Meanwhile, back in Hammelburg, another show was about to go on stage. This one lacked in levity, but made up for it in intensity. Hidden by a screen of bushes beside a road just outside of town, preparations were in progress. Newkirk, Carter, and LeBeau were straightening their uniforms, making sure there were no evidences of their earlier destructive activity. Angel, Kinch, and Colonel Hogan were standing apart from the others, talking.
"Colonel, this isn't going to be easy for me." Angel said worriedly. "I can't react to what I can't see. And honestly, that scares me. If something goes wrong…"
"We're going to be right there." Hogan cut her off. "Don't worry."
"I can't help it." Angel admitted. "I'm the kind of person who has to know everything that's going on. And I'm jumpy enough around Nazis when I have my eyesight." She had depended on her senses to warn her of danger ever since she had been old enough to walk the woods alone. Losing her ability to see was a major fear.
"Trust us." Kinch said, pulling the folded rag out of his pocket. "We won't let anything happen to you." He understood her apprehension. Walking into a building full of hostile Gestapo agents without being able to know what they were doing was not a job for the faint of heart.
"Oh I trust you guys." Angel replied. "But the idea still bothers me."
"Look, I wouldn't ask you to do it if it weren't absolutely necessary." Hogan declared. "The information we're getting will be worth it."
Angel sighed. "You are right." She accepted the implications of her part in the mission, straightened her back, and took a deep breath. "Ok. I'm ready."
Kinch placed the white cloth over her eyes and tied it securely. The blindfold was wide enough that it covered almost half of her face.
"Perfect." Colonel Hogan said. He turned to the others. "You guys all set?"
"All ready here, sir." Newkirk answered, his eyes wandering curiously to Angel. "Ya know, that really completes yer outfit, Angel."
"Thanks Newkirk." Angel said sarcastically as the men gathered around her. She tensed, feeling the extra presence but not knowing who was where.
"Alright, as soon as we're inside, we'll split up. Carter, you got the explosives to blow open the safe?" Hogan asked.
"Right here." Carter patted the pouch at his side.
"Good. LeBeau will go with you to get the files. As soon as the distraction starts, Kinch will escape and pick up the papers. While that's happening, Carter will secure the back door and let Kinch out that way. Newkirk and I will be unlocking the door to the Underground agent's cell. Angel will be alone in the office, snapping pictures of the map on the wall. Angel, you do have the camera, right?" Hogan interrupted his own explanation.
"On a chain around my neck." Angel nodded.
"Good. LeBeau will find Newkirk and me, and then he'll go pick up Angel and take her down to the cell block. The agent will put on the blindfold and Angel will change into a Gestapo uniform. Then we'll all walk out of the building in the confusion of an escaped prisoner and a blown safe." Hogan finished. "Any questions?"
"What happens if someone comes into the office while Angel's taking pictures?" Carter asked.
"Carter." Angel moaned. "Don't even say such things."
"No one will come into the office." Hogan reassured her. "The Gestapo major will be too busy running around trying to catch Kinch and find out about the explosion. And that's the beauty of the whole thing. He won't think twice about leaving a blind girl in an office with top secret material."
"Plus, the blindfold will act like a mask for the Underground agent." Kinch added.
"So the most dangerous part will be getting Angel into and out of the office." LeBeau pointed out.
"You guys are doing wonders for my confidence." Angel scowled. Half the effect was lost because no one could see her eyes.
"Cheer up Angel." Newkirk gave her a slap on the back, which only served to nearly send her jumping out of her skin. "We'll get you through, no problem."
"Now that we're clear, let's go." The colonel said, motioning toward the truck. "Kinch, you're with Angel on the way in."
"Right." Kinch moved closer to Angel and placed her hand on his arm. Angel relaxed almost imperceptibly. It was helpful to have something to hold onto; never before had a human touch been so welcomed.
Hogan watched them all load up into the truck. Angel paused at the tailgate and was all but lifted into the back by the others. She could have waited until they reached town to put the blindfold on, the colonel wanted her to be used to it by the time they arrived at Gestapo headquarters. Hogan climbed into the passenger's seat up front and nodded to LeBeau, who was his driver. The truck started and they began their journey.
