"Father! What are you doing here?"
Friedrich Wagner stared at the man standing in front of him; who was pointing a gun aimed about equidistant between Newkirk and himself. He was indeed terrified, on the verge of panic; still trying to wrap his brain around the fact that his father was here in person, and had caught him in the act of robbing Hans Maier's Jewelry store.
General Heinrich Wagner stared back, scrutinizing his son, deliberately taking his time to answer. When he was satisfied with the level of fear he saw in Friedrich's eyes, he spoke.
"My dear friend Hans asked me to check on his store for him while he was away." Heinrich replied in a cool voice. "I arrived a few minutes before you, and was just about to leave, when I heard a car pull up around back. Imagine my surprise when I looked out the window and saw you! So I thought it best to stay a little longer, to find out what you were doing here." Then he turned his attention to Newkirk; a small, cold smile forming on his face. "And I see you brought a friend with you. You do plan on introducing me, don't you?"
"Yes…" Friedrich croaked out in a tiny voice, then cleared his throat and started again. "Yes, sir. This is Corporal Newkirk." He answered obediently.
"Corporal Newkirk," Heinrich echoed, his eyes seeming to look right through the Englander, making him extremely uncomfortable. "And you're from Stalag Thirteen, Ja?"
"How did you know that?" Newkirk asked, hoping the fear that was gripping him didn't show too much in his voice.
"I heard you mention it, just before I walked up," Heinrich informed him, and then asked, "Corporal, do you know who I am?"
"You're Captain Wagner's father." Newkirk responded.
Heinrich smiled wide. "Yes, I am. I'm also a General in the SS; didn't my son tell you?"
Friedrich's breath caught in his throat; He's going to be even angrier with me when he finds out what I've been telling Newkirk about him, he thought, wishing now that he'd kept his mouth shut.
Newkirk stole a quick glance at Friedrich, and then back at his father. "The Captain never mentioned you, General," he answered, trying to look surprised.
Friedrich glanced back at Newkirk. He just lied…to my father! He thought in amazement. Why would he do that? Is it possible? Is he…trying to protect me?
"I presume, then," the General said, his voice escalating, "That he also didn't mention the fact that we German officers, especially in the SS, frown on Gestapo Captains that decide to rob safes and run away to Argentina!" He was shouting as he finished, then looked angrily over at his son, who was standing to the right of Newkirk.
Friedrich's mind was racing. How was he going to get himself, and Newkirk, out of this? "Father," he started, "It's not what it looks like…"
"It's exactly what it looks like!" Heinrich thundered at him. "I was standing in the corner the whole time…I saw everything!" He paused for a moment, and then in a calmer voice, continued, "Did you really think you could escape so easily? And if you did, do you know what an embarrassment that would cause for me? My own son…a deserter!" He shook his head. "You should know by now that I would never let that happen. I would hunt you down myself, if necessary, and bring you back to Germany, just so I could sit in the front row at your execution!"
Friedrich looked at his father; his eyes wide with terror. He was visibly shaking by now.
Heinrich stared at his son for a moment. "Poor Friedrich," he finally replied with mock sympathy, "I've been too soft on you, haven't I? I think it's time you came and worked for me at SS Headquarters, and I will teach you how to be a man. In fact, we can start your first lesson right now; how to conduct an interrogation." Then he moved over until he was standing a few feet in front of Newkirk.
Friedrich knew what was coming, and without thinking, blurted out. "No father; please, don't!"
Heinrich turned his head and looked at his son, his eyes narrowing. "What did you say?" He asked in a threatening voice.
Friedrich wilted under his glare, as usual, and swallowed hard. "Nothing, sir," He muttered meekly.
"That's better." Heinrich smiled coldly, and once again turned his attention to Newkirk. "So, you're a safecracker, and a very good one at that; from what I observed. Perhaps we should start with how you ever ended up in the R.A.F.; I didn't realize they were recruiting criminals."
Newkirk just looked at him. He also knew what was coming, and that nothing he said was going to change it.
Suddenly the back of General Wagner's left hand came flying across Newkirk's face, striking his cheek with a loud, Thwack! "You will answer me when I am talking to you!" He yelled tersely.
Friedrich winced; how many times had he been on the receiving end of that! Just tell him what he wants to hear! He called out in his mind, wishing that Newkirk could hear him.
Newkirk's head was spinning, and the left side of his face felt like it was on fire. Bloody Hell! Was his only thought as he shook his head, trying to clear it. He opened his eyes, only to see the General's cold, dark eyes staring at him with satisfaction.
