Chapter 3: A Fun Evening

Hogan and his crew were standing outside Barracks 2. Hogan was facing his men, his back to the gate. "Looks like our guests are arriving," said LeBeau.

Hogan turned around and noticed General Burkhalter's car come through the open gate. The driver pulled to a stop in front of Klink's barracks. Klink came out and approached General Burkhalter.

"General Burkhalter, this is a surprise," Klink stated. "I didn't know you were coming."

"Something came up," General Burkhalter explained. "We have business to discuss. Gertrude asked to come along."

"Welcome, Frau Linkmeyer," Klink told her, trying to sound congenial. "Shall we go inside?"

Hogan watched as the three of them entered Klink's barracks. "Well, I guess it's time I spoke with Klink about that dinner he doesn't have planned," Hogan remarked, heading towards Klink's office.

- - -

The door to Klink's office opened and Hogan barged in. "Hogan, we're busy right now," declared Klink.

"It'll take just a minute," insisted Hogan. "I came to protest. I don't care what you say, Kommandant. LeBeau has other things to do besides cooking dinner for your guests."

Klink was puzzled. " I never said anything about his cooking dinner."

General Burkhalter glanced at first Hogan and then Klink. "Not a bad idea," Burkhalter suggested. "We are talking about the Frenchman, right? The excellent chef?"

"Yes, Sir," Klink answered.

"Good. Then, Gertrude and I would be delighted to stay for dinner."

Frau Linkmeyer seemed worried. "But, Albert, I have business in town," she objected.

General Burkhalter would not be swayed. "Gertrude, you were the one who wanted to come along. Surely your business can wait."

"It's important. Maybe if we're not too late. It's just something I have to do."

Hogan faked his dissent. "I must protest, Sirs. I'm not going to order LeBeau to fix you dinner."

"Protest noted, but overruled," Klink decided. "I'll order him to. And Carter can assist as usual. Dismissed."

Hogan glared convincingly at Klink. "I'll remember this, Sir."

"Hogan, I said dismissed."

"All right, I'm going. I'm going. Don't be so pushy." Hogan opened the door and left.

After Hogan had gone, Burkhalter commented, "From what I witnessed, Klink, you weren't the only one being pushy. All right, let's get down to business. We need to go over your expense report for last month." Burkhalter looked at his sister and said, "Gertrude, you may wait in the guest quarters, if you don't mind."

"Okay, I leave you men to take care of business," Frau Linkmeyer agreed. "I'll talk with you later, Wilhelm."

"Later," echoed Klink flatly, barely managing to keep the reluctance from his voice.

Frau Linkmeyer left the room and the two men prepared to discuss the report.

- - -

LeBeau had just finished serving dessert. Carter refilled the wineglasses. The dinner had been a complete success. Now came the hard part. They were going to have to prolong the evening until Hogan and Newkirk had a chance to meet with Baby Bear.

"Carter and I would like to provide entertainment," stated LeBeau. He and Carter stood near the table and sang some songs.

After their fourth song, Frau Linkmeyer said, "The meal was delicious, but I really must be going. I do have business in town."

"We're not the only ones with talent," declared Carter. "Colonel Klink can play the violin. Come on, Sir."

"Well, maybe a couple numbers," agreed Klink, going for his violin.

General Burkhalter motioned Carter over and whispered something to him. LeBeau cleared the empty plates and headed for the kitchen. Carter was passing the kitchen door on his way out of the room.

"Carter, could you get the door for me, please?" asked LeBeau.

"Sure," Carter responded, holding open the door.

LeBeau entered. "What did Burkhalter want?"

"He asked me to bring him some cotton. I'm on my way to Klink's bathroom to get some."

LeBeau considered it. "Cotton. Not a bad idea. Bring me some, too."

"Okay. But why does everyone want cotton?"

"Self-defense," LeBeau answered. "You had to ask Klink to play."

"Colonel Hogan wanted us to keep them busy."

LeBeau frowned. "Well, couldn't you have found a better way?" Sounds of Klink's terrible playing began to filter into the kitchen. "Never mind. Just go get the cotton."

Carter left and went to the bathroom for the cotton. Klink was still playing his first song when Carter returned and gave part of the cotton to General Burkhalter. Very discreetly, the General stuffed both ears with the cotton. Carter took the rest of the cotton into the kitchen to LeBeau, who did the same.

After Klink had finished his third song, Burkhalter said, "We have another violinist in our midst. How about it, Gertrude? Play a couple songs for us, please. You know, I always like to hear you play."

A bit reluctantly, Frau Linkmeyer conceded, "All right, Albert, if you insist. That is, if Klink doesn't mind lending me his instrument."

"No, go ahead," Klink invited, handing her his violin.

Burkhalter covertly removed the cotton from his ears as Frau Linkmeyer started to play.

