Chapter 163: Mr. V’s Arrival
Kennedy is going to be killed, and Lyndon Johnson indeed knows.
He even deliberately hid the news, not letting it reach the Kennedy brothers and the Irish Mob, and he had a hand in it.
After all, once Kennedy is dead, he himself becomes president.
Who would want to remain vice president forever.
But the problem is, he is certain that he handled these matters very secretly.
Moreover, even if he gave instructions, it was White House staff who carried them out, and they have no evidence to accuse him of giving the orders.
But the one saying this is Hoover, the evergreen in Washington, Hoover who has been rooted in this position for decades.
He really cannot be taken lightly.
Even if he desperately wanted Hoover gone, Lyndon Johnson suppressed that thought and instead smiled: “Director Hoover, rest assured, I will immediately dispel such rumors!”
Hoover narrowed his eyes: “When, and how?”
Lyndon Johnson was displeased inwardly; when did it become your place to dictate how the president handles things.
But he still pretended to be amenable: “Tomorrow, I will sign an executive order tomorrow to establish the Warren Commission, with Chief Justice Earl Warren as chairman.”
Hoover nodded, then said: “Not enough, the FBI needs to be involved throughout.
Mr. President, I know what you did.”
Hoover’s threat forced Lyndon Johnson to compromise.
The next day, Johnson signed Executive Order 11130, establishing the Warren Commission and authorizing it to investigate Kennedy’s assassination and related events.
Because Warren, as chief justice, enjoys widespread respect, the public believes he can represent impartiality.
Hoover’s preliminary report claiming Oswald acted alone became waste paper.
In Washington D.C., in a spacious and formal meeting room, the rectangular conference table was filled with people.
Surrounding it were dark wooden chairs, and on the walls hung the Stars and Stripes and a portrait of President Kennedy.
Outside the window, the gloomy winter sky symbolized that this meeting was off from the start.
Earl Warren lightly tapped the table to signal the beginning:
“Gentlemen, let’s begin. Today, we will discuss the ballistic evidence and its alignment with witness testimonies. Mr. Rankin, could you briefly introduce the latest investigation results?”
Lee Rankin opened the folder; he was legal counsel: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The FBI’s ballistic analysis indicates that Lee Harvey Oswald fired three bullets from the sixth floor of the Texas Textbook Warehouse Building. Two hit President Kennedy, and one may have hit Governor Connally. However, witnesses’ descriptions of the number and direction of gunshots are inconsistent.”
Richard Russell, senator from Georgia, frowned and leaned forward: “Mr. Rankin, I have reservations about this ‘single bullet theory.’ How could one bullet follow such a strange trajectory to hit both Kennedy and Connally?”
Assistant legal counsel Arlen Specter flipped through his notebook and explained: “Senator Russell, allow me to explain. Our analysis takes into account their positions in the car and the bullet’s penetrating power. The bullet passed through Kennedy’s neck, then hit Connally’s back, chest, and wrist. The current evidence is sufficient to support this.”
“Specter, this sounds far-fetched. Witnesses reported four gunshots, and some saw a figure on the grassy knoll.
Aren’t we dismissing these too lightly?” Another congressman, Hale Boggs, clearly did not accept this conclusion.
“Congressman Boggs, eyewitness testimonies in moments of chaos are notoriously unreliable. The FBI’s ballistic experts are professionals, and their investigation results are worthy of our trust.” Allen Dulles, former CIA director, had extensive investigation experience.
Congressman Gerald Ford nodded: “I agree with Mr. Dulles. The FBI invested massive resources. Their report is based on science.”
“Don’t you think something’s off? The investigation conclusions clearly contradict the witnesses’ testimonies!” Hale could not hold back. “The BBC recording sent to us—all those who know Oswald say the voice is similar to his.
Either similar or identical, yet the FBI’s conclusion is that the recording was fabricated.
We clearly compared the audio and video; the BBC’s recording and video match in timing.
From the gunshots to the public panicking.”
Rumors that Hoover is behind the truth are intensifying.
Almost becoming consensus.
Pressure from Washington and the FBI hopes they reach a conclusion quickly.
And the conclusion that the Federation and Hoover himself hope for is that Oswald was a lone wolf, and his subsequent shooting was also an accident.
But not everyone is willing to accept such a result.
Hale is not.
The video here refers to the 26-second film shot by Abraham Zapruder using an 8mm color film camera, known as the “Zapruder film.”
Zapruder was standing on the grassy knoll, filming the Kennedy motorcade’s procession.
The film captured the key moment of the shooting, including the fatal headshot to Kennedy and the motorcade speeding away.
The film also showed Texas Governor John Connally’s injury reaction and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s panicked movements.
No footage of security personnel or the driver shooting at Kennedy.
The entire video is silent throughout, with a frame rate of 18.3 frames per second, totaling 486 frames.
