Chapter 10

Closing the door to Klink's office, Kinch saluted the Kommandant. "Sergeant Kinchloe reporting as ordered, Kommandant."

Klink returned the salute. "At ease, Sergeant."

Kinch relaxed and stood before Klink's desk with both hands clasped behind his back. He waited, having an idea what he had been summoned to the Kommandant's office about.

"It's been brought to my attention, Sergeant...." Klink clasped his hands atop his desk. "....that most of the prisoners don't believe that Colonel Hogan is alive and that you have informed Sergeant Schultz of this as well as there might be problems because of their belief. Is this correct?"

"Permission to speak freely, sir?"

"Granted."

"Colonel, news of Colonel Hogan being in a coma has spread throughout the camp as was expected. But, in speaking with the men in other barracks, a majority of them are of the belief that we're just being told he's alive to keep us in line. Now, I've done my best as acting POW officer to assure them that neither you or Sergeant Schultz would lie about something as serious as Colonel Hogan's condition. But, I can't guarantee there won't be trouble."

Klink seemed to mull over what Kinch had said. He looked up at the sergeant and waved his finger at him. "If there's any trouble I will have all troublemakers put in the cooler for thirty days minimum."

"Sir, in my opinion, that would just create more unrest and more possible trouble. And somebody could end up getting hurt or worse. But, I do have a possible idea as to how you could avoid problems."

"Sergeant, I appreciate the difficult situation you're in as acting POW officer. I'm also aware of how the men feel about Colonel Hogan. Now, neither you or I want to see anybody get hurt or worse as you say. So, what is your idea?"

Here goes, Kinch thought to himself. He leaned forward, palms downward on Klink's desk. "Allow LeBeau, Carter and I to visit Colonel Hogan in the hospital on a regular basis until he comes back to camp. This way, I could assure the men that the Colonel is definitely alive and they weren't being lied to. That should calm things down."

Klink leaned back in his chair, hands clasped in his lap. "And what, Sergeant Kinchloe, do you consider a regular basis?" He looked Kinch directly in the eyes.

Standing upright again, Kinch shrugged. "Let's say once a week or once every two weeks at least. Besides, Colonel, you said yourself that hearing our voices might bring Colonel Hogan out of his coma."

"Yes, I remember."

"Then, wouldn't it be in everybody's interest to allow us to visit the Colonel? Sounds like a win-win situation from where I see it."

"You do, eh? And why should I allow you and the others to visit Colonel Hogan? It could be a scheme of yours to escape."

"C'mon, Kommandant. Schultz will be there. Besides, where could we go? Also, you know none of the men would leave the Colonel in this condition."

Klink had to admit Kinch was right. Knowing Hogan's men as he did, none of them would abandon the American officer in his present condition. They wouldn't even abandon him if he was healthy. They were all very loyal to the American. And whether Klink wanted to admit it or not, he didn't need any trouble in the camp because of Hogan's absence. And there was his perfect no-escape record to be considered as well. But, Klink told himself, he was the Kommandant here, not Hogan. Sitting upright in his chair, Klink looked at Kinch with a smirk on his face. "Request denied. You may now go back and tell the prisoners that should there be any trouble, I will see to it all of them suffer the consequences. Is that understood?"

"You're making a big mistake, Kommandant," Kinch said with a smirk of his own.

Klink slowly got to his feet, still smirking. "You do, eh? And why should I change my mind?"

"It's simple really," Kinch replied calmly. "Y'see, Kommandant. We know what lie you told the hospital in order to get them to treat Colonel Hogan."

Kinch noticed Klink's body stiffen. "What lie? I didn't tell any lie."

Kinch folded his arms. "How soon you forget. When you came to tell us about Colonel Hogan's condition, you mentioned the hospital wasn't going to treat him at all, so you told them a lie about him being an important man to the Third Reich." Kinch could see Klink slowly sit back down, and had to catch his monocle as it fell into his hand. "The way I figure it. You must've told the hospital that Colonel Hogan had defected to the Third Reich or something like that. Afterall, you did tell me in the barracks that you would suffer the consequences of telling such a lie if it got out. What else could it be? Imagine what the General would think about that? Or even the Gestapo."

Klink swallowed hard. He looked at Kinch again. "It appears I may have been hasty with my decison, Sergeant Kinchloe. I will contact the hospital and make sure it's acceptable and then get back to you today. But if it's all right with them, permission granted."

Kinch smiled. "Thank you, sir. Am I dismissed now?"

"Just one thing, Sergeant," Klink said nervously.

"What would that be, sir?"

"Where did Colonel Hogan and Corporal Newkirk get their weapons from?"

Kinch raised an eyebrow. "Neither man had a weapon that night, sir. Besides, where would they get them in the prison camp? They sure couldn't get them from the guards."

"You're absolutely correct, Sergeant," Klink replied, deciding to let the matter drop for now. He saluted Kinch. "Dissssmisssed!"

Kinch returned the salute. "We'll wait to hear from you, sir." The radioman turned and exited the office, leaving Klink resting his head on both arms atop his desk.

Kinch walked across the compound whistling to himself. For the first time since everything began, he actually felt he might just be able to hold things together for the Colonel until he was well and could take charge again. He entered the barracks and was immediately greeted by Newkirk, Carter and LeBeau.

