“What was it this time?”
“David was sick I had to make sure he was alright.” He lied.
“I’m starting to wonder if the reason you’ve never asked me out is because of David.” This was certainly the downside of having his grandmother back in his life. She knew he loved her but misread in what way he loved her. He could hardly tell her she was his grandmother, she wasn’t even married yet.
“Nancy I’ve told you before I don’t think of you that way, you’re like family. Anyway I thought you had a boyfriend and did you just ask if I’m a homo?”
She laughed. “I was only kidding and yes I do have a boyfriend, Derrick.”
“Has he found work yet?”
“No, it’s the criminal record. Unless he wants to wash dishes in a restaurant he has no chance.” She sighed.
“What did he do?”
“Nothing really it was just a bar fight but the guy he hit knows a few of the local police, they made it sound as though he had nearly killed the guy. He was in prison for six years.”
“Six years? Who’d he hit the mayor?”
“No some sleaze ball he owns some nightclubs and strip clubs in town.”
“Anywhere I’d know?”
“The only one I can remember the name of is the one where it happened, the Carousel Club.”
“He hit Jack Ruby?”
“You know him?”
“Not personally, I know of him Lansky has mentioned him before. I think he was involved in some smuggling operations for the mob.” He obviously knew the name for other reasons but he could hardly tell Nancy that.
“I’d say Derrick was probably lucky he was punished by law enforcement rather than Ruby. What did you say was Derrick’s surname?”
“Funny thing it’s the same as yours Stinson, I already asked him about it he says you’re no relation.”
How little he knew Bobby thought. “Tell you what, get Derrick to swing by the office I might have some work I can throw his way.”
“Oh thank you Bobby that would be amazing, it won’t get you in any trouble will it?”
“No no, Ruby’s a scumbag they know that. Besides I wasn’t planning on announcing it to the mob.”
“Shall I call him and ask him to pop by today?”
“Um no I might be a bit busy today, Monday will be fine. Any calls?”
“Yes two I left the note on your desk.”
Bobby walked through to his office and sat down in his leather chair behind the mahogany desk. He glanced at his watch it was only 09:30, he was already exhausted. He had tried not to think about what Faraday had said, surely he couldn’t have been involved. He was a lawyer just because he had represented Oswald it didn’t mean that he had tipped off Ruby. His thoughts turned to his grandfather, until today he hadn’t even known his name and now he wished it had stayed that way. What the hell had he been thinking getting in a fight with Ruby in his club? He was lucky to walk out of there. It’s a home of crooked cops and low level mobsters.
He looked on his desk and found the note that Nancy had left, there was one call from Wray Gill and another from Chauncey Holt. He debated over which call to answer first. It wasn’t that he disliked Wray it was just that he was a stereotypical lawyer. You couldn’t trust him he would tell you one thing and do another. He couldn’t deny that Wray was a talented lawyer. He specialised in criminal defence and at the moment he was working for the New Orleans mob boss Carlos Marcello. Marcello was a good friend of Meyer Lansky’s and they had recently opened a New Orleans casino. Wray would probably be calling about the accounts that Bobby was working on. Although he wasn’t a qualified accountant he had shown real nous in that area. Lansky had been a good teacher and had always praised Bobby’s accounting prowess after Al Capone was imprisoned for tax evasion. Bobby had been the one to suggest they move their money to an account in Switzerland. It was creative accounting that was responsible not only for an increase in the take but for keeping yourself out of prison. That was the reason that Lansky could outlive other mobsters, he was just far more intelligent. Despite being Jewish Lansky had made his way to the top of the Italian Mafia, and they aren’t keen on outsiders.
Chauncey on the other hand was an old friend. He had been in the employ of Lansky for years. He had led a difficult life and he looked much older than his forty one years. He was in the US Army for years before being court marshalled for attacking a fellow soldier with the butt of his rifle. He eventually fled from the Army after the Pearl Harbour attacks and he had spent time in prison in the 40’s. In 1950 he entered the employ of Lansky, his duty was essentially the creation of false documents and Bobby had planned on calling him anyway on behalf of Jane and Faraday.
