Hogan glared at Newkirk again, this time in shock rather than anger.
"Explain," he said quietly, but firmly.
It didn't take Newkirk long to get everyone concerned once he started mentioning about the serum and Hochstetter's return.
"I gave Louis the gun, but I know it's not enough. 'E was silently pleading for 'elp, Sir; I wanted to get 'im out of there. I could've done it, too, but you said-"
"Yeah, I know what I said," Hogan replied, silently cursing himself for issuing such an order.
"You thought you were playing it safe, Sir," Kinch said, immediately coming to Hogan's defense. "You couldn't have known."
Yeah, and I also couldn't have known that the one time Newkirk probably should have disobeyed orders, he wouldn't have out of fear, the colonel thought.
"What I don't understand is why 'ochstetter would come back so soon," Newkirk went on. "We'd only just gotten over 'is first visit."
"I think we can answer that," said Carter. He wasn't smiling now; his optimism had faded after hearing Newkirk's story. "Remember how we found out yesterday that Burkhalter was on furlough? It turns out he's coming back tomorrow evening, according to Klink."
"So that's it," Newkirk realized. "Old 'ochstetter knows Burkhalter would forbid him from interrogating the escapees, so 'e wants to do it before the general gets back." He cursed the major.
"And to think, they're supposed to be on the same side," Baker mused.
"It's all one ruddy big poker game," Newkirk said, with a shake of his head. "And they don't want to show each other their 'ands."
"Yeah, it's a poker game, alright," Hogan said. "And Mullenberg just upped the ante with that truth serum."
"Then what card do we play, so to speak?" Kinch asked.
Hogan pondered for a moment. So many lives were riding on his decision, he knew. He had to make the right one.
"We do what we do best—we bluff," he decided. His gaze fell on the technical sergeant. "Carter, you're going in as von Siedelberg. Normally, I don't like the idea of reusing disguises, but our options are limited."
"Yes, Sir," Carter said, going slightly pale. He had not wanted to reuse the disguise, either, but he would follow the colonel's orders. "When do I leave?"
"You'll leave a few hours after lights out," said Hogan, checking his watch. "I'd say get going at 0100 hours. We're going to have a tough time explaining two people missing during morning roll call, but I don't see any other option."
"Two people, Sir?" Newkirk asked.
"Of course. You don't think the general will return to Stalag 6 without his trusty aide in tow, do you?"
Newkirk's jaw fell open slightly. "But… Sir, you said… me punishment…"
"Your punishment will still be here when LeBeau is off on his journey to London," Hogan assured him. "Call it a temporary reprieve for sticking to my orders—even though you had every right to break them this time. Now, you two listen closely; you're going in the staff car again, but in the woods about an hour from Stalag 6 will be two of Briar Rose's men with a truck full of civilian uniforms; I'll have arranged for it be there by the time you two arrive. Make contact with the driver, give him a pass from von Siedelberg, and instruct him to drive behind you through the gate of Stalag; the other one will act as a guard for the prisoners. Carter, you will tell Mullenberg that you are going to take the eight escapees for personal questioning, since you don't approve of Hochstetter doing so. And once you 'discover' that LeBeau is a transferee, insist that you take him along, too. I want you to be as cold and as intimidating as you can be, understood? Scare them into agreeing with you."
"And then we lead the escapees all into the truck and on their way to freedom?" Carter finished.
Hogan nodded. "It's a crazy plan, but it's just crazy enough to work if we play our cards right."
"More than ever, I wish I 'ad a pair of aces up me sleeve," Newkirk responded.
"Newkirk, it's thanks to you that we know the score," said Kinch. "I'd say that's more valuable than a spare pair of aces."
"You mean that?" the Englishman said, surprised to hear such praise from him after all that he had done to foul up the mission.
"Yeah, I do," the staff sergeant replied. "Fate plays funny tricks. If you hadn't caused Briar Rose to lay low, one of them would have gone in your place. They don't know LeBeau as well as you do; whoever would have gone wouldn't have noticed the effects of the serum as you did, even if they had been lucky to see him. They might not have even had a chance to see the vial. And they may not have stayed long enough to hear about Hochstetter coming back."
"I should've nicked that ruddy vial," the corporal chided himself. "That could've bought us a little more time."
"We'd have had to get Louis and the others out of there anyway," Carter said. "Sooner's better than later, right?"
"Too right, it is," the Englishman said. He clambered up to his bunk, not intending to sleep; if he could fall asleep, it would be nothing short of a miracle. There was nothing more taxing, he realized, than playing the waiting game at such a critical juncture.
He spent some time recalling what he had told Hogan the previous night. If I had it to do again, I'd probably do the same thing.
Newkirk stared blankly at the ceiling as he realized that he had been wrong; he would have changed so many things. He would not have gone by that little bar. He would not have flirted with Gretel. And he certainly would not have brought her in through the tunnels.
