Paranoia

I was urged by several people not to write this book. There were many reasons for their concern: nosing around the CIA, dealing with a subject with questionable outside connections, and writing about a man who was accused of hiding a staggering amount of money. I tried to cover myself in each concern. I talked with the CIA and FBI about the book and received an implied understanding that I wasn’t stepping on anyone’s toes. This wasn’t surprising because they’ve been attacked by so many big guns I probably looked like a gnat. I’ve attempted to befriend those on the outside and assure them the book wouldn’t be about them. I might say that someone helped Jerry launder money but I wouldn’t name names. As for the hidden money, I haven’t asked where it is or if it exists because I don’t want to know. My hope is, however, that if there is money, when he gets out of prison he takes it to some remote island and lives happily ever after. He has earned every penny---but that’s just a friend talking.

I have suspected a few times that I was being followed, and am pretty sure that my phone calls are monitored, but perhaps that’s just my suspicious mind working overtime. One of Jerry’s former lawyers thinks my suspicions are justified, but who knows.

When I was interviewed by a newspaper about the book, I kidded that if the story hinted I might know something about the money, I would announce that my memory is failing but I’m certain I gave her all the details.  It’s surprising that I’m not asked more frequently about it but it’s only on rare occasion when the subject arises. This morning I was having breakfast with someone who had known Jerry and he mentioned that he drove to the farm while it was being excavated in search for the millions, but he didn’t ask if I knew where it was hidden. I appreciated that. But let me repeat: I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT!

 When I tell Jerry about my CIA concerns, he just smiles. He admires their work. He’s not a fan of the FBI, for various reasons, but he likes the brazenness of the CIA.  He has spent a lot of years studying them and believes, somewhat like me, that they control the world, more or less.

On a lighter note, the other day I talked with man who used to be in the rock and roll business in the 70s. Some of his stories about the legendary groups were priceless.