THE COMPLETION of this project represents the culmination of more than thirty-five years of contemplation and inquiry that began in 1976. Nearly fifty years after the mysterious murder of Mary Pinchot Meyer on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath in Washington, D.C., there is still a dearth of information and evidence as to exactly what occurred. We may never discover all the answers, but we now know nearly all of the questions.
When I first considered this project in 2003, my initial endeavor was to collaborate with Christopher Keane, a Hollywood screenwriter. During this collaboration, along with Garby Leon’s guidance, and additional support from Linda Lichter, Esq., the film script Lost Light was conceived. But I soon realized that much of the story still remained unresolved and unknown. Further exploration and research were needed.
In 1992, I had the good fortune to meet and befriend the late author Leo Damore. Our friendship progressed rapidly before his untimely “suicide” in October 1995. Leo shared many of his insights into not only what he believed had occurred between Mary Meyer and Jack Kennedy, but how and why her murder had been orchestrated, as he had also done with his dear friend and attorney James (“Jimmy”) H. Smith.
In 2004, I was able to locate Damore’s chief research assistant, Mark O’Blazney, in suburban Washington, D.C. To his credit, Mark had guarded most of the Damore “treasure trove” in hopes that someday, someone might come along and pick up where Leo had left off. Author John H. Davis had, in fact, attempted such a feat in 1996, but he, too, had faltered.
It was the Damore family who finally made it possible for me to undertake in depth this project, allowing me to access additional material in their possession. I am particularly indebted to Leo’s former wife, June Davison, who graciously shared with me a number of the insights Leo had previously shared with her. As well, Leo’s children—Chuck, Leslie, and Nicholas—all put their faith in me.
Were it not, however, for Leo’s attorney, Jimmy Smith, it’s doubtful I would ever been able to unravel the crucial pieces of Leo’s most important discoveries. Having saved a set of historically important notes from a telephone conversation with Leo in 1993, Jimmy will always be one of the unsung heroes in the quest for the truth regarding the murder of Mary Pinchot Meyer.
During my five years of intensive writing, a number of new people—many of whom were women—found their way into my life and offered their insights and guidance. Barbra Dillenger, who I had known many years before, went way beyond the call of duty to keep me focused. Katie McCabe, coauthor with Dovey Roundtree, Esq., of Roundtree’s biography, Justice Older Than the Law, never allowed me to lose sight of some of the most important revelations in this book. Her steadfast support throughout this experience was an inspiration to be remembered.
During the Cold War, it might have been “a man’s world,” but the power of women and their emerging sisterhood was demanding to be heard and taken seriously. Sanity in an insane world needs guardians. As many of my women friends pointed out, an acolyte for world peace had been engendered in Mary Pinchot Meyer. Antonia Kabakov never allowed me to lose sight of this, and very patiently lent me her support and love, amidst a number of my challenges. Renowned author and astrologer Tracy Marks wouldn’t allow me to forsake certain principles. Amid “bumps in the road,” my dear friend Janet Clark always showed up at critical moments. Former childhood Georgetown Day School chum Ariel Dougherty, who had been an art student of Mary Meyer’s in the 1950s, reminded me of small but important details. And during some of my most difficult moments, Joanna Duda took me by the hand and walked with me to the edge—only then to suggest that I just jump into the abyss. I did.
I am indebted to author James W. Douglass for his valuable and indispensable work JFK and the Unspeakable. Mr. Douglass’s journey into the real vortex of the presidency and assassination of President John F. Kennedy is unparalleled. His willingness to take the time to explain certain minutiae has been invaluable. In addition, author Douglas P. Horne’s five-volume set, Inside the Assassination Records Review Board (2009), is unprecedented—not only does it further clarify the conspiracy that took place in Dallas on November 22, 1963, but also the conniving subterfuge that took place in its aftermath. As a researcher, author, and friend, Doug Horne is a true patriot and a great American.
There is a special collection of people who provided me with additional, invaluable assistance. My Princeton classmate Robert R. Cullinane freely gave me his time and some of his invaluable search resources via the Princeton University Library. I wish especially to thank Dick Russell for his stellar work The Man Who Knew Too Much. Dick’s seventeen-year odyssey writing his book, as well as the personal insights he shared, have been a guiding light. Toni Shimon, daughter of the late Joseph W. Shimon, took a huge risk in opening up to me about what had transpired between her and her father. Her disclosures in the Epilogue are historically important. Author Anthony Summers gave me a number of critical insights, as did others, including: Victor Marchetti, Hank Albarelli, Donald Deneselya, Tom Kimmel, J. Michael Kelly, Deborah Davis, Carol Felsenthal, Dino Brugioni, John Williams, Shelah Horvitz, Donald H. Wolfe, Bob Schwartz, Joan Mellon, Garby Leon, Joel Kabakov, Tiffany Graham, Shannon Mow, Sandy Forman, Esq., Adina Gewirtz, William Pepper, and journalist Charles Bartlett. Timothy Leary’s biographer, Robert Greenfield, shared many observations from his years of research, as did Tim Leary’s wife, Barbara, and his former colleagues Ralph Metzner and Peggy Mellon Hitchcock. In addition, my gratitude to the family of the late William (“Bill”) Attwood cannot go unmentioned. Attwood’s wife, Simone, and his daughter, Susan, graciously allowed me to examine and reference Bill’s extensive diaries.
Maintaining the discipline of writing often required a small army of ancillary health professionals to regularly step into my life (as did a certain, undisclosed quantity of Peet’s coffee). Bill Mueller of Cambridge Health Associates has intuitively known for more than twenty-five years where the acupuncture needles belong on my sometimes exhausted body. My chiropractor, Dr. Ian Boehm, always made himself available to me, sometimes on a moment’s notice. Physical therapist Connie Sardelis kept my back and shoulders from becoming frozen. When nothing else seemed to work, homeopath Begabati Lennihan found me a remedy that forged a will of steel. I will always remain eternally grateful to my dear friend and ally George Dillinger, M.D.
Last, I wish to prostrate myself before several editors, Kelly Horan and Margot White among them. Tony Lyons, the head of Skyhorse Publishing in New York, courageously stepped forward to give Mary’s Mosaic a home, and the entire Skyhorse team followed in an outstanding collaboration.
To all of you, and all my “ethereal friends,” I bow in gratitude and give you my deepest, heartfelt thanks.