Author's Note: This story is in response to Sayla Ragnarok's challenge about writing a series of short stories or one long one exploring the possibilities of those most likely to be Nimrod. The reader is to be kept guessing until the very end about who will be revealed as such.

In Search of Nimrod

Chapter 1: The Investigation Begins

Shortly before curfew, Newkirk entered Barracks 2. Carter was seated at the table, pen in hand, a sheet of paper in front of him. LeBeau was stirring something in a pot on the stove.

"That's four, right?" LeBeau asked Carter.

"Yeah," Carter replied. "Klink, Schultz, Burkhalter and Hochstetter."

"Four what?" Newkirk wondered.

"Suspects who might actually be Nimrod(1)."

Newkirk was puzzled. "Nimrod? What's your interest in him?"

"You heard about how we found those plans he left in that model kit, right?" Carter responded.

"So?"

"So, we figure he had to have been in this camp. And was also someone who had been in Klink's office."

"What does that matter?" Newkirk wanted to know.

"We thought it would be nice if we could figure out who Nimrod was," LeBeau answered.

Newkirk was surprised. "And you chaps figure you'll be successful? From what I've heard, Nimrod's identity is one of the biggest secrets of the war. Best of luck to you is all I can say, mates."

"You can help if you like," Carter invited.

"Me?" laughed Newkirk. "Oh, no. I got better things to do with me time. Like I hear there's this new bird in Hammelburg. Real looker, this one. You mates go ahead and search for Nimrod. Be less competition to get in me way."

"Enjoy it while you can, mon ami," stated LeBeau. "When we discover Nimrod's real identity, we'll be the ones to have the last laugh. Then, you'll wish you'd helped us."

"Not about to change me mind," Newkirk insisted. "You chaps will keep me informed of your progress, won't you?"

"Yeah, if you keep us informed of yours," Carter offered.

"Deal," Newkirk agreed.

"Deal," LeBeau and Carter confirmed in unison.

Newkirk thought about it a moment. "How do you chaps plan to conduct your investigation, anyway?"

Carter became quite animated with eagerness. "Like any of the detectives you hear about. We're going to put our suspects under surveillance."

"I could see the possibility with Schultz and Klink, as long as they remain in camp. But what about Major Hochstetter and General Burkhalter?"

"Then, we go undercover. We've just started planning this, Newkirk. We haven't worked out all the details, yet. But we will," explained Carter. "None of the great detectives know the meaning of the words 'give up.' They pursue their targets relentlessly. And so will we."

Newkirk still wasn't convinced. "None of the great detectives were prisoners of war at the time. Or subject to roll calls."

"So. We'll figure out some way to deal with it. Look, I managed to be a soldier in two armies at the same time, didn't I?"

"With considerable reluctance, as I recall. This won't be any easier. Probably worse. And how do you think the colonel is going to feel about it? None too pleased, I reckon."

LeBeau shrugged and rejoined the conversation. "So, we don't tell him. At least, not at first."

"It's your funeral," Newkirk remarked.

A surprised look flickered across LeBeau's face. "I just thought of something, Carter," he announced. "Colonel Hogan was in Klink's office. He's the one that picked up the models. How do we know HE'S not Nimrod?"

"You're right!" exclaimed Carter, nearly as surprised as LeBeau. "And he could have even slipped the plans inside after we had the kits here. Maybe we should add his name to the list."

Newkirk cast a dubious look at first Carter, then LeBeau. "The Gov'nor?" he queried, a doubtful tone to his voice. "You chaps actually believe that he might be Nimrod?"

"It's possible," Carter observed. "And we need to consider every possibility. We're taking this very seriously, Newkirk. We really do want to discover who Nimrod is."

"To what end?" asked Newkirk. "Supposing you do discover Nimrod's identity? You can't just broadcast it to everyone, you know. Not if Nimrod's to continue his work."

"We won't let anyone outside our team in on the secret," Carter promised. "Nimrod's identity will be secure."

"We would not destroy his usefulness," LeBeau agreed. "Nimrod's work is too important for the Allies to lose."

Newkirk was a little amused. "Right. So, what's your first step, if you don't mind me asking?"

"We already took it," Carter replied. "We made our list of suspects. Then, we'll divide up the list."

"I think I should take Schultz," suggested LeBeau. "If he catches on, I can always bribe him with strudel."

"You mean I'm stuck with Klink?" Carter protested.

"And I think you should take Major Hochstetter," declared LeBeau.

Carter cast an annoyed look in LeBeau's direction. "Why?"

"Because you would make the most convincing Kraut. You think there's any possibility of me convincing the Gestapo that I'm German?"

"You don't give me the easy ones, do you?" Carter argued. "So, you'll take General Burkhalter?"

"Oui," answered LeBeau. "And both of us can keep an eye on the colonel."

"Okay," Carter agreed. Then, he glanced at Newkirk. "And if you see anything suspicious, you'll let us know, won't you, Newkirk?"

