A Year to Forget (The Accidental Time Travellers Book 2)

by Marc James

  “Stop!” Chase screamed.

  The officers took no notice, Chase changed direction and ran towards the officer with the bat.

  “Step back blondie!” The officer said.

  “Stop what you are doing!” Chase ordered.

  “They killed cops!” He kicked the motionless woman who was lying on the ground.

  The building door opened again, as two more black men were continually beaten by police officers.

  Chase drew the gun from his holster and pointed it at the officer with the bat.

  “Stop!”

  Nobody took any notice, the officers continued to beat their victims. The man with the bat was the only one who had stopped.

  He heard a shot coming from street level, but didn’t see who fired it, he presumed it was a police officer. He didn’t see anyone getting hit, but within a second he felt a stabbing pain at the top of his spine. He fell to his knees out of instinct rather than necessity, as he did so the pain became unbearable and he fell forward onto his front. He heard people screaming around him, but he could no longer tell what was going on.

  He felt unable to move and all he could see was the car where the woman sat crying. He watched her for what felt like a long time, the screaming continued, as did the gunfire. The pain was unbearable and he began to cry, his view becoming hazier as the tears came.

  This continued until he could barely see the pregnant woman anymore, no one was coming to save him. He lay on the cold concrete and closed his eyes.

  Chapter 90

  “How in the hell did you let this happen!” Kennedy screamed.

  Bobby did not reply, he knew the blood was on his hands.

  “Ninety seven bullets fired! With only one of them fired by the Black Panthers!”

  Bobby again sat silently, his right hand was squeezed tightly around the eagle at the tip of his cane.

  “Speak Bobby!” Kennedy yelled.

  “I have no excuses Mr President. I gave them orders that I wanted arrests to be made, I didn’t want anyone to be killed.”

  “Why send in the local police! You know how many shootouts they’ve had with the Panthers! How could you have been so careless?”

  “I sent two agents to supervise and one of them was shot whilst following my orders. I did not authorize the use of force.”

  “Well they used force!” Kennedy screamed. “Riots in the streets and who can blame them?”

  Bobby did not reply.

  “It was the black vote that got me elected for crying out loud.”

  “Mr President I will happily tender my resignation.” Bobby offered.

  “And leave me to deal with this myself! I don’t even have Teddy anymore!”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “I don’t see what we can do. I need to call Martin Luther King, he is the only man that could ease the tension.”

  “I don’t think that will make a difference sir. He has lost a great deal of influence in the last two years.”

  “Well I can hardly negotiate with the Panthers can I?”

  “I don’t see what you can do. After the Civil Rights Act in 1964 the black people want equality, Congress have no desire to give them it.”

  “Well we have to. The Fair Housing Act must now be pushed through Congress.”

  Bobby shook his head. “I don’t think that’s enough.”

  “That will eliminate any discrimination in terms of where ethnic groups can live, it will make it illegal to deny people the opportunity to buy or rent a property based on the colour of their skin.”

  “It’s not enough. I think you should consider adding in a section regarding discrimination in the workplace. Allow people to sue any business, that has discriminated their employees based on race, gender or religious beliefs.”

  “Discrimination in the workplace is covered by the 1964 Act.”

  “It doesn’t really incur any penalties, if you put forward the 1969 Civil Rights Act, covering both housing and employment then people will think you are taking equality seriously. Martin Luther King will be able to go back to the people and show them that he accomplished it peacefully.”

  Kennedy nodded. “That’s not a bad idea. I will arrange a meeting with King for tomorrow.”

  Chapter 91

  David parked up the car and looked towards the house. He knew why he had been summoned, he knew that today, he would finally learn exactly what he would be required to do. He took a draw on his cigarette and stared at the front door of the house.

  He could feel the nerves inside him bubbling up. Until now he had not learned exactly how he would have to kill the man, but that was all about to change. Abaddon had phoned as soon as Bobby had left the house, to meet with Kennedy. After hearing about the disaster with the Black Panthers, it was blatantly obvious that today he would finally be given a time and date for the hit.

  He took another draw and his thoughts turned to poor Chase, he had been shot by a police officer whilst trying to protect a woman. Bobby had phoned the hospital and had been informed that there was no major damage done, the bullet had missed his spinal cord and had not hit any major organs. The doctors had removed the bullet and Chase was on pain killers. David had wanted to go and see the kid, but after Abaddon had called he knew that was no longer an option.

  He had been surprised that Faraday seemed completely unaffected by the news that Chase had been shot, he wanted to talk to Bobby, but had been told that he didn’t have the time. Bobby had said that he would meet him at the FBI offices, he didn’t have time to come home after the meeting.

  David took the final draw of his cigarette and stepped from the car, his legs were weak with the nerves. He was beginning to doubt his ability to carry out his orders. He slowly walked up the driveway and knocked on the door. He waited for a few minutes, before Abaddon eventually arrived to let him in. When the door opened, Abaddon smiled and gestured for David to come inside.

  He did so and was led into the living room, where he sat on the same couch that he had sat on during his previous visit. Abaddon took his seat and continued to smile at David.

  “Do you know why you are here David?”

