The Shadowboxer by Noel; Behn

prisoners?”
    â€œIf we are to enact business, I prefer not speculating on the answer to that question, Peppermint. Would G. P. G. be interested in major political prisoners?”
    â€œI didn’t think any were still alive.”
    â€œNo, Father, no, no, no. You most definitely do think some are still alive, but you don’t know which ones, or where they are being kept. That is why you brought out Vetter and are planning to free Hilka Tolan. You reason that if the girl can be freed successfully, our security measures will have to be drastically tightened. You anticipate that the most important political prisoners will be transferred to more protected areas. If this transfer occurs, you might be able to see just whom we are holding and where we are sending them.
    â€œIt is a desperate scheme, Peppermint. It reveals how badly you need political prisoners of importance. Why whistle a brash and soundless song? Let me supply G. P. G. with men of the caliber they desire.”
    â€œThe Americans would want to know names.”
    â€œErnst Hauller, Friedrich Tolan, Thomas Brome, Ludwig von Rausch, Hugo Bengl.”
    â€œThey are all alive?”
    â€œAlive, well and ready for shipment. G. P. G. can have its pick of one. Well, Father, are you interested?”
    The Peppermint Priest considered. “There might be interest in Brome and von Rausch,” he quietly admitted.
    â€œI myself would have thought Bengl or Tolan would have more value. Each still has his own type of following in Germany, but perhaps I have read the situation wrong.”
    â€œAnd what,” Peppermint asked uneasily, “do you want in return?”
    â€œComplete immunity from any war trials that may result from an Allied victory. The guarantee of political asylum in the United States if I find I must flee Germany before hostilities cease. If the Allies do win—and only their own ineptitude could prevent this—I will also need immediate American citizenship. It will also be necessary for the United States government to allow me to transfer my money to their country without protest or examination.”
    â€œIs that all?”
    Von Schleiben swished the champagne about in his glass. “Oh—perhaps the G. P. G. plan to bring out Hilka Tolan should be dropped. In fact, it must be dropped.”
    â€œWhat else?”
    â€œErik Spangler’s life.”
    â€œSpangler again? I told you before, the name is only vaguely familiar.”
    â€œFrom your expression, Father, I would say you go back much further with Spangler than I first suspected. Was he with you in the beginning, when you first started documenting the camps?”
    â€œYou must have him confused with someone else. I cannot place the name.”
    â€œYes, he was most definitely with you at the start. They are always the hardest to lose. I have never admired loyalty, Peppermint, not in our profession. Even so, I’ll ease your burden. Have G. P. G. show me what he looks like. Let them provide photographs or a clear description. Have them tell me where he is. I will see to the rest—and you won’t have been involved.”
    â€œAnd if the Americans refuse?”
    â€œHow can they refuse? I have what they need.”
    â€œThey may still refuse.”
    Von Schleiben shook his head in disgust. “Should they refuse, then the Russians will be told that G. P. G. took Vetter—and why. Not only that, the Russians will further be informed that your real interest lies in the five political prisoners I offered earlier. It will be strongly suggested that if by chance the Russians got to any of the five before G. P. G. did, they would not only disrupt American plans, but also put themselves into excellent bargaining position for the return of Vetter.”
    Von Schleiben smiled contentedly. “Yes, Peppermint, that is exactly what I’ll do if the Americans prove obdurate. I will make a real competition of it—to pay