Chapter 7

Butler sat on his couch trying to read his newspaper, but not really able to concentrate on what he was reading. Instead, his mind was on Hogan's former team. Finally giving up the attempt, he folded the newspaper, tossed it on the space beside him and folded his arms. Butler couldn't shake the worry since he saw Newkirk's car being followed by that other vehicle, and secretly wondered if the others were being followed as well. He couldn't help but worry. Afterall, he was the one who left the information at the bar where he knew the quartet would go after making certain they would gather together to investigate Hogan's death. He knew if anybody could find out the truth it would be them.

He had suspected after his last conversation with his friend that the crash and Hogan's death was not an accident. And during the official investigation, he had closely scrutinized everything looking for any hint, any clue that Hogan's plane had been sabotaged without luck. Once the investigation was complete and the crash deemed to have been caused by a lightning strike, Butler continued to investigate on his own. But he soon found that people wouldn't talk, documents and even occasionally a person disappeared before he could speak with them. He finally thought he had caught a break when a Sergeant Bremer contacted him and said he had information he should know about the crash and wanted to meet. But Bremer was soon dead before they could meet. Then came the phone calls to mind his own business and to stop asking questions or he would disappear or end up dead. It was then that Butler began to believe he was being watched and decided to get out. And now that he was retired, there was no way he could initiate a new investigation into the crash; but he could continue his private investigation with the help of the best team there was working on the outside. So, before he left the Pentagon, he made sure he confiscated Hogan's file regarding the crash and took it with him. Then, he made copies of the file, stuffed them in an envelope, and personally delivered them to a waitress in the bar after making sure she would wait on the men after they arrived. But first he made sure all four of them would arrive by having Kinch, LeBeau and Carter think Newkirk needed to meet with them, and for the others to think Kinch needed to meet with them. That way, he knew the four of them would come and be together. He knew after they were handed the paperwork he had left, they would want to check out the information as to whether or not Hogan's death was an accident or murder. And if it was murder, he knew they would find the guilty party or parties.

Butler promised himself he would do his best to keep them on the right path if at all possible and send them bit of what information he had whenever necessary. But whatever was uncovered during their investigation would be discovered on their own. But still, the General figured it was best to have a back-up plan now that the four men were here together and that he was being watched. And he had to make sure that if anything happened to him the information he had would get into the right hands and wouldn't end up being destroyed. Leaning forward he picked up the envelope sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch which was addressed to Peter Newkirk with no return address on it as he was afraid if whoever was watching saw the return address on the envelope, they would confiscate it before the Englander received it.

Getting to his feet, Butler picked up the envelope then walked to his closet, reached inside and grabbed his coat. Putting it on he stuck the envelope inside his inner coat pocket and walking to the window beside the front door. He glimpsed outside and wasn't surprised when he noticed the car that had followed Newkirk again parked across the street but a bit further down, and although he couldn't be sure, he thought someone was behind the wheel. Swearing softly, Butler let the curtain fall back in place and rubbed the back of his neck. If he had the time, he'd grab his shotgun from his gun cabinet and confront the man in the car; but as he didn't, he'd have to pretend not to notice him. Removing the chain from his door and unlocking it, Butler opened the door and walked out looking first one way and then the other before heading down the street to his destination. He was certain he would soon find out.


Newkirk, after speaking with his contact in MI6 and hanging up the phone, rejoined his two friends. Sitting down again, he noticed their expectant eyes watching him, eager for whatever information he may have been given by his contact.

"I spoke with me old mate, Robin Downey in MI6," the Englander began with a grim expression. "He says he was gonna call me by the end of the week anyway. Said they'd been looking for Burkhalter and Hochstetter even before he'd heard about the Gov'nor's death and he thought I was in London. Didn't want to contact me until he had more information and was surprised to hear from me. Seems ole Burkhalter is dead; died couple days ago."

"Mon Dieu! What happened?" asked the little Frenchman with wide eyes.

Newkirk shrugged his shoulders. "From what he could tell, Burkhalter had been living in Argentina and had been since leaving Germany. Seems he had him a mistress there who he was providin' for, and was found at her place. According to the bird in who's bed he died, the General was shagging her when he had his heart attack." A smirk appeared on the Englander's face as he shook his head.

