The Legacy by Stephen Frey

face.
    I dont know, Smith said again. But it seemed to Cole that Smiths rosy cheeks flushed a brighter red as he answered.
    I dont believe you! What kind of game is this?
    Smith held his hands up, palms out. Easy, son. Its no game. I have an idea who those people were, but I really dont know for certain. He stared into Coles eyes. If my guess is correct, it would confirm what your father and I believed all these years. Now, what was in the box?
    Cole was becoming exasperated. Tell me about my father.
    Even though I shouldnt, I will. But first tell me what was in the box.
    For several moments Cole said nothing. He had every reason not to trust this man, but Bennett Smith might be the only person in the world who could shed light on the mysterious life of Jim Egan. A life Cole wanted to know about very badly. A videotape, he finally admitted.
    Of what?
    Cole hesitated again. President Kennedys assassination.
    Are you familiar with something called the Zapruder film? Smith asked.
    Yes, Ive seen that recording of the assassination and this wasnt it, I promise you.
    Smith raised one eyebrow. Did the tape in the safe-deposit box shed any new light on the assassination?
    Yes, Cole responded quietly.
    There was another gunman. Smith was stating, not asking.
    Yes, Cole confirmed.
    Behind the fence on the grassy knoll? This time it was a question.
    Yes.
    Jesus H. Christ, Smith whispered. No wonder they came after you with everything they had. Youre lucky to be alive, son. Lucky they got the tape without killing you. Lucky I got there when I did. I assume thats what the man took from you on Thirty-ninth Streetthe tape, I mean. You dont have it anymore, do you? he asked.
    No, Cole admitted dejectedly. So who were they?
    Smith pushed his tongue into the gap formed by the missing lower front tooth. God, it all makes so much sense now.
    What makes sense? Dammit, I want answers.
    I know, and you deserve them. Smith looked to his left as the eagle Cole had disturbed yesterday screeched from across Big Lake. Im going to tell you a story. I probably shouldnt, but I will. He shook his head. Bastards, he muttered.
    Come on, Cole urged.
    Smith rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand. Your father and I were Dallas police officers and roommates in 1963. We were twenty years old and had only been on the force about a year at the time. On November twenty-second we went to Dealey Plaza to see the president on his way from Love Field to his Trade Mart luncheon. We had both worked late the night before, until around four in the morning, I believe. We were tired, but we wanted to see Kennedy. Christ, everyone did.
    We parked in the lot behind the grassy knoll well before the motorcade was to pass by, then walked up the railroad tracks to the triple underpass and stood on top of the bridge, on the west side of the plaza. That vantage point provided a perfect view. Smith swallowed hard, as if this was bringing back unpleasant memories. The motorcade came up Main Street, turned right onto Houston, then left on Elm in front of the Depository. The limousine was just beginning to accelerate after making the sharp turn onto Elm when everything went nuts. Smith cleared his throat. Your father and I heard the first shot very distinctly, but from our position there wasnt any way to pinpoint where it had come from. There were buildings all around the plaza and the echo was tremendous. A faraway expression came to Smiths face. I still remember your father yelling, Did you hear that? I answered affirmatively. I also remember that we didnt look at each other while we were talking. We were too busy searching the plaza for gunmen. Our training kicked in automatically.
    What happened after that? Cole was riveted to Smiths words, visually aware of nothing but the mans face.
    The second shot came, louder than the first.
    The magic bullet, Cole prompted.
    I think of it as the pristine bullet, Smith said. After supposedly being fired from the Depositorys sixth floor,