Hogan stared contemplatively at the road ahead. The plan was complicated in some ways and it would require precision timing, but he had faith in the four men were under his command. And Angel fit so well with the rest of them that she was as good as one of the team. They were all quick thinkers and willing to put everything they had into completing the mission. Add to that an unfailing courage and unity as a team and the job was in the bag. Colonel Hogan leaned back against his seat and sighed contentedly. It was an honor to serve with them.
In just a few short minutes, the truck was slowing to take the streets of the town. In the darkness above, the clouds hung heavy and gray, blocking out the moon and stars. The wind held a biting iciness, a promise of snow. As they wound their way through Hammelburg, the yellow light from the street lamps did little to ease the cold blackness of the night. The final sight to complete the chilling impression were the red and black flags that hung lip and lifeless outside the Gestapo headquarters.
Carter felt an uncontrollable urge to shiver as he jumped out of the truck and stared up at the huge metal swastika over the door. Instead, he tamped the shiver down and helped Newkirk pretend to manhandle Kinch out of the truck. The big radioman had retained his American uniform in order to pose as an escaped prisoner. After shoving Kinch off the back of the truck to be held at gunpoint by Carter, Newkirk jerked Angel forward, nearly pushing her over the edge but careful not to make her fall. They had all agreed that it was necessary to play rough in order to look convincing. Kinch reached up and helped Angel down. He was the only one who could afford to be nice to her at the moment. Hogan and LeBeau appeared and the senior officer nodded at his other 'Gestapo-men' who fell in behind the 'prisoners' as they marched inside.
From Angel's perspective, the entrance was far more abrupt. She felt a gun barrel touch her back and started forward with a jolt. Kinch guided her up the stairs and a draft of warm air greeted them as they opened the door. Angel instinctively knew that there were more people around when she entered the front room of the building, but the world remained dark. It was fairly quiet too, the only noises being those that usually no one paid any attention. But to the girl who was experiencing all of this without sight for the first time, it was a disquieting sensation. Her hand tightened on her companion's arm and Kinch reached over to touch her fingers in support. They came to a sudden stop.
"I am Major Hoganheinrich." That was Colonel Hogan's voice, except with a German accent. "I need a safe place to hold and interrogate these prisoners."
"Certainly, Herr Major." Came a smooth and unsettling voice. "We can take them off your hands."
"You don't understand." Hogan argued. "These are top security prisoners. I am personally responsible for taking them to Berlin." There was a rustle of paper as he produced orders to back up his story.
"I see." Angel wasn't sure, but the person speaking seemed to be slightly disappointed. She mentally dubbed him Desk Clerk One. "What is so important about them?"
"The man is an escaped prisoner. Obviously American." Colonel Hogan even managed to put a tiny sneer into his voice. "Impressive." Angel thought.
"The other is a girl suspected of working with an underground escape society." Hogan continued. "We wish to uncover more information about this group."
"Why is she wearing a blindfold?" Another voice came from the same general direction of Desk Clerk One and Angel labeled him accordingly as Desk Clerk Two.
"There was an… incident with a gun going off too close to her face, damaging her eyes." Hogan replied, his tone of voice indicating that he may or may not be telling the truth. "Let's just say it's not a pretty sight."
"Ja. An incident." Desk Clerk One's voice said that he had comprehended the hidden meaning and there was cruel laughter in his answer. Angel felt the muscle in Kinch's forearm contract, which probably meant he had just clenched his fist. No doubt the other guys were hiding equal expressions of distaste.
"You can take them to the cells. Downstairs." Desk Clerks Two's voice sounded a little bored now.
"Just a moment." Hogan said suddenly. "I am not satisfied with the security here. I wish to speak to the officer in charge."
"But Major Hoganheinrich," Desk Clerk One protested. "There is no need for concern. We have this building guarded day and night."
"I am under orders from Reich Fuhrer Himmler himself." Hogan's voice was beginning to get impatient. "I am responsible to get these prisoners safely to Berlin. And I will not be satisfied until I speak to the commanding officer!" He ended on a note just under a shout.
"Yes Major." The distaste was obvious when Desk Clerk Two spoke. "I will take you to his office right away." There was a noise as a chair was scooted back and footsteps on the hard floor. Then they were moving again.