Carter chuckled. "It's sad, but boy, what a way to go."

"Was he after the Colonel?" asked LeBeau.

Newkirk shook his head again negatively. "Robin didn't think so. Appears Burkhalter was content down there livin' the good life he was."

"Did he have anything to say about Hochstetter?" Carter asked.

Newkirk smirked this time and there was a twinkle in his eyes as he looked at his two friends. "Matter of fact he did, Louie. Seems he was also in Argentina but not livin' as good a life as Burkhalter when they found him. Robin said ole Wolfie tried to scarper when they cornered 'im again. He's been arrested and is back in the nick."

"The what?" asked a puzzled Carter.

"Prison, Andrew. Hochstetter's now in prison," replied an exasperated Newkirk. "Don't you understand anything?"

"Only when you speak English," was the American's reply.

"Blimey," Newkirk muttered under his breath as he rolled his eyes.

"Attendre une minute," LeBeau interjected. "Did you just say the filthy Bosche is in prison again?"(1)

Newkirk sighed. "Robin's still looking into that and said he'd get back to me in a few days with an update. But appears ole Hochstetter was in prison two years before the Colonel's death and had no contact with anybody either in person or by mail. He escaped six months ago and when they found 'im this time he was still bitchin' how the Gov'nor was Papa Bear and how he was responsible for the fall of Germany to the Allies."

LeBeau's eyes narrowed. "Sounds like he's responsible to me. He could have hired somebody to kill mon Colonel for him."

"I don't think so and Robin agrees with me."

"And why not? He has hated the Colonel the entire time he was at Stalag 13." LeBeau said. "He couldn't stand the fact that the Colonel always made him look like a fool to his superiors. If anybody had a motive for murder it is him."

"That's true, Louie," Newkirk explained. "But I believe if Hochstetter had killed the Gov'nor he would be braggin' about it to everybody, and wouldn't deny it which he has so far and Robin agrees. Not that he's not glad the Colonel died, mind you."

Carter exhaled. "He's right, LeBeau," he said. "Hochstetter would want everybody to know he had killed Colonel Hogan if he had done it. He wouldn't deny it and you know it's true."

LeBeau hung his head and nodded. "You are both correct, mes amis. Hochstetter would never deny what he had done if he was guilty. It's just I wanted and needed him to be guilty so badly because he hated the Colonel so much." He lifted his head and looked into the Englander's green eyes. "But if he is not responsible, then who is?"

"That's what we have to find out, mate. And we will. But you better go call Marya before Kinch gets here."


Oscar Darwin took a sip of his beer as he sat at an empty table in a bar where he had a good view of the door and could see anybody who walked in. Checking his watch he noticed he had been waiting nearly twenty minutes. He took another sip of his beer and continued to watch the door. He had called his boss prior just after leaving the hanger, and they had agreed to meet at the bar. But his boss was twenty minutes late. Darwin figured he'd wait a little while longer and if he didn't show he would leave.

"Sorry I kept you waiting, Oscar," a male voice said from behind Darwin causing him to flinch and nearly choke on the mouthful of beer. Swallowing the beer, Darwin looked around and saw the tall man with the neatly cut light brown hair and brown eyes staring at him with an amused smirk on his face and holding a mug of beer in one hand. "You seem surprised to see me. I told you I would meet you here." Walking around the table, he sat down across from Darwin. "Sorry to have kept you waiting. I came in through the back entrance before you arrived and watched to see if you were followed by anybody." He took a long draught of beer. "Now, what seems to be the problem?"

"That black officer, Captain Kinchloe, came into the hanger where the wreckage of Hogan's plane is stored and examined it personally. He took one of the CO2 bottles with him."

"Anything else?" asked the man his interest peaked.

"He asked me why were the CO2 bottles all empty when there was no report of a fire in the cargo hold. I told him the only reason they would be empty would be because of a fire so there must have been one. Then he thanked me and left. He was heading in the direction of one of the air traffic control towers on site."

