Читать книгу The Day John Fitzgerald Kennedy Past - Welby Thomas Cox Jr. - Страница 16

"I want to apply for a job." A young man said to Rita Simpson, Guy Banister Detective Agency the rattle of the big front door. She was startled to see the young man standing three feet from her. It was disconcerting because she was alone. She would ask Mr. Banister if she could lock the door until Mr. Ferre' came to work, giving her the chance to "size them up."

But she decided in that brief moment that she wouldlet this young man come in. That was her first mistake. Looks are deceiving; this was a natural born killer who disliked most people, especially women.

Rita smiled at him, her bright red freckles spread across her nose and her green eyes sparkled. The young man had often fantasized about red­headed women. There were many jokes in the barracks about the flaming red bush and how intensely hot red heads where. She had very white teeth but she was on the frumpy side. He did not smile back.

He was non-threatening, this young man, maybe 21, clean shaven with a military crew cut. His slacks and shirt were neatly pressed and he wore a thin black tie and matching belt which he secured on the right hip area. He looked like a Fuller Brush salesman, or an insurance premium collector.

"I seenyour sign in the window for an investigator to do undercover work." He said politely.

"Yes, please take this application, fill it out and return it to the office." she said handing him the application.

"I enjoy going to political meetings, and I am especially effective talking to the students at the University." he smiled.

She noticed that his teeth where clean but they were small and spaced.

"What would you say to them?"

"Oh I would begin by asking them where they are from and maybe what high school they went to back home...maybe I would ask them about the family...small talk just to make them comfortable." he said.

"And then." She gestured with hands to the throat, "You move in for the real dope?"

He laughed. "Something like that, try to get them to express any preference for either side of the political spectrum."

"You have to be careful to get their opinion and not that of their friends or their parents.”

"I have a lot to learn but I do know that this process is very sensitive and strange in a way because I have seen so many people that will deliberately tell you a lie...and you have to try to watch the eyes.” he smiled again.

"That is very perspective of you."

"Well I think it helps that I have been in the Marines, I have traveled all over the world, you know Japan; I lived in Russia and married a Russian woman." He said.

"Do you speak the language?"

"I am getting better at it, but I want our baby to speak English...my wife too...We are Americans first and foremost,” he said.

“I have papers for an alias, and I have a valid passport, I also know how to type for filing my reports, and I do not smoke in the office."

"Boy or girl?" She asked.

The question caught him off-guard and he stammered "Well, she, she is a girl." He responded proudly.

"The job pays well for a starting position."

"That is why I am here, I work around the corner at the coffee roaster, make nothing and it is a really dirty job."

"It takes a lot of money to raise a baby." she said, "And all that dust is unhealthy."

"You are very nice to speak to me."

"Well you look and sound like the type person Mr. Banister is looking for...and honey I'll put in a good word for you." she smiled in her best southern belle look with all the charm of a fully matured woman behind it, not a come on, but definitely not a put off. It gave him urges in a place that was rarely fulfilled these days with the wife still recovering.

"Thank you Ma’am, I'll bring the application back tomorrow."

The young man left as silently as he had arrived. Rita liked that, she was partial to men who were quiet and unassuming...loud, boastful men where turn offs and she always ignored them.

David Ferre' came from the men's room, drying his hands and tossing it into the trash, "Who was that sweet voice." He asked glancing at the door.

"Now, Now Mr. Ferre' you know what the boss says about the employees..."

Ferre' cut her off. "Yes, but he should practice what he preaches." he smiled.

Rita blushed and it was obvious with the blood rushing to her very white complexion.

"He wants to be an undercover agent." She said "I'd like to get him under the covers."

"Have you ever been with a woman, David...? I mean Mr. Ferre'?"

"What kind of question is that from such a sweet young Catholic girl...it will be the Saturday morning confessional for you...and might I ask have you been with a woman?"

"I asked first." She laughed.

"Well for now we have asked the question, and it may be best to let it lie."

"You are a very smart man, Mr. Ferre'."

Ferre' went into Mr. Banister's office which had floor to ceiling windows and looked out to the street which was busy at this hour of the morning but the sweet voice had flown the coop. Ferre' shrugged his shoulders and thought, "Just what the doctor ordered."

Ferre' would not have been surprised to know that the boy's mother had trained his voice to hum and sing before he could actually speak and since she was a faithful Baptist, they were at the church whenever the doors opened, knowing as well as nourishing the soul there was always a meal or snacks to be had. So the boy was comfortable around the choir and he enjoyed the sound of the organ music and knew most of the hymns by the start of first grade.

At the time they were living in Covington, Louisiana...and it was here that the boy was asked to sing with the choir for a special Christmas presentation and was asked to sing a solo selection.