September came to Stalag 13 with a cold persistent rain that darkened the sky and brought silence to the POW's. The camp guards became sharper as the cold days descended and for weeks a dark mood lay over the Stalag. Colonel Hogan and his men waited each day for a mission or anything to break the dullness but nothing came. Routine took over and conversations were limited as the guards were edgy and watchful. Each day blended into the other until the weeks seemed gray and endless.
It was on one of those dark dull days that Newkirk sat against the walls of barracks 2 quietly smoking and pondering the dark rain clouds. His thoughts were broken by a car driving into camp with a beautiful woman riding in the back. Newkirk straightened up and took interest as the car halted and the woman got out. She was petite and dark haired with a sharp face. She glanced around quickly before she climbed the steps to Klink's office and Newkirk was certain he saw fear in the woman's eyes.
Without hesitation, the Englishman put out his cigarette and ran indoors. Lebeau, Carter and Hogan looked up from their card game with interest as Newkirk rushed in.
"Something happening, Corporal?" asked Colonel Hogan hopefully and without waiting for the nod from Newkirk he was leading the way to his office and the coffee pot to listen in.
Lebeau leaned his elbows on the table in anticipation as Hogan plugged in the pot. Carter anxiously leaned forward and Newkirk stood twitching with excitement. Hogan smirked at his men.
"It's been so long and you guys look so excited! It may be nothing!" chuckled Hogan as Lebeau leaned over to turn up the volume.
The microphone cracked then cleared as a woman's voice came through.
"I've found work in town and a place to stay. Things are better for us but it's hard to keep things normal. We will need things. Can't you help us as you did before? Please Uncle? I would not come if it was not urgent!" the woman's voice took on a desperate note. "He is asking for you and you know very well I cannot bring him to you!"
(Hogan and his men shared a confused look and Newkirk mouthed the word: 'uncle'.)
The sound of rustling paper was heard then Klink's voice sounding different than the usual ditsy Kommandant they all knew.
"Isa, please" sighed Klink, "Don't you know the danger you put us all in when you come here and to ask me to help you again when I lead such a public watched life! I can lend you money but please go back and stick to the plan. Here, here….take it and give it to him. Tell him I will see him soon!" another sigh and the sound of a chair scraping.
A sniffle and the woman was in tears. "Please come before it's too late. I can only do so much and it's so hard to tell him you will come when I know it's not true!"
Klink coughed and cleared his throat. "Please Isa, you know I can't. I'm being watched all the time! If anyone knew or saw you come here it would be the end. Please leave! Please!"
Hogan pulled the plug on the pot and left his office followed by his men. They got outside just as the woman ran from Klink's office and into the car. The driver pulled the car around and sped towards the gates. Isa looked out and cast a sad glance across the compound at the cluster of POW's who stared at her with great curiosity.
"Well!" exclaimed Colonel Hogan as the car disappeared through the gates and around the corner.
"Exactly!" replied Carter with his hands deep in his pockets and his brow furrowed in complete confusion.
"Be back in a minute! I'm off to pay Klink a visit!" stated Hogan heading to the Kommandant's office.
"Quite a pretty girl even if she's related to Klink!" murmured Newkirk as he dug for his cigarettes.
Lebeau hit Newkirk on the back of the head. "What's wrong with you? Didn't you hear the pain in the Kommandant's voice! All you think of are girls!"
Newkirk rubbed his head and glowered at the Frenchman. "And you don't! You're French!" he snapped.
Lebeau aimed another smack at the Englishman just as Hogan came trotting back to them. He cast a quick warning glance at the two bickering men then headed into the barracks.
Carter and the others followed him in and sat around him at the table looking curious.
"That was quick Colonel! How could you find out anything that fast!" said Carter.
"I had a change of heart and decided to give Klink his privacy!" said Hogan
"Why?" asked all his men at once in confusion.
Hogan looked up, his face serious. "I got to the door and was about to barge in when I heard Klink actually crying. When I cracked the door I saw him at his desk with head bent and a hand pressed to his mouth as he clearly tried to stifle his pain. It was heart-wrenching. We have to help him and this girl!"
The men looked at Hogan and then at each other.
Carter leaned forward. "But he's the enemy. A Kraut! We're not supposed to help them remember!"
Newkirk leaned in. "Maybe it wouldn't hurt to find out what's bothering him. But we could get in trouble for helping a Kraut!"
"I'm not meaning it by helping Krauts! I really think this is beyond the regular duties we have. Something tragic seems to be unfolding in our Kommandant's life and I aim to find out what it is and how we can help him. Are you guys with me or not?" Colonel Hogan looked around at his men.
Carter nodded and sat heavily at the table as did Lebeau and Newkirk. Hogan smiled and reached over to clap the Englishman on the shoulder.
"Great! Then we start this adventure with you, my British friend!" said Hogan smiling at Newkirk.
Newkirk rolled his eyes and sighed. "Brilliant! Can't wait for this!" he mumbled.
------------------------------------------------------
TBC