############Rudolf Hess found Halstead at one of the many benches set out on the Theresienwiese for Oktoberfest, hunched over the table with Hoffman and swilling beer from a stone stein. Hess asked for space at the crowded table and sat for a full minute to listen to Halstead’s banter and wait for the party leader to recognize him. “I tell you, Heinrich, the beer we’re drinking tonight is far better than what we had in my time. Hell, everything is better here. Everything is real, that’s what it is, everything is real—” “Mein Führer,” Hess let out. Halstead took a long moment to turn and recognize his lieutenant. Then he gave another wide grin to his neighbors at the table. “My fellow Germans, here is one of my fellow ‘Liberators of Munich’! He was supposed to be shot in the leg on May Day, but we had a slight change of plans—” “To the Liberator of Munich!” a beer drinker called out, and the rest of the table joined in the toast to Halstead. Hess waited for the latest hubbub to die down before leaning over and whispering towards Halstead’s ear, “Mein Führer, there is something you need to know.” “Well, what is it?” Halstead asked loudly before leaning back to finish off his latest stein. Hess looked about the table, at the many faces watching the local hero and one of his party followers. “I think it’s something that should be discussed in private, mein Führer.” |