The Shadowboxer Read Free Page A

truck followed a northwesterly route across open field, turned due west along goat path and continued on path until reaching stream. Truck followed along stream bank in southerly direction for 2.2 kilometers, crossed at shallow point, turned due east, skirted wheat field and started parallel along hillside.
    At this juncture Exterior Guard Patrol (EGP) VII spotted vehicle and radio-reported its position. EGPs IV and XI moved into area and deployed. Patrols commenced firing, overturning and destroying truck.
    Webber was a patient and meticulous researcher. His initial approach to the camp escape situation was simply to review every conceivable bit of information available. The Spangler file had been of no particular interest on first reading. Webber had noted, however, that no physical identification of Spangler had ever been made—even after the Gestapo had reported him dead.
    What had attracted Webber from the outset was the Rag Man situation. Assassins were his hobby, but one who went to the trouble of freeing camp prisoners only to murder them later was even more intriguing. He had asked von Schleiben for jurisdiction over the case. It had been granted, in spite of Gestapo’s objections. Now, less than two months later, he had stumbled upon the solution, had found the key.
    Webber restrained a smile as he visualized the faces of other officers—especially Platt of Gestapo—when he announced his findings at the emergency Council meeting. He could see Platt blanch, then turn red, when he learned that not only were Spangler and Rag Man one and the same, but so were Tan Man, Willy Tanner and Eric Tannen. How would Platt react to that? What would he do when he realized that five men they had been trying to identify and capture for over two years were really one—that the five tails the Gestapo had been chasing all belonged to a single dog? Platt would be stupefied, immobile. And what about the final bit of information? What about the ultimate solution? Would Platt hemorrhage or simply have a coronary?
    Webber poured himself another glass of champagne and reconsidered. Why bother with Platt and his Gestapo rabble in the first place? Why bother with any of the agencies at the Council and their petty rivalries? After all, Webber assured himself, I have solved a major case, haven’t I? Put it together with remarkable brilliance? Even offered a final solution? What do I need with any of them?
    He pondered. Why not release the revised Spangler Dossier immediately? Von Schleiben wouldn’t object. Then when the meeting begins, Webber chuckled, toasting himself, I’ll let loose with the real fireworks.
    Webber dried his hands, placed the Spangler Dossier on the table and adjusted his monocle. He thumbed quickly to the final pages, found the last two reports and began reading.
    â€¦ Fuel-tank explosion and ensuing fire prevented guards from approaching vehicle for fifteen minutes. Examination of smoldering remains revealed no persons inside. Vehicle had presumably been unoccupied for most of its journey around wheat field. Steering wheel was found to have been fixed in place by wires, and a charred piece of wood stuck to dashboard is believed to have been used to wedge the throttle. Badly burned clothing found in back of vehicle is believed to be discarded prison uniform of Vetter.
    On discovery that vehicle was unoccupied, EGPs sealed off area and instituted intense search. No trace of SPANGLER or Vetter could be found.
    General consensus of KRIPO and Gestapo officials is that SPANGLER and Vetter left vehicle at or near stream and set truck off in an easterly direction while they continued on along or in stream in a southerly direction until reaching a heavily wooded area. There is no evidence to substantiate this theory other than the logistics of the situation.
    Webber turned a page.
RSHA NO.
AC–14 78–0042 (Summary, SIPO-SD Report
AC–14 3321–Z, 15 January 1944)
OBJECTIVE:
SPANGLER,