Chapter 3:
As Hogan paced back and forth in the main area of the barracks, Carter sat at the table with the others. He glanced around waiting for someone to break the silence. Newkirk sat across from him, lighting another cigarette with the butt of the previous one. LeBeau, standing on Newkirk's left, watched their commander quietly. Kinch, to Carter's left, petted the end of his mustache with one hand and held a mug of coffee in the other. Finally, unable to sit still any longer, the young sergeant asked "Colonel, what do you suppose Burkhalter's coming out here for?"
"It's gotta be something to do with the train we blew up last night, I'm sure of it." LeBeau answered, confident with his accusation.
"Whatever the reason is, Ol' Bald Eagle made it sound pretty serious," Newkirk said, taking a drag on his cigarette.
"First time I've ever heard Klink sound so authoritative before. He meant business this time," Kinch added.
"Or he's being threatened with something and trying not to cause any attention towards himself." The Englishman replied.
"What would Burkhalter threaten Klink for, though?" Carter asked, slightly lost.
Hogan stood there looking at his men while deep in thought. He was about to speak, when he heard a knock on the barracks door. A suspicious look painted itself on his face.
"Strange. I wasn't expecting any visitors," he said.
"And why would they knock instead of just barging in?" Newkirk questioned.
With caution, Hogan made his way to the door and slowly opened it. He was absolutely stunned to see it was no other than little Kalina, Klink's 15 year old daughter. Her face was filled with fear, and her eyes were wet.
"Kalina," Hogan gasped. "What are you doing here?"
The young teenager's mouth began to tremble, then she bolted to the American officer, wrapped her arms around his belly, and started bawling and buried her face into Hogan's chest.
The colonel looked at Kalina in complete shock, growing both worried and heartbroken seeing her in her current state. He put his arms around her and held her close while trying to calm her.
"LeBeau, close the door," Hogan ordered.
"Oui, Colonel," the Frenchman said, and did as was told.
Hogan looked back down at Kalina and rubbed her back gently.
"Kalina, what's wrong, hon?" He asked, genuinely concerned.
"Oh, Colonel Hogan…" the girl went back to softly crying.
"What happened, kiddo?" Kinch asked.
"Don't cry, little mate. We're all here for yah," Newkirk said sincerely.
"Colonel Hogan...help." Kalina whimpered.
"Help with what?" Hogan asked.
"Major Hochstetter...he said if he found out you were responsible for the train that was blown up, he'd...he'll...he'll take Papa to Headquarters and...kill him!" She began sobbing harder, holding onto Hogan for dear life.
"Major Hochstetter! What the bloody hell was that Kraut doing here?" Newkirk snarled.
"He was questioning Klink about our possible involvement, that's what," the colonel answered, still hugging Kalina.
"What do we do, Colonel? If we're discovered to be the ones that demolished that train, not only will Kalina lose Klink, but the operation is finished." Kinch pointed out.
"That's why I came here," Kalina said, wiping her eyes and starting to calm down. "Otto told me Major Hochstetter suspected you all to be responsible, and I volunteered to come out here in order to warn and help you prove him otherwise."
"But how did you get here? Surely you didn't walk," Hogan said.
"Uncle Gustav's car broke down about a mile east from here. He told me to use that as my excuse to get into camp...Colonel Hogan, please help Papa. I don't wanna lose him, I can't lose him."
"You're not going to. We're gonna get out of this mess."
"How?" Carter asked, unable to see a way out of this situation.
"I'll think of something," the colonel answered, then turned back to Kalina. "What did Burkhalter say?"
"Him, Papa, and I are to have dinner together tonight to discuss the matter further," the young Klink said.
"I'll join you and have LeBeau, Carter, and Newkirk work as waiters and cook dinner."
"Now wait just a minute, I didn't volunteer for any waiting services on two Krauts who think they're so…" The Englishman paused, when he saw Hogan glaring his eyes hard at him and Kalina starting to tear up again. Knowing how much Kalina loved her father, he sighed seeing her so frightened and gave a empathetic look towards her.
"Alright, Gov. I'll do it," Newkirk finished with.
Hogan nodded.
"Good," he simply said. The colonel turned to his little chef. "LeBeau, can you make something child friendly for Kalina along with a meal for Burkhalter and Klink?"
