A Conspiracy Uncovered

by Lindsay Downs

  “You are correct about that, but I do not have a passport. Not to mention a safe way to get there. If the authorities want to arrest me and I am not here would they not send my picture to all the airports?”

  “That’s true but what if you wore another face instead, like you did when you portrayed Oswald?”

  “I forgot about that, so you are right, but I would still need to get to England. The only identification I have is a Montana driver’s license.”

  “But to obtain that you needed either an American birth certificate or passport. Right?”

  “Yes. I had the first one and still do. Mr. Six gave that to me, as he did with the other four.”

  “Good, then you can use that to get the passport. We can arrange to have a rush put on the request,” Sally added.

  “Everything you’re saying is helpful, but no matter what I will still be running and hiding. I cannot keep looking over my shoulder. If the authorities want me then they could make sure the world knows what I did.”

  “Okay, but right now we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s start making copies of everything. Also, as an added backup we should photograph the documents. As for the audio tapes all we can do is make duplicates. Some day we will have the technology to send audio and video recording in a safe place where no one without authorization can get them.”

  “June, what you said would be nice but, in the meantime, we’ll have to use what we have,” Nancy said.

  I got out the documents and recordings from the safe. While I made duplicate tapes, Nancy handled the copier. When I had finished the first one, I had an idea.

  “Nancy, make four copies of everything. That way we all will have a complete set. I’ll do the same.”

  “Good idea. We each keep them in our individual house with the originals of everything staying here,” Edward advised.

  “Walter, trust me when I say you are doing the right thing by not running even though I was the person who had suggested this. If anything happens to you between now and the time you voluntarily leave this world for the next my sons and daughter will make sure the truth will get out,” Richard Sr. told us.

  “I do appreciate that even though we had all agreed not to rewrite history. If there is an individual who thinks they can have the kind of power over me to where I’m never heard from again, they will be sorely mistaken.”

  With everything copied and passed out to the family Nancy and I started to leave when the alarm at the front gate sounded. We went back into the office and over to the monitor showing a single car. I recognized the man behind the wheel. Attorney Steve Milton. But why?

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “Walter, did you know Steve was driving out?”

  “No.”

  We started for the front door. “Walter stay in the office where you will remain safe.”

  He agreed.

  When Steve climbed out of his car, I could see he wasn’t happy.

  “What’s wrong?” Edward asked.

  “A lot. A little while ago I got three phone calls. First my father, then my brother and finally my sister. The Deputy Assistant to the Director of the FBI Jamison Koker is insisting on having you arrested, and all your documents seized.”

  I heard my parents groan, which wasn’t a good sign.

  “Why? I’m supposed to be dead, aren’t I?”

  “You are. As you are aware, I told the court that you committed suicide but somehow he found out you’re alive, or at least thinks you are. The reason my sister got involved he tried to force her to sign an arrest warrant and search warrant for Walter and this property. She told him you’re dead, but he didn’t care and maybe coming out here with agents.”

  “Steve, do you have a picture of him?”

  “No, and I didn’t see him either. Only my sister when he went to her office.”

  “Good. Give her a call. I need to talk to her right way. This is important.” If I am right. Koker was a high-ranking member of the Illuminismo.

  Steve handed me the phone.

  “Your Honor, I am Richard Dean, Jr.”

  “Yes. Richard’s son. I believe I saw you in my courtroom the other day. How can I be of assistance?”

  “When Jamison Koker was in your office by any chance did he have a pin on his lapel of a disembodied hand holding the tipped scales of justice?”

  “Yes, and I thought that was rather strange because all FBI agents and employees wear the American flag lapel pin. What does that mean?”

  “That he is a member of a very secret and dangerous organization called the Illuminismo. They orchestrate and fund assassinations, political takeovers, even facilitate the cause of wars. Regrettably, that’s all I can say over the telephone.”

  “Then I’m glad I didn’t approve the warrants. If I was to come out would you be willing to fill me in?”

  “Certainly. What is the color, make and model of your car? Because of our work we have to be careful.”

  “I have a 1983 silver Toyota Corolla.”

  “Thank you. We’ll see you in a little while,” I said.

  “Her Honor is coming out.”

  “Does that mean I need to hide?”

  “No. She should hear from you. Before you worry, I don’t think you’ll be arrested,” Edward replied.

  “That’s good.”

  “Parents, earlier when you heard the name Jamison Koker you groaned like you’ve heard of him before. When and where?” Edward asked.

  “Years ago, we knew about his grandfather. In the late ‘30’s Conrad Koker and others were involved in schemes to buy up land near railroad tracks. Most of the conspirators were caught and sentenced to prison. Then in early 1940 the company resurfaced but under a different name. This was when the agency had our first interaction with the FBI.”

  “Conrad was responsible for many deaths including my parents. When we went to arrest him and the others he was able to escape and through certain contacts we learned he’d been able to make his way into Germany.”