  David paused before answering. “You’ve decided how you want me to do it?”

  Abaddon nodded, the smile not flinching. “Tomorrow.”

  “You want me to do it tomorrow?” David asked in surprise, he had expected a bit more notice.

  “That’s right. You will shoot him twice in the head, do not take any chances.”

  “Where do you want me to do it?” David asked.

  “I want you to walk into the Oval Office, shoot him twice in the head, and then walk back out.”

  “You want it done in the White House?” David exclaimed, his nerves now reaching new heights.

  “You will be alone with him.” Abaddon rose to his feet and wandered through to the kitchen, when he returned he was carrying a small silver briefcase. He retook his seat and opened the case, to reveal a gun. “This is the weapon that you will use, it has a suppressor attached. You shoot him, hide the weapon, and then walk out of the Oval Office. You walk away from the scene and meet with Faraday, I have spoken to him this morning, and I have told him where you must go in order to get to the wormhole. Then you can return home and never think of any of this ever again.”

  “Jesus Abaddon, does it need to be in the White House?”

  “It will be fine David. Just do as I have asked and then leave forever.”

  “Where do we go?”

  “Faraday knows, he will take you to the airfield where Howard will have a plane waiting to take you to Edward Teller’s laboratory. Edward will then send you home and send Faraday wherever he wants to go.”

  Chapter 92

  Bobby arrived at his office at 14:00, he had taken far longer at the White House than he had anticipated. The riots on the streets of Illinois were out of control, but they had managed to arrange a meeting with Martin Luther King, for the following day at 15:00.

 
He hobbled into his office and saw that Faraday was sitting there waiting for him. He nodded his greeting and hobbled behind the desk to take his seat.

  “What can I do for you Faraday?”

  Faraday had an angry look on his face, the last thing Bobby wanted was an argument. “I want to know why you didn’t tell me about Will raping Jane.” He barked.

  Bobby was taken aback. “How do you know about that?”

  “So it’s true?”

  “Yes.” Bobby conceded.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I was going to tell you, but after everything that happened in Cuba, I just thought that maybe he deserved a pass.”

  Faraday shook his head in anger. “That is not your decision to make!”

  Bobby just stared at Faraday, this wasn’t worth arguing about. “Listen do what you want Faraday, I don’t care if you kill him or not.”

  Faraday had turned scarlet at this comment. “You don’t care? You don’t care that he raped my wife?”

  “Of course I do, but I just don’t want to argue over it. How did you find out?”

  “I want to know how you found out.” Faraday replied.

  Bobby lifted the box of COINTELPRO files from beside his chair, onto the desk.

  “Hoover was watching us, he has transcripts of our conversations. He knew about my life before I went through the wormhole.” Bobby pulled out the file on Will and slid it across to Faraday.

  Faraday was silent as he looked through the file, Bobby decided to look at his own, he had still not read it all of the way through. He perused the section about his relationship with Meyer Lansky, his eyes widened as he realised what Lansky had done.

  Chapter 93

  It was 08:00 on Friday 5th December 1969 as Jacob Cohen watched the apartment building. He was sat in a red Chevrolet Camaro. Meyer Lansky had given him the tipoff that if he wanted to take both men out in one go, then today would be the day to do it.

  He had been sitting in the car since 23:00 the previous night, there was still no sign of James Faraday. He glanced at his watch, growing slightly restless. He put on the grey jumper that sat in the passenger seat, he was wearing black trousers and black shoes.

  He had been listening to the radio and had heard about the meeting of President Kennedy and Martin Luther King at the White House. If everything went to plan, Abaddon would be President by the end of the day and the CIA would once again be operational. Jacob just hoped that Abaddon would keep his promise.

  He had made it perfectly clear that Jacob’s name would be cleared, and that he would be appointed as head of the CIA. He didn’t trust Abaddon if truth be told, but he had no option but to believe him. It was either do as Abaddon instructed, or live the rest of his life as a fugitive. Abaddon had been furious following the successful overthrow of Fidel Castro and Jacob had been frightened to return to America.

  Out of everyone involved in the plot, Meyer Lansky seemed to be the only man that approved of Jacob’s accidental success in Havana. Meyer was planning to have a new casino opened in Cuba by the end of the year, he had promised that he would take care of Jacob financially for what he had achieved.

  Jacob watched as the curtains in the apartment were opened, the man was not wearing anything on his top half and Jacob saw the scars that covered his body. He returned his attention to street level and saw the black Lincoln pull up directly in front of the entrance to the building, Jacob was just across the street.

  James Faraday stepped out of the car dressed immaculately, in a navy suit and white shirt. Faraday opened the door to the building and disappeared from view. Jacob could not help but laugh, revenge would be delightful. He stepped from his car and hurriedly crossed the street, as he opened the main door he could hear Faraday knocking on Will’s front door.

  Jacob moved silently and listened as Will opened the door.

  “Faraday?” Will said in surprise.

  “Hello Will.” Faraday said coldly.

  “What’s with the gun?”

  “Let me in.” Faraday ordered.

  Jacob listened as both men went inside, the door was still open.

