would save Dallas and possibly his own career.

The union representatives left the mayor’s office a few minutes later, but the news the mayor had given them regarding the governor’s suggestion, that strikers be fired had struck a nerve.

Later in the day the leader of the Union of Dallas Police Officers and Firefighters would issue a statement which would appear next day in the Dallas Morning News.

UNION OF POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS CASTIGATES GOVERNOR CONNALLY FOR THREAT TO FIRE POTENTIAL STRIKERS; UNION LEADERS SAY THEY WILL ENDORSE WALLACE FOR PRESIDENT!​

 

[Geon]

Please note that some of the names in this story such as Daniel Bradley and others are fictional characters added for narrative effect. I have no idea who the names of the actual secret agents who were in Dallas that day other then what my memory of the books I read tells me. Please be kind here.
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Washington, D.C.; Justice Department, Conference Room; 8:00 p.m. E.D.T.:

The three Secret Service agents who had been identified as being in the front of Air Force One when the shooting incident took place were escorted into the conference room by James Rowley, head of the Secret Service.

Inside seated across the conference table from where the four men were now seating themselves were J. Edgar Hoover and Robert F. Kennedy. At each seat was the preliminary ballistics report, the press photos taken and later confiscated by the F.B.I., and the depositions taken from each agent after they had returned to Washington.

James Rowley was the first to speak. Addressing the three agents he said, “Gentlemen, I would like you to look over these photos, then look over the summary of the preliminary ballistics’ reports submitted from both Dallas and the F.B.I. laboratories. Finally, I would like you to review your depositions before we proceed.”

For the next fifteen minutes the three agents did as they were asked reviewing everything in front of them. After all, three had finished reviewing the documents and photos the Attorney General asked, “Anything any of you want to add or remove from your respective statements?”

After a moment agent Troy Roger Dahrnell spoke up. “Sir, when I was up front with Stan and Bill here (the other two agents) the argument between Kenneth O’Donnell and Dr. Rose was becoming more and more heated. Fearing that Mrs. Kennedy might be hurt Stan who was on my left pulled her back behind him to shield her. At the same time Mr. O’Donnell started to scuffle with Dr. Rose trying to push him off the plane. At that point I noticed officer Daniel Bradley reaching for his pistol. I yelled for him to stop and drew my own weapon in response.”

As agent Dahrnell was speaking a stenographer was busy taking down what was being said.

Agent Dahrnell continued, “At the same moment Vice-President Johnson saw the situation was getting out of hand and tried to step between the Secret Service and the Dallas Police officers. A moment later a shot rang out and Johnson started falling. I thought a second later I had a clear shot at Officer Bradley who at that moment appeared to be attempting to kill Vice-President Johnson, as I lined up the shot however Kenneth O’Donnell seeing Johnson falling turned and tried to grab him and throw him out of harm’s way. My second shot hit O’ Donnell.

At this point Bill who was to my right had drawn his gun and was aiming it at Office Bradley. The Dallas police officer on Bradley’s right at the same moment tried to yank the pistol out of Officer Bradley’s hand. Doing so caused the shot made by Bill to miss Bradley and hit the other officer in the wrist.

Agent Dahrnell took a moment to compose himself and poured a glass of water for himself from the pitcher provided After a moment he continued.

“I tried for one more shot, but someone behind me grabbed my arm and my last shot struck the other Dallas Police officer in the hand. By that time Dr. Rose had come forward and was yelling for everyone to stop. He examined both Johnson and O’Donnell and quickly told the officers to call for an ambulance.”

Agent Dahrnell concluded his testimony. As he did James Rowley just put his hand over his face. Robert Kennedy breathed a deep sigh and said, “Agent Dahrnell, you do realize that at the very least at this point you are guilty of falsifying official testimony? “Yes sir, I know,” replied Dahrnell. Kennedy looked at the other two agents and said, “And both of you are likewise guilty,” Kennedy said in a flat voice.

Before the agents could respond Kennedy said, “As of this moment I am ordering that you be taken into custody and detained. You will be questioned further. Gentlemen you may consider yourselves under arrest for the charge of falsifying an official testimony and conspiracy to falsify testimony. What else you may be guilty of will be determined after we have examined this new information. I suggest that you look into getting good lawyers as you will need them!”

 

[Geon]

Chapter Fifteen: In the News​

December 12, 1963 (Newspapers throughout the country):

The next day newspapers throughout the country would carry the headline.

THREE SECRET SERVICE AGENTS ARRESTED
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AGENTS TO BE CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER​

Kennedy had wasted no time making sure that news of the arrest of the three Secret Service agents was on the front page the next morning. A press release the night before, issued immediately after the confessions of the three agents, had ensured that the news would be in the morning papers. Kennedy hoped the news of the arrest would diffuse the situation in Dallas and take some of the heat off Connally.

The hope was extremely premature as witnessed by late editions that evening of several Texas newspapers.

(From the Houston Post evening edition)

DALLAS POLICE UNION SAYS ARRESTS ARE A START BUT NOT ENOUGH
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POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTER UNIONS THROUGHOUT TEXAS THREATEN TO STRIKE IF DALLAS 25 GO ON TRIAL​

(Excerpts from the article)

“…The representative of the Dallas Police and Firefighters Union said late today that while the arrest of the three secret service agents is a ‘positive step in the federal government admitting it is partially at fault’ the federal government still needs to admit that most if not all the Dallas 25 have been falsely detained…”

“…The heads of the Unions for Police and Firefighters in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi all have indicated that if the trials of the Dallas 25 go forward in mid-January they will also go on strike in protest of their fellow police officers…”

“…When asked for a comment the governor’s office did not respond…”

 

[Geon]

Chapter 16: Meetings​

Montgomery, AL; a small restaurant near the city outskirts, 12:55 p.m. EST.:

At 12:55 p.m. a non-descript car pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot and two men got out. Both were wearing sunglasses and trying to look as casual as possible. As they entered the restaurant the owner of the establishment greeted them and said, “He’s waiting for you in the back room.” The two men were escorted into a back room set aside for private meetings and parties. Sitting on one side of the table Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. rose smiling to shake the hand of one of the men, Governor George Wallace.

