Chapter Twelve: The Wheels Are Turning

Carter sighed with relief when they reached the edge of the woods and they could see the Bachmeiers' farmhouse. It was a comforting thought that his friends were safely tucked away in that home, warm and probably in better condition than he was. He was really eager to talk to Newkirk, and catch up on everything that had happened while had been locked away. He was also ready to lie down. His was now ready to saw his leg off and just do away with the pain. He knew, though, that Karl would have a pain killer of some sort, and that he would be soothed by Analiese's amazing coffee. He smiled at the thought.

When they came out of the field and onto the more neatly furnished grounds, the backdoor burst open and LeBeau came running out to them.

"André! You are okay! You are alive!"

"I sure hope so," said Carter absently. They stopped as LeBeau hugged him fiercely. He paused and looked down at Carter's knee.

"Those filthy Boche! They shot you!"

"It's all right," said Carter. "I'll explain inside. I need to sit down."

"Of course, of course," said LeBeau excitedly.

They started to walk back into the house. Kinch opened the door and stood on the steps, watching them come with a pleased smile.

"Nice to have you back, buddy," he said. "Where's the Colonel."

"'E said 'e would explain inside," said LeBeau, pushing Kinch back through the door. "'E needs to sit."

"Okay, okay," said Kinch. He held the door open for Carter, Fynn, and Niklas to get through. Ambros came last, followed by Franz who had left his hiding spot to see the reunion. Analiese moved them through the kitchen, where she was cooking breakfast. Fynn and Niklas set him down on the sofa. Karl then came in from the guest bedroom.

"Ah, Andrew," he said. "It has been awhile since we have seen you around here. Now, let's have a look at your leg. You got shot?"

"Yes sir," replied Carter. "When we were captured. But Colonel Hogan got the bullet out when we were in the cellar. It feels better without the bullet, but I need some painkillers."

"Analiese," said Karl.

"Right away," said Analiese. She bustled back into the kitchen. Karl put Carter's leg up on the sofa and began to undo the bandage.

"I just want to inspect it, and warp it again with some antibiotics," he explained.

"Sure," said Carter. He looked around. "Where's Newkirk?"

Everyone exchanged looks that told him everything was not okay.

"Well," said Kinch. "He's not doing so good. It's a lot to explain. We'll wait until Karl's finished up with you. While he's doing that, tell us what happened."

Carter wasn't too happy with not knowing what happened to Newkirk, but he quickly filled everyone in on what happened after their capture and then the escape attempt.

"It was a good plan," said LeBeau. "It almost worked too. For all of you I mean."

"Yeah," said Carter. "I just wish I knew how Colonel Hogan was doing."

"He'll be okay because he'll know you got away," said Kinch. "He's always thinking of us before himself. Just think about this way. Now that you're out of the way, he can free himself."

"Gee, thanks," said Carter with a smirk. "But he still has Johann with him, and one of them got hurt."

"And Fleischer will be harder on them both," said Karl. "But at least we know where they are."

"I still cannot believe that Fleischer betrayed us," said Franz. "He has given us a lot of useful information over the past three years; even before you guys were in business at the camp."

"You think there's something more to this," said Kinch.

"I would hope so," said Franz. "He has a lot of information on a lot of people in the Underground."

"Why have we never met him," asked LeBeau.

"You have," said Franz. "His code name is Black Paw."

"Black Paw," exclaimed Kinch. "I can't even think of how many times I've spoken with him over the radio. Are you sure this is the same guy?"

"Positive," said Franz. "But I bet there's more to this than we know. I mean, if he has all this information, then why would he conduct business this way? Would it not make more sense to just go right up front and give everything away? He could easily cripple the Underground by giving all the information he has away."

"I don't want to think about the whys anymore," said Kinch. "We need to just focus on getting Colonel Hogan and Johann back. When those other two guys come back, we're going to plan this carefully."

Pepin came up from the cellar. "James, the radio. The camp needs to talk to you."

"Right," said Kinch. He patted Carter on the shoulder. "Nice to have you back. Get some rest." He left with Pepin.

