Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 163 Mr. V's Arrival (5k)

Lyndon Johnson did know that Kennedy was going to be killed.

He was even involved in deliberately concealing information from the Kennedy brothers and the Irish gang.

After all, Kennedy was dead, and he was now the president.

Who would want to be vice president forever?

The problem is, he's certain he did all of this very discreetly.

Moreover, even if he gave the order, it was done by White House staff, and they have no evidence to accuse him of giving the order.

But the one who said this was Hoover, the evergreen of Washington, who had been rooted in that position for decades.

We absolutely must take precautions.

Even though he desperately wanted Hoover out, Lyndon Johnson suppressed the urge and instead smiled, saying, "Director Hoover, don't worry, I'll dispel such rumors immediately!"

Hoover narrowed his eyes: "When, and how?"

Lyndon Johnson was indignant. "Since when did it become your place to tell the president what to do?"

However, he still pretended to be easy to talk to: "Tomorrow, I will sign an executive order to establish the Warren Commission, chaired by Chief Justice Earl Warren."

Hoover nodded, then said, "That's not enough; BI needs to be involved throughout the process."

Mr. President, I know exactly what you've done.

Hoover's threats forced Lyndon Johnson to compromise.

The following day, Johnson signed Executive Order 11130, establishing the Warren Commission and authorizing it to investigate Kennedy's assassination and related events.

Because Warren enjoys widespread respect as Chief Justice, the public believes he can represent justice.

Hoover's preliminary report, which claimed that Oswald acted alone, became worthless.

In a spacious and formal conference room in Washington, D.C., a long rectangular conference table was filled with people.

The room was surrounded by dark wooden chairs, and the walls were adorned with the Stars and Stripes and a portrait of President Kennedy.

The gloomy winter sky outside the window symbolized that something was wrong with this meeting from the very beginning.

Earl Warren tapped the table lightly to signal the start:
"Gentlemen, let's begin. Today, we will discuss ballistic evidence and its consistency with witness testimonies. Mr. Rankin, could you briefly introduce the latest findings of the investigation?"

Lee Rankin, the legal counsel, opened the folder: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Bureau of Investigation’s ballistic analysis indicates that Lee Harvey Oswald fired three bullets from the sixth floor of the Texas Textbook Depository building. Two hit President Kennedy, and one may have hit Governor Connally. However, witness accounts of the number and direction of the shots are inconsistent.”

Richard Russell, a senator from Georgia, frowned and leaned forward. “Mr. Rankin,” he said, “I have reservations about this ‘single-shot theory.’ How could a single bullet hit Kennedy and Connally simultaneously with such a strange trajectory?”

Assistant Legal Counsel Aaron Spector flipped through his notebook and explained, “Senator Russell, allow me to explain that our analysis took into account their positions in the car and the penetrating power of the bullet. The bullet passed through Kennedy’s neck and then struck Connally’s back, chest, and wrist. The current evidence is sufficient to support this.”

“Spector, that sounds far-fetched. Witnesses reported four gunshots, and some even saw a figure on the grassy hill.”

"Have we been too quick to overlook these things?" Another Representative, Hale Boggs, clearly disagreed with this conclusion.

“Congressman Boggs, eyewitness testimony during chaotic moments is notoriously unreliable. The FBI's ballistics experts are professionals, and their findings are trustworthy.” Allen Dulles, a former IIA director with extensive investigative experience, said.

Representative Gerald Ford nodded and said, "I agree with Mr. Dulles. The Bureau of Investigation has invested a great deal of resources. Their report is based on science."

"Don't you think something's wrong? The investigation's conclusions and the witness testimonies are clearly inconsistent!" Hale couldn't help but exclaim. "The recordings that the BBC sent us, everyone who knows Oswald says the voice sounds similar to his."

They said it was either similar or identical, but the investigation bureau concluded that the recording was forged.

We clearly compared the audio and video recordings, and the BBC's audio and video recordings matched in time.

From the sound of gunfire to the panic among the crowd.

Rumors about Hoover being the mastermind behind the truth are intensifying.

It's almost become a consensus.

Pressure from Washington and the government is urging them to reach a conclusion as soon as possible.

The conclusion that the federal government and Hoover wanted was that Oswald was a lone wolf, and that his subsequent assassination was also an accident.

But not everyone is willing to accept this outcome.

Hale refused.

The video here refers to a 26-second film shot by Abraham Zaprud using an 8mm color film camera, known as the "Zaprude Film".

Zaprud stood on the grassy hill and filmed the Kennedy motorcade's journey.

The video captures key moments of the shooting, including Kennedy's fatal head wound and the convoy speeding away.

The video also shows Texas Governor John Connally's reaction to injury and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's panicked movements.

There is no footage of security personnel or drivers firing at Kennedy.

The entire recording was silent, with a frame rate of 18.3 frames per second, totaling 486 frames.