The man scratched his chin and his eyes narrowed. "Captain Kinchloe could be trouble. He'll have to be watched more often to see if further action needs to be taken."

Darwin exhaled through his nose. "Bruno, wouldn't it be better to just get rid of him and be rid of the problem instead of simply waiting to see if he causes trouble?"

Smiling at the use of his first name by his friend, the man shook his head. "We may have to in time, Oscar," he said before taking another draught of beer and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "But no sense making trouble if it isn't necessary. For now we will merely watch Captain Kinchloe. If he should prove eventually to being a problem, then we will have to see about ending his career rather abruptly. I will talk with Schmidt and have him keep an eye on Kinchloe and report to Major Desmond what he is up to, and have Desmond report to me. Schmidt is already handling something for me regarding the good Captain anyway." He chuckled. "And should Kinchloe become trouble, he will be done away with and the blame placed on Major Desmond who, unbeknown to the Major, is set up to take the blame for Hogan's death as well." He noticed a puzzled look on Darwin's face. "Hogan embarrassed the good Major when Desmond was a Lieutenant and prevented him from getting a timely promotion to Captain. I can't think of a better reason for revenge on his part against Hogan, can you?"

"And Kinchloe?" Darwin asked.

"Desmond blames the good Captain as the reason Hogan embarrassed him to begin with and he dislikes blacks. Also, that knowledge is not a secret with certain people."

With a chuckle, he and Darwin clinked their mugs together and finished their beers.

Darwin suddenly became concerned. "But what if Desmond doesn't want to get involved?"

The other man chuckled. "He is already involved whether he knows it or not and has been since prior to Hogan's death. He'll have no choice but to continue being involved."


LeBeau waited impatiently as the phone on the other end continued to ring; he hoped his angel was home and not out somewhere. After the seventh ring he was about to hang up when he heard a voice he had been waiting to hear.

"This is Marya. Who is calling?"

"This is LeBeau."

"My handsome small one is calling me. Are you in Russia?"

LeBeau chuckled. "I am in the United States with Kinch, Newkirk and Carter."

"What are you doing there?"

"We need your help with an investigation we are doing into Colonel Hogan's death."

"What investigation? Hogan was killed in a plane crash nearly two years ago."

LeBeau hesitated for a moment before he repeated the information about Hogan having been murdered and they were trying to find the guilty party or parties. "Can you help us?" he asked.

"But of course. How dare somebody do such a thing to my handsome American Colonel. What do you need from me?"

"We need to know who Colonel Hogan may have angered in Russia between 1948 and 1949 when he took part in the Cold War."

"No problem. Leave it to me. Marya will take care of everything. Give me the phone number when I can reach you. I will check with my contacts in Russia and get back to you soon." LeBeau gave the White Russian woman Newkirk's phone number as they always met in the Englander's room and he didn't want to miss her call back.

"Try and call me back soon, my angel," the Frenchman said softly but not soft enough where Newkirk and Carter couldn't hear him. Newkirk rolled his eyes while Carter smirked.

"Don't worry. I will call back when I have some information. Tell the others Marya says hello. But now I must get off the phone. I will talk to you later. I promise."

Sighing, LeBeau said goodbye before hanging up the now he was on cloud nine and when he turned and faced the others he looked it. Newkirk could only shake his head in amusement.

"Blimey, will you get that bleedin' lovesick look off your ruddy face? You're makin' me ruddy ill."

"He's right, LeBeau," Carter added. "From the look of you, you got it bad."

A scowl appeared on the Frenchman's face. "You both are jealous, that's all."

"We can't be jealous," the American said. "Newkirk and I are both married men."

"Good," LeBeau replied with a lovesick grin on his face. "Then I don't have to worry about anything."

"Oh brother," Newkirk groaned.


The man with the light brown hair, having left the bar a few minutes ago, was sitting in the back seat of his car while his driver kept his eyes on the road ahead. He was rehashing in his head the discussion he had had with Darwin, and agreed Captain Kinchloe was becoming a problem that might have to be dealt with; but he still believed it could be done without further bloodshed. But if things didn't work out that way, he had no qualms about killing. Leaning back in his seat, he smiled as he thought about what Hogan must have felt. He liked to imagine the man was conscious when he realized the plane was going down and was going to crash and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He even hoped Hogan realized he was going to die. He chuckled as he wondered if the man felt any fear at that moment. He allowed himself to recall the last conversation he had with Hogan in the tunnels beneath Stalag 13.