The other man, Governor Wallace’s driver and bodyguard nodded and sat down. Governor Wallace noted that aside from one other man on Dr. King’s side (his bodyguard and driver) the room was empty.

“I’m so glad you accepted my invitation Reverend King,” the governor said smiling. “It was my pleasure Governor, although I must tell you many of my friends were urging me to send a polite refusal. Nevertheless, I felt I could not pass up on this opportunity.”

The two sat down and a waitress came in and took their orders. The meal was excellent, and Governor Wallace declared he wanted to put this place on his list of favorite places to eat. The meal itself passed with some easy and low-key conversation between the two men.

As the two sipped coffee after dessert Governor Wallace commented, “Dr. King, first I want to thank you for getting that young man to confess his part in the bombing of Grace Baptist Church. It made things a whole lot easier for us to be able to find everyone else involved in this crime.”

Dr. King shook his head. “I didn’t do anything except proclaim the good Word governor. It was the Holy Ghost working in that young man’s heart that did the convicting and got him to confess.”

“Nevertheless, it was you who spoke that word and were the instrument used by the good Lord,” the governor said smiling.

Governor Wallace said, “You are quite the man Reverend King, definitely not the ‘rabble-rouser’ so many have portrayed you as.”

“Governor,” Dr. King said, “I am only the voice for my people. My people have been crying, praying, pleading, for justice and for the natural rights they deserve as citizens of this state and nation for years now. I am simply the one who speaks for those who can’t speak for themselves.”

“Reverend King, I think the bombing at Grace Baptist highlights the need for a greater – conversation between the two of us,” commented Wallace.

“There I would agree with you Governor Wallace,” Dr. King replied. “But I need to emphasize to you there is a sense of urgency here. This conversation as you call it is long overdue.”

Dr. King continued, “Black people throughout the South and elsewhere in this nation have waited a long time for the right to vote, and the right to send their children to a decent school. They want to be able to go into a restaurant and not be arrested because they are in one that is exclusive to white people only. They want to be judged, as I said in Washington earlier this year, not by the color of their skin but by the integrity of their character. People like you governor have the power to make the dream I talked of earlier this year into a reality.”

Governor Wallace considered what he was going to say for a moment then spoke. “Dr. King, I fully understand what your goals are. While I personally have no problem with many of them there are quite a few who would. Grace Baptist Church is a sign of the fear these people have.”

“And perfect love casts out fear,” quoted Dr. King. “That is why our demonstrations have been non-violent at least on our side.” Dr. King continued, “But governor, there are those who quite frankly are not so disposed to wait. There are many unfortunately, who are as prone to violence on our side as there are on your side. I could name names, but I suspect you know who I am talking about. They are watching us, they are watching me, Governor. And if they think that our non-violent movement is not getting results, they will be more then willing to use their own methods to force the issue with terrible consequences for everyone involved,” Dr. King concluded.

Before Governor Wallace could reply Dr. King continued. “I am not so idealistic that I am blind to the fact that racism is not just a problem for one race, it is a problem for all. And agitators on my side feel that the longer justice is delayed and therefore denied us, then they feel it is time to solve this matter by the bullet instead of by the ballot. We have some time governor, but not much. I beg you to consider what I am saying,” Dr. King finished with passion in his voice.

Several minutes passed in silence as Governor Wallace considered what he had been told, then he said. “Reverend King, I do hear and understand what you are saying. And like you I do not want this situation to flare up out of control. However, you must understand I was elected governor by all the people of Alabama, and I must stand for all the people. However, I am not blind to the problems I know your people face. I truly want to address them. Unfortunately, I do not think one meeting over a luncheon however delicious is going to solve several generations of problems. However, I would like to extend an olive branch to you and your movement that I hope will ‘clear the air’ between us.”

“Go on Governor,” prompted Dr. King.

“I am willing to ask local law enforcement agencies throughout Alabama to show leniency and courtesy toward you and your movement sir. That means no provocations, no police standing aside while spectators attack demonstrators. No arrests when you stage your sit-ins. I am willing in effect to declare a cease-fire between the different causes we represent. It allows you to freely make your case known. How local governments respond is up to them.,” finished Governor Wallace.

“That is…very generous Governor Wallace,” Dr. King replied genuinely surprised by the offer. “It is an offer graciously accepted. And I assure you we will make full use of your generosity. However, I can’t help thinking that what you are offering now is at least partially motivated by your political aspirations.”

“I knew that was going to come up,” declared George Wallace. “Yes, there is some of politics involved here but these days with these issues when is politics not involved? What we both gain here should be obvious. You gain the right to peacefully demonstrate in Alabama without the fear of violence. I gain the good will of the people of Alabama hopefully by showing I am working to be a governor for everyone in the state and of course this earns political points for me. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t.”

After another minute Dr. King said, “Governor Wallace, I think this is an agreement we can work with. It’s a small thing but sometimes greater things come out of such little decisions.”