  Jacob removed his revolver and continued up the stairs to the apartment door, he snuck inside and quietly closed the door. He peaked into the living room and saw Faraday pointing the gun, at a half dressed Will Carter.

  “We had a deal Faraday.” Will tried.

  “You raped her you piece of shit! You gave me your word! The deal is off!” Faraday shouted emotionally.

  Will didn’t reply, he just stared down the barrel of the gun.

  “Goodbye Will.” Faraday pulled the trigger three times, all of the bullets hitting Will in the chest. Will fell to the ground and lay motionless in a pool of blood.

  Jacob raised his gun and pointed it at Faraday’s head. He walked slowly into the room and pressed the gun into the back of Faraday’s head.

  Faraday jumped, but did not dare to turn around.

  Jacob laughed hysterically. “Remember me?”

  Faraday did not respond.

  “Toss the gun.” Jacob ordered.

  Faraday tossed the gun in front of him.

  “Turn around.” Jacob chuckled.

  As Faraday did turn to face him, the fear was evident in his face, he looked almost ill.

  “Have you missed me?” Jacob laughed again.

  Faraday just stared back at the man, he could not believe that he had come this close to getting home, only to fuck everything up.

  “On your knees.” Jacob instructed.

  Faraday did as he was told, shaking as he did so. If only I had listened to Jane, was all that he could think. He was half a day from the wormhole and he had walked into a trap. He looked up at Jacob and saw nothing but evil in the man’s face. His eyes were black as night, his smile sinister.

  “I’ve been looking forward to this moment.” Jacob announced.

  Faraday closed his eye and tried as hard as he could to picture Jane. The image that came was the one of her in the canoe, just before it capsized in the water. Her eyes were so perfect, he would be with her once more.

  The shots were fired and caused Faraday to jump, he thought he was dead. But Jane still stared back at him. He heard the man fall to the ground and opened his eye.

  Jacob was lying flat on his back with two bullets in his chest. Faraday looked around the room in confusion, there was no one else in the apartment. He struggled to his feet and looked at Will’s motionless body, Faraday’s gun was in his right hand, but he was dead.

  Chapter 94

  Bobby struggled out of the taxi and stepped onto the sidewalk. It was 14:45. He hobbled towards the entrance of the Flamingo Hotel, the building was now fully repaired and was once again open for business.

  He hobbled towards the entrance and double checked his holster, it would finally be over. He went to the reception desk and told the pretty woman why he was here, she told him to have a seat in reception and that Meyer would be down shortly.

  Bobby did as he was told, he was glad to be given the chance to take the weight off his hip. It seemed whenever Bobby was stressed, he was blighted by the agonizing pain in his hip. His thoughts turned to Sarah Salmond, he would finally pluck up the courage and ask her out, as soon as he had dealt with Lansky. His old life was over, or it certainly would be by the time that today was done.

  A man he didn’t recognise walked over to him, he was tall and broad, and insisted upon searching Bobby. His gun was removed and he was led towards the elevator. When they reached the penthouse the doors opened and Bobby was led into a beautiful suite.

  He had never been in the penthouse before, it looked incredible. The floors and surfaces were white marble, and the couches were huge and made from black leather. By the full length window Meyer Lansky looked down on the strip, he turned and raised his hand to wave at Bobby.

  Bobby just stared back, the bastard wouldn’t be waving for much longer. Bobby hobbled towards the leather couch and took the weight off his h
ip. The tall man that had led him to the penthouse, went back into the elevator and disappeared from sight. Bobby watched as Lansky came over to the couches and sat opposite Bobby.

  “This is a pleasant surprise. I would have thought you would be at the White House?” Meyer asked, smirking as he spoke.

  “I was going to be Meyer. But I found out what you did.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “You ordered the car bombing, you sent Jacob Cohen to kill me. You are his financial backer.”

  Meyer didn’t even flinch as Bobby spoke. “Well I suppose you are half right.”

  Bobby was taken aback, he had expected Meyer to lie. “So you killed Nancy?”

  “Jacob Cohen planted the bomb, not me.”

  “But you gave the order Meyer.”

  Lansky laughed. “Yes, I suppose I did.”

  “You son of a bitch Meyer!”

  “I told you that you had it coming Bobby.”

  “You didn’t kill me though Meyer, you killed two women and a child.”

  “You mean I killed your father and grandmother.”

  So Lansky had finally worked it out. “Who told you?”

  “Abaddon Wolf.”

  Bobby had not expected that. “You know Abaddon?”

  “He introduced me to Jacob.” Meyer smiled.

  “So Abaddon and you organised everything?”

  “Howard Hughes helped.”

  “But the plane crashed into your hotel?”

  “The insurance paid out and I own the construction company that did the repairs. Hughes got a nice payment as well.”

  “But why?” Bobby asked, bewildered.

  “I cannot speak for the others Bobby, but Abaddon promised me action in Cuba and the chance to get even with you. Both of which are very appealing.”

  “So you are going to kill the Director of the FBI?”

  Meyer laughed. “Your friend Faraday did.”

  Bobby was stunned. “He killed Hoover?”

  Meyer nodded.

  Bobby had never felt so betrayed in his entire life, he couldn’t understand why Faraday would do such a thing.