After the shooting, Zapruder quickly handed the film to the authorities and made copies. Life magazine purchased the publication rights for $150,000 and published some static frames in its November issue that year.
Although there is no sound here, they compared the video and audio, and the video and audio match.
And the FBI’s report lays all evidence out in the open, but the final conclusion is completely opposite to the evidence.
It’s as bizarre as insisting that one plus one equals three.
“Sorry, I’d like to remind you that Oswald has close ties to the Soviet Union.
It’s very possible that the KGB was also on site, filming the whole thing.
The Kremlin used this video to fabricate the audio we’re hearing now.
Isn’t there a report of a masked man with a camera on site? He could very well be sent by the Soviet Union.
Just to cause chaos, unrest, and division within us.” Allen Dulles argued.
“Then why was Oswald killed by Ruby?” Hale Boggs asked discontentedly.
Arlen Specter quickly replied: “Senator, Ruby claimed he did it to spare Mrs. Kennedy the ordeal of a trial. Although we found ties to organized crime, there is no evidence he was involved in the conspiracy.”
Again, evidence is plentiful, but the conclusion is a mess.
America has plenty of such investigations.
Anyone with a bit of logical thinking can draw a normal conclusion from this evidence, but their final conclusion is completely opposite.
Such investigations are most common in FBI corruption.
To the point that commissioners like Smith don’t even bother hiding it.
Hale Boggs raised his voice: “This is too coincidental! Ruby shoots Oswald in the police station, and we’re supposed to believe there’s no larger conspiracy?”
Gerald Ford said calmly: “Congressman Boggs, we cannot jump to conclusions without evidence. That is our mission.”
John Sherman Cooper sighed: “What worries me is whether the FBI is concealing something. Director Hoover’s control over this investigation is very tight.”
Allen Dulles defended Hoover: “Senator, the FBI is a competent institution. Mr. Hoover prioritizes national security.”
John McCloy then said: “But we cannot ignore the FBI’s failure in protecting the president, and the Secret Service’s negligence.”
Earl Warren concluded: “Gentlemen, time is pressing. Let’s focus. Mr. Rankin, please arrange a hearing next week with ballistic experts and witnesses.”
Rankin nodded: “Yes, Mr. Chairman. I will arrange it immediately.”
As Richard Russell stood up, he quietly said to Ford: “Jerry, something’s not right. I hope we haven’t missed anything.”
Gerald Ford whispered back: “The pressure here is too great. We must proceed carefully.”
At the state funeral on November 25, Robert Kennedy participated throughout, from the funeral procession at the Capitol Building to the requiem mass at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, and then to the burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
He walked behind the caisson, right after Jacqueline, with heavy steps.
At Arlington, he stood by the “Eternal Flame,” head bowed in silence, accompanying Jacqueline and his nephews and nieces.
When young John saluted, Robert was in tears.
He later recalled it as the longest day of his life.
But in this spacetime, it’s different.
There is an even longer day.
Because of Kennedy’s death, he became closer to Jacqueline and Kennedy’s children, often visiting the Kennedy home.
That day, Jacqueline handed the children to the nanny and took Robert to the study.
Jacqueline put her finger to her lips, gesturing to stay quiet.
Then she went to the desk and took a letter from the walnut desk drawer and handed it to Robert.
It contained only a few short sentences:
“In the room on the sixth floor of the Texas Textbook Warehouse Building where Oswald fired, want to know the truth behind Kennedy’s death?
I will wait for you there at noon three days from now. You must come alone to learn the truth. Please pass this to Robert Kennedy, Mrs. Jacqueline.”
The signature was just a big V.
Robert felt his heart gripped.
Mr. V, during this time with BBC reports, is known worldwide.
Some say he is the killer, some say he is an insider, others say he is a publicity-seeking clown.
But even if there is only a slim chance, Robert wants to know the truth.
V at least produced a recording.
Although there is no proof it is Oswald’s recording, Robert instinctively believes it is real.
Because he had long known that Hoover had information on Kennedy’s and his own private lives.
He hoped to obtain the FBI’s detailed report on Kennedy’s death through Department of Justice channels, but was blocked by Hoover. He is attorney general.
Likewise, as a senior official in Washington, Robert also knew Hoover wanted to close the case quickly.
All this made him believe V’s recording was very likely real.
The letter now made him both tense and excited.
Jacqueline’s eyes reddened; she said nothing more, and Robert nodded silently, suppressing his inner doubts.
Jacqueline knows V?
Who is V?
How do they know each other?
Too many questions flooded his mind.
Jacqueline then took a handwritten letter of her own from the bookshelf and handed it to Robert:
“This morning I woke up and found the study door open.
The nanny wouldn’t open the study without my instructions, and with JFK’s death, I specially locked the study.
