Chapter 2: Planning a Distraction
Hogan and Newkirk were once again seated at the Hauserhauf. Instead of sitting at the table where they were to meet Baby Bear, however, they were seated at a table near the back of the room. That way, they could keep an eye on the room without being so easily spotted. Hogan, again dressed as a civilian laborer, was hiding his face behind a newspaper. Newkirk came disguised in his elderly woman outfit.
"So far, no Frau Linkmeyer," stated Newkirk.
"Let's hope it stays that way," Hogan agreed. "It's almost time for Baby Bear to show up. To say London was unhappy about last night's missed meeting is an understatement. If we fail to make contact tonight, I'm afraid they'll be even less understanding."
Newkirk seemed puzzled. "Why is London throwing such a fuss over one Underground agent? Why is this Baby Bear so important?"
"I can't tell you everything London shared with me since the mission is need-to-know," declared Hogan. "Even I haven't been given all the details about this operative or his information. What I can tell you is that this operative is in a position where he can discover extremely sensitive information. From his last contact with London, they believe that the information he now carries might shorten the war--possibly by as much as several weeks."
"I'm all for shortening the war, Sir." Then, a scowl came to Newkirk's face. "But it doesn't look like we're going to do it tonight. Frau Linkmeyer just came in."
"Oh, great," moaned Hogan. "Doesn't that woman ever stay home?" Peering above the top of his newspaper, Hogan noticed her heading for the table closest to the bar. "And our table seems to be her favorite. We'll wait for a while and see what happens. If we're lucky, she won't stay long and we may still be able to make contact."
Hogan and Newkirk casually glanced around the room, trying to locate someone who might be Baby Bear. With so many patrons, however, it was hard to narrow it down to just one possibility.
After a few minutes, they noticed Frau Linkmeyer get up from the table. They hoped she was leaving. Those hopes were dashed, however, as she walked over to a nearby table and said something to the two men who were sitting there.
"Well, it wasn't me," they heard one of the men bellow in response.
Frau Linkmeyer's disappointment was obvious as she returned to her table. "You think maybe I should teach her a few pickup lines the next time she visits Klink?" asked Newkirk.
"Somehow, I don't think it would do any good," remarked Hogan.
Newkirk smiled. "Probably not. Besides, why should I let Klink off the hook by helping her find someone else?"
"Exactly."
They waited a bit longer. When Frau Linkmeyer didn't leave, they viewed the night a failure once more. Hogan and Newkirk stood and slipped out the back. They would return to camp empty-handed again.
- - -
Baker, LeBeau and Carter were waiting in the tunnels when Hogan and Newkirk returned.
"Any luck tonight?" asked Baker.
"Another repeat performance," Hogan replied.
"You mean Frau Linkmeyer showed up again?" guessed LeBeau.
Hogan frowned. "Yeah. Looks like if we want to meet with Baby Bear, we're going to have to find some way to distract her."
"Hey, maybe we could trick Klink into going into town to the Hauserhauf," Carter suggested. "She's always had a soft spot for Klink. Maybe she'd be too busy chasing Klink to get in your way."
"Carter, we're trying to get rid of one person who might recognize us," protested Newkirk. "We don't need two."
"Wait a minute. He's right about one thing," Hogan declared. "Klink would be a good diversion. We'll arrange for General Burkhalter and Frau Linkmeyer to come to camp. Then, we'll have them stay for one of LeBeau's gourmet meals. Carter and LeBeau can keep them occupied while Newkirk and I meet with Baby Bear. With Frau Linkmeyer gone, we shouldn't have any problem."
"How are we going to arrange it?" Newkirk wondered.
Hogan smiled. "First thing in the morning, Frau Linkmeyer is going to get a bouquet of roses, with a handwritten note attached. Then, General Burkhalter will receive a phone call from Goering's aide requesting that he double check some of Klink's paperwork. After they arrive in camp, I'll go to Klink's office and give them the idea of having LeBeau prepare a special dinner. Considering how everyone enjoys LeBeau's meals, that shouldn't be too difficult."
Carter wasn't convinced. "Suppose they want to leave early, Sir. How do we keep them here?"
"However you have to," Hogan insisted. "Use your imagination. Just keep them here as long as you can. I don't care how you do it. Get them to dance. Have Klink serenade her. Whatever you have to do. But just in case that doesn't work, we'll have an extra backup stall prepared. Baker, just before curfew, puncture one of the tires on the General's car. Not enough to cause a flat right away. Just create a slow leak. Hopefully, it won't go entirely flat before dark and won't be noticed till they're ready to leave. That should delay them even further and give us a little more time."
"Yes, Sir," acknowledged Baker.
"Okay. Let's call it a night. You guys go on up while I let London know we failed again. Then, tomorrow, we'll put Operation Distract Linkmeyer into effect."
- - -
The following morning, there was a knock on Frau Linkmeyer's door. She went to answer it. There was a young lad standing there, holding a bouquet of red roses. "You are Frau Linkmeyer?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied.
The lad held out the flowers. "I was asked to deliver these to you."
Frau Linkmeyer accepted the flowers. "Who sent them?"
"There was no mention of names but there is a card attached."
"Danke."
The lad left and Frau Linkmeyer closed the door. She removed the small card from the flowers and read it. It merely said: "To a special lady, from your secret admirer at Stalag 13. Hope to see you soon."
Frau Linkmeyer smiled. "Klink," she guessed aloud, as she went to get a vase for the flowers.
After arranging the flowers in the vase, Frau Linkmeyer stood back and examined them. She was touched by Klink's obvious gesture. Maybe she would have to amend her plans. Include him, as well. She'd have to give it some thought.
In the meantime, she picked up the receiver of her phone and dialed her brother's office. "This is Gertrude Linkmeyer," she told Burkhalter's aide. "I'd like to speak with my brother, please." After her call had been put through, she continued, "Albert, this is Gertrude. When's your next visit to Stalag 13?"
"I really hadn't given it much thought," she heard Burkhalter say. "Why?"
"I thought maybe you could invent some reason to visit today and I could go with you. It's been a while since I've seen Wilhelm."
"I'm sorry, Gertrude, but I'm very busy today. Maybe I can plan something for later in the week. I'll let you know."
"Danke. Auf Weidersehen." Frau Linkmeyer hung up the phone and sighed. If things went according to plan, she would be unable to meet with Klink after today. Of course, they hadn't gone that way so far. But she hoped tonight would be different. It was vital that she get her information to London.
- - -
Later that morning, Burkhalter's aide notified him that Reichsmarschall Goering's aide was on the phone, wishing to speak with him. "This is Major Fischer, Herr General," Burkhalter heard his caller say. The call was actually being placed from the underground tunnels of Stalag 13. Newkirk, who was providing Fischer's voice, continued, "I'm one of Reichsmarchall Goering's aides. He has me in charge of looking over the Luftwaffe expense records for last month. There's one record we'd like you to verify. It comes from a colonel at one of your Stalags. I believe his name is Fink."
"Klink," Burkhalter corrected.
"Ja, that was his name. Klink. We need you to verify all the expenses he claimed. Immediately. I'll phone you first thing tomorrow for your report. Danke. Heil Hitler."
"Heil Hitler." Burkhalter hung up, then, picked up the receiver and dialed his sister's number. When she answered, he said, "Gertrude, this is Albert. I guess I'll be going to Stalag 13 today, after all. I'll be by to pick you up in twenty minutes."