Carter looked at LeBeau. "Now, where's Newkirk?"

"In the guest bedroom," said LeBeau.

"I want to see him," demanded Carter. He winced as Karl finished his ministrations and tightly tied the bandage around his leg.

"Robert did a good job," he said. "Not bad for someone who has no medical experience." He got up, leaving Carter and LeBeau alone.

"Are you hungry," asked LeBeau, trying to change the subject.

"No," said Carter. "I want to see Newkirk."

"Fine," said LeBeau. He helped Carter up, and they made their way to the guest bedroom. LeBeau stopped at the door, so that Carter could see.

"What's wrong with him," asked Carter in a small voice.

While LeBeau helped Carter sit down at the bed, LeBeau explained Newkirk's condition. Carter was shocked speechless for a long time. LeBeau leaned against the bedside table and watched the young American study Newkirk, who was giving no signs of life except for the shallow breathing he was keeping up.

"I thought…" began Carter. "I was so sure…since we'd found him, that he'd be okay…ya know? I mean…I didn't think he was real bad off."

"Neither did I," said LeBeau. "None of us did."

"Well, as long as he's alive, he can get better," said Carter. "And that's what I'm gonna think until he does get better, or…or someone proves me wrong. So there."

LeBeau smiled at Carter's determined expression, as if passion and hope alone could bring a man back to perfect health.

"André," he said softly. "With a friend like you, a man could get through anything."

()()()()()()

"Jaeger, here," said Kinch over the radio. "Go ahead Goldilocks."

"Hey Jaeger," Kinch heard Baker say. "We had some friends drop by with bread. Did you send them?"

"It was Jaeger's idea," said Kinch. "I'm guessing it helped."

"You bet," replied Baker. "And one of the vegetables talked. Someone dropped by the house last night and reported to us our English muffin's condition. Doesn't sound too good."

"Nope," replied Kinch. "Did he tell you everything?"

"As much to say that you guys might come home with one cub less," said Baker sorrowfully. "Anything new?"

"Well, we got our cub back from the Big Bad Wolf," said Kinch. "But not our Papa."

"That's good," said Baker. "Do you know location of the Big Bad Wolf's lair," asked Baker.

"Yes," said Kinch. "We've got men scouting. When they come back, we'll come up with something."

"Right," said Baker. "Keep it up. We'll be fine. By the way, our little Major friend is coming around soon. Be on the watch out."

"You too," said Kinch. "Keep a low profile."

"Will do," said Baker. "Good luck. Goldilocks signing off."

"Jaeger signing off," said Kinch. He got up and went back upstairs to relay the message to the others.

He found LeBeau and Carter in the guest bedroom, oblivious to the call for breakfast from Analiese. He looked at LeBeau who shook his head sadly at Kinch. Kinch walked over and laid a hand on carter's shoulder.

"C'mon, Carter," he said. "We need to go eat. You look tired and hungry yourself."

"I'm not hungry," murmured Carter absently. He was just sitting there, looking at Newkirk with a forlorn look on his face.

"Yeah you are," replied Kinch. "You have to be."

"We had some food there," said Carter.

"Some," asked LeBeau. "Like bread and water? Mon ami, you must eat something more than that. You 'ave been shot. Your body needs good food to 'elp it recover. And there is no better food in Germany than Madame Analiese's."

"What about Newkirk," asked Carter. "He needs to eat."

"He can't eat," said Kinch softly. "And you know that."

"I won't eat until Newkirk can eat," said Carter.

"That is very stupid."

They all turned around to see Analiese standing in the doorway, glaring at Carter.

"Your friends are right Andrew," she said. You must eat. But doing this to yourself is no good. You have to recovery, and you will not do it by sulking around. Peter would box your ears if he knew you were doing that. I would too, but I have never hit one of my children and I will not start now."

"Ma'am?" said Carter.

"Do not ma'am me, as you Americans are so found of doing when you wish to show that you do not understand something," said Analiese quickly. "I know you know what I mean. Now, you will come in here, and sit at the table with the rest of us, and eat your breakfast, and you will enjoy your breakfast." Her gaze softened a bit. "It pains me, too, Andrew, that I can do nothing more for someone I love. But we must move on, because we are caught in the largest snag of our lifetimes, and there are more pressing problems we must tend to."

