The Cold Six Thousand - James Ellroy [99]
“Bob Mitchum?”
“Grasshopper.”
“Steve Cochran?”
“Rival to John Ireland’s crown.”
“Jayne Mansfield?”
“Shtupping the world.”
“Which local cab company handles the men in the State Legislature?”
“Rapid Cab. The State guys have an account.”
“What about the top guys at Nellis?”
“Ditto on Rapid. They’ve got some good fucking accounts.”
“Are they Outfit-connected?”
“No, they’re just schmucks who play by the rules.”
Pete smiled. Pete bowed. Pete displayed ten grand. Milt spilled his coffee. Milt burned his hands. Milt said, “Craaaaazy.”
Pete said, “That’s your signing bonus. You’re my new intelligence man.”
DOCUMENT INSERT: 7/14/64. Verbatim FBI telephone call transcript. Marked: “Recorded at the Director’s Request”/“Classified Confidential 1-A: Director’s Eyes Only.” Speaking: Director Hoover, Ward J. Littell.
JEH: Good morning, Mr. Littell.
WJL: Good morning, Sir.
JEH: Describe your southern excursion. I receive updates from my field agents, but I would appreciate a contrasting perspective.
WJL: Mr. Rustin was happy to receive my donation. He appeared to be pleased about the Civil Rights Bill and praised the Bureau’s presence in Mississippi.
JEH: Did you correct him and say “forced presence”?
WJL: I did, Sir. I stayed in character and credited President Johnson.
JEH: Lyndon Johnson needs wretched people to love him. He is quite undiscerning and promiscuous in his need. He reminds me of King Jack and his lack of discernment with women.
WJL: Yes, Sir.
JEH: I do not share Mr. Johnson’s need. I have a pet dog who fulfills my desire for unconsidered affection.
WJL: Yes, Sir.
JEH: Mr. Johnson and the Dark Prince are determined to make martyrs of those missing youths. The ill-revered Reverend King must feel the same way.
WJL: I’m sure he does, Sir. I’m sure he sees the boys as Christian symbols.
JEH: I do not. I cast the State of Mississippi in the martyr’s role. Their sovereignty has been abrogated in the name of dubious “Rights,” and Lyndon Johnson has made me a reluctant accomplice.
WJL: I’m sure you’ll find ways to make up for it, Sir.
JEH: I will, indeed. You will help me, and you will perform your own acts of penance in an unfathomable and politically suspect manner.
WJL: You know me very well, Sir.
JEH: Yes, and I can decipher your inflections and determine when you wish to change the subject.
WJL: Yes, Sir.
JEH: I’m listening, Mr. Littell. Ask any question or make any statement you wish.
WJL: Thank you, Sir. My first question pertains to Lyle and Dwight Holly.
JEH: Ask your questions. I find preambles boring and taxing.
WJL: Does Lyle share his SCLC intelligence with Dwight?
JEH: I do not know.
WJL: Is Dwight formally investigating Wayne Tedrow, Senior and/or Junior?
JEH: No, although I’m sure he’s keeping tabs on them in his uniquely persistent manner, an activity which I would be loath to discourage.
WJL: I may be co-opting several of Wayne Senior’s Mormons.
JEH: Into the Hughes organization?
WJL: Yes, Sir.
JEH: Now, or in due time?
WJL: Now.
JEH: Expand your answers, Mr. Littell. I have a lunch date for the Millennium.
WJL: The work I have in mind is potentially risky, especially if the Justice Department should go proactive in Las Vegas.
JEH: I do not dictate Justice Department policy. The FBI is but one cog in a much larger system, as Prince Bobby has pointed out to me on several repugnant occasions.
WJL: Yes, Sir.
JEH: Tell me what you want, Mr. Littell.
WJL: I would like a provisional commitment. If the Mormons incur trouble, you could assess the situation and intercede on their behalf, or use their trouble to put Wayne Senior in your debt.
JEH: Do you want me to offer the Mormons covert protection?
WJL: No, Sir.
JEH: Will you inform Senior and the Mormons of the potential Federal risk?
WJL: The job description carries its own warning. I will not gild the lily beyond that.
JEH: And who will your co-opt strategy benefit?
WJL: Mr. Hughes and my Italian clients.