Zaprood quickly handed the film to the authorities after the shooting and made copies. Life magazine bought the publishing rights for $150,000 and published some of the stills in November of the same year.

Although there was no sound, they compared the video and audio recordings, and the two matched.

The Bureau of Investigation's report presented all the evidence in plain sight, but the final conclusion was completely contrary to the evidence.

It's as strange as insisting that one plus one equals three.

"Excuse me, but I would like to remind you that Oswald had close ties with Soviet Russia."

It is highly likely that the KGB was also present at the time and recorded the entire incident.

The Kremlin used this video to create the recording we are hearing now.

Wasn't there supposed to be a masked man with a camera at the scene? He was very likely sent by the Soviet Union.

"It's all to create chaos, unease, and division within us," Allen Dulles argued.

"Then why was Oswald shot by Ruby?" Hale Boggs asked, dissatisfied.

Aaron Spector quickly replied, “Senator, Ruby claims he did this to spare Mrs. Kennedy from trial. While we have found links to organized crime, there is no evidence that he was involved in the conspiracy.”

Once again, the evidence was complete, but the conclusion was a complete mess.

America has conducted many similar investigations.

Anyone with a modicum of logical thinking ability could arrive at a reasonable conclusion based on this evidence, but their final conclusions are completely off-track.

Similar investigations are most common in federal corruption cases.

So much so that the Smiths made no attempt to hide it.

Hale Boggs raised his voice: "What a coincidence! Ruby shot Oswald at the police station, and we're supposed to believe there's no bigger conspiracy?"

Gerald Ford calmly stated, "Congressman Boggs, we cannot draw conclusions without evidence. That is our mission."

John Sherman Cooper sighed: "My concern is whether the FBI is hiding something. Director Hoover has very tight control over this investigation."

Allen Dulles defended Hoover, saying, "Senator, the Bureau of Investigation is a competent agency. Mr. Hoover's priority was national security."

John McCloy said, "But we cannot ignore the Bureau of Investigation's failure to protect the president and the Secret Service's negligence."

Earl Warren concluded, “Gentlemen, time is of the essence. Let’s focus. Mr. Rankin, please schedule a hearing with the ballistics experts and witnesses next week.”

Lan Jin nodded and said, "Yes, Mr. Chairman. I will arrange it immediately."

As Richard Russell stood up, he whispered to Ford, "Jerry, something's not right. I hope we haven't missed something."

Gerald Ford replied in a low voice, “The pressure here is immense. We must proceed with caution.”

Robert Kennedy participated in the entire state funeral on November 25, from the funeral procession at the Capitol to the requiem mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral, and finally to his burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

He walked behind the hearse, close behind Jacqueline, his steps heavy.

In Arlington, he stood beside the Eternal Flame, bowing his head in silent tribute, accompanying Jacqueline and her nieces and nephews.

Robert was moved to tears when his nephew, John Jr., saluted him.

He later recalled that it was the longest day of his life.

However, things are different in this time and space.

There's still a long day ahead.

Because of Kennedy's death, he became closer to Jacqueline and Kennedy's children, and he frequently visited the Kennedy home.

That day, Jacqueline handed the children over to the nanny and took Robert to the study.

Jacqueline put her finger to her lips as a gesture to keep quiet.

She then went to the desk, took a letter from the walnut drawer, and handed it to Robert.

The above consists of only a few short sentences:
Do you want to know the truth behind Kennedy's death in the room on the sixth floor of the Texas Textbook Depository Building where Oswald fired the shot?

I will be waiting for you there at midnight three days from now. Only you, alone, can know the truth. Please have Mrs. Jacqueline pass this on to Robert Kennedy.

The signature was also just a large "V". Robert felt his heart clench instantly.

Mr. V has become a household name worldwide thanks to the BBC's coverage of him recently.

Some say he's the murderer, some say he's an insider, and others say he's just a clown trying to attract attention.

Even if there was only the slightest chance, Robert wanted to know the truth.

V at least produced a recording.

Although there was no evidence to prove that it was Oswald's recording, Robert naturally believed it to be genuine.

Because he knew very early on that Hoover had access to information about Kennedy and his own private life.

He hoped to obtain detailed reports from the Department of Justice regarding Kennedy's death, but this was obstructed by Hoover, who was the Attorney General.

Similarly, as a high-ranking official in Washington, Robert also knew that Hoover wanted to close the case as soon as possible.

All of this led him to believe that V's recording was very likely genuine.

The letter that had just arrived made him both nervous and excited.

Jacqueline's eyes reddened, but she didn't say much. Robert nodded silently, suppressing his inner confusion.

Did Jacqueline know V?

Who exactly is V?

How did they meet?
Too many questions arose in his mind.

Jacqueline then took a handwritten letter from the bookcase and handed it to Robert:
"When I got up this morning, I found the study door was open."

The nanny would never open the study without my permission, and given JFK's passing, I specifically locked the study.

