Chapter 8

It was well after dark when the window to Klink's office opened, and Newkirk silently climbed inside followed by LeBeau. LeBeau closed the window behind him and then quietly made his way in the dark to the door to stand watch while Newkirk approached the safe in the corner of the room. Stretching his arms, the Englander got down on one knee in front of the safe.

"Hello, darlin'," he cooed to the grey hulk of metal facing him as if he were speaking to a woman. "It's your old friend Peter Newkirk back again. Now don't you worry none. I promise me hands are very warm." That said, Newkirk leaned his ear against the safe and began slowly turning the dial until he could hear the tumblers. It took him less than five minutes before he smiled and opened the door. Reaching inside, he pulled out the sealed envelope Klink had put inside earlier. He stuffed it inside his inner jacket pocket.

"Let's go, LeBeau," he whispered, standing. "The sooner the Colonel gets a look, the sooner I can put this envelope back before it's missed."

LeBeau smiled as he opened the window and climbed out with Newkirk behind him. He closed the window. The duo silently made their way across the compound until they reached their barracks. LeBeau hesitated going inside. Newkirk sensed something was troubling the Frenchman.

"What's wrong, LeBeau?" he asked quietly, looking around. The last thing he wanted was to be caught outside the barracks at night and especially not with the envelope on him. LeBeau looked at him, concerned.

"Newkirk, are we doing the right thing by Colonel Hogan?"

"What do you mean, mate?"

"I mean, I'm beginning to have second thoughts about what we're doing. Suppose the Colonel can't pull this off? He'll be in worse shape emotionally than he already is. I mean, we could be doing him more harm than good. And I couldn't live with that. Could you?"

"Not for a minute, mate. But we made a decision and we have to see it through. And who knows? Maybe the Colonel will surprise everybody. But if we don't get inside before somebody spots us out here we'll never know will we? Now open the bloody door and let's get inside."

Sighing, LeBeau opened the barracks door and the two of them went inside and closed the door seconds before the searchlight scanned the grounds outside Barracks two where they had moments before been standing.

Heading for Hogan's quarters, Newkirk gently grabbed LeBeau by the arm. The little Frenchman looked at Newkirk. "What?" he asked.

"If you're having doubts about the Colonel, LeBeau, I would keep them to yourself," Newkirk whispered. "The Gov'nor's got enough to deal with without one of his own men doubting him. And frankly, Louie, I don't think the Colonel could handle that. Understand?"

"Oui. I understand."

The pair made their way into Hogan's quarters where they found the Colonel, Carter and Kinch waiting.

"Any problems?" asked Hogan with a worried look.

"That little grey darlin' in Klink's office cooperated with me completely, sir," Newkirk joked pulling the sealed envelope from inside his jacket and handing it to Hogan who then proceeded to open it. He removed the folded paper from inside and unfolded it. He scanned the name printed on it. He glanced at the Englander with a lopsided grin.

"You were right, Newkirk," he said. "The name printed on this paper is General Albert Burkhalter."

"Don't everybody congratulate me at once," Newkirk joked. "I haven't even performed me best trick yet."

"What would that be?" asked Carter.

"Knock it off, Carter," Hogan remarked gently, folding the paper and putting it back in the envelope. "We don't have time for this right now. Carter, replace this envelope and then I want Newkirk to put it back in Klink's safe before morning. Got it?" He handed the envelope to Carter.

"Yes, sir, Colonel."

Hogan looked at his watch. It was nearing midnight. "After Newkirk gets back from replacing that envelope in Klink's safe, we all need to get some shuteye. And I have to think about our next move." He looked up at the radioman. "Kinch, I'll need you and Newkirk to help me. LeBeau and Carter, I'll say goodnight now."

"Goodnight, mon Colonel," said LeBeau.

"Sleep well, boy. I mean sir," Carter added.

The two men left their commanding officer's quarters and closed the door behind them leaving Newkirk and Kinch to help Hogan undress and get into bed.

It was nearly an hour later that Kinch and Newkirk emerged from Hogan's quarters, both men wishing the Colonel good night. Kinch closed the door. He slapped Newkirk on the back as both men joined LeBeau and Carter at the table. Carter handed Newkirk the newly sealed envelope that resembled the one that had been opened. Newkirk tucked it into his inner jacket pocket.

Kinch found himself grinning. "Colonel Hogan doesn't suspect a thing," he said. "I'm beginning to think we just might pull this off."

"Don't forget, mate..." Newkirk reminded him quickly. "We still have a long way to go before we can pat ourselves on the back and say congratulations."

LeBeau sighed and sadly shook his head. He couldn't help what he was thinking. Kinch noticed it right away.

"What's wrong, LeBeau?" he asked. "You should be happy so far. The Colonel really seems to be taking interest in this assignment."

"And I am happy, mon ami. It's just that..." he hesitated. "Never mind. I don't want to depress everybody."

"We always speak what's on our minds," Kinch reminded him. "So say what you're feeling. We won't hold it against you."

"It's just that I wonder if we're doing the Colonel more harm than good by doing what we're doing. It's just possible he might not be able to handle things anymore."

Kinch raised an eyebrow. "Where'd this come from? Earlier, you were all for this plan."

"And I still am, Kinch. It's just that...I don't know. It's just seeing the Colonel getting involved in carrying out this mission he thinks is real just makes me afraid of what might happen should he fail or discovers he can't do it anymore since the accident. What happens to him then? I mean, he could be worse off in the end than he is now and we'd be to blame. I don't think I could live with that. Could you?"

"None of us could, Louie," Kinch said understandingly. "I mean, this entire plan is a huge risk. If it works, hopefully it'll prove to Colonel Hogan that he can carry on. If it doesn't, we'll all have to deal with the consequences, including the Colonel. But I think we can all agree that Colonel Hogan is worth the attempt."

"But if we should fail, mon ami, why should the Colonel have to suffer the consequences of what we're doing?" asked LeBeau, concerned.

Kinch sighed. "I don't know how to answer that, LeBeau, except to say that should we fail, I believe Colonel Hogan will understand that what we did was with his best interest in mind and it was done out of respect and admiration for him as our commander. Does that make any sense to you?"

LeBeau appeared to be thinking about what Kinch had said. "Oui, it does." However, LeBeau did not add that he still had doubts about Hogan's ability to lead based on his circumstances.

Newkirk checked his watch. Standing, he patted his pocket. "If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I have to return this envelope to the Kommandant's office before we all get into trouble."

Kinch also checked his watch. "I'd better make contact with Lancelot and let him know how things went so far." Getting up, Kinch activated the hidden tunnel mechanism and climbed down the ladder into the tunnel. Newkirk quietly left the barracks again and headed back to Klink's office leaving LeBeau and Carter alone.

Carter studied LeBeau's face. "Gee, LeBeau, do you really believe that Colonel Hogan might not be able to lead this unit anymore?"

LeBeau hung his head as he drew an imaginary line on the table with his finger. "It doesn't matter, Carter," he said. "All that matters is Colonel Hogan."

"How can you say it doesn't matter? I mean we all agreed on this plan. Do you really feel we might be doing the wrong thing?"

LeBeau looked up this time and into Carter's eyes. "Honestly, Carter, I don't know. I wish I did but I don't. All I do know is that there will be consequences for all of us should what we're doing be a mistake."