The two continued to talk for another hour and then Governor Wallace got up to leave paying the check for himself, his bodyguard, King, and his bodyguard as he left. After he left King sighed and simply said, “It’s a beginning.

 

[Geon]

Washington, D.C.; 4:00 p.m. EST; Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Office:

Robert Kennedy was busy reviewing the transcripts/testimony of the three Secret Service agents with his aide, Edwin Guthman.

“I don’t see any problem with getting a conviction here,” said Kennedy. The question is do we ask for a maximum penalty? The more I look over this whole thing it looks like what happened on Air Force One was one big hideous accident.”

“Tell that to the press,” said Guthman sarcastically. “They’re seeing conspirators around ever corner here and they’re convinced we’re not telling them the whole truth.”

“How can we, when we don’t even know what the whole truth is ourselves,” Kennedy replied? “We still have an incomplete picture of what happened on Air Force One and until we can find Daniel Bradley any report, we give the press will be incomplete at best. Further, we’ve got Curry clearly trying to cover up the incident. Add to that the fact that some of our own in the Secret Service were clearly lying and covering up for one of their own. If I were John Q. Public, I wouldn’t believe us!”

Shaking his head, Kennedy looked at Guthman and asked, “Do you think we can find a judge who would be willing to try the cases of the Secret Service agents at or around the time the trials start for the Dallas police officers?”

“I don’t see a problem,” commented Guthman. “I like the idea of trying our people at the same time the police officers are being tried. Hopefully it shows we are treating this matter on an equal basis.”

“And hopefully it takes some of the political pressure off of Connally,” Kennedy replied. “He’s taken a heavy hit according to the most recent polls. If the primaries were held today in Texas Wallace would be the sure winner. We cannot let Wallace carry Texas. If Texas goes, we probably lose the South and then…” Kennedy left the sentence unfinished. The thought of a Wallace presidency chilled him to the bone.

“Are you still considering sitting this one out,” asked Guthman? “You might be the only one who has a chance to knock Wallace out of the running?”

Kennedy shook his head. “Ethel would lock me up in the basement before she would let me run this time around. She’s frightened what happened with Jack will happen to me. And honestly, I don’t think I have much of a chance now. A week or so ago we might have had the sympathy vote in Texas but I’m afraid that’s evaporated now. The anti-Kennedy forces are gathering down there, and if I were to lose Texas, it would look very bad for our chances elsewhere.”

“But, getting back to Connally,” Kennedy continued, “We need to do more to try to help him out and ensure he carries his own state. Plus, I think we can hopefully diffuse the situation in Dallas at the same time.” Kennedy pointed to a pile of folders on his desk. “I am going to recommend that we dismiss charges against fifteen of the officers that were arrested. First, I don’t see any grounds for holding them; they weren’t in on the cover up, second, they weren’t aboard the plane when the actual shootings took place. They were simply doing their jobs. If we did try them, I suspect we would lose and that would really be bad for Connally.

“It would be worse if they are found guilty,” Guthman pointed out. “You’ll have the unions accusing us of railroading innocent police officers who were only doing their duties.” He nodded. “I like the idea, but will it work? Kennedy shook his head, “I don’t know Edwin, but we need to try something to tone things down here or we are going to have real problems. If we have to send the National Guard into cities throughout Texas that is going to be a disaster in more ways then one!”

 

[Geon]

Chapter Seventeen: Testing Sincerity​

December 19, 1963; 12:30 p.m. Selma, Alabama, Woolworth’s:

A week after the meeting by Dr. King and Governor Wallace five black men and women walked into the Woolworth’s store in Selma, Alabama.

With them were two uniformed police officers specially chosen from the Selma Police force to accompany them. The job of the police was simple, namely, to assure no trouble erupted while the five staged a peaceful sit-in at the lunch counter.

It had been made clear to the five volunteers from the SCLC that they were expected to act in a polite manner and not interfere with the other customers. If they were in anyways threatened the police would handle it. The only stipulation was that they not block aisles or prevent other customers from sitting at the counter. The volunteers agreed.

At first, the five were simply ignored by the staff behind the counter. And the various customers at the counter likewise seemed to ignore them. After about an hour during which the five demonstrators didn’t move someone, the manager of the store came up and asked if he could help them.

“Sir, we are legitimate customers who are asking to be served. And are being ignored,” one of the demonstrators replied. The manager looked at the police officers and after a moment or two of discussion between them the manager went behind the counter and talked with the lunch counter staff. After a moment one of the waitresses smiled and came over to the five and asked what they would like. Pleasantly surprised the demonstrators each ordered a light meal.

Some of the customers seeing the lunch counter was serving the demonstrators hurriedly paid their bills and left casting very unfriendly looks in their direction but a few remained, and one man chose to come up and sit by one of the older members of the group to finish his meal saying, “Try the cheesecake, it’s out of this world.”

The gentleman nodded. The five finished their meals paid for them and left a rather impressive tip for those that waited on them. Before they left, they even purchased two slices of cheesecake to go and presented them to the officers thanking them for staying with them.

The Selma Woolworth lunch counter had been peacefully desegregated that afternoon. Unfortunately, not all such demonstrations would go as smoothly, and there would be consequences for what happened here.

 

[Geon]

Chapter Nineteen: The Christmas Eve Surprise'
​

Washington, D.C.; The White House, December 24th, 2:15 p.m.:

President McCormack and Speaker of the House Carl Albert were having an informal Christmas Eve luncheon to discuss the events of the previous evening.

Dubbed the Christmas Eve Surprise by the press two new Democrats had declared their intention to run for president: Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota, and H. Averell Harriman from New York.

