Chapter 11 -
Early the next morning, Hogan was summoned to Klink's office.
"Good morning, Kommandant. What can I do for you on this fine day?"
"Quiet, Hogan!" Klink snapped, wanting to demonstrate to Hochstetter and Burkhalter the total and utter control he had over his prisoners. "These men want to question you, and I expect you to give them your full cooperation."
"I'll try my best, sir." Hogan said.
"Colonel Hogan," Burkhalter spoke up. "What do you know of a Major Lindhorst?"
Hogan changed his expression, to give the impression that he knew something, but wasn't about to tell.
"Why?" He asked cautiously.
"Because he disappeared without a trace last night. Along with another one of our agents, an American named Jacobson."
Hogan's face lit up, exaggeratedly.
"Oh they did make it? I'm glad. Such nice guys." Then he covered his mouth, like he had let something slip. "Oops."
"What did you just say?" Hochstetter demanded.
"Alright, I guess now that they're safe back in London, there's no danger. Jacobson let me in on the whole thing here at camp last week."
"Jacobson was a double agent." Klink interjected. "He was working for us."
"That's what you thought!" Hogan said. "Actually, he was double crossing YOU guys! I guess that makes him a triple agent, huh."
"I don't believe this. Lindhorst was a clever man, he would never fall for something like that!" Hochstetter said.
"That's because he didn't." Hogan told him. "Lindhorst was in on it too! He was a defector. Jacobson had orders from the pentagon the entire time, and the two of them were wasting the Gestapo's time and money."
"Sabotage." Hochstetter growled.
"Right." Hogan nodded. "Not to mention spying, leaking information to London. It was a brilliant operation. Jacobson told me that the two of them were planning to wrap things up yesterday, and head off to London. I guess this means that they got away clean! I'm glad, such good people."
"Would you shut up?" Hochstetter sneered. Hogan shrugged.
"Just answering your questions." He said, with feigned dejection.
"I can't believe it." Burkhalter muttered. "Major Lindhorst was a fine, loyal officer."
"That's what he wanted you to think." Hogan said. "Don't blame yourself, sir. He fooled all of you."
"Not helping." Klink snapped, sending Hogan an annoyed look.
"There's one thing I do disagree with, though. He told me once he had arrested some innocent German civilians, claiming they were part of the underground. Then, he would pretend to have gotten information from them and lead the Gestapo astray in their investigations. If you ask me, that's going too far!"
"For once, you're right." Hochstetter agreed. He grabbed the phone off Klink's desk, and called Gestapo headquarters.
"This is Major Hochstetter. Release any prisoners that Major Lindhorst has arrested. Don't ask questions, just do it. Heil Hitler." He hung up the phone.
"Can you imagine sending innocent Germans to their deaths like that?" Klink asked.
"You Allies are truly evil." Burkhalter remarked.
"Hey, we aren't the ones who shot them. That was your side. If you had caught on to Lindhorst sooner…"
"That's enough, Hogan." Hochstetter barked. "Dismissed."
Hogan shrugged and walked out of the room. He quickly went back to his barracks, where his team met him at the door.
"We were listening on the coffee pot." Kinch said. "Hochstetter actually made the call! Good job, Colonel!"
"To be honest, I'm pretty surprised that that worked." Hogan said, grinning. He took off his uniform and started putting on civilian clothes. "Let's not waste any time. I'll take Newkirk out with me, and we'll wait at the Hofbrau for Hans to show up."
"Good luck, mon Colonel." LeBeau said, as Hogan descended down into the tunnel.
"Time to go, sir?" Newkirk asked.
"Yep. Let's head out." Hogan replied.
"Okay. Just one second." He turned on his heels, and drew a fist back, then lunged at Jacobson, who was tied to his chair.
"Newkirk!" Hogan shouted, just as the younger man froze. His knuckles were barely touching the defector's gut. Jacobson twisted his face in anticipation, and let out a whimper.
"I wouldn't beat up a man whose hands were tied behind his back, sir." Newkirk said after a moment, drawing away from their prisoner. He stared into Jacobson's eyes, "I just wanted to see how tough he was."
Jacobson looked at the floor, trying not to let on that he had been scared.
There was a moment of tension before Hogan put a hand on Newkirk's shoulder.
"I think you made your point. We need to get moving." He said gently.
"Okay." Newkirk replied, finally breaking his gaze on Jacobson. He grabbed his jacket from a hook on the wall and followed his CO down the tunnel, and out into the forest.
They walked in silence for minute.
"What was that about?" Hogan asked.
"It wasn't anything, really, Colonel. Jacobson thought he was all tough, but I told him that it doesn't take much to be able to beat up a guy in chains. He didn't like my saying that."
Newkirk subconsciously ran his fingertips over his lip, where it had been split. It was still painful.
"I'm really sorry that happened to you, you know. I still can't help but feel responsible."
"It wasn't your fault. I'm the one who went off on my own. I should've asked Kinch, or anybody to come with me. Kinch believed me the whole time, you know."
Hogan nodded. "Well, Kinch is a good guy."
"He is." Newkirk agreed. They arrived at the Hofbrau, and found the door had a 'Closed' sign on it. They went in anyway. Just as they entered, Hans and his brother, Christoph, appeared from the back room.
"Colonel Hogan!" Hans said, with a big smile. He rushed forward to shake hands with the American. "Danke! Vielen, herzlichen Dank!"
"You're very welcome." Hogan said, shaking hands with Christoph as well.
"Newkirk, I'm glad to see that you are alright!" Hans said, turning to the RAF pilot.
"Same goes for you, mate! I thought you were dead! I can't tell you how sorry I am."
"Please, don't apologize. I knew this would be a dangerous job when I took it on. I'm just glad Colonel Hogan has managed to avoid tragedy in this instance." Hans said.
"Me too." Newkirk agreed.
"And so am I." Christoph said. "Colonel Hogan, you kept your promise. To show my gratitude, I am going to join my brother, as a member of the underground."
"I'm certainly glad to hear that, Christoph. Welcome aboard."
"Thank you. Now what can we do you for you, gentlemen?"
"We need to get Newkirk back into camp in an inconspicuous manner. So, Hans, or Christoph, I guess - if one of you two could bring him back dressed as a Gestapo. Our Kommandant is expecting him, now that we had all of Lindhorst's prisoners released."
"That's a dangerous mission." Christoph said. "But you risked a lot to free my brother. I am indebted to you. I'll go."
"Perfect." Hogan pulled a Gestapo uniform out of a cloth bag he had brought with him from Stalag 13. "Here you go. I'll head back to the Stalag. See you soon, and good luck."
With that, Hogan left.
"I've been meaning to ask you," Hans said to Newkirk "how is it that your Colonel managed to get me, and other underground members, released?"
"Mister, I'm not even sure I understand it myself." Newkirk said with a smile.
"He's a brilliant man."
"I must agree with you there, sir." The Englander replied.
"And what became of the defector and Gestapo Major?" Christoph asked, adding the final touches to his uniform.
"They're down in the tunnel under our Stalag. Colonel Hogan has a plane coming tomorrow to pick them up and take them to London."
"Our side would've shot them without a trial." Christoph said bitterly.
"Welcome to our side." Newkirk smiled. "Ready to go?"
"I am." Christoph said.
"God be with you, my friend." Hans said, taking Newkirk's hand in his own.
"And with you as well." Newkirk replied.
"And please, if there is anything I can do for you…"
"Only one thing."
"Anything!" Hans said.
"Let us have a bit to drink before we head back to camp!" He smirked. The two brothers laughed, and Hans began to pour the drinks.