"We were listening on the coffee pot. You were great, Kinch," said LeBeau.

"The Colonel couldn't have worked Klink any better," said Carter, admiringly.

"You were bloody marvellous, mate," replied Newkirk with a smile.

"Yeah, well, don't congratulate me yet," said the radioman yet. "We haven't gotten permission to visit the Colonel from the hospital. If this Doctor Prust thinks it's too soon, we're sunk for now."

LeBeau smiled. "Maybe. But at least you got Klink to agree to let the four of us visit the Colonel regularly."

"That's another thing, LeBeau," Kinch said sitting on the edge of the table, one foot on the bench. "If it's all right with this doctor, you and Carter will leave with Schultz. And a couple of candy bars will allow Newkirk to be picked up along the way so he can go. But I won't be able to."

The trio all protested at once. Kinch waved his hands in an attempt to quiet them down. "I know, I know," he said. "But think about it. As a black man do you really think they are going to even let me in that hospital much less near it? No way. And you know I'm right."

The others all looked at each other sadly. They knew Kinch was right, but they weren't ready to let it go so easily this time.

"It's not fair," said LeBeau defiantly. "It shouldn't matter to anyone about your skin color."

"It doesn't matter to you guys or to the Colonel," Kinch replied. "But unfortunately, you guys aren't running the hospital. If I was to show up it might prohibit you guys from being able to see the Colonel on a regular basis. And I would feel guilty about that."

"Yeah, well," said Newkirk. "That doesn't make it right, mate. You're just as much one of the team as the rest of us. You should be there like the rest of us. And besides, we'll all be under guard. With a guard there nobody would dare start anything out of fear of reprisal. You are coming with us, mate. And the issue is closed and not subject to negotiation."

"Newkirk is right, Kinch," said Carter. "I mean, what would the Colonel think if it's okay for you to come and you didn't?"

Kinch chuckled. "You guys aren't gonna let this go this time, are you?"

"No," LeBeau replied folding his arms. "It's settled. You are coming with us when we visit Colonel Hogan."

Kinch shook his head as a wide grin appeared. "Okay, you guys win. I'll come with you. And we'll see how it goes."

"Schultz is coming!" Olsen yelled. He had been standing watch at the door.

Newkirk quickly ducked inside Hogan's office and closed the door. The others looked around as the barracks door opened and Schultz trudged in. The rotund prison guard looked at the trio.

"Kommandant Klink spoke with the hospital and to Dr. Prust who is in charge of caring for Colonel Hogan. The doctor told the Kommandant he thinks it might be good for you boys to visit Colonel Hogan as often as you can and talk to him as it might bring him out of his coma."

There was excitement amongst the three men.

"When can we have our first visit, Schultz?" asked Carter. "And how long can we visit for?"

"The details haven't all been worked out yet. But your first visit will be the day after tomorrow. The Kommandant wants me to tell you that I will be accompanying you to the hospital and back to camp and that there better be no monkey business or you will not be allowed to visit again. Verstehen?"

"Verstehen, Schultzie," said Kinch with a smile. "Tell the Kommandant thank you. LeBeau, Carter and I will be on our best behavior."

"You better be. I will not tolerate any monkey business while we're outside of camp."

Kinch chuckled. "C'mon, Schultz. Monkey business? What makes you think we'd cause any trouble? We want to see the Colonel on a regular basis until he's well. We're not gonna do anything to jeopardize that. Relax, Schultz."

"Just make sure you don't." Schultz gave the trio his best stern look. A moment later, his face softened and a twinkle appeared in his eyes. "Do you think I could visit with Colonel Hogan too?" he asked in a soft voice.

Kinch draped an arm around the large guard's shoulders as he walked him towards the door. "Sure, Schultz. I'm sure Colonel Hogan would love to see you. You know how much he likes you."

"Danke. Colonel Hogan is such a nice man. I just want to tell him I hope he gets better soon."

Kinch opened the door of the barracks. "Make sure you do that when we get there, Schultz. Okay?"

"Okay. I'll see you boys later."

Kinch closed the door. Olsen hurried to the door and cracked it open. He glanced back at the others. "It's okay. He's heading towards another barracks."

"C'mon out, Newkirk," Kinch yelled.

The door opened to Hogan's quarters and the Englander emerged. "If things weren't so dicey right now, I might consider movin' into the Gov'nor's quarters for a spell."

"I wouldn't if I were you," said LeBeau with a dirty look on his face.

"Just kidding," said Newkirk. "So what's the verdict?"

"Klink is letting us visit the Colonel day after tomorrow. Once Schultz leaves camp, and a couple of candy bars later, we'll have a pre-arranged spot where you can be picked up so you can accompany us to the hospital. On the way back, Schultz will let you off at the same spot he picked you up at. You'll then come back here using the emergency tunnel and wait there. Somebody will let you know when it's safe to come up. Got it?"

"Got it, Kinch."

Sighing, Kinch approached his bunk and collasped on it. "I don't know about you guys, but I need a rest for a bit. There's nothing we can do until we hear from Klink anyway. Newkirk, I suggest you get back into the tunnel and make yourself comfortable. Carter, you and LeBeau find something to do in the meanwhile. But don't go to far away. Remember, the underground is gonna hit Gestapo headquarters in Berlin soon and I want everybody accounted for when it happens."