Chapter 161: Which Hoover?
“Where is the masked man?”
“Mister Bill, hello, I am the police officer in charge of the president’s assassination investigation event, you can call me Pete.”
Bill felt his lower abdomen still faintly aching, “Where is the masked man?”
Pete looked baffled, “What masked man?”
“The masked man in the Textbook Warehouse Building?” Bill’s voice was low but very anxious.
Pete still didn’t understand what he meant: “There has never been a masked man from beginning to end.”
Bill said: “Impossible! I saw a masked man on the high-level floor of the Textbook Warehouse Building where the gunfire came from!”
Under sudden exertion, Bill’s face turned pale.
Pete gently comforted: “Bill, calm down first, take a look at the newspapers.”
Then Pete stood up, went outside, and brought in several different newspapers.
There were national newspapers such as the New York Times and Washington Post.
These newspapers were uniformly reporting Kennedy’s death.
Including the suspect Oswald, who was arrested about forty minutes after the assassination at a theater in Dallas.
“President Kennedy shot, Lyndon Johnson sworn in”
The accompanying photo was of Kennedy’s motorcade in Dallas, Jacqueline Kennedy wearing a bloodstained pink jacket standing nearby, and the iconic photo of Johnson being sworn in on Air Force One.
The New York Times even published an editorial: “Why America Weeps”
“Washington, November 22
Tonight, America weeps not only for the young president who has passed, but also for itself. The grief is universal, because for some reason, the worst side of the nation has overwhelmed the best. The blame is not only on the assassin, because some crazy and violent tendencies of the country itself have destroyed the highest symbol of law and order.
House Speaker John McCormack, now 71 years old, is the successor after the vice president according to our political peculiarities, and he expressed this national frustration and self-criticism in an interview:
‘This is a terrible blow to the nation and the free world. This is a terrible blow to the cause of peace. This is a terrible blow to all of us who believe in the American people and the future of this country.’
The irony of the president’s death is that his brief administration was almost entirely devoted to containing this violent tendency in the American character”
After Bill finished reading, a trace of grief arose in his heart, he covered his head with the newspaper, then lifted the newspaper, and said seriously: “At that time, besides Oswald, there was also a masked man upstairs.”
Then he detailed the entire process from seeing the masked man to Kennedy’s assassination.
“You can go find Bonnie Ray Williams for this, she is the administrator of the Textbook Warehouse Building, she also experienced something similar to me.
I suspect she sold the keys to the masked man, or possibly to Oswald.
That’s why such a tragedy happened, I strongly demand an investigation of Bonnie Ray Williams!”
Bill said indignantly after calming down.
“Okay, we will definitely investigate Bonnie Ray Williams and the masked man you mentioned as soon as possible.” Pete nodded, half believing and half doubting Bill’s statements in his heart.
“Mister Pete, you must believe me, the masked man really exists.” Bill said.
Pete asked: “You mentioned earlier that the masked man was holding a camera, not a gun, right?”
Bill nodded: “Correct.”
Pete said: “Because it was a camera, it means the other party is not the shooter, so our motivation might not be that strong.”
Bill said: “No, my intuition tells me that the masked man is a key character, if you don’t investigate him, you will miss something.”
Two days after Kennedy’s assassination, Oswald was arrested for suspicion of assassinating President Kennedy and was detained at the Dallas police station in the afternoon of November 22.
On November 24, police planned to transfer Oswald to the more secure Dallas County jail.
The transfer process was conducted through the police station basement parking lot, with media and the public permitted to watch on site.
During the transfer, nightclub owner Jack Ruby rushed out from the crowd and shot Oswald in the abdomen at close range with a .38 caliber revolver.
The shooting occurred during a live television broadcast, witnessed by millions of viewers. Oswald collapsed on the spot and was immediately taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital, the same hospital where Kennedy was taken after the assassination.
He was pronounced dead at 11:07 a.m.
Jack Ruby was arrested.
Afterward, Ruby was charged with first-degree murder, and the trial was held in Dallas in 1964.
Ruby’s defense lawyer argued that he temporarily lost sanity due to psychomotor epilepsy, attempting to reduce the culpability.
The jury found Ruby guilty and sentenced him to death.
Afterward, the court planned to overturn the death sentence on the grounds of procedural errors in the trial.
Before a retrial could take place, Ruby died of lung cancer at Parkland Memorial Hospital, the same hospital where Kennedy and Oswald died, at age 55, and the retrial did not occur.
Around the Kennedy case, too many people big and small died.
A large number of key witnesses died.
London, global media were all following the story, tracking reports of Kennedy’s death.
In the Times editor’s office, telephone bells rang incessantly, typewriter clacking sounds unending. The walls hung with a world map and international news photos, editors busily sorting manuscripts.
The Times was naturally no exception.