Heinrich could see the angry red welt that was already forming on Newkirk's cheek, and smiled. "Now, where were we? Oh yes, how did you ever learn to be a safecracker? And while you're at it, Corporal, perhaps you could tell me what really goes on at that camp of yours. I've heard a great deal about Stalag Thirteen you know; apparently there's a lot of sabotage being conducted near there. And of course, I've also heard about Colonel Hogan." He leaned in closer and stared into Newkirk's eyes. "Do you know what I suspect, Corporal? I suspect your Colonel is a spy, and I suspect you're working for him. And after some persuasion on my part, I suspect you'll tell me everything I want to know." Then he leaned back and smirked at him. "And then I'll bring Colonel Hogan in for questioning; once I'm finished with you!"
Newkirk was furious by now. "You'll get nothin' out of me, General!" He replied angrily. "And you keep your bloody hands off Colonel Hogan!"
Friedrich couldn't believe what he'd just heard; Newkirk was standing up to his father! No, not just standing up to him; he was purposely bringing his father's wrath down on him! Why is he doing that? He'd seen men do that before when they were being questioned; soldiers who refused to divulge the information being asked of them, even though they knew they were bringing greater punishment unto themselves. He could never understand why they didn't just tell the interrogator what he wanted to know, and spare themselves further pain. And now, Newkirk was doing the same thing. Why?
And then suddenly it happened; an epiphany, a light turning on in his brain, and Friedrich understood at last; the realization hitting him like a ton of bricks. He's doing it to protect his Colonel, and his friends; isn't he? He cares about them that much…
Just then, in answer to Newkirk's outburst, Heinrich again raised his hand and swung it full force at the Corporal's face; striking the same side where he had left the previous mark. This time the General's hand hit lower, catching the side of Newkirk's mouth and cutting his lip.
Newkirk was seeing stars. He lost his balance and started to fall to his right, crashing into Friedrich, who caught him and helped him to regain his footing. He steadied himself, holding on to Friedrich's arm, and then, realizing he could taste blood in his mouth, turned his head and spit it out. Then he looked at General Wagner defiantly and retorted, "Is that the best you can do?"
General Wagner smiled cruelly at him and raised his hand for another blow. Newkirk closed his eyes involuntarily in anticipation, waiting for the next painful contact, when he heard a voice yell, "That's enough!" And realized it was Friedrich.
Newkirk opened his eyes and saw the General's arm raised to strike him, but Friedrich's hand was gripping it firmly, keeping it from completing its mission. Heinrich was looking at his son in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock. Time seemed to stand still for a moment or two, and then Heinrich's eyes narrowed and a look of pure rage came over him. He lowered his arm, causing Friedrich to let go and bring his own arm down.
"How dare you interfere!" Heinrich shouted at Friedrich. "Have you forgotten your place already?" He glowered at him, and then that horribly cold smile of his made another appearance on his face. "Perhaps I need to teach you another lesson. Since you seem so fond of this Englander, maybe I should get rid of him right now." He took a few steps back and brought his gun up; aiming it at Newkirk's head. "Playtime is over, I'm afraid," he said, "It's time for your little friend to leave." He unlocked the safety on the gun.
And then a shot rang out.
"Are we getting close, Kinch?" Hogan asked, wishing the truck could go faster.
"I think it's a little farther up this street, Colonel," Kinch answered, looking at the buildings to either side. "The agent said that it was just past the bakery…which should be coming up on our right…and there it is!" He finished, pointing at a dark building up ahead.
"All right. Carter, pull over and park here," Hogan called out to the Sergeant. "We'll walk the rest of the way. I don't want us to give ourselves away too soon."
"Okay, Colonel," Carter answered. After he had parked the truck, they all jumped out and began walking up the street towards Maier's Jewelry store.
"I just hope they're still there," Hogan murmured, loud enough for Kinch to hear.
Kinch glanced at him and nodded. He was thinking the same thing. Suddenly he heard a sound up ahead; a sort of popping noise, like a firecracker. "Did you hear that, Colonel?" He asked in a concerned voice.
They all stopped walking and looked at Hogan. "Yeah, Kinch," Hogan replied, sounding worried, himself. "That sounded a little like a gunshot, didn't it?"
"I thought so, too, mon Colonel," LeBeau said, "I think it came from just up ahead…"
"The jewelry store!" Hogan exclaimed, and then motioned everyone to get moving. "C'mon!" He called out, as he broke into a run; Kinch, Carter, and LeBeau following close behind.