By this time, LeBeau had returned to the room, and he and Carter were standing near the kitchen door. Carter reached over and pulled the cotton from one of LeBeau's ears.

"Hey," LeBeau started to quietly protest. Then, he heard the sounds of Frau Linkmeyer playing the violin. After listening a bit, LeBeau commented, "She's pretty good."

Frau Linkmeyer finished her song. "Encore," Carter yelled, and his enthusiasm was echoed by the other men in the room.

After playing one more tune, Frau Linkmeyer insisted, "That is enough."

LeBeau walked over to where she was standing. "That was very good, Madame Linkmeyer," he complimented her. "Where did you learn to play like that?"

"From my grandfather," she replied. "He was a maker of violins and other instruments. He was also an instructor with many pupils. When we were children, he made certain that both Albert and I devoted lots of time to musical study. I think he hoped that Albert would follow in his footsteps and continue the business."

"But he didn't," LeBeau guessed.

"Nein. He chose to follow the Burkhalter tradition and pursued a military career instead. Papa was so proud when my brother joined the Luftwaffe. Of course, Albert still plays the mandolin. Sometimes, the two of us play a duet."

"I wouldn't mind hearing you, sometime."

"Perhaps, someday. If Albert has his mandolin." Frau Linkmeyer looked at the clock on Klink's wall. It was nearly 8:30. She should be making contact about now. If they left immediately, it still might not be too late if her contacts waited a bit. "We really need to call it a night."

LeBeau feigned indignation. "And miss out on the fun part. The romantic dinner I prepared calls for dancing. Carter, put some music on."

Carter put one of Klink's records on the phonograph. Romantic music started to play. LeBeau stared at Klink. The Kommandant remained seated where he was.

"Well, if Klink's not going to ask you to dance, I will." LeBeau bowed in front of Frau Linkmeyer, saying, "Madame, I'd be enchanted if you would give me the honor of this dance."

Frau Linkmeyer looked ready to protest. "Go on, Gertrude. Dance with him," Burkhalter prompted. After watching his sister and LeBeau dance for a minute, Burkhalter glared at Klink. "Klink, I would dance with my sister if I were you," warned Burkhalter. "It would be very foolish not to."

Klink looked worried. "You mean…" Klink's voice trailed off.

"You might find yourself dancing to keep warm."

Klink stood. "I think I'll go cut in on LeBeau."

A smirk appeared on Burkhalter's face. "Good idea, Klink."

Klink went over and started dancing with Frau Linkmeyer. LeBeau walked over to join Carter near the phonograph. Soon, the first song was over and another began. Klink continued to dance with Frau Linkmeyer. The Kommandant continued dancing until Burkhalter signaled that he could stop.

When Klink and Frau Linkmeyer returned to the table, Burkhalter stated, "My compliments to the chef and his assistant. The meal was excellent. As was most of the entertainment. It has been fun, but Gertrude is right. We should be leaving."

Carter and LeBeau glanced at the clock. It was past time for the meeting with Baby Bear. Baker had flattened the tire on the General's car. By the time the tire was changed, Hogan should have had plenty of time for his meeting. "Thank you," LeBeau acknowledged. "We even had a little fun ourselves. And thank you, Madame Linkmeyer, for the beautiful violin music you provided."

Frau Linkmeyer smiled. "Your welcome." She and her brother left, followed by Klink.

When he and Carter were alone, LeBeau said, "Well, we did our part. Let's hope the Colonel and Newkirk were able to do theirs."

- - -

Over a half hour later, Carter and LeBeau finished cleaning up and returned to Barracks 2. They climbed down the ladder to join Baker in the radio room. By the time they arrived, Hogan and Newkirk had already returned. "How'd it go, Colonel?" asked Carter.

"It didn't," Hogan replied. "Baby Bear never showed up."

"After all our trouble," complained LeBeau.

"But it was fun," Carter reminded him.

Hogan looked a little annoyed. "Carter."

"Well, it was, Sir. You should have been there…Oh, right, you were supposed to be meeting with Baby Bear. What do you think happened?"

"Maybe he got tired of waiting for us the last two nights," Newkirk suggested.

"Or he had some kind of problem tonight," Hogan declared. "Whatever the reason, we had to report another failure to London. They're becoming extremely impatient. They insist that we make contact tomorrow night no matter what the risk."

"I don't think we're going to get Frau Linkmeyer back so soon," Carter observed.

Hogan grimly nodded. "I know. Let's hope she decides to patronize someplace besides the Hauserhauf tomorrow night."

"Maybe Klink could ask her to meet him at the Hofbrau," Baker stated.

"Klink would never do that," Carter protested.

"Oh, yes, you will, Kommandant Klink," Hogan ordered Carter.

"Yes, I will," Carter echoed, imitating Klink's voice.

Hogan grinned. "Then, tomorrow night, Frau Linkmeyer can be the one who waits in vain."