John Hailey’s office was in a corner of the editorial department, the desk piled with newspapers, documents, and a pen, the bookshelf holding political books and historical maps.
Sir Hailey, full name John Hailey, was at this time already the editor-in-chief in charge of international affairs. (Mentioned in chapter 79)
Frank hurriedly entered John Hailey’s office, holding a just-received telegraph in his hand, his expression tense and excited.
Frank said: “Sir! Have you heard? Oswald was shot at the Dallas police station! Right on live television, a guy named Jack Ruby rushed out and shot him on the spot!”
John Hailey put down the newspaper in his hand, furrowed his brows, was silent for a moment, then raised his head, his tone heavy.
“Yes, I just received the news. This matter is getting more and more bizarre. Kennedy’s assassination has already plunged the world into chaos, now the only suspect is killed in plain view, the free world’s judicial and political credibility will face huge challenges.”
Frank asked: “Sir, do you think there is a conspiracy behind this? Why did Ruby do it? To silence him, or personal impulse?”
John Hailey stood up, walked to the window, gazed at the London street scene outside, hands clasped behind his back, his tone deep:
“Whether there is a conspiracy behind it or not, I can be sure that conspiracy theories will be flying everywhere.
Ruby’s mafia background and relationship with the police are indeed suspicious, but we cannot jump to conclusions.
As reporters, we must stay calm and rely on facts. The truth may be much more complex than we imagine.”
Frank: “But with Oswald dead, the truth of the assassination case probably can never be unraveled. This is a difficult problem for our reporting, how should we write it?”
John Hailey turned around, looked at Frank with a firm gaze, and slowly walked back to the desk.
John Hailey said: “Our task is to present the facts and analyze their profound impact. Kennedy’s death is not only America’s tragedy, but also a turning point in global politics.
Cold War situation, civil rights movement, Vietnam’s situation, all these may change because of his death. We must approach from an international perspective, tell readers what this means for the world.”
Frank: “I understand. But the public is very interested in conspiracy theories, should we mention these guesses a bit?”
John Hailey shook his head, his tone serious, picked up the pen on the desk and lightly tapped the desktop: “We can mention the public’s doubts, but must emphasize that there is no solid evidence at present. Overhyping conspiracy theories will mislead readers and damage our credibility. The editorial should call for rationality and urge the American side to investigate openly and transparently.”
Frank: “Makes sense. Perhaps we can also write about Kennedy’s legacy and the challenges Johnson will face after taking over?”
John Hailey nodded, sat back in the chair, his expression slightly eased.
“Yes, that’s a good angle. How will Kennedy’s idealism and Cold War strategy continue in Johnson’s hands? Can the Civil Rights Act pass? How will the Vietnam situation develop? These are topics worth digging into deeply.”
Frank: “Then I’ll go prepare the first draft. Sir, do you have any other suggestions?
John Hailey thought for a moment, his tone mild but with a hint of firmness: “Remember, Frank, our readers need insight, not just news. Don’t be led by superficial chaos, see the essence behind the event. Kennedy’s death is a historical node, our reporting should have that weight.”
But the balance was broken the next day.
“Sir, Major John Freeman requests to see you.” Frank knocked on the door, entered after permission, and said in Sir Hailey’s office.
Hailey shifted his attention from the manuscript Frank wrote, looked up at Frank: “Let him in, and pour two cups of black tea, Lipton will do.”
“Yes, sir.” Before Frank could go out, Hailey added: “On second thought, make it Twinings.”
Lipton is a popular mid-range black tea, while Twinings is a high-end tea brand, mainly providing Indian Darjeeling and Ceylon black teas.
After Major Freeman entered the office, Hailey could clearly see the panic on his face.
This panic could not be covered by pretending to be calm.
“What’s wrong, do you know who killed Kennedy?” Hailey joked.
Major Freeman swallowed, shook his head, signaling to talk later.
After Frank brought in the tea, he immediately stood up, closed the door, then repeatedly checked Sir Hailey’s office, confirming no unknown devices, before taking a deep breath, and said in a low voice:
“Indeed.”
This time Hailey was also startled.
Kennedy assassination, related parties dying one after another, the news first known by the host of England’s BBC ace program Face to Face.
Today is not April Fool’s Day.
And military-born Freeman does not like jokes.
On the program there might be impromptu stereotypical British humor, but privately Major Freeman is undoubtedly a serious person.
“Who did it?” Sir Hailey asked.
Freeman said in a low voice: “Oswald killed him.”
Hailey’s suspended heart dropped, isn’t this common knowledge?
Oswald was caught that day.
Freeman followed up with a sentence that suspended his heart again: “Oswald was directed by Hoover.”
This was tremendous news.
Because Hoover is an extraordinary big shot.
No matter which Hoover.
