Himmler looked through the one-way glass at the middle-aged man slouched in a chair next to a table in the interrogation cellar. “So, this is the delivery driver your men discovered for you?” he asked Geis.
“Yes, Herr Reichsfuehrer.”
“How did you find him?”
“A friend of a friend. A conversation or two between people and—”
“Did anyone see you bring him in?”
“No, Herr Reichsfuehrer.” Geis handed his superior the file; he had the man’s information committed to memory.
“Felix Schubert,” the Gestapo leader said, springing open the manila folder.
“Yes, Herr Reichsfuehrer. A distant relation of the Austrian composer. A former bank clerk. He had training as a Luftwaffe pilot after World War I, but washed out. Fifty-years-old. Wife and two daughters, both married to officers in the service. He’s financially broke. A past criminal record and a heavy drinker. He used to be an informant for the German State Police under Von Hindenburg. Served only nine months in prison of a three-year term for robbing a jewellery store in 1931. Then someone on Hess’s staff found him and recruited him.”
Himmler closed the folder. “Recruited him for what?”
“Schubert was Hess’s double during the 1932 elections.”
Himmler’s eyes sparkled. “He was?”
“Between the two of them they covered twice as much ground campaigning. In fact, on one occasion they were in two different places many kilometres apart at the same time giving the same speech. When I heard that, I thought that he could be of use to us in some way.”
“That is why you brought him here?”
“Yes, Herr Reichsfuehrer.”
Himmler didn’t know that Hess had a double. It had to be the best-kept secret in the Third Reich. In an instant, a plan developed in Himmler’s mind that was so bizarre that he grinned foolishly. But would it work? Why wouldn’t it? “Yes, he can be of use to us.”
Captain Geis looked pleased. “I hope I can help, Herr Reichsfuehrer.”
“Yes, you can. Does he speak English?”
“Enough to get by.”
“Same as Hess. What luck. Someone is looking favourably upon us, Captain Geis. He certainly looks like Hess.”
“Yes, he does, Herr Reichsfuehrer. He is thinner, older, and taller, but his face is perfect, except for having no buckteeth. And it’s unfortunate he’s not exactly the smartest person walking the streets.”
“He has no money, you say?”
Geis nodded. “He drank a lot of it away. His wife finally had to give him an ultimatum. One more drink and she’d leave him. He told me he hasn’t had any alcohol in over a year.”
“He’s perfect, then. He’s needy.”
“Are you thinking, Herr Reichsfuehrer, that he can be used to play Hess once more?”
Himmler smiled. “I’m thinking exactly that, Herr Captain. All he has to do is follow orders. Listen, I want you to do two things for me.”
“Of course, Herr Reichsfuehrer.”
“Number one, see to it that this Schubert creature is drilled on every piece of detail you can find on Hess. Immediately. What I have planned for him will be far beyond playing Hess on the campaign trail. Two, there is a person I want you to see. Professor Karl Haushofer’s son, Albrecht. He is Hess’s friend and the adviser on British Affairs to our foreign office. He has spent time in England. I want the names and backgrounds of anyone in this British peace group we have heard about who have ever met Hess face to face. Ask the questions in the name of national security. I’ll tell you when the time is right to contact Albrecht. Work on our delivery driver first.”
“Yes, Herr Reichsfuehrer.”
“Now, I wish to speak to Schubert. Alone, Colonel Geis.”
“Of course, Herr Reichsfuehrer. Did you say—?”
“Congratulations. A new rank is in order as a reward.” Himmler smiled at Geis.
“Thank you, Herr Reichsfuehrer. You are happy with me, I trust?”
“Yes. Very.”
“I will always be grateful.”
“I’m sure you will be.” Himmler then entered the chamber, Geis closing the door for his master. The delivery driver looked up.
“Felix Schubert?” Himmler said, standing before him. “Do you know who I am?”
The man remained slouched in his chair, his hands on the table in front of him. “Yes.”
“Good. We know everything about you, Herr Schubert. You cooperate with us, and you will never have to drive another truck for a living again. You played Hess once before. We need you to play him again.”
“I have a feeling I don’t have a choice.”
“Now, now, Herr Schubert, we at the Gestapo reward our workers for services rendered. We can make you a rich man for the first time in your miserable life.” Himmler snuck behind Schubert and pulled back on his chair, causing him to fall backwards to the floor. “Now stand up when I’m talking to you, and listen!” Schubert scrambled to his feet. Himmler was waving his finger now. “If you defy me or mess up this mission, you, your wife and your daughters will rot in a Gestapo prison. Do I make myself clear?”
Schubert cleared his throat, terror in his eyes. “Yes, Herr Reichsfuehrer.”