President McCormack sighed and said, “Carl, honestly, I will be so happy when January 20, 1965, rolls around. Then I can kiss this desk goodbye without regrets. I never wanted to sit here. Whoever wins – except for George Wallace – I will hand over the keys to the White House to him happily.”

“Bobby is still adamant he won’t run,” said Carl Albert, already knowing the answer?

“He’s made it clear he’ll stay with this administration through 1965 and then he’s out. Though he did leave the door open to running in ’68 depending on who the new man is and how well he does,” replied the President.

So, how do you see the chances for both of them,” asked Albert?

“Humphrey should do well in the north especially with the unions, but his support for the Civil Rights Act is really going to hurt him south of the Mason Dixon Line. And Harriman’s a committed old time New Dealer. While his anti-communist stance might go over well with some in the south the fact that he is associated so strongly with F.D.R. could lose us most of the more conservative voters in the south,” said McCormack.

“So, if I’m hearing you correctly, it sounds like you’re ready to support Connally,” said the Speaker thoughtfully.

“Connally is our best chance to carry the South and some of the more conservative states up north. He’s not so conservative that other parts of the party can’t work with him, and not so liberal that the conservative elements in the party distrust him,” the President answered.

“He’s our best chance to keep Wallace from getting the nomination,” Albert agreed. “The last thing we need is Wallace being nominated or worse a Wallace presidency. If that happens then you know the next four years will see violence break out in all our major cities.”

“You think a Wallace presidency would be that bad for the nation,” queried McCormack?

“I am willing to bet Wallace will do his best to ensure that the Civil Rights Act never again sees the light of day. And his stance on segregation combined with his law-and-order pledge to ensure “communist agitators” as he calls them are arrested for fomenting violence will certainly mean an end to King’s non-violent approach and could have us facing violence in all our major cities.”

Both men fell silent as they considered the full ramifications of a Wallace presidency.

 

[Geon]

Chapter 20: The Day After Christmas​

Montgomery, Alabama; The Governor’s Mansion, December 26, 1963, 10:25 a.m. EST:

Governor Wallace was absolutely furious as he looked again at the headlines in the morning paper.

SELMA WOOLWORTH’S FIREBOMBED DURING THE NIGHT​

Apparently, someone had thrown not one but several Molotov cocktails into the store during the night. The blaze had gutted the building doing extensive damage. In addition, the store manager and owner had reported that both he and it turned out many of the employees in the store had received death threats Christmas night warning them that ‘if they wanted to see another Christmas, they had better stop serving n……s in their store.’

At least two of the employees according to the story had quit, fearful for their lives

Wallace looked up at Lt. Governor, Preston Smith. “I’m running on a law-and-order ticket, and this has to happen,” he said angrily.

Preston Smith commented, “At least whoever bombed the store was ‘considerate’ enough to wait until after the Christmas shopping season was over. And we can be thankful no one was hurt.”

“That is still no excuse for what happened here,” the Governor declared loudly! “It is time I sent a message that violence of any kind in this state whether fomented by black or white will not be tolerated.”

“What are you going to do,” asked the lieutenant governor? “Mobilize the state police and make sure both they and the Selma Police force track down whoever did this,” declared Wallace.

Preston Smith shook his head and said, “Governor you know how things work in this sort of situation. It’s likely the police won’t find who did this, and even if they do there will never be a conviction…”

Wallace interrupted him. “I will not stand for anyone be they black or white destroying the property and business of others while I am governor of Alabama! If there is even a hint that someone is dragging their feet or concealing evidence, I expect heads to roll!”

Preston hesitated and then said, “You know this is going to make you less then popular in some circles.” “So be it,” replied Wallace, “I’m not certain I want to be popular in the circles you’re thinking about.”

“This isn’t just about politics, Preston,” continued Wallace, “It’s about what’s right and wrong. And…it’s also about keeping a promise.” Preston didn’t reply. He knew well the promise the governor was referring to. And it was something that was never spoken about not even in the privacy of the governor’s study.

 

[Geon]

On the second page of the Montgomery morning newspaper Was a human-interest story about one Minnie May Ewell or as she was coming to be called ‘the Pie Lady of Montgomery, Alabama.”

Minnie May had started visiting Billy Robert McKay not long after he had turned himself in as complicit in the bombing of Grace Baptist Church. Every week, sometime twice a week, she showed up with freshly baked pies for the young man. Eventually she started bringing a pie for the guards because she felt they needed a break too.

This elderly lady’s actions had helped with the investigation of the bombing. Overwhelmed by Minnie May’s kindness Billy Robert had explained how he had been recruited to be the driver and the name of the man who had been the actual bomber in the passenger seat, and also why the explosion had been so deadly.

As explained by Billy Robert the group had assumed no one would be at the church when they threw the dynamite. Further according to him the fuse that was chosen was much more fast burning then the people who had prepared it had planned. It was ready to go off by the time they drove in the church parking lot, and it was either throw it out or be blown to smithereens. Whether his partner had meant to hit the pastor and congregants as they came out of the church was something Billy Roberts couldn’t answer.

The detective in charge of the investigation jokingly said that maybe they should hire Minnie May to help with interrogations. In his words, “her pies are better than truth serum!”

On Christmas day, Minnie May had outdone herself. She had baked four pies of different types and given two to Billy Robert and two to the guards. A photo showed her proudly displaying her pies with Billy Robert on one side and the guards on the other.

And when asked over and over by reporters why she did this, especially given what Billy Robert had helped to do to her church and to some of her friends in that church she had smiled and said, “It’s what Jesus would do.”