He decided to call Chauncey first it would doubtless prove to be more enjoyable. He dialled and the phone rang out twice before it was answered.
“Hello?” Chauncey sounded tense.
“Chauncey, Bobby Stinson how are you?”
“Bobby, I’m good you keeping busy?
“As always Chauncey, Nancy said you called I was actually going to call you this morning anyway.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah I need you to do me two false birth certificates, passports and driving licenses like you did for my friend the doctor.”
“Sure what are the names and how old are they?”
“I’d say around 22, that should be fine and it is one male and one female. The guys name is James Faraday and the girl is Jane Stuart.”
“Yeah no worries Bobby, I’ll get started on them right away and then I can give you them when I see you.”
“When are you seeing me Chauncey?”
“That was why I’d called Meyer told me he needs to see you tomorrow.”
“Have I got to come to you?”
“That’s what he said.”
“Any idea what’s so urgent”
“No but it seems like it’s pretty big, he’s been a little on edge recently.”
“Okay Chauncey I’ll be there tomorrow. See you then.”
As Bobby ended the call he had the sinking feeling that Faraday was right. Nothing put Lansky on edge. The assassination of JFK might be enough to worry him. Was that why Wray had called he wondered. Surely he wouldn’t be in the loop on something this big. He hastily dialled Wray’s number.
“Good Morning, Wray Gill.”
“Good morning Wray, its Bobby just returning your call.”
“Bobby how are you?”
“I’m good Wray, what can I do for you?”
“No small talk Bobby, what’s wrong?”
“I’ve had a hellish morning Wray what do you want?
“Okay Bobby I won’t take up too much of your time. First off I need October’s accounts for the casino.”
“Jesus Wray give me a chance it’s not even ten in the morning on the first day of November and you want the accounts for October! I am a lawyer not an accountant, I don’t sit by the phone waiting for you to call!”
Wray was silent for a moment. “Okay Bobby, calm down. Maybe you need to hire some help, when can you get them to me?”
“I can be there maybe Monday or Tuesday of next week and I’ll bring my new member of staff, I’m not coming over to New Orleans every month he can. Why can’t you send that guy David here anyway?”
“David’s busy, you know Marcelo’s deportation trial is in three weeks.”
“How’s that going?”
“Should be okay, pretty good chance I think. Who have you hired?”
“A new investigator a guy called Derrick Stinson, no relation. Have you heard of him?”
“Should I have?”
“Well I was hoping you could tell me, he was in prison for an assault on Jack Ruby a few years back, is that something I should be concerned with?”
“Ruby that’s the nightclub guy?”
“Yeah I think he has a few bars and strip joints.”
“Yeah I know the guy. No I wouldn’t worry about that, I’ve heard Marcello mention him but I
think he is only used because he has an influence over the Dallace PD. Think he might know Jimmy Hoffa, but you do account work for Marcelo and you’ve worked with Meyer for what thirty years.”
“Just wanted to double check thanks Wray.”
“No worries one last thing do you know anything about ice rinks?”
“Ice rinks? Marcello wants to open an ice rink?”
“No not Marcelo, my boy David Ferrie he’s thinking of opening an ice rink here in New Orleans. I was wondering if you could handle the contracts for the deal.”
“I never say no to new business, am I doing the accounts too?”
“I was hoping you would.”
“Great, why an ice rink?”
“I don’t know Bobby, he seems to think he could make some money out of it. I’m glad you’re on board I was wondering if you could visit the rink in Houston, there’s a guy there called Chuck. David thinks he could be useful in learning the business.”
“Then why doesn’t David visit him?”
“I’ve told you Bobby he’s working with Marcello, he’s busy.”
“I’ll see what I can do Wray but no promises.”
“Okay Bobby thanks again.”