“John Edgar Hoover or Herbert Hoover?” Sir Hailey’s voice began to tremble.
He even felt a bit regretful.
Regretful for letting Major Freeman into his office today.
“Don’t know, because in the recording Oswald only mentioned Hoover.” Freeman said.
Hailey shocked: “Recording! What the hell is the recording?”
Major Freeman scratched his hair, then sighed: “Correct.
I received an envelope signed V, inside was a recording file and a letter.
He said this recording was installed with recording equipment at the time in the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, correct, the room where Oswald shot, the recording tape recorded.
There are many recording files, only:
‘Now I can report to Hoover, bang!'”
Sir Hailey’s face was unprecedentedly grave.
“No, there are too many doubts here.
The assassination happened the day before yesterday.
Only two days, how did the recording file get to you?
Unless the other party took it and immediately flew from New York to London.
Secondly, which Hoover exactly?
If it’s Herbert, that’s fine, after all he’s almost ninety, if it’s John Edgar Hoover, then that’s big trouble.
Not only will it cause severe turmoil inside America, our two lives may also be in danger.”
Herbert is a historical figure, now almost ninety years old, as former president, former Hoover Commission director, past glory and great power.
But at least over a decade ago.
Elderly to the point that every time attending the Elephant Party national convention, suspected to be the last time, yet he stubbornly lived to the 1964 Elephant Party national convention.
“Herbert Hoover is unlikely, no matter how much opinion he has of Kennedy, he wouldn’t do such a thing.
At his age, just waiting for history to judge him, how could he still find someone to assassinate Kennedy, that’s too absurd.
And I’ve never heard of Herbert Hoover having a feud with Kennedy.” Sir Hailey thought and shook his head.
Correct, at this time Herbert Hoover focused on writing, recording as much as possible his experiences and achievements in Washington over the years, to leave a better legacy.
Major Freeman and Sir Hailey looked at each other, then said in unison: “Then it’s John Edgar Hoover?
Really bad news.”
This Hoover is a current big shot.
How big.
Big enough to have been the director of the BI since 1924.
Back then BI wasn’t even called BI.
Meaning he has been in that position for nearly forty years.
Hard to imagine how terrifying it is for one person to hold the East Factory position for forty years.
White Person history has no East Factory thing, but they can similarly realize the huge power brought by such long-term continuous power.
“Shit!” Freeman said indignantly, “Why throw such a dilemma choice to me.”
Sir Hailey reminded: “You’ve pulled me in too.”
Sir Hailey stood up and paced in the office, “No, we’ve fallen into a trap, why assume this recording is real?”
Freeman’s tone low, expression terrified: “Because this letter appeared directly on my desk in my office.
I have the only key to my office door.
One I carry on me at all times, the spare key I didn’t leave at BBC, but at home.
This morning when I entered the office, I saw this letter.
After reading the content, I immediately confirmed the office door lock was intact.
Then went home to listen to the recording tape, and confirmed again both keys untouched.
One always on my person, the other always at my home.
And no climbing marks outside my office window.
Meaning my office in a locked room state, someone placed a letter.
And not thrown on the office floor, but steadily placed on my desk, even weighted down with the ink bottle on the desk.
This shows V walked in, possibly even sat on the sofa for a while.”
Lin Ran indeed walked in openly, though didn’t sit on the sofa.
Just placed the letter and recording tape then left.
When leaving, he was glad he had done an interview at BBC before.
“Precisely because of the way it appeared, it makes me inclined to believe the letter is real.
To put it this way, from Kennedy’s death to Oswald’s death, how many oddities in between.
Isn’t it normal for such oddities to continue spreading in the exposé?
The letter’s appearance fits the entire event’s style very well.”
After hearing this, Sir Hailey said: “Take me to your office to have a look, maybe in your office we can find something new.”
“Okay.”
Obviously, no new discoveries.
The door was virtually invincible.
Here, after listening to the recording, Sir Hailey said:
“There are too many unknown doubts here.
Who is V, how did he know Oswald would shoot from the sixth floor of the warehouse building? How was the recording equipment placed inside.
What is his relationship with Hoover, and with Oswald?”
In the BBC building Freeman’s office, Major Freeman and Sir Hailey fell into great doubt, this doubt like November London’s fog, un dispersible.
And the more they thought, the more doubts.
“What we need to determine first now is, should we report the recording tape?” Major Freeman said.
“Of course we report, we are news workers.” Sir Hailey said as a matter of course.
Major Freeman hesitated a bit: “But this will offend Hoover.”
Sir Hailey said: “We are in London, in London offending KGB is probably more terrifying than offending BI.
Besides, V may not have provided this recording tape only to us.
If we don’t report, other media will.
Like East Germany’s Pravda, they might already be writing tomorrow’s headline.”