  “In late 1944 when I was with my intelligence unit in France an officer was brought in for me to interrogate. I was, at the time, finishing up a report and when I looked up, I saw Conrad Koker standing in front of me. He didn’t recognize me, but I did him. I ordered the sergeant to put him in handcuffs and take him to the stockade, not the POW camp he’d been in. Of course, he protested but when I told him who I was he realized that he’d finally been caught and there was no escaping this time.

  “He was returned here under heavy guard, tried, convicted of all the murders then executed. When your Mom and I returned home there was a letter waiting to tell us that he would get his revenge even from the grave. I’m guessing Jamison Koker is that retaliation except he hasn’t made a move on us until now. We’re lucky Jessica Milton is in our corner.”

  “Why is the grandson coming after us now? Hasn’t he had previous opportunities?”

  “Possibly because he hasn’t been in a position to. Steve, the Deputy Assistant to the Director of the FBI spot is that an appointment or merit position?”

  “The first if I’m not mistaken and the individual doesn’t have to be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and voted on by the full Senate. That’s because he wasn’t nominated.”

  “That could be why he’s not surfaced until now. Years ago, when we told Dan, Bill’s father, about the warning I had him pull the visitor logs from the county jail and San Quentin during the times Conrad Koker was incarcerated up until his execution. Other than his lawyer the only other persons to visit were Jamison and his mother. All we can think of the two went to the east coast and remained there while plotting our downfall.”

  “Do you believe he has previous experience with the bureau, or did he work in the private sector?” Edward asked.

  “This is just speculation but I’m guessing he had a job outside of law enforcement, bidding his time until he could be put in this or a similar position.”

  “Do you know anything about him?” June asked.
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br />   “If he’s anything like his father he will be most likely be a psychopath, therefore very dangerous. I would recommend not going off the compound without your weapon and a second person for safety,” Dad replied.

  “That’s going to be difficult for Nancy and me. Don’t forget we have classes to teach and the university has a strict no gun policy.”

  “Junior, in that case June and I will follow you in and back out when you’re ready,” Thomas told us.

  “Thank you.”

  The alarm at the front gate went off and I walked over to the monitor. One car. A 1983 silver Toyota Corolla with one passenger.

  “Her Honor is here. I’m unlocking the gate,” I told the others.

  To make sure she is the only one coming onto the property I watched as Judge Milton drove in then I closed the gate behind her. Since I was the one who invited her, I started for the front door with Nancy.

  The Judge pulled up, stopped and got out.

  “Welcome, Your Honor. This is my wife Nancy.” I extending my hand and shook the judge’s.

  “This is a pleasure to finally meet you. Since I’m not wearing my robe please call me Jessica.”

  “Come in so you can meet the others,” I introduced her to everyone.

  “I finally get to personally meet and thank you both for proving our father was innocent of the murder,” she said.

  “Your Honor, that was one of the easier cases we had back then. Not to mention a lot of excellent assistance from the bureau, LAPD and a few others,” Richard Sr. told her.

  “Please, and this is for everyone, as I mentioned to Richard and his wife, since I’m not in my robe you can call me Jessica.”

  “And finally, the reason you and your brother are here. This is Walter Johnson and his story has been verified several ways.”

  “What would you like to know?”

  “I must say, for a person who is supposed to be dead you look quite healthy. Let’s try to keep you that way. With that out of the way can you or do you know why those men were after you?” Jessica asked.

  “To silence me.”

  “Why would they want to do that?”

  “Because of what I did twenty years ago at twelve-thirty in the afternoon on a specific day in Dallas, Texas.”

  Jessica looked around the room. We all wore deadpan expressions. Suddenly she realized the importance about the location and time.

  “Walter, that’s impossible. Lee Harvey Oswald shot President Kennedy.”

  “I am sorry but that is where you are wrong. Junior, would you get her the proof,” my father requested.

  From the safe I retrieved the box Walter had sent me.

  “I did my doctoral thesis on the assassination. In turn becoming the foremost authority on the subject. Walter sent me this.”

  With precision, the facts were laid out for Jessica Milton. We only stopped when she asked a question to clarify a point. She even learned about the attempt to shoot down our plane and the two bombs under the cars at the airport.

  We explained how we were able to put names to the six men who hired him and the other five men. Alice told her she was able to locate the parent group and the importance of the pin.

  “Now you know as much as we do.”

  “Thank you for bringing me up to date with everything. Now, before any of you say anything, please hear me out. With what you presented any good defense attorney could get everything thrown out of court, for several reasons. First, the chain of custody. We only have your word Walter that the shirt is the one you wore when you shot the president. Since the item wasn’t kept in an evidence bag by authorities how can we believe you? Then, the gloves with Oswald’s fingerprints that you placed in certain areas around the book repository. Yes, they were compared to the original pair and found to be a match. Lastly, the rifle you allegedly used. That with the shirt worn by Oswald are in the possession of the FBI. You claim to have shipped his to someplace in New York City. Walter, do you understand what I’ve said?”