(Flashback):

"Hogan, I know you are really the agent known as Papa Bear," he said mindful of an armed Carter, Newkirk and Olsen keeping a close watch on him. He had learned only moments before he would be escorted by the underground to a British submarine for the trip to England.

Hogan exhaled. "I see you've been talking to your fellow delusional Major Hochstetter. He thinks I'm working with the underground as well." Smirking, Hogan wrapped his arms around himself. "You guys have really too much time on your hands. Perhaps a change of scenery will do wonders for you. How about a nice British POW camp?"

"You are a threat to the Fatherland! I know it and you know it!"

Hogan shook his head. "The only threat to Germany and everyplace else is that fruitcake you have in power. Y'know who he is. The little guy with the funny mustache. Old what's his name." Hogan feigned trying to remember Hitler's name. He could see the man was becoming angry.

"You dare to insult our beloved Fuhrer!" he shouted angrily taking a step towards the American officer only to feel a pistol in his side as a warning to step back. He did.

"I haven't begun to insult him yet," Hogan joked.

"You haven't won yet, Hogan. I will not be a prisoner in your English camps very long. And when I return to Germany, I will expose you and your entire operation. I will see you shot by firing squad for your crimes against Germany!"

Hogan shrugged. "A firing squad is so messy. I would really hate to have any holes in my leather jacket. A good fitting Air Force issue leather jacket is so hard to come by." Hogan's eyes shifted to behind the man as he noticed the men from the underground walk in from the changing room dressed in Gestapo uniforms.

"He's all yours. If he tries anything, shoot to kill. He can't be allowed to escape; he knows too much."

One of the underground operatives pulled his weapon and pointed it at the man while his partner handcuffed his hands in front of him. As he was being led from the tunnel and towards the ladder leading to the entrance of the emergency entrance, the man turned and glared at the American over his shoulder who stood with Kinch, Carter, Newkirk and LeBeau close by.

"I will see you dead, Hogan," he said is a voice that would chill a person's blood. "I don't care how long it takes, or how many years I must wait, but I will see you pay dearly. Germany will be avenged!"

(End of Flashback)

The man came back to the present as a grim expression came over his face. He had hated Hogan so much from the moment he met the American. He knew from the first minute he opened his mouth with his smug, arrogant tone he wanted him dead. And as he sat in an English POW camp he thought about how he would accomplish it. He knew whatever he came up with he would have to escape in order to carry out his revenge; but first he needed a plan. It was while his mind was working 24/7 on these things that he got lucky. A Gestapo officer was incarcerated and as luck would have it, he knew the man and made it a point to meet him. They talked and he discovered he had been sent to London by Hogan as well. Discovering they both had a mutual dislike for the American, he told his fellow prisoner of his intent to escape, return to Germany, and dispose of Hogan personally. To his surprise, the Gestapo officer already had a plan devised as to how to get revenge on Hogan but first needed to recruit the necessary people, and second, would have to wait for the war's end which would probably not be long the way things were going. Then, he said, then they would make their move against Hogan and repay him for causing Germany's fall to the Allies.

So, the two men set about talking to other prisoners and 'feeling' them out to see how they felt. To their delight, they found many others who felt the same way; but only two of them were willing to take part in a revenge plot against the American. One of them was Schmidt whom the man had heard of from his dealings with the Wehrmacht. One of the very best in Intelligence and a personal favorite of Himmler, he knew he would be useful to them when how the plan for revenge was to be carried out was explained to them by the Gestapo officer. He assured them if they were patient and careful, Hogan would never see it coming until it was too late. And Schmidt added that he had a friend in America who he could trust to keep an eye on Hogan for them until it was time. It was at that moment that a friendship and a conspiracy was formed.


(1) "Attendre une minute" means "Wait a minute" per SDL/Free .