The Cold Six Thousand - James Ellroy [239]
1 - I met with PROSPECT 6 times. I continued to give him $ as advances “against future jobs.” We discussed politics & PROSPECT frequently mentioned Geo. Wallace’s presidential campaign, “niggers” & “the bounty on Martin Luther Coon.” PROSPECT continued to press me for travel papers & as previously I stalled him. PROSPECT divided his time between his apt (1535 N. Serrano, Hollywood), the Sultan’s Room at the St. Francis Hotel-Apts (Hollywood Blvd) & the Rabbit’s Foot Club (appropriate!!!!) also on Hollywood Blvd. PROSPECT continued to discuss his plans to travel to Rhodesia & on 3 occasions said he might “kill Coon, collect the bounty & seek political asylum in Rhodesia.”
2 - PROSPECT became involved with woman at Sultan’s Room, who talked him into driving her brother to New Orleans to “pick up her friend’s kids.” PROSPECT told me about this & asked for travel $. I gave him $1,000 & told him I would meet him in N.O. PROSPECT & woman’s brother drove to N.O. (12/15/67), arrived on 12/17 & stayed at the Provincial Motel. I met PROSPECT 3 times, gave him $ & promised future jobs. PROSPECT remained in N.O. & frequented pornographic bookstores. PROSPECT, woman’s brother & 28-yr-old girls left N.O. on 12/19 & arrived in L.A. on 12/21.
3 - PROSPECT settled into L.A. routine. I spot-tailed him on 6 occasions & met with him on 6 more. PROSPECT visited pornographic bookstores, took hypnosis courses & told me he intended to hypnotize women into acting in porno films that he would direct. PROSPECT frequented the Sultan’s Room & the Rabbit’s Foot Club, drank habitually & habitually used amphetamines. He frequently discussed the “bounty” & his plans to “escape” to Rhodesia. During this period PROSPECT visited the office of the L.A. Free Press & placed a classified ad seeking women for oral sex. PROSPECT also purchased liquid methamphetamine at the Castle Argyle Apts (Franklin & Argyle). He routinely stays up for 2 & 3 days at a time & I have noticed recent needle tracks on his arms.
4 - PROSPECT stated (4 occasions) that his intentions are to stay in L.A. & “do jobs” for me, join a swinger’s club & figure out a way to “get the bounty & shag to Rhodesia.” I’ve started talking about the bounty & ways to get at MLK & PROSPECT has not noticed any shift in my tone or personality, because (a) he’s seriously disturbed & extremely self-obsessed; (b) he’s beholden to me for $ & narcotics; (c) he’s strung out & impaired by his liquor & drug use.
5 - I think I can keep him in L.A. until our go-date & then get him to the spot to either participate or work the fall-back slot. We need his prints on a rifle & some other things, which should be easy to do.
6 - He’s the guy. I’m sure of it. We’re buffered on him (nobody will ever believe his “Raul” stories) & we’ll never let him get into custody anyway.
READ THIS AND BURN. Pouch me if you need further updates. F.O.
DOCUMENT INSERT: 1/21/68. Boston Globe subhead:
MARINES IN LIFE-OR-DEATH SIEGE AT KHE SANH
DOCUMENT INSERT: 1/24/68. New York Times headline and subhead:
TET OFFENSIVE SHOCKS U.S. FORCES
LARGEST BATTLES OF WAR RAGE
DOCUMENT INSERT: 1/26/68. Atlanta Constitution headline:
KHE SANH—THE BLOODY SIEGE CONTINUES
DOCUMENT INSERT: 1/27/68. Los Angeles Examiner subhead:
MASSIVE VIET BATTLES SPARK U.S. PROTESTS
DOCUMENT INSERT: 1/30/68. Chicago Sun-Times headline and subhead:
KING CITES TET HOLOCAUST
CALLS FOR UNCONDITIONAL U.S. TROOP WITHDRAWAL
DOCUMENT INSERT: 2/2/68. Los Angeles Times headline and subhead:
NIXON ANNOUNCES PREZ’L CANDIDACY
PLEDGES TO WORK FOR “HARDWORKING, FORGOTTEN MAJORITY”
DOCUMENT INSERT: 2/6/68. Sacramento Bee subhead:
KING IN MOBILIZING EFFORT FOR POOR PEOPLE’S MARCH
DOCUMENT INSERT: 2/8/68. Houston Chronicle headline and subhead:
RFK IN HEATED ATTACK ON WAR
CALLS FOR NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT
DOCUMENT INSERT: 2/10/68. Cleveland Plain Dealer subhead:
HOOVER WARNS OF BLOODSHED IF MARCH PERMITTED
DOCUMENT INSERT: 2/18/68. Miami Herald headline and subhead:
HUGE NIXON CROWDS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
EX-VEEP ASSUMES FRONT-RUNNER