  “I do and yes. Attorney Steve Milton is just that good.”

  “He is, and I’m not saying that because he’s my brother. Anyways, regarding the federal statute of limitations on murder, there is none. However, all you could be tried for is the murder of John F. Kennedy, not the President of the United States. The most you might get is twenty years to life. Once again your attorney could argue that you’ve served your sentence.”

  “Pardon me, but I don’t understand. Walter can be charged with killing the man but not Kennedy as president?”

  “Correct. That wasn’t amended until 1976 when Title 18 United States Code Chapter 84 Section 1751 came into existence. Even still, under those guidelines the punishment is a certain number of years imprisoned to life or the death sentence. Does that make sense?”

  “Yes,” I replied.

  “So, you see what we have here is a Catch-22 situation. Walter, you can be charged while at the same time you can’t be because you have the evidence. But do you possess the proof. Then, there’s the simple fact Oswald was arrested for the assassination, even though he was arraigned but never tried for the crime thanks to Jack Ruby. With all of that said we still have a major problem. One that boils down to belief. Do I believe you actually took the shots which killed John F. Kennedy? Yes, I do.”

  “Now you have me really confused? I thought you said the opposite?” Walter said.

  “Same here,” I replied.

  “Me, as well.”

  “As a federal judge your evidence wouldn’t hold up in my, or any, court as I said. Sitting on the bench I must listen to all sides of the argument, unlike an attorney. They have only one position they need to pay attention to. Prosecution-guilty. Defense-innocent. At the same time I’m a person and that’s the part which says you did do what you claimed otherwise, why would there have been several attempts to quiet you over the past few weeks? Now I have a question for any of you. Are Steve, Sam, and I in danger?”

  “To be honest, very possibly, especially since the two of you know the entire story. For his safety Special Agent Sam Milton should be told as well,” Edward told her.

  “Alright. Next, what is going to be done about the five remaining members of the Illuminismo? They are accessories to the assassination.”

  Edward explained to her the different options we had come up with earlier and that John Wentworth had the names and was attempting to locate them.

  “I’m not in favor of vigilante justice for obvious reasons but in this particular case that might be the best solution. Let the Illuminismo meet out the punishment. As for you, Walter, if you were brought to trial the truth would come out which I don’t believe would be good for the country,” Jessica replied.

  “We’re all in agreement about that except for one specific circumstance.” Sally explained what she meant. Jessica approved of the condition.

  “Walter, the first step in protecting you is a new name followed by the necessary documents you would have on you. Driver’s license, credit cards, passport, social security number, even a library card. You will also need a place to live and a vehicle.”

  “I used to have a lovely house and workshop in Lavina, Montana but going back there won’t be feasible especially if I have a different name but the same face. Considering what I used to do and would like to continue a pickup would be my choice.”

  “What do you make?”

  “Custom period furniture. Do you recall the Japanese screen in your parent’s house?”

  “Yes. That is a beautiful piece. Did you make that?”

  “I did. If you examine the wood, you will not see one mark made by a power tool. Everything I make is done the same way the old masters did. All hand or foot powered equipment. I do that to bring authenticity into the furniture.”

  “Then we will have to make sure you have everything you need.”

  “I would appreciate that since I spent many years searching for the right tool. Some I had to make myself.”

  The phone ran
g, which Edward answered being the closest.

  After several minutes he hung up.

  “That was John Wentworth. Alice, he’s faxing us the information where the other five live.”

  “Thank you for not saying I was here. Later, I’ll let him know and the decision to notify the Illuminismo. Of course, they most likely already know where they live.”

  “I couldn’t have seen any purpose in letting him know,” Edward said.

  “Good. I’ll send my person the names and where they live. Also, tell the individual that if they aren’t taken care of the names will be released to the press with a detailed accounting of what they did.”

  “You’re not going to do that, are you? You will be using that as a threat. Releasing the names, I mean. Right?”

  “Yes. As we’ve said on several occasions history is not going to be rewritten,” Alice replied.

  “Alright. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going back to the Federal Building. I have some work to do so you, Walter, can be given a new name. Any idea what you would like to be called?”

  “No, I have not. I am open to suggestions.”

  “Walter, you told us that you were approached when you were visiting Sutton on Sea. So why not Walter Sutton?” I suggested.

  “Works for me and I’ll keep my Christian name since Walter is common.”

  “Alright that’s settled. I’m also going to issue an arrest warrant for Jamison Koker for acts of domestic terrorism. I know that’s a stretch but considering what you all told me about the group I believe he qualifies. And no, Steve, you cannot be his lawyer,” Jessica teased .

  “Trust me I would never do that. I’ll follow you back to the Federal Building then bring everything out for Walter.”

  Nancy and I walked Steve and Jessica out to their cars then waited until they drove off before going back inside to the office. I was glad things were starting to look up for Walter.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  I walked into the office as Alice typed a number into our fax machine then press “Send”.

  “Except for the cover sheet I want to put that in the case folder.”