Carter turned away and looked at Newkirk.

She's right you know. Leave off, Andrew, and go fetch the Guv'nor back.

"Okay," said Carter.

He got up off the bed. Kinch let him lean on him, and they all left the bedroom. LeBeau was the last to leave. Before he did, however, he went across the room and pulled open the drapes, so that the sunlight fell over the room. He looked at Newkirk.

"Is that better, mon ami," he asked. He paused. "I thought so. Take care."

And he left.

()()()()()()

Hogan woke up to screams. His head was throbbing, and he could not make sense of anything. Except the screams. The first sensation was fear, but nor for himself. He thought for a moment that the screams were Carter, and that he had failed in protecting him. But he them remembered that Carter had gotten away. The next fear, though, was that maybe they had recaptured the young American, and now they were taking out his wrath on him. Hogan felt guilty. He should have done better. He should have made sure Carter got away.

The screams died away, and Hogan began to come to more senses. He could not see a thing, but he realized after a moment or two that that was because he was wearing a blindfold. It was quiet wherever he was, and he realized the screams had not been in the same room in him. He guessed that he was alone, wherever he was. The air was still; he was alone.

He could not move. He was in a chair, and each ankle was bound to a leg of the chair. His hands were manacled to a table in front of him. There was a rope around his chest that kept his back to the chair. Lastly, he was gagged with a foul smelling cloth that was making him gag, which made him start to choke. He calmed himself down, with deep breaths through his nose, and eventually he overcame the foul smell. He began to think more clearly, and went over what had happened.

He knew that he was most likely going to be punished for the escape attempt. He knew Johann would be too. He figured that was what the screams he had heard were from. He felt like the bottom of his stomach had fallen out. He started breathing harder again, fearing his own taste of their retribution. But he made himself calmer again. He would not let them win the mental battle. He struggled some against the bonds, testing them, but found they were all tightly secured. He would not be getting away without aid. So, knowing that he had no say in the physical torment he was going to feel. He began to pray for the strength to hold out, or the weakness to lose consciousness quickly.

Suddenly, he heard the door bust open, but he sensed no light coming in. There were some quick footsteps towards him. Whoever it was bumped the table. Then, there was hand on the back of his neck, the pulled him to sit up as straight as possible. About a second later, the wind was knocked out of him, with two quick hits in the gut. Whoever had his neck smashed his head against the table. In a daze, he felt his gag and blindfold being taken off. They grabbed his neck again and pulled his head off the table. He was slapped quickly on each cheek, and his eyes came into focus.

Fleischer was standing across the table from him, leaning against it, and staring menacingly at him. Mandel, the man who had shot Carter in the leg, had a firm grip on the back of Hogan's neck. Hogan glared at the man for a moment, and then spat on his shoes. Fleischer laughed, but Mandel smashed his head against the table again. Hogan bit his lip with the blow, and now blood dripped down his chin and onto the table. Fleischer pushed away from the table, and walked away from Hogan. He started pacing. He did that for a few minutes, and then stopped and looked at Hogan.

"You are not talking, Colonel," he said.

"I didn't think you'd want me too," replied Hogan emotionless.

"Why?"

"Because you haven't asked me anything."

"But I hear you have a habit of making wise remarks to your captors."

Damn, thought Hogan. He does know a lot about me.

"I got tired of it."

"Of course," said Fleischer. He resumed pacing. "Well, I was going to ask you a few questions earlier. However, you made it rather difficult for me when you tried to escape."

"I try my best," said Hogan.

Fleischer chuckled. "Ah, there is that—what is it you Americans say?—wisecrack?"

"Yeah, that's right," said Hogan. "But trust me, this isn't my normal routine."

Fleischer moved back at the table. "I am going to make you talk, Colonel."

"I'm still unclear about what you want," said Hogan.

"The rest of your men," exclaimed Fleischer angrily. He slammed a fist onto the table to emphasize his fury. "I want the three men who escaped my grasp."