The keys weren’t missing, but the study door was inexplicably open, and this letter from V was on the desk, held down by JFK’s seal.
Whether to meet him is up to you.”
Robert nodded and whispered in Jacqueline’s ear: “I will definitely go.”
He knew very well they were so cautious because of the pressure from Hoover.
Undoubtedly, Hoover is the unprecedented big boss.
Even if Kennedy hadn’t died, Hoover would still be the big boss they couldn’t handle.
But Kennedy’s death pried open a chance for them.
And this mysterious Mr. V of unknown origin is involved.
Although Robert never publicly supported conspiracy theories, he privately commissioned trusted aides to investigate Kennedy’s death.
In 1967, he met with New Orleans prosecutor Jim Garrison, who believed Kennedy’s death was a CIA conspiracy.
And now the recording points Robert to the FBI.
“Mr. Kennedy, this is the most important scene of Kennedy’s death; you cannot enter.”
Robert, who flew back to Dallas on a special plane, found the first obstacle: he couldn’t even enter the warehouse building.
The site had been cordoned off by the local Dallas FBI.
Just as he tried to push in, James Gordon Shanklin, who hurried over, blocked him.
Shanklin was the head of the FBI Dallas office, responsible for the on-site investigation in Dallas.
The Warren Commission’s on-site evidence, including the ballistic report, fingerprint analysis, and witness testimonies, all relied on the team led by Shanklin.
In other words, although he did not testify directly at the Warren Commission’s hearings, his report was the basis for the commission’s discussions.
“I now order you to get out of the way!”
As attorney general, Robert’s men confronted local police and FBI personnel.
“Alright, alright.” Shanklin raised his hands, pretending not to want conflict.
As Robert brushed past him, Robert vaguely heard him say: “We knew long ago.”
Knew what? Shanklin did not say.
Actually, the local Dallas FBI really knew long ago that someone was going to assassinate Kennedy.
They even knew about Oswald.
James Hosty was the Dallas FBI office staff directly responsible for tracking Oswald, a subordinate of Shanklin.
They knew as early as October 1963 that Oswald worked at the textbook warehouse.
After the shooting, James Hosty destroyed a threatening letter from Oswald.
It can be said that this group of local Dallas FBI staff knew even more than Hoover.
Robert’s men and local Dallas police surrounded the Textbook Warehouse Building airtight.
He specifically instructed his trusted aide he brought: if you encounter the masked man, let him up.
Robert had read Bill and Bonnie’s testimonies; Bill was the local Dallas police officer in charge of interrogation.
He knew very well that V was the masked man.
Robert had searched Oswald’s shooting room back and forth repeatedly, finding nothing new.
Until zero hour.
The door clicked open.
“Robert.” The masked man walked in.
“V?” Robert hesitated; the man’s image matched the reports he had seen—mysterious, eerie, yet powerful.
He hurriedly said: “Sir, do you have new recordings or direct video?”
V shook his head: “No rush; these alone won’t bring down Hoover.”
Robert pondered for a moment and read two pieces of information from his words: first, Hoover is behind it; second, the man really has more explosive material: “What should I do?”
Robert’s mind had long been clouded by the flames of revenge; he thought only of revenge.
Whether V is who, whether he might be a Soviet person, whether there is a Soviet conspiracy behind it.
Robert ignored it all.
He only wanted to find the real culprit and avenge his deceased brother Kennedy.
Lin Ran sighed inwardly under the mask.
He naturally knew Robert; compared to the Robert he saw at the White House in the past, the current Robert seemed only one step away from total madness.
“What you need to do is keep pressuring Hoover.
Only by pressuring Hoover will he possibly make a mistake, and when he does, you have a chance to bring him down.” Lin Ran said.
“How should I do it?” Robert asked.
Lin Ran said: “Contact Martin Luther King, have their protest activities held in Pennsylvania.
In the FBI’s Media office in Pennsylvania, there is evidence that the FBI long used improper means to collect information on various people and implement surveillance on them.
They internally call this the COINTELPRO plan.”
The COINTELPRO plan was not exposed until 1971 originally.
Even with his mind clouded by hate, Robert sensed something off.
How do you even know the internal name of their plan.
Knowing the specific location is one thing, but knowing the plan itself.
This is a bit too abnormal.
“V, who are you exactly?” Robert asked.
V replied: “I’m just an American who received help from President Kennedy.”
After speaking, he left a video tape on the ground and turned to leave. “This is a more complete video; you can watch it yourself. Best to release it after the Warren Commission’s investigation results come out.
Anyway, you will be very shocked after watching it.”
Robert picked up the video tape and put it in his inner pocket, then rushed out the door, wanting to ask more, but saw the sixth-floor corridor of the Textbook Warehouse Building empty.
“Did you see anyone enter or leave this building just now?” After confirming layer by layer that no one was there, Robert went downstairs and asked the staff on site.
