A Letter from Carole Boone, 1978

March 7, 1978, 9PM

Adorable One:

I arrived home tonight feeling distraught at missing your call, to find a letter from your sweet self. The first in a long while. It was written February 28 but postmarked March 4 (broke for milk, minerals, and a call from Costello). Did you let it lie around for a few days or does it take that long to make the rounds thru the front office? No matter… I got it and it’s made me feel very good to have a tangible thing from you. Earthy woman that I am. Ah, dearest Theodore, the letter is sad and alone. I hope you are feeling as well as you know.

Don’t worry about the FBI, Bun. I am telling you straight when I say they were funny. As in ludicrous (I have a dictionary, but am too lazy to use it.) They were the source of a lot of amazement and belly laughs at my office. It happened twice that I was talking to Suzi when they came by- the first time I shouted “My appointment’s here— if I’m not back in 3 hours call the Governor’s Office!” She went nuts. Unfortunately he couldn’t hear her response— “I damn well can’t call the FBI!” He never laughed at my jokes. I couldn’t understand it. Anyway, when they got after Ken it took on the feeling of a Keystone Kops movie. Dick did get pissed and called his lawyer (who recommended that he be cooperative), but then rolled with it. All in all, it was interesting and it was amusing. And provided my little group with something to laugh about. Given the way things have been going, we need all the laughs we can get. Life is hard in Olympia.

Yes, you generate a lot of press. Since I wasn’t around here in October of '75, I have nothing to compare with this latest business. Larsen and [Emerson?] are those most obsessed. I get the feeling that everyone else is just trying to keep up. Don’t know about Tacoma— it’s been weird but my office stopped subscribing in late January. Tony claims Larsen can’t talk about it nationally. Said he’s crazy. I asked if it was a pathological or coo-coo condition. Tony says Dick is coo-coo, apparently only on the one subject. In all seriousness, I believe that profession must damage all but the exceptionally strong. It is all weird, I’m sure. Just guessing— nothing really seems weirder. The entire situation is too goofy for analysis.

Nice to know you care, you love and need me. Wish you didn’t. Need me, I mean, I mean, gaa— I’m tangled! I wish life weren’t such right now- it is dumb to be so far away from something so loved and missed. I wish [?]

Can you tell that I am out to lunch? I wish that I had your ability to sleep. Haven’t had much of that stuff lately and my abilities are impaired. Forget details, write messy letters. Am supposed to be out with Rick in Olympia tonight. The arrangements were made last week— two weeks ago. It’s so odd- I can keep going for a long time like this. Eventually things snap back into place. BabbleBabbleBabbleBabbleBabbleBabble

a lot.

[March 8, 1978]

Good morning, Sweetums:

Why can’t I just call you Ted? In the News- an interview with your parents in the PI, by the Tampa reporter that they talked with last Friday. Not bad at all. As I was showering this morning, Jamey turned on the Today Show and caught the tail end of what was apparently a segment on mass homicides. The reporter was just signing off and behind him were banners that read things like “Hillside Strangler Strikes Again” and “Suspect in 36 Slayings Apprehended.” Suzi is checking down in Olympia for someone who saw it. I’ll drop those people a line with a copy of an AP story where the FBI dumps a bit on Michael Fisher about information he gave them. If they used your name. It is getting to be a bit much. Ken says to gird for something in Time or Newsweek one of these days. He thinks your attorneys have been doing very well with it all.

Back to the FBI- the funniest thing that they did was to page ‘Ted Bundy to Eastern Airlines’ as we went through the San Juan (Puerto Rico- I’m hip) airport. That was everybody’s favorite. Several people have made a point of telling me lately that they think an attempt, and a very sloppy one at that, is being made to use you to clean house. These are new people and not the old ones who either believe, or aren’t sure but have deep doubts about your alleged guilt. There have been a few stories about similar transactions to both the Lake City thing and the Chi Omega business that occurred when you were in jail in Colorado. Hence new people broaching the subject to me.

You are also a topic in the Times ‘Readers Have Their Say.’ Last week a real lizard made the illogical point that if the Pensacola person what apprehended you had been functioning under Royer’s proposed police gun usage limitations, he wouldn’t have been able to draw his weapon and fire (or pistol whip, for that matter). A couple of letters have appeared since (I don’t recognize the names) from fellows who say what the hell does that have to do with anything, and isn’t Ted Bundy supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty?

Especially Maguire. Oops, lack of continuity. He is one of those new people. He and I split here a bit early for a beer at Duke’s yesterday. Which is why I wasn’t here for your call. It was necessary. I’d just found out that Dixy and her dog will be spending tomorrow in this office. Her door is twenty feet from mine. Figured out that I must be in Olympia to do some more work on the local government demonstration project proposals. I called home, Jamey said that you’d called, so we came back to the office to call your receptionist. He said that you weren’t close to a phone but wanted to know what time today would be good for a call. After I pressed him He was actually pretty civil. Once again, I ramble. Anyway, as I walked Tom to the monorail he offered whatever he has if there is anything that he can help with. He also said that he thinks Ken Katsaris is a real jackass. Nothing that I would ever say, of course. That’s what he said. It is widespread opinion up here. The way the law enforcement people and news media has handled this latest has done a good deal to help your cause. Remember to thank them all.

I am trying to work up enough nerve to call Rick and tell him what I forgot. Eeek.

I get to work afternoons and evenings this Sunday, and next Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday in t he Energy Office booth at the Home Show. Will probably be verbally abused again because I work for what’s-her-name. I feel sorry for myself.

Time to work. Plant you now, dig you later.

All my love,

Carole

P.S. I have more luck than I deserve. Called LaValla and before I could apologize he asked what time he should pick me up tonight. Being fast on my feet, I explained that the seminar I was to attend had been postponed because Jake fucked up the contract so I was going to have to beg off. Rick is now plotting some evil vengeance on Jake. We will go out to lunch tomorrow and when Rick comes by my office he will make a scene of some sort. Jake still hasn’t recovered from last fall when Rick wandered in one day and gave him a big nasty kiss in front of everybody. Am breathy with anticipation over what Rick will do this time.