But no; he had to let his heart think instead of his brain. A narrow escape had been followed by his best friend being taken away and now being drugged up with truth serum. If the worst should happen, Newkirk decided, he would see to it that Hogan, Carter, Kinch, Baker, and Olsen made it out. Whatever happened to him in that process would be solely what he deserved.
You can't think like that, he chided himself. You're getting Louis out of there tomorrow, just as you've wanted. Give him some credit for being stronger than Mullenberg thinks. Take a lesson from Andrew; try being optimistic for a change.
Newkirk scoffed at his own mind in response. He had never been optimistic, and the situation wasn't one where he could easily start a new trend.
Schultz's arrival temporarily drew the corporal out of his thoughts as the big man addressed him, relieved to see him back in his place.
"Where were you during morning roll call? Never mind; I do not want to know."
"I reckon you don't," Newkirk replied. He idly wondered how Schultz would react if he found out what was happening to LeBeau right now. Naturally, the guard would be concerned about LeBeau revealing his tendency to look the other way, but Schultz would have genuine concern for the Frenchman, as well.
He sighed, staring at the ceiling again as Schultz ordered the lights out.
"See you tomorrow, Schultzie," Newkirk said, as the sergeant exited. I hope.
He proceeded to play the waiting game for the next couple of hours, keeping his mind blank. It was only after Hogan gave him and Carter the go-ahead that Newkirk finally ended his long staring match with the ceiling.
The two had changed into their disguises and had bolted out the tunnel. Though the checkpoints were surprised to see Newkirk return so soon, they soon let him go upon seeing "General von Siedelburg" in the car, as well.
They made contact with the truck driver and the false guard around midmorning.
"Briar Rose received instructions from Papa Bear; I am at your complete disposal," the driver said. "However, the usual escape paths to London are impossible for us to use; Hochstetter has his men covering the south border for Burkhalter's arrival."
"Can't you just head west through Belgium and get them out that way?" Carter asked, exchanging a glance with Newkirk.
"Hochstetter has the road to the Belgian border covered, as well," said the fake guard. "He expects that the fliers might try another escape attempt, and that they would logically head in that direction. He arrived at Stalag 6 about an hour ago; he has his plan in motion."
"You mean 'e's at the camp now?" Newkirk asked. That's it. We've lost.
Carter bit his lip at the look on Newkirk's face. It's not over yet, Peter; I'm not giving up as long as there's still a fighting chance for Louis!
"I will still bring the truck inside after you, as Papa Bear requested," said the driver. "But the escape route shall have to be a roundabout route through France and rendezvous with a British submarine near Calais that will take them across the channel." He shrugged. "I'm going to have to hand over all responsibilities to the French Underground once we make contact with them. Briar Rose has already contact Tiger; she is planning the second half of the escapees' journey as we speak."
"Louis will never complain about that," Newkirk said, with a wan smile. "Now I know why the Guv'nor admires Tiger so much… besides the obvious reasons, of course…"
Carter did crack a smile, but he soon sobered as he spoke again.
"We'd better not waste any more time; we've still got one more hour to go."
"Right," said Newkirk, getting back into the driver's seat. We're coming, Louis. Just hold out for a little while longer.
But LeBeau was thinking otherwise as he found himself preparing breakfast for Mullenberg and Hochstetter. He remembered coming to in Mullenberg's office after the serum had worn off. Mullenberg had seemed frustrated; LeBeau was hoping that it was some sort of sign that he hadn't talked. Also, Mullenberg was acting somewhat nervous around Hochstetter—another sign that he did not have the information he desired. Vulsor regretted not being able to offer any insight on what LeBeau had said while under the serum's influence.
This was not going to be the end. LeBeau knew without asking that as soon as Hochstetter headed down to the cooler, Mullenberg would try the serum one more time.
"So, you say von Siedelberg might be coming?" Hochstetter asked, finishing up his breakfast. "I hope to be gone before he arrives. With your permission, Colonel, I would like to head over to the cooler now and interrogate the prisoners."
"By all means, Herr Major, they are yours to question," Mullenberg replied. He sighed as Hochstetter gave a nod of approval and left. "Corporal, bring me some wine!"
"Is it not a little early?" LeBeau asked, opening the door to the dining area after he was certain Hochstetter had left the room.
"Between the major carrying on his own interrogations and my own attempts to get some coherent answers from you, I deserve to drink the full bottle right now!" the colonel retorted.
"I have nothing to say; I would hope that two obviously failed sessions with that serum would suggest that," LeBeau countered. "I—"
"Colonel, could you confirm with your guards that you have given me access to the…" Hochstetter began as he reentered the room. He soon trailed off as his eyes met the Frenchman's.
LeBeau's expression was one of pure horror as he dove back into the kitchen. The major's loud voice soon filled the entire dining area.