"What would you like, ma petite ami?" LeBeau asked, smiling at Kalina.
The teenager sniffled before answering.
"Can you make mac and cheese?" She quivered.
"I will make you the best mac and cheese you ever tasted! The cheese will melt in your mouth."
Kalina gave a small smile and licked her lips. She was familiar with LeBeau's cooking and knew just how well he did his dishes. If he was making it, she knew it would be tasty. Unfortunately, Kalina frowned again and looked up at Hogan with sad eyes.
"Do you think you can get Hochstetter to back off on Papa?" She whimpered.
Hogan gave a genuine grin and ran his fingers through her soft, light brown hair.
"Papa Bear always wins," he said, with encouragement.
"But what if Hochstetter finds something to confront Papa with?"
"Don't worry, little mate. The Gov'nor will get your old pop out of this in no time," Newkirk said, smiling.
Kalina nodded.
"Okay," she said, soft.
"Why don't you go on and find Schultz. He'll be glad to see you." Hogan suggested, his left hand on the girl's shoulder.
Kalina gave another small smile, nodded, then quietly made her way out of the barracks.
Once she was gone, Hogan's men got to their feet and surrounded their commander.
"You got a plan, Colonel?" Kinch asked.
"Not yet, but I'm thinking of one. We're not losing Klink and the operation, and I'm certainly not letting a sweet girl like Kalina lose someone she loves more than life." Hogan answered, wrapping his arms around himself.
"I think it's kinda cute," Carter said, with grin.
"She loves her papa, that's for sure," Hogan answered, with a grin of his own.
"I never was close with my father," Newkirk said, stuffing his hands in his pocket.
"I'm sorry, Newkirk. Die young?" Kinch asked.
"Worse. He was a drill sergeant."
Both Kinch and Carter made faces of regret and sorrow.
"Gee, Newkirk," the young sergeant said. "That must have been rough."
"Rough was waking me and my sister up at 3AM to run laps around the block. You haven't heard anything until I tell you what he made us do in the summer," the Englishman remarked.
"Focus, men," Hogan commanded, then turned to look at LeBeau again. "LeBeau, I want you to make schnitzel and rouladen for Klink and Burkhalter tonight. Go a little easy on the sauerkraut."
"Germans," The Frenchman moaned.
"Be happy. You're not the one who has to sit and eat it."
All of Hogan's men nodded and split off to prepare for tonight's dinner.
It was about 7:00 when dinner started. Hogan, Klink, Kalina, and Burkhalter sat around the table with their food and drinks that had been brought out by Newkirk and Carter in their waiter uniforms.
"So, General Burkhalter," Hogan said, making conversation. "How long do you plan on staying here for?"
"As long as it takes to find out who sabotaged the train headed for France last night and are in the Gestapo's custody." The burly general answered.
"You know, Sir, uh, Kalina told me what Major Hochstetter said earlier to you and frankly I find it highly absurd. How could Colonel Klink be a saboteur? He's too worried about running his prison camp."
"It is indeed an outrageous suspicion. However, I'm not worried. None of the men under my command would turn traitor on me. They know better not to."
Kalina gulped, feeling a chill run up and down her spine. She did not even want to know what Burkhalter did to officers that turned against him. She took a sip of her root beer to try and calm her nerves, but it certainly did not taste like root beer. The girl made a puckered face and forced the substance down her throat before coughing violently.
"Kalina, are you alright, süßling?" Klink asked, with concern. He lay a gentle hand on his daughter's right shoulder.
The young Klink continued coughing.
"Ah, this doesn't taste like root beer, Papa." She gasped, and continued to cough.
Hogan, sitting on Kalina's left, grabbed her cup and took a sip of it. That was definitely not root beer. It was much too strong and sour for a child of Kalina's age.
"Newkirk!" Hogan called, slightly annoyed.
The Englishman hurried out of the kitchen and approached his commanding officer.
"Yes, Sir. You need another refill on your drink?" He asked courteously.
"I told you to give Kalina root beer; not actual beer," the colonel said, handing the cup to his corporal.
"Oh! Sorry, little mate. My mistake. I'll be back with that in a second."
Newkirk hurried into the kitchen to fill a glass full of root beer and quickly returned with it. He gently set it down in front of Klink's daughter, who took a big gulp from her glass while her father rubbed her back. Once she swallowed, she nodded and turned to look up at Newkirk.