"Three," asked Hogan warily.

"Yes, three," said Fleischer.

Oh, no, Carter, thought Hogan. The screams from earlier came back into his mind, and he was filled with anguish and guilt. I'm so sorry. Oh God, please…

"I received word that your Engländer is dead," said Fleischer, seemingly unaware of Hogan's inner turmoil.

"What," asked Hogan, confused. His heart began to race. "Where's Carter?"

"Who," asked Fleischer.

"The American who was here with me," asked Hogan quickly, trying to rip away from Mandel's grasp. "Did he escape?"

Fleischer looked at him for a moment and then smiled. "Oh, you thought I was talking about your three men who originally escaped. Well, no, that wounded puppy did get away. But your Engländer is dead. So that leaves you with three men."

Hogan took a deep breath, glad to hear that Carter had made it away. But when he released it, the next horror struck him.

Newkirk? DAMN IT!

"You seem to be struggling with yourself, Colonel," said Fleischer. "Was that Engländer important to you? You seem to be very protective of them. Well, that is going to help us all in the long run."

"If you want me to help you get my men—".

He was cut off when Fleischer punched him across the jaw.

"I know where they are," said Fleischer. "They are at the Bachmeiers'."

"The Bachmeiers'," repeated Hogan, digesting that piece of information. He felt calmer then, knowing they were in good hands. He looked up at Fleischer. "If you know where they are, why do you need me?"

"You care about your men very much, Colonel," said Fleischer. "So, I don't really expect you to do anything to get me to them. But, I was thinking, just now, actually, that if you care so much about them, then they must care a lot about you. Am I right?"

Hogan did not answer. He knew where Fleischer was going with this. Fleischer just nodded. Mandel slammed Hogan's head onto the table again. While his head was down, Mandel flipped out a knife, and brought it down between two of Hogan's fingers. Fleischer leaned over Hogan.

"Am I right," he asked.

"No," said Hogan. "They hate me."

Mandel pulled the knife out of the table, and yanked Hogan's head up. Before Hogan could even blink, Mandel pulled the knife along his cheek, forming a long, deep gash. Hogan wriggled his head away, as warm blood dripped down his cheek.

"Wrong answer," said Fleischer quickly. "But as long as you deny it, the more I know it's true. I am glad that is over with."

Hogan glared at me. "If you know so much, why bother?"

"Because I enjoy it," spat Fleischer.

"You're a monster," growled Hogan. "You're going to burn in hell. All of you!"

"Then we might as well enjoy it while we can," whispered Mandel in his ear. His breath whooshed by Hogan's ear, tickling it, and Hogan was thoroughly disgusted and tried to pull away. Mandel just laughed.

"That's okay," said Fleischer. "I was just gathering assurance. How about you listen to my plan, and we will see how well you think it is. After all, you, I hear, are very good at making plans."

()()()()()()

"BAH!"

Klink closed his eyes wearily, since that had been the fifth time Major Hochstetter had screamed his favorite word in his office today.

"Major," said Klink, as calmly as he could. "We have every available man out there looking for them. But there is not a sign."

"Oh, there is a sign," said Hochstetter. "The bridge."

"Why is that a sign," began Burkhalter. "Why is is that you seem to believe that Hogan always has something to do with any sabotage? Why, when it is not humanly possible for Colonel Hogan and his men to have escaped during the fire and gotten to the bridge in time to blow it up when the train was there?"

Hochstetter was momentarily stumped. "No matter, it is still a sign. It is confusion. And what more do POWs want when they need to escape? They had confusion here, and they used it. Out there, there was also confusion. What if they used that as well?"

"Enlighten us," said Burkhalter.

"They know of, or find out, that the sabotage takes place, and go that way, so that in the confusion, no one is looking for POWs, but saboteurs," explained the Major.

"But anything suspicious in the area will be reported," said Klink. "That makes no sense for those POWs to go that way, if they knew about the sabotage."

"Since when has Colonel Hogan ever done anything that made sense," asked Hochstetter. "These last two days reek of Colonel Hogan!"