Mr. Hubert.

And you came to the conclusion, then, that Vito Genovese and that group of .people were involved in this matter.

Mrs. Rich.

Within my own mind; yes. I thought--then I got thinking perhaps the higher-up that the colonel spoke of was perhaps the element I did not want to deal with that was running the guns in, and God knows what else.

Mr. Hubert.

Why didn't you report it to the authorities in the interval between the third meeting and the time you left Dallas?

Mrs. Rich.

For the simple reason that I was hesitant about mentioning anything about my husband's past. I did not know how much of what my husband had told me was true. I did not know how much of that he knew before I knew it, or how deeply he was involved in anything. And quite frankly if my husband was still alive, I would never have gone to the FBI.

Mr. Hubert.

But you already told us at the end of the second meeting you had decided to tell the authorities.

Mrs. Rich.

Not when I see that element there.

Mr. Hubert.

But that element does not affect----

Mrs. Rich.

That element, if what my husband had told me was true, could have involved him a lot deeper than I suspected. And quite frankly I am not stupid enough, shall we say, to believe if I ever went to the authorities and that element was involved that I would ever live to tell a second story. And if my suppositions were true as to who the man's identity really is---a combination of fear for myself and protecting my husband. And at that time I thought, I suppose many citizens do, well, let the next fellow do it, they will catch them eventually. I chose to close my eyes.

Mr. Griffin.

You still have the fear of that element?

Mrs. Rich.

No; I do not.

Mr. Griffin.

Why is that?

Mrs. Rich.

Well, since then I have become involved more extensively or intensively in police work--and I don't know--perhaps I have got some sense in my head. I am Just not. I was told to tell you this--by the way, I had better bring it in now--I don't know if it has any direct result on this or not--but I was advised by Mr. Sweeny from the Secret Service and Mr. Fahety from the FBI to tell you of this. A week----

Mr. Hubert.

When did Mr. Sweeny and Mr. Fahety tell you what you are about to tell us?

Mrs. Rich.

Fahety said it on Monday--Sweeny said it on Monday.

Mr. Hubert.

Last Monday?

Mrs. Rich.

Yesterday. And Fahety told me Friday.

Mr. Hubert.

Where?

Mrs. Rich.

On the phone, when I talked to the FBI and the Secret Service, respectively.

Mr. Hubert.

You did?

Mrs. Rich.

Yes.

Mr. Hubert.

They called you?

Mrs. Rich.

Yes.

Mr. Hubert.

What did they tell you?

Mrs. Rich.

Well, the FBI had called me to advise me of my receiving this letter, because Kennett had called them. And Sweeny called me to advise me of my tickets and transportation.

Mr. Griffin.

Who called the FBI?

Mrs. Rich.

Red Kennett had opened the letter from you people. And at this time----

Mr. Hubert.

Tell us what they advised you.

Mrs. Rich.

They advised me to tell you what I am about to tell you. A week ago last Saturday night I got home about 10:30, my brother-in-law had a stroke----

Mr. Hubert.

Let's get the date of that.

Mrs. Rich.

That would be a week ago last Saturday.

Mr. Hubert.

Last Saturday was the 30th--the 23d of May.

Mrs. Rich.

I believe so.

Mr. Hubert.

All right.

Mrs. Rich.

About 10:30 at night I got home. And some phone calls started.