The fucking asshole drive 250 miles to see someone about a fucking ice rink, no chance. Did Wray think he was a fucking bell boy? He rose from his desk and returned to Nancy. “Nancy can you get me a flight to Las Vegas first thing tomorrow morning and give your man a call I don’t think I’ll have time to meet him on Monday it will have to be today.”
Derrick arrived within an hour. Bobby could see where his eyes came from. Derrick was as far from Italian as they come he had pale skin, blue eyes and red hair. Nancy introduced them with pride and when he looked at them he could see there was love there. They went through to Bobby’s office to talk privately.
“Okay Derrick firstly I need you to tell me what you know about Jack Ruby.”
Derrick was immediately taken aback. He had heard the kind of people Bobby worked for. “Is he a friend of yours?”
“No he’s not and I hear he’s not too keen on you either?”
“It was nothing, I was drunk he got in my face I hit him, end of story.”
“Six years for a punch?”
“He has friends in the police they turned it into a much bigger thing than it was, they gave me a good going over too.”
“Did you report it?”
“Who would listen?”
“I would Derrick. Have you heard from Ruby since?”
“No, I don’t think I’m on his Christmas card list.”
“Good let’s keep it that way and lets think before we punch people in future, he has dangerous friends and I don’t want you dying on Nancy.”
“Sure, no problem.”
“Okay Derrick, have you done any investigation work in the past?”
Derrick shook his head. “Okay what I need you to do is tail someone, I want you on him round the clock tell me who he meets, where he lives anything that might be interesting. I want to know friends, family, hobbies and anything unusual.”
“Okay I can do that.”
“That’s great but you can’t let him know he’s being followed, you have to keep your distance. Use your own initiative okay?”
“Yeah, who’s the guy?”
“He works at the Texas School Book Depository he’s probably there just now. The name is Lee Harvey Oswald. Stick to him then come back here on Tuesday, we have to go to New Orleans.”
Chapter 18
Jane had woken up briefly during the day. She was tired but she felt okay other than that. Faraday hadn’t had time to explain anything to her, she didn’t seem to be too aware of her surroundings but Faraday had got his yes.
When Bobby returned home he went straight to his bedroom, he would have guessed that David and Faraday hadn’t moved since he left had it not been for the empty bottles of booze and the overflowing ashtrays beside them. Jane was still asleep.
“Has she said anything?”
“She said yes.” Faraday was beaming.
“Come on Bobby sit down and have a drink.” David said.
As Bobby fixed himself a drink and sat down the three men toasted. “To Faraday and Jane.” As Bobby glanced at the two men he noticed that Faraday’s eyes seemed to be looking in different directions and David’s face was scarlet. “How long have you two been drinking?”
“When was it Jane woke up Faraday?” David asked.
“I think it was around twelve.”
“And you’ve been drinking since then?”
“Yup it’s a special occasion Bobby, we haven’t had much to celebrate recently. You know I’ll never forget the day I proposed to Sharon, she had no idea it was coming. I was wearing my finest suit and had the ring in the inside pocket, whenever she tried to hug me I kept jumping away from her thinking she would notice. It was the happiest day of my life, well after my wedding day and the day she told me...” David froze mid sentence.
“Told you what?” Faraday yelled.
David’s eyes were welling up. “The day she told me she was pregnant.”
“You never told me you had a kid David?” Bobby said.
“It was the day before we got on the helicopter.”
“Oh David I’m so sorry.” Bobby said.
“Yeah me too mate.”
“It’s okay, I’ve lived with it for three years and today Faraday and Jane have brought us hope. Bobby we can change things!”
How could he argue now? “Okay David, I’ll give it a try.”
“Wahay! Have you thought anymore about Oswald?” Faraday asked.
“Are you kidding I’ve thought of nothing else all day, well except meeting my grandfather.”
“Wow Bobby what was he like?” David asked.
He glanced towards Faraday. “He seemed okay but to be honest he seemed like a Scotsman.”
