America 1929: John F. Kennedy, the Great Writer

Chapter 98 Waiting for the Last Name (Available 3/10)

Albany, the governor's official residence.

Franklin Roosevelt sat in his wheelchair, holding the New York Herald. He had already read it three times. His secretary stood beside him, waiting for him to speak.

Roosevelt placed the newspaper on his lap and said, "This young man writes well."

The secretary asked, "Are you referring to an article or a novel?"

Roosevelt said, "It's all of them. He's mixing fiction and news together and letting the readers fill in the blanks themselves. Now all of New York is filling in that blank, and the answer is the same: the Tammany Society should go to hell."

The secretary said, "Several members of the state legislature have already called, asking if we should get involved."

Roosevelt asked, "What did they say?"

The secretary said, "They said that if we don't act now, the state government will be accused of inaction if things escalate."

Roosevelt nodded: "They're right. But what we want isn't intervention, it's takeover."

The secretary was taken aback.

Roosevelt explained, "If it were a regular economic matter or administrative bribery, my involvement too much would be labeled as political persecution. But attempted murder, especially an attempted murder that occurred inside the police department, completely changes the nature of the matter."

"This isn't a partisan dispute; it's a breakdown of public order. Citizens have the right to ask: if the police can't even protect witnesses, who can they protect?"

He pointed to the photo in the newspaper.

"The New York City Police Department has lost the ability to maintain basic order and protect the lives of witnesses. This is attempted first-degree murder, and it involves collusion within the justice system. Tell the state attorney general that I need to see an arrest warrant immediately."

"Start with Charles Dilla. He's the most direct enforcer. Only after we arrest him will he talk. Only after he talks can we move on to the next level."

The secretary nodded and prepared to turn and leave.

Roosevelt stopped his secretary and added, "Also, draft a statement. The wording should be strong, but not so that it seems like we're gloating."

"We say that the state government is deeply shocked by this and will not tolerate anyone interfering with the judiciary through violence within New York State. We will use all our resources to ensure that the truth comes to light and that those responsible are severely punished by law."

The secretary said, "Should we mention Walker?"

Roosevelt shook his head: "It's not the right time yet. Walker is an elected mayor; we need stronger evidence to take him down. First, pin Dilla down and get him to implicate more people. Once those people are caught one by one, Walker will naturally be isolated."

After his secretary left, Roosevelt picked up the newspaper again, glanced at the headline, and muttered to himself, "This is a murder. Well written."

One o'clock in the afternoon.

The news was broadcast throughout New York.

On the radio, the announcer reported: "Governor Franklin Roosevelt has just issued an emergency statement that, given the New York City Police Department's serious negligence and possible collusion in protecting witnesses, the State Police will formally take over the case and conduct a full investigation of the Manhattan Detention Center."

"Meanwhile, the state attorney general has formally signed an arrest warrant for Charles DeLay for attempted first-degree murder."

It is understood that Dila was arrested at the Tammany Association headquarters half an hour ago.

In the crowd outside the police station, announcements came from dozens of radios simultaneously.

Some people carried portable radios and turned the volume up to the maximum, while others held the radios above their heads so that people behind them could hear them too.

When the word "arrested" was uttered, a burst of applause erupted from the crowd.

Once, twice, then in unison. Thousands of hands clapped simultaneously, the sound surging like a tide towards the police station windows.

The police chief stood by the window, listening to the applause. He opened his office door and said to his deputies outside, "Bring those two hitmen out and hand them over to the state police. Also, compile all the call records related to Dilla. Phone records, visitor records, cases he's contacted—find them all."

An assistant said, "Chief, those things—"

"I know those things involve a lot of people. But I won't take the blame for him. Dila's already in jail, and I could be next. I want the prosecutor to see that I cooperated and that I didn't cover for anyone."

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

In the offices of the New York Herald, the phone rang incessantly. Several temporary operators, sweating profusely, jotted down messages and handed them to the editors who were compiling manuscripts.

Patrick put down the phone and stood up from his chair. He walked to Arthur's desk and placed a note in front of him.

Patrick said, "State police have arrived at the Tammany Association. Dilla has been arrested."

Arthur picked up the note, glanced at it, and set it aside.

Connor sat up from the sofa and said, "That's it?"

"The end? It's just the beginning."

"Dila's already inside, and this is just the beginning?"

Arthur explained, "Dila is just an executor. Who's above him? Who's been bribing him in court all these years? Arresting Dila is easy, but pulling the whole thread will take time."

Patrick asked, "How long do you think he can hold out?"

Arthur shook his head: "I don't think he'll hold out. Right now, he should be thinking about how to make the most of his only bargaining chip, which is what he knows. He'll spill it one by one in exchange for a reduced sentence and a lighter punishment."

Connor said, "So you mean he'll bite out other people himself?"

"Yes. They usually call each other brothers, but when something really happens, everyone only wants to protect themselves. Now that Dila is in jail, the first people he'll attack are those closest to him. And those people, in order to protect themselves, will then attack even more people."

"We proved one thing today. Fear can indeed control people, but what's more powerful than fear is the anger that comes from being fooled. The biggest mistake the Tammany Society made wasn't corruption, but the assumption that New Yorkers would remain silent forever."

"They thought that as long as they controlled the newspapers, the courts, and the police, they could do whatever they wanted."

But they forgot that those who remain silent also have their own eyes, brains, and limbs.

Patrick walked to the window and looked out at the street. The crowd was slowly dispersing, but he still held today's New York Herald in his hand.

Patrick turned to Arthur and asked, "You just said this is just the beginning. So what's the next step?"

Arthur said seriously, "Wait for Dira to speak. Wait for him to name everyone on that list. Wait for those names to appear in the newspapers. Wait for them to start tearing each other apart. Wait until finally, only one name is left."

""

Walker.

"