 

[Geon]

And in a private home in Montgomery, Dr. Martin Luther King was also reading the morning paper.

Dr. King had prolonged his stay in Montgomery following his meeting with Wallace when he learned that there was going to be a protest at the Woolworth’s in Selma. He had decided to wait and see if Governor Wallace was really being sincere in his promise to show courtesy and respect to the protestors.

The protest had gone off without a problem. And Dr. King was pleasantly surprised at the willingness of the owner to ensure the five protestors were served. He was also pleased that it seemed Governor Wallace had kept his word.

However, the firebombing of the store was another matter. The threats and firebombing of the Woolworth’s were meant to send a message. Now we need to send a message, thought Dr. King.

We cannot let this stand. We need to let anyone who wants to open their doors to us know they have nothing to fear if they do. They need to know they have our support regardless of whether they are black or white.

Dr. King put down the morning paper and asked his hosts for the telephone. It was time to martial forces for a march in Selma.

As he prepared to make the call to Atlanta to other members of the SCLC Dr. King considered his discussion with Governor Wallace for about the umpteenth time. Dr. King was no fool. The Governor had admitted that their meeting and his decisions were partially motivated by politics. But if the understanding they had reached allowed progress like what had occurred in Selma a few days ago Dr. King was not going to complain. He just wondered how long this “secret honeymoon” with Wallace, as he called it, would last.

 

[Geon]

Washington, D.C.; The White House, 4:15 p.m.:

President McCormack sat at his desk in the Oval Office with a stack of newspapers in front of him. Sitting across from him was Chief Justice Earl Warren who was looking over said stack of newspapers.

The papers were normally not the type that found their way into the Oval Office. For the most part they were the type of “news” one bought at the grocery checkout. Tabloids who posted stories with little or few facts behind them. However, one of them was a regular daily U.S. paper and two of them were respected publications from overseas.

The headlines in all these papers were troubling. Most troubling however were the overseas ones. The London Times had an article on its second page entitled:

WAS DALLAS AN ATTEMPT TO DECAPITATE THE U.S. GOVERNMENT?

ARE THE SOVIETS PREPARING FOR WORLD WAR III? ​

The article itself was by a respected military analyst for the Times who in the article presented a disturbing picture of the Soviets attempting to decapitate the U.S. government in Dallas prior to launching a full-fledged conventional and nuclear strike against NATO.

The prestigious German newspaper Der Spiegel also had a less than reassuring article:

DALLAS: FIRST SHOT IN THE NEXT WAR?
​

And from the Washington Post:

WAS DALLAS AN ATTEMPTED COUP? IF SO, WHO ARE THE PUPPET MASTERS?
​

The writer of the article, a noted political commentator, wrote that powerful concerns in the military-industrial complex may have wanted to eliminate Kennedy and Johnson for their own nefarious purposes.

“We need to put a stop to this,” President McCormack said bluntly.

“Our allies are getting concerned. With no clear information about what happened in Dallas they are coming to their own conclusions. And that could be very dangerous,” the President said frowning.

“Personally, I got a good laugh out of the piece that said the Freemasons were responsible for the deaths of Kennedy and Johnson,” the Chief Justice said smiling.

“Earl, it’s no laughing matter,” the President said somberly. “People are writing their congressmen and Senators demanding an investigation be launched. Militia groups are gaining in popularity all over the country after Dallas with people convinced the Russians are coming.”

“It hasn’t been said out loud, but most of our allies don’t know what to make of me yet. They wonder if I’ll be able to handle a crisis overseas if it happens. And they worry that I’ll fold. And according to some in our embassies there is a concern that is just what “someone” wanted to happen. Who that someone is? Take your pick!” The president concluded his statement sweeping his hand over the various newspapers.

“We need to find out what really happened in Dallas. And for that we need a presidential investigative commission which I want you to head,” declared McCormack. “You can choose who you want on the commission, all I ask is make certain the commission is bipartisan and apolitical. We need an unbiased investigation here to show our allies and the American public we have nothing to hide.”

Earl Warren shook his head, “I don’t think you are ever going to make stuff like this go away completely Mr. President. Many ultra-conservatives think I’m the devil incarnate. They’re unlikely to accept the conclusions of any commission I sit on. Too many are going to see a coverup in this regardless of what you do.”

“I know Earl,” the President said wearily. “But I can’t be worried about what a few nut jobs out there might think. My concern is that the public at large and our allies have a clear picture of what happened here.”

“There’s another matter – or rather three other matters,” continued Warren. “You’ve got the upcoming trials for Oswald, the three Secret Service Agents, and the Dallas Police officers coming up. We can’t be seen as interfering in them.”

“I know, but that time I think can be used to do the preliminary research, such as checking ballistics reports, the autopsy results, and interviewing anyone who was present at the two events,” McCormack replied. “Hopefully the trials are wrapped up no later than June then you can begin your interviews of the various defendants.”

After a moment’s thought Earl Warren said, “Will this commission have full authority to investigate whoever it needs to and to look at any papers related to this?”

McCormack replied, “You will have carte-blanche authority from me. And I mean that. One thing, no sealing of sensitive documents for 200 years. I want every document the commission examines or writes out in the open for all to see. This thing has generated too many questions. The only way we are going to silence most of them is with total transparency!”

 

[Geon]

Moscow, U.S. S.R., The Kremlin, 10:30 p.m. Moscow Time:

In his private office the Premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev had asked to speak with the Director of the K.G.B., Vladimir Semichastny. The topic of their discussion was the Dallas Incident as it had come to be called in the Kremlin.