“How do you mean?” Faraday asked.
“Well he was ginger and he’d been in prison for knocking out Jack Ruby when he was pissed.”
David and Faraday roared with laughter and then Bobby continued. “Anyway I’ve hired him as an investigator so now I have my grandmother and grandfather working for me.”
“He knocked out Ruby?”
“Yup in Ruby’s own bar, I’ve got him tailing Oswald so we’ll see what he turns up. I have to go to Vegas tomorrow to meet with Meyer Lansky. I have a feeling he is going to tell me about the plot. But the more I think about it, despite what happened with Lincoln the more I think we have to try and change things. Who knows maybe I’ve been wrong all these years, maybe we can get you back to Sharon and your kid.”
Chapter 19
It was midday as Bobby took his seat in Meyer Lansky’s office at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. Meyer looked tired the years had taken its toll on him. He still dressed in the same sharp suits he always had but every time Bobby saw Lansky he could tell that his heart was no longer in it, the death of Bugsy Siegal had certainly had a part to play in that.
It was the Flamingo Hotel that had been the cause of Bugsy’s demise. The hotel had caused the mob to lose money. Firstly there were building delays, and then it was mismanaged. Lansky had done what he could to get Bugsy a stay of execution but finally had to give his approval in 1947. A part of Lansky had died that day, and then just last year Charles Luciano had died in Italy. The four men had been good friends for many years and now only Meyer Lansky and Bobby Stinson were left.
“How have you been Bobby?”
“I’ve been good Meyer, how are you?”
“Not so good Bobby, that bastard Castro you know how much money he has cost me! Millions!”
“I know Meyer, Havana was a good operation but Vegas can be just as big.”
“Yeah I suppose it could, you know Bobby you haven’t aged a day in thirty years, have you made a pact with the devil?” Meyer chuckled.
“Just eat well, sleep well and stay warm, three secrets to a long life. I tell you Meyer the casin
o in New Orleans is going great.”
“It will need to do better Bobby. The money just isn’t pouring in like it once did. You know this game used to be fun but now it’s just about money nobody is loyal anymore. Everyone is just looking for a sign of weakness and if they find it they’ll use it against you. That’s part of the reason I’ve asked you here, I need your help.”
Bobby was dreading this he didn’t want to believe that Meyer would be involved in gunning down the President. “We have a couple of visitors this weekend.”
This was not what Bobby had been anticipating. “We do?”
“That faggot Hoover and his boyfriend.”
“You’re kidding, what do you need me for?”
“I just need us all to have a quick chat about some work you will both be doing.”
“What’s the job Meyer?” Bobby knew exactly what he was going to say.
“Well Bobby.” Lansky paused he wasn’t sure how to proceed. “There’s going to be a hit and it’s big. Jack Kennedy is getting clipped five minutes from your front door.”
Bobby tried to act shocked but found he didn’t really need to try so hard, why would Lansky do this, he had always said he was a business man not a mobster. “Meyer, why would you do this?”
Meyer seemed insulted. “You think this is me? I didn’t give the order, I wasn’t even consulted. I was just told what was going down and that our help was needed.”
“Our help? Meyer I’m not a hit man I’m a lawyer.”
Meyer laughed. “Bobby I’m not asking you to kill Jack Kennedy if it was up to me you wouldn’t be involved at all. I’m hoping you may not have to do anything but I was asked to have you on standby.”
“Standby for what Meyer?” Bobby was becoming more concerned with every passing moment he really did not want any part of this, it had been the darkest day in the history of Dallas.
“I’ve been assured that they are setting up some nut to take the blame. The plan is that once it’s done the Dallas Police Department will take him out. There’s a guy in Dallas runs a few nightclubs and strip joints Jack Ruby, you know him?”
Bobby nodded.
“Well apparently he has a lot of pull over the Dallas PD, the cops there spend half their lives in his clubs, he provides free booze, women whatever they want.”
To Kill a President Page 7