"What is this chef doing here?" he demanded. "Mullenberg, what is going on?"
"He is on loan, Herr Major, from Stalag 13," the colonel replied, realizing that the cat was out of the bag. "I asked Colonel Klink to let this man cook for me-"
"That man is a part of Colonel Hogan's inner circle; he is one of the prime suspects in all of the enemy activity going on near Stalag 13!"
I cannot handle this on my own, LeBeau thought. Pierre, wherever you are, please hurry!
"Tell me, Mullenberg," Hochstetter went on, the sinister air in his voice increasing with every word. "What else have you been keeping from me?"
"Nothing, Herr Major, nothing," Mullenberg insisted, melting under the major's glare as Klink had done several times before. "I had him transferred a few days ago to cook my meals, but I suspected, as you have just said, that he might be involved in some of the activities going on near Stalag 13. I questioned him, but he was uncooperative, so…" He trailed off, realizing that he had just dug himself into a deeper hole. "I questioned him yesterday with a truth serum, but the results were not as I had hoped."
"Truth serum!" Hochstetter repeated. "You would go behind my back to interrogate this corporal? Which traitor gave you access to a truth serum?"
A sly smirk crossed Mullenberg's face for an instant.
"I received it directly from Colonel Backsheider, Herr Major. Here is the slip from the courier."
"Oh." The anger faded from Hochstetter in an instant as he saw Backsheider's signature on the slip. "Ja, this signature is genuine. Fine then, Mullenberg; I shall overlook it this time. However, you will hand over the serum to me now; I shall continue with the questioning of the corporal."
"If I may give you a word of advice, Herr Major," said Mullenberg. "I recommend a German-to-French translator and a tape recorder."
Hochstetter gave him a long stare.
"If I may give you a word of advice, Mullenberg… stay out of it!"
"Of course, Major…"
The kitchen door opened, admitting Hochstetter. The major smiled smugly at the captive chef.
"Corporal LeBeau," he mused. "Such a small world, ja? I did not expect to see you here, away from Stalag 13… away from Colonel Hogan's wit and Klink's general incompetence."
The Frenchman, though backing up against the counter, determinedly stared back at the major.
"If you are looking for signs of sabotage or espionage, you shall find none," LeBeau assured him. "I was brought here to cook, and no one has ever complained." He suddenly recalled the sleeping pills hidden under his collar. "May I offer you some more coffee?"
"Bah!" Hochstetter snarled. "If you want to be helpful, you will tell me everything I wish to know about Stalag 13!"
"What is there to know?" LeBeau asked, acting much calmer than he felt. "There was never any chance of an escape in Stalag 13. At least here, there is a record which I find hopeful."
Hochstetter shot a dark glare at Mullenberg before turning back to the Frenchman.
"The game of cat and mouse shall soon end, Corporal," Hochstetter promised. "Colonel Hogan is not here to protect you; you have no one to turn to. Will you tell me what I wish to know now, or shall I resort to the truth serum?"
"Louis LeBeau, Corporal, serial number H214-"
"Enough!" Hochstetter said, cutting him off. "Corporal, you do not seem to understand your position. Do you really wish to be a prisoner of war until the fighting ends? You are on the losing side. …Do not scoff at me, Corporal! Your beloved France fell; your uniform is that of an army which no longer exists!"
LeBeau's hand almost reached for the gun that Newkirk had given him, but he stopped himself, swallowing the mounting rage.
"Complying with the questioning now could mean a lesser sentence for you later," Hochstetter went on. "I could send you back to Paris, perhaps introduce you to a nice girl—"
"There is nothing for me to say," LeBeau insisted. "But even if there was, I would not fall for that line."
Hochstetter's patience never grew thin; it had been made thin. And now it snapped.
"Take him to Mullenberg's office!" he ordered the guard. "I will use the serum! Mullenberg, you come with me; I shall want a witness!"
As he followed Hochstetter and Mullenberg out of the kitchen and to the colonel's office, LeBeau contemplated using the gun in his pocket again, but for a different reason. The risks involved with allowing the major to question him with the serum were too great, but using the gun on Hochstetter might save the lives of his friends… though a swift execution would be inevitable after committing the deed.
…But there was still one light of hope in his mind: Newkirk was coming. He knew of the urgency involved. He might yet find a way to save the Frenchman from Hochstetter.
Dare I gamble on Pierre, or dare I kill Hochstetter now and ensure my own death?
LeBeau shut his eyes, weighing his two options—a chance of death versus the utmost certainty of it. His thoughts then turned to Newkirk, perhaps on his way here right now, not even sure if he was too late and arriving to his own end.
Slowly, LeBeau pulled his hand away from his pocket, leaving the gun there as the guard forced him along. He would take his chances with Newkirk; betting on him had always come through in the past. He could only pray that today would be no different.