Khrushchev was under no illusions. His hours as premier of the Soviet Union were certainly numbered. The signs were all around him. But before he was finally forced out of office, he needed to ensure that his nation was not plunging into a war she could not win. The Dallas Incident was raising questions among both the U.S. and her allies regarding Russia’s part in the deaths of President Kennedy and Vice-President Johnson. The fact that the assassin of President Kennedy had defected and lived in Russia for a time didn’t help to calm matters.

Khrushchev looked up from the file on Lee Harvey Oswald. After a moment he said, “Comrade Semichastny I have read this file several times this month. But nothing in this file answers my questions; did the K.G.B. have anything to do with the deaths of the American President or Vice President?”

Chairman Semichastny replied, “Comrade Khrushchev, that file is the complete and unabridged file on Oswald, from the moment he first came to our attention to the moment he returned to the United States and including his activities once back in the U.S. as far as we were able to determine. Everything that we know about Oswald you now know.”

“Except for the reason he shot the President,” replied Khrushchev sourly.

After a moment of thought Khrushchev continued. “Are you certain that the Dallas Incident was not the result of some rogue or black operation you were unaware of?”

Semichastny drew himself up, “Comrade Khrushchev I would stake my life that it is not.”

“You may be doing just that Comrade if the Americans discover any further links with us. And no, that is not a threat. It is a simple statement of fact. There are many both in Washington and among their allies who believe the Dallas Incident was part of a coordinated plan to decapitate the U.S. government leaving us free to move in other parts of the world. If that narrative is perceived as the truth in the governments of the U.S. and its allies then the U.S.S.R. would find itself facing a war, one which we cannot win.”

Semichastny responded, “Comrade Khrushchev, I think here it is more a problem for our ambassador in Washington. It is his duty to calm the waters and deal with this rumormongering by the Western Press. If he cannot do this, then perhaps a new face is needed in Washington.”

Khrushchev responded angrily, “So, the problem is with our ambassador? No, Comrade Semichastny, I will not have you trying to throw someone else to the wolves for your own possible failures. Oswald was your responsibility. I want you to conduct a thorough investigation of how the Oswald matter was handled. Also, review any operations we may have had in the Dallas area to ensure there is not a single chance we were involved either by design or accident. You will then deliver this report to me personally. Hopefully, this report can provide some reassurance to the Americans and their allies that we were not involved.”

Khrushchev softened his tone. “Vladimir, we need to move on this. The clock is ticking. If something comes to light when Oswald is tried that can be seen however obliquely as involvement by us in the Dallas Incident, we could be looking at the possible destruction of the Motherland. For her sake you must act quickly!”

 

[Geon]

Chapter Twenty-One: Thoughts and Perspectives:​

As the year 1963 came to an end, for three men, looking back on their actions of the past year there was much to consider. In the year to come many of their decisions would influence not just themselves but the whole nation.

John Connally:

November 22, 1963 would haunt John Connally to the day he died. And it was not just because of the pain of his wounds, or the haunting nightmares he had of that day, but the political consequences brought on by what happened both in the motorcade and later on Air Force One.

At the start of November there was little or no question how Texas would vote in the November election next year. Kennedy, the charismatic president, and Johnson, a son of Texas, were practically assured a win come November. The trip to Texas in late November had simply been to shore up support and encourage the President’s supporters.

All of that had come crashing down come November 22nd. Although it didn’t seem so at first. Sympathy for both J.F.K. an L.B.J. seemed to promise that whoever ran in ’64 on the Democratic ticket would most likely win the presidency.

But things had quickly changed in the past month. The botched investigation by the DPD of what happened, the growing anger in Washington, the rumors of a possible coverup and finally the mass arrest of twenty-five Dallas police officers including the chief of police had radically altered the situation

Texas was very much a law-and-order state. For the most part the people of Texas supported their local police departments. To have Washington send the F.B.I. in and arrest over two dozen members of the Dallas Police force smacked of interference by the Federal government. And Texans did not appreciate that one bit!

The release of ten of the two dozen officers on insufficient evidence had helped cool tempers somewhat. But fire/police unions in every major city of Texas were still threatening a walk-out if the remaining officers went to trial.

The sympathy factor which had been strong at the end of November was fast waning considering the arrests and threat of potential police strikes. The fact that the arrests were ordered by the Attorney General, Robert Kennedy, were seen more and more by some as revenge for the death of his brother. The Kennedy name was becoming less and less popular in Texas.

And that meant trouble for Connally. If he were honest with himself, he had been thinking of a presidential run practically from the moment he had gotten out of the hospital. Someone had to pick up the torch and Connally had initially hoped that sympathy for the death of a favorite son of Texas (Johnson) would be a real advantage to him.

George Wallace’s announcement of his candidacy had forced Connally’s hand. He was not going to allow Wallace to grab the nomination. A Wallace presidency to his mind would be a disaster both for the Democratic party and for the nation.

But a Wallace nomination seemed more likely now given the changing political climate. If Connally couldn’t prevent a strike by the police and fire departments in every major Texas city, he would be seen as weak. But, if Connally cracked down, as some were advising him to do, by firing strikers and sending in the National Guard, then he would be seen as harsh and authoritarian. Either way his candidacy would be dead before it even started.

Connally knew he needed to act quickly if he were to save his campaign. First, he had scheduled a meeting with President McCormack early in January. He had requested that the Attorney General also be present.

Second, he also had scheduled a conference with the leaders of the respective police/fire unions who were threatening to strike. Perhaps some compromise or agreement could be reached without the threat of draconian measures.

For Connally January might well be a make-or-break month.