The key wasn't lost, and the study door inexplicably opened. The letter from V was on the desk, pressed down with JFK's stamp.

Whether or not you go to see him is up to you.

Robert nodded and whispered in Jacqueline's ear, "I will definitely go."

He knew very well that their caution stemmed from pressure from Hoover.

Without a doubt, Hoover was an unprecedented big boss.

Even if Kennedy hadn't died, Hoover would still have been a formidable boss they couldn't have dealt with.

But Kennedy's death opened a window of opportunity for them.

And there's also this mysterious Mr. V, whose origins are unknown.

Although Robert never publicly endorsed conspiracy theories, he privately commissioned close associates to investigate Kennedy's death.

In 1967, he met with New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison, who believed that Kennedy's death was an IIA conspiracy.

Now the recording points Robert to bi.

“Mr. Kennedy, this is the most important site of Kennedy’s death. You cannot go in.”

Robert, who returned to Dallas on a private jet, found that the first difficulty he encountered was that he couldn't even get into the warehouse building.

The area has been cordoned off by the Dallas police.

Just as he was about to push his way in, James Gordon Shanklin, who had rushed over, blocked his way.

Shanklin is the director of BI's Dallas office, responsible for field investigations in Dallas.

The Warren Commission’s on-site evidence, including ballistic reports, fingerprint analysis, and eyewitness testimonies, all relied on the team led by Shanklin.

To put it simply, although he did not testify directly at the Warren Commission hearings, his report formed the basis for the commission's discussion of the matter.

"I'm ordering you to get out of here!"

As Attorney General, Robert's team confronted local police and BI agents.

"Okay, okay." Shanklin reached out, pretending not to want a conflict.

As Robert passed by him, he vaguely heard the other man say, "We already knew."

What did he know? Shanklin didn't say.

In fact, the Dallas police had known all along that someone was planning to assassinate Kennedy.

Even Oswald and his ilk knew about it.

James Hostie was a staff member in the Dallas BI office responsible for directly tracking Oswald, and was Shanklin's subordinate.

They knew Oswald was working in the textbook warehouse in October 1963.

After the shooting, James Hostie destroyed a threatening letter from Oswald.

It's fair to say that the local Dallas BI staff probably know even more than Hoover did.

Robert's men and local Dallas police surrounded the textbook warehouse building.

He specifically instructed his trusted confidants to let the masked man come up whenever they encountered him.

Robert had read Bill and Bonnie's testimonies; Bill was the one who was interrogated by the Dallas local police.

He knew perfectly well that V was the masked man.

Robert had searched the room where Oswald fired the shot repeatedly, but found nothing new.

I waited until midnight.

The door clicked open.

“Robert.” The masked man walked in.

“V?” Robert hesitated. The other party’s image was just like the reports he had read: mysterious, eerie, and powerful.

He quickly asked, "Sir, do you have any new audio recordings or direct video recordings?"

V shook his head and said, "No rush, there's no way to bring down Hoover with these methods."

Robert pondered for a moment and gleaned two pieces of information from the other person's words: first, Hoover was the mastermind behind it all; second, the other person actually had even more bombshell information: "What should I do?"

Robert was already blinded by the flames of revenge; all he could think about was vengeance.

Who is this "V"? Could he be a Soviet citizen? Is there a Soviet conspiracy behind this?

Robert ignored it all.

All he wanted was to find the real culprit and avenge his deceased brother, Kennedy.

Lin Ran sighed inwardly behind the mask.

He naturally recognized Robert, and compared to the Robert he had met at the White House in the past, the current Robert seemed to be only one step away from complete madness.

"What you need to do is keep putting pressure on Hoover."

"Only by putting pressure on Hoover can he possibly make a mistake, and only when he makes a mistake will you have a chance to bring him down," Lin Ran said.

“What do I need to do?” Robert asked.

Lin Ran said, "Contact Martin Luther King Jr. and have their protests held in Pennsylvania."

The BI's office in Midia, Pennsylvania, has evidence of a long history of improper methods used to collect information on various individuals and to harass them.

Internally, they call this the COINTELPRO program.

The COINTELPRO project was not revealed until 1971.

Even as Robert was blinded by hatred, he sensed that something was wrong.

How do you even know what their internal plan is called?

Knowing the exact location is one thing, but knowing the plan is another.

This is a bit too abnormal.

“V, who exactly are you?” Robert asked.

V replied, "I am just an American who received help from President Kennedy."

After saying that, he left a videotape on the ground and turned to leave. "This is a more complete video. You can watch it yourself. It's best to wait for the Warren Commission's investigation results before releasing it."

In short, you'll be very shocked after you see it.

Robert got up, put the videotape in his inner pocket, and rushed out the door, wanting to ask a few more questions, only to find the corridor on the sixth floor of the textbook warehouse building deserted.

"Did you see anyone enter or leave this building just now?" After confirming that no one was on each floor, Robert went downstairs and asked the staff present.

(End of this chapter)