Newkirk was staring at the General, whose face registered total shock. A red stain began to form on the front of Heinrich's shirt; slowly at first, then spreading rapidly. The gun fell out of his hand, and he crumpled to the ground. Newkirk then looked at Friedrich, who had his gun aimed at the spot where his father had been standing a moment ago; a tiny puff of smoke wafting from the barrel.
Newkirk looked back at Friedrich's father, then walked over to him and knelt down; putting his fingers on the General's neck to check for a pulse. There was none. He glanced up at Friedrich, whose face mirrored the shocked expression that had been on his father's a minute ago.
"Is he…?" Friedrich squeaked out.
"Yes," Newkirk said quietly, "He's dead."
"And I…I shot him…"
Newkirk wasn't sure if that was surprise he heard in Friedrich's voice, or disbelief. But one thing he was sure of; he had to get him out of there.
Newkirk stood up and walked over to him, then slowly reached for the gun. "Easy there, mate," he said as he gently slid it out of Friedrich's hand. He stuffed it into his own coat pocket, then grabbed Friedrich's upper arms and looked intensely into his eyes. He could see how completely distressed Friedrich was, so he decided to speak calmly, yet firmly. "It's time to go, Captain. You don't want to be 'ere when the police show up, do you? I'll go pack up the jewels for you, and then you best take 'em and head for Argentina, straight away!" He let go of him and smiled reassuringly. "Now, you just stand 'ere, mate, and I'll be back in a tick." He started to walk away, when he felt Friedrich's hand on his shoulder, and turned back to look at him.
Friedrich looked like he wanted to say something, but was having difficulty finding the words. He stood there for a few moments staring at Newkirk; too many emotions to name flickering one by one across his eyes. At last a look of determination settled on his face, and he abruptly walked over to the safe, grabbed the handle, swung the door shut, and turned the dial. Then he walked back over to Newkirk. "I've decided to stay," he told him matter-of-factly, "I want to work for the Allies."
Newkirk's eyes widened; he certainly wasn't expecting that! "Are you sure about that, mate?"
"I'm sure." Friedrich replied with conviction. "Tell me what I need to do."
Just then the back door burst open, and Colonel Hogan came running in with his gun drawn, flanked by Kinch and LeBeau on one side; Carter on the other. "Newkirk!" Hogan called out, relieved upon seeing his Corporal alive. Then, spotting Wagner, he pointed his gun at him and yelled, "Step away, Captain!"
Newkirk, who was obviously elated to see them all, also instantly realized that they still thought the Captain was out to harm him. He stepped in front of Wagner and shouted, "No Colonel, it's okay! Captain Wagner's our friend; he wants to help us!"
Hogan stopped and looked at Newkirk, stunned. "What are you talking about, Newkirk?"
"Colonel," Carter spoke up, suddenly noticing Friedrich's father not far from where he was standing, "There's a man lying on the floor over here…I think he's dead."
Hogan glanced over at the body, and then back at Newkirk. It was at that point he noticed Newkirk's face, and the large bruise covering almost the entire left side of it. "What happened?" He asked, extremely concerned by now.
Newkirk took a deep breath and started talking. He filled them in as quickly as possible, ending with; "And the Captain here, he saved my life! And now he wants to work for us. Just think, Colonel…a contact in the Gestapo!"
Hogan looked at Wagner, his expression revealing that he still had his doubts. "Is this true?" He asked him.
"Yes, Colonel Hogan," Wagner answered sincerely, "Although I'm not sure how to get myself out of the trouble I'm in right now." He glanced at his father's body, and then back to Hogan.
Hogan thought it over for a moment. It did appear that Wagner wanted to help, but could he trust him? Newkirk seemed to think so, and he knew how hard it was to win over the Corporal's trust. Not to mention the fact that Wagner had shot his own father to save Newkirk…
"Don't worry, Captain; I think we can take care of this." Hogan finally replied, making his decision. "And I want to thank you for what you did for Newkirk. Any friend of his is a friend of mine." He held out his hand, waiting for Wagner to take it.
Wagner reached out and shook Hogan's hand gratefully. "Thank you, Colonel."
Just then Kinch stepped up. "That goes for me, too, Captain." He said as he also shook Wagner's hand.
"Oui, thank you, Captain." LeBeau shook it next.
Carter was the last one to shake hands with Wagner. "Yeah, Captain, thanks for saving my buddy Newkirk, here!" He exclaimed, smiling broadly at him. "I don't know what I'd…I mean, what we'd do without him!"
Newkirk watched the whole exchange taking place and smiled. Wagner's got some real friends, now.
When they were finished, Hogan looked at the group clustered around him inside the jewelry store. "Okay," he said, "Here's what we're gonna do."