George Wallace:

If Governor George Wallace were asked, he would state reluctantly perhaps that yes, he was a political opportunist. The deaths of both President Kennedy and Vice President Johnson had opened a door Wallace did not think would be opened to him until ’68.

His own campaign had gotten off to a good start. Given the situation in Texas most early polls had shown Wallace a clear leader in most southern states.

But the Grace Baptist Church bombing as well as the arson attack on the Woolworth’s in Selma had thrown a monkey wrench into what had so far been a successful campaign.

Wallace had billed himself as a law-and-order candidate. But a church bombing worse than the Birmingham incident earlier in the year was a serious threat to that claim.

Governor Wallace did not consider himself a racist. When he had been a judge, he had tried to treat everyone regardless of race as equal. It was noted for instance that he referred to any black people in his court courteously for the most part calling them sir or ma’am.

But the game of politics required compromise with one’s own personal beliefs at times. Wallace had learned that if you didn’t at least appear to be giving the majority what they wanted you could forget ever being elected anytime anywhere to any office.

And so, Wallace had played the race card throughout his candidacy for governor. And that meant he had to stand by his promises once he became governor.

But, more and more, Wallace’s conscience was bothering him.

The deaths of four little girls in Birmingham earlier in the year, who had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the deaths of seven people at Grace Baptist Church, had weighed on him. What was he willing to pay to sit in the White House?

The bombing at Grace Baptist convinced Wallace that if he was to remain a credible candidate and be able to look himself in the mirror each morning, he needed to act. He had already ordered a full investigation launched into the bombing and had made it clear to the local attorney general’s office that he expected them to seek the maximum penalty for those responsible.

The bombing had also made Wallace realize that he needed to start a dialogue with the one man who might be able to help him keep the present situation under control.

His secret meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had been a pleasant surprise. Dr. King was clearly an idealist, but he understood what was possible and what was not.

Wallace knew he could not, at present, drop his opposition to desegregation of schools and keep his base of voters in Alabama. Perhaps given time, and Dr. King’s efforts that would change, but for now he had to stick by his statement of ‘segregation now and forever’.

But there might be some ways to work around that. Dr. King was scheduled to lead a march in Selma to support the Woolworth’s manager who had broken ranks with other businesses and seated black people at the lunch counter. Wallace decided he needed to go to Selma first to speak personally with the police chief there and second to arrange another secret meeting with Dr. King.

 

[Geon]

Robert F. Kennedy:

For Bobby Kennedy this past month had been the toughest month of his life.

Dealing with his brother’s murder was bad enough, but the possibility that it might be part of a greater plot against the government sent shivers down his spine.

Bobby had vowed to bring both his brother’s killer and those who had killed Johnson to justice. Granted, the Johnsons and the Kennedys had never been on the most cordial of terms, but his brother and Johnson had developed a tolerable working relationship. Plus, Bobby felt he owed it both to Jackie and to Lady Byrd to find and bring to justice the ones responsible for the deaths of their husbands.

He had been gratified at the arrests of Oswald and the Dallas Police officers. And he was also secretly glad that the Secret Service was ‘coming clean’ about their role in the whole fracas.

But as the year wound down Bobby had time to look at what he was doing. And he realized that it was time to step back.

He was too close to the whole affair. Defense attorneys for both Oswald and the Dallas Police had hinted that there was a case to be made for conflict of interest here.

Kennedy had to admit that he had allowed his emotions to rule his actions at times during the last month. He was too close to things. He needed to distance himself from this whole affair.

Now that he had the chance to really review the known facts – such as they were – he realized his early concerns about some conspiracy were, for the moment, not borne out.

The preliminary reports so far pointed to Oswald as the lone gun man in the assassination. Kennedy still had his doubts that Oswald had acted alone. But as he would later write in an article for Newsweek commenting on the Warren Report in 1966:

“The fact that one lone gun man, one purely evil individual has the power to change the course of history so completely is something we want to shy away from. We want to believe such a thing is not possible. For most of us it is easier to believe that there was some sinister conspiracy behind such a thing. A conspiracy of many evil men is much easier for us to accept then the idea of one evil man.”​

As for the death of Vice President Johnson, more and more Kennedy was convinced what happened aboard Air Force One was a comedy of errors both by the Dallas Police Department and the Secret Service. Still, that didn’t excuse any of those involved. There would have to be an accounting here.

However, given the situation in Dallas, and the shaky ground Governor Connally was now on politically Kennedy felt he needed to do what he could to help the Governor recover some of his support. Robert had sent a list of ten more of the arrested officers to the F.B.I. in Dallas indicating he was releasing them for insufficient evidence. That would leave just the five officers on the plane (one of whom was still on the run) and the Chief of Police to face trial. Hopefully this would calm things down in Texas for Connally.

For Kennedy the next year could not pass quickly enough. Like President McCormack he would be counting the days until January 20th 1965.

Kennedy knew there were many who wanted him to run with Connally, a Connally/Kennedy ticket would be reminiscent of the Kennedy/Johnson ticket of 1960.

But Bobby’s wife Ethel, was having nothing of it. “First Joe, Jr. now Jack. Isn’t that enough,” she had pleaded with him? Ethel wasn’t the superstitious type, but for her the idea of the so-called Kennedy Curse struck too close to home with Jack’s death.

Bobby had noticed that when they said good night or during intimate moments between them since Jack’s death there had been a ferocity in her hugs, as if she were trying to ward off the same specter that had claimed both Joe, Jr. and Jack.