"Danke," Kalina said respectfully.
"Pleasure, mate." The Englishman replied. He patted Kalina's shoulder softly and dismissed himself back to the kitchen.
Hogan rolled his eyes while shaking his head, then turned his attention back to Burkhalter.
"As I was saying," he started, grabbing his glass of brandy. "Colonel Klink has the best no escape record in all of Germany. One of his prisoners, let alone himself, causing that sabotage last night is mere impossible. In fact, I think you should tell Hochstetter just how ridiculous of a statement you feel he's making."
"If I were to do that, I might as well be planning my own execution." Burkhalter remarked.
"Herr General, you have higher ranking over Major Hochstetter, though. Can't you just order him to drop the entire thing?" Kalina asked, being cautious of how she worded herself.
"There are two things that are preventing that from happening. One, I too wish to know who sabotaged that train."
"And two?"
"Once Major Hochstetter has something in his mind, he won't drop it until someone proves him otherwise."
"But Papa wouldn't hurt anyone. He's the nicest, kindest man I know."
"Which is why he's an idiot when it comes to war."
Kalina shrunk a little in her chair and resembled her father when intimidated by important military figures.
"However, you and Colonel Hogan make very valid arguments," Burkhalter said suddenly.
"We do?" Kalina asked, sitting back up straight.
"They do?" Klink added, hope glistening in his eyes.
"Klink, you committing a crime would be like the Gestapo showing mercy to the enemy. It's simply preposterous. I shall make a phone call tomorrow morning to Major Hochstetter and tell him to drop you as a suspect in this investigation," the general said, before taking a drink of his brandy.
Kalina's face brightened like the sun, and turned to Hogan with glee sparkling in her eyes. The response she got back from the American was a smile and a wink. Mission successfully accomplished.
Dinner had gone over better than hoped for. In fact, Kalina even played a little piano for entertainment at one point. She had inherited her musical talent from her father, who had unfortunately lost his professional skills for his shining instrument, the violin. He had suffered from a serious left arm injury during World War I that caused his reaction time in moving his fingers to slow down. Although his days as a professional musician were over, he could still play piano and the violin fairly well.
Hogan and his men had gone back to their barracks, and Klink, Kalina, and Burkhalter had returned to Klink's office.
"General Burkhalter, I hoped you enjoyed yourself this evening," the kommandant said, smiling boldly.
"It was a nice dinner, Klink. I especially enjoyed your piano playing, meine liebste." Burkhalter answered, turning to Kalina at the end.
"Danke, Herr General," Kalina said, blushing. She then yawned and began to look sleepy.
Klink could not help but smile at his daughter.
"I think it's time for someone to go to bed," he said, putting a gentle hand on Kalina's shoulder.
"Papa, what if Major Hochstetter comes back? I wanna stay here with you and General Burkhalter," she answered, both tired and worried.
Klink leaned over and kissed his daughter's forehead. He then took his hand and ran his fingers through her hair before cupping her face with it.
"You'll see me in the morning," he promised.
Kalina seemed to calm, gave a small grin, then hugged her father.
"Ich liebe dich, Papa," she said, resting her head against her father's soft chest. (1)
Klink held his daughter close, gave her a kiss on the cheek, then rubbed her head.
The two released one another, Kalina gave a salute to Burkhalter, then started to make her way out, when the door slammed open, and Hochstetter with two other men behind him stormed in. They all had stoned faces and looked like they were about ready to shoot someone.
Klink, Kalina, and Burkhalter all stared in utter shock at their unexpected company.
"Hochstetter, what is all of this?" The general demanded.
The major lifted his finger in silence and pointed directly at Klink.
"Get him," the man ordered.
The two men behind Hochstetter made their way quietly over to the kommandant, roughly grabbed his arms behind him, and tightly snapped handcuffs on him.
"What are you doing?!" Klink cried. "I haven't done anything! This is an outrage!"
Hochstetter lurked his way towards Klink until he was less than six feet from him.
"Colonel Wilhelm Klink, you are under arrest for the sabotage of a German supply train and the murders of every Gestapo and Luftwaffe personnel aboard it."
(1) Ich liebe dich - "I love you." :)