"Me?" chuckled Newkirk. "I told you chaps I had better things to do with me time."

"We're not asking you to help with surveillance," Carter insisted. "We only want you to report anything that looks odd."

Newkirk was really enjoying this. "Anything that looks odd, eh? You want me to tell you what's really odd? Your interest in Nimrod, that's what. How do I know one of you are not Nimrod?"

Carter was stunned by Newkirk's suggestion. "One of us Nimrod? That's ridiculous."

"Utter nonsense," responded LeBeau, equally stunned. "If one of us was Nimrod, why would we be searching for him?"

"Should be obvious to you detectives," quipped Newkirk. "To throw the rest of us off, that's why."

"You want to know what I'd like to throw? And who I'd like to throw it at?" asked LeBeau, glaring at Newkirk.

"Let's not get hostile. It was only an observation," Newkirk quickly stated. "I'll tell you chaps if I see anything I think you should know, okay?"

"Thanks," Carter acknowledged.

"Merci," said LeBeau.

"One more thing I was wondering…" Newkirk began.

"Yeah?" Carter wondered.

"You chaps consider what Nimrod's response might be if he's on to you? Or any one of your other suspects? Even if they're not Nimrod, they're not going to like their privacy invaded."

A look of apprehension crossed Carter's face. "You think Nimrod will find out?"

"Rumors say he's dreadfully clever. He's bound to notice if you keep hanging around."

"Then, we'll just have to be inconspicuous," Carter proclaimed. "Private eyes are, you know."

Newkirk closely scrutinized Carter and LeBeau. "Private eyes, yes. You two, I'm not so certain."

"We'll find a way to blend in."

"Blend in? Right," responded Newkirk, sounding very unconvinced. "Supposing you're caught?"

"Then, we'll find a way out of it. Private eyes always do."

"I think the colonel needs to know about this," Newkirk decided, heading for Hogan's quarters.

Carter stood up and hurried over to block Newkirk's path. "Newkirk, please. You can't tell. This is important to us."

"And the two of you are important to me," declared Newkirk. "This could be dangerous. Luftwaffe officers. And the Gestapo."

"We'll be careful," Carter promised. "Please, Newkirk. We're not interfering with you and your lady friend."

Newkirk grinned. "She's not my friend…yet. I have to meet her first. Which I plan on doing tonight."

LeBeau came over to join them. "If you ruin this, you'll have more competition than you want," he threatened.

"Doesn't worry me at all," Newkirk informed him. "Not if the lady's a good judge of character."

"Then, I would have nothing to worry about," LeBeau countered.

Newkirk turned around and started back towards the table. "All right. But if it looks like you're getting in over your heads, I'm going straight to the colonel. Understand?"

"Yeah," replied Carter, as he and LeBeau followed. Newkirk sat down at the table. Carter returned to his previous seat and continued, "But we're going to keep the situation under control. We're going to carefully plan every detail of this investigation."

"Oui," agreed LeBeau, from his place beside the stove. "We're going to leave no stone unturned and no clue dangling."

"That's what I'm afraid of," stated Newkirk, as the door to Hogan's quarters opened and the colonel walked into the room.

Carter quickly folded the paper and stuffed it in his pocket. Hogan walked over to the table. "Something going on?" Hogan asked. "I thought I heard voices outside my door."

"Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes," LeBeau said, stirring the food in the pot.

"And if London hasn't assigned any new missions, might I suggest a little reconnaissance might be in order?" Newkirk hinted.

Hogan smiled, knowing full well Newkirk's idea of reconnaissance. "Reconnaissance, huh?"

Newkirk nodded. "Right. Thought maybe someone should take a trip to Hammelburg tonight."

"Good idea," Hogan agreed, his smile broadening. "Carter?"

Carter gave Hogan a surprised look. "Me, Sir. Is that an order? I mean, I'm sort of busy right now."

Hogan glanced at LeBeau. "LeBeau?"

"I had other plans for tonight. But if it's an order…"

"No, it's not an order," Hogan said. "But someone's got to go. Newkirk, since it was your idea, looks like you're stuck with the reconnaissance job."

"Right, Gov'nor," Newkirk acknowledged, giving a little sigh of relief. "I'm stuck with the job. I'll see if I can discover anything interesting."

Hogan's eyebrow raised quizzically. "Anything? Or anyone?"

Newkirk bowed his head, knowing full well that Hogan knew what he was up to. "Thanks, Sir," he acknowledged. "You won't regret this."

"I hope not," confirmed Hogan. He hoped Newkirk would stay out of trouble, but it had been a while since Newkirk had been to town. A little break was certainly in order.

Hogan's interest was focused on Newkirk so he failed to notice the exchange between Carter and LeBeau.

"Later," Carter mouthed silently to LeBeau.

"Later," LeBeau confirmed, just as silently.


1 The Missing Klink