And, truth be told, Bobby felt he needed to reconnect with Ethel and his family. To the Kennedys family always came first. And Bobby knew he had been neglecting his over the past month. That would change. For the short term, he was going to appoint an independent prosecutor both for the Oswald case and the Dallas Police investigations and trials.

As for the long term, once January 20, 1965 rolled around he intended to take time to be with his family. He had told Ethel. “Two words will describe this family after January, 1965, ‘having fun’”!

 

[Geon]

Chapter Twenty-Two: Crisis Management​

Dallas, Texas, the Mayor’s Office, January 6, 1964; 3:15 p.m.:

Mayor Earl Cabell was once again meeting with the head of the Dallas Police and Fire Department Union. All their meetings throughout the month of December had stayed cordial. But the union had held firm. If the 25 Dallas police officers went on trial the Dallas Police Department would strike. And if the Dallas police and fire departments struck then so would most of the police/fire unions in the rest of Texas. Governor Connally had made it clear that would not be a good thing for the mayor’s political future if that happened.

Now however there seemed room to hope. The news that twenty of the twenty-five officers were being released was good news to the union. In addition, the union representative had told the mayor an internal investigation had begun in the Dallas Police force. “There’s clear evidence that Chief Curry was trying to initiate a cover-up. We’re looking into that now.”

“So, does this mean, you won’t be striking come trial day,” the mayor asked hopefully?

The union representative nodded. “The union had a meeting last night and voted. We want to make it clear we put the public’s safety first. If all 25 had gone on trial, then yes, we would have gone on strike. But, given that the five remaining officers and Chief Curry may have acted either irresponsibly, carelessly, or just plain panicked we’re not going to go off our jobs for this. You can relax mister mayor. The DPD will be on the job come trial day, at least most of us will.”

“Most of you,” the mayor asked, knowing he wouldn’t like the answer?

“There are a handful of officers who still feel these officers are being used as scapegoats and have threatened to do a walk-out come trial day. If they do I assure you that they will not have the support of the union.”

“How many are we talking about here,” the mayor inquired. “No more I would say then about 10 or 11 officers,” replied the representative. “It shouldn’t substantially affect police protection that day.”

The mayor smiled and silently made a note to send up an extra prayer of thanks in church that Sunday for an averted crisis.

 

[Geon]

Chapter Twenty-Three: A Meeting and a March​

Washington, D.C.; The White House, January 8, 1964; 10:10 a.m. EST:

President McCormack was meeting with Governor Connally. Officially the meeting was to discuss the – now averted – police crisis in Texas. Unofficially it was to discuss and plan a strategy for the future for Connally’s presidential campaign.

“We’ve averted a state-wide police strike,” commented Connally, referring to an announcement by the police unions throughout the state that with the freeing of 20 of the Dallas 25 the unions considered the matter settled, “but that hasn’t helped my numbers yet. Wallace has a 5 percent lead over me right now.”

“With the present crisis settled, I think we may see your numbers go up,” replied President McCormack. “And Wallace is dealing with his own problems now, namely the bombing at Grace Baptist Church and the firebombing of the Woolworth store in Selma. Hopefully those two incidents should give some momentum to your campaign.”

Governor Connally shook his head, “So my campaign stands to gain from the death of seven innocent people, the bombing of a church, and the destruction of a five-and-dime store. Oh Lord, what a twisted game we’re playing when what is a tragedy for so many can be used to the advantage of someone else!”

“That’s one of the reasons I’m not running,” said President McCormack. I’ll fill out Jack’s term but that’s it. The game of politics is by its very nature dirty, in my opinion, and I cannot see how a good Christian gentleman can play it without getting himself dirty.”

“On the subject of dirty deeds,” continued McCormack, “John you need to know that I’ve just gotten a report from J. Edgar Hoover. The report warns that since Dr. King announced on January 2nd that the SCLC is stepping up efforts to register voters throughout the South there has also been according to Hoover’s report, ‘an increase in activity among certain racist groups in the South determined to prevent this.’ Again, in his words, ‘given the continuing uncertainty behind the deaths of President Kennedy and Vice-President Johnson there has been a low but marked increase in the membership in many of these groups.”

“How reliable is Hoover’s information,” queried Connally? “Hoover has informants planted in many of the more militant groups,” replied McCormack. “He has a pretty good idea what is going on. What this means for you John is you’re going to have to keep your eyes open. Right now, it’s Wallace that’s on the defensive but all it would take is one major incident in Texas for you to be trailing Wallace big time.”

Connally made a mental note to alert the Texas Rangers and the Texas and local police departments to look out for ‘unusual activity’ among such groups as they knew about. The last thing his campaign needed was an incident like the church attack or the bombing in Selma occurring in Texas.

“Changing the subject, is Robert still adamant he won’t run this year,” inquired Governor Connally?

“He is immovable on that subject John. I wouldn’t even bother asking him,” replied McCormack. “I think he might be willing to campaign for you and possibly endorse you. But he won’t be anyone’s running mate, and he won’t run himself, this time around, he’s made that absolutely clear.”

“Do you think you could prevail upon him to perhaps come down to Austin sometime soon to speak at one of our local party conferences,” asked Connally, knowing the probable answer?

“Governor,” replied the President, “I know a personal appearance by a Kennedy would be a great boost for your campaign. But right now, I don’t think Bobby wants to go within one hundred miles of Texas, given everything that’s happened.”

Governor Connally sighed at the expected answer. He had hoped McCormack might exert some friendly pressure on Bobby, but evidently that was not happening. “I understand John," replied the governor, "but you might want to impress on the Attorney General that the Kennedy influence could be the difference between me getting the nomination and Wallace getting it when Atlantic City rolls around.”