Chapter 13---Two Days Left for Hogan
Hogan emerged from his quarters a few minutes later with Newkirk close behind him. Looking around, he didn't see Milner anywhere. He glanced at the Englander with a serious expression. "Milner must still be outside. Okay, you know what I want you to do," he said in a low voice.
"Yes, sir," Newkirk replied in an equally low voice. "If I may ask, Colonel. Do you really think he's got that ruddy journal on him?"
"Not really," Hogan said with a deep sigh. "But it's obvious something about the size of a journal was buried in an area of the tunnel and then dug up again. We've searched my quarters twice with no luck, and LeBeau's checked every tunnel below and this is all he found. If anything, it proves is that he lied about destroying the journal. And that makes me curious."
"How so, sir?"
"If he lied about that what else is he lying about? And what's in that journal that's so important he's trying to hide it from us?"
"Don't worry, sir," Newkirk replied. "If he's got it on him somewhere, me ten magic fingers'll find it." He walked away and left the barracks in search of his man.
Letting out a deep breath, Hogan wrapped his arms around himself while standing in the doorway of his quarters, and his eyes met those of LeBeau. All they could do is look at each other.
Newkirk wandered around the compound before finally spotting the Captain participating in a game of volleyball outside barracks fourteen. He also noticed that Milner wasn't wearing his leather jacket. Looking around innocently, the Englander spotted the Captain's jacket lying on the ground outside of the barracks. Newkirk immediately realized it was too risky to make an attempt to search the jacket at this time unless he could find a way to divert everyone's attention. He casually strolled in the direction of barracks fourteen, pretending to be watching the game. He sat down beside the pile of outerwear outside the barracks and figured he'd wait to see if an opportunity presented itself. With legs bent, Newkirk rested his hands on his knees, watching the game, and in particular, Captain Milner.
Newkirk thought about what the Colonel had told him; that it was important they find the journal the Captain claimed to have destroyed, and it was important for Newkirk to frisk him again as it was possible he could have it on him. Newkirk had begun to wonder what was going on especially since the Captain had been checked out by them and London, and had passed with flying colors. And why was the Colonel so concerned about a journal? Was there possibly something in it regarding the operation? Could that be it? And something was deeply troubling LeBeau but when asked, the little Frenchman denied anything was wrong. Newkirk wondered if there could be a connection between the two. Well, whatever was going on, Newkirk figured, the Colonel would tell them in his own time as he usually did and not before.
Suddenly Newkirk saw his opportunity as the volleyball bounced away from Milner and another prisoner and the two men gave chase to catch it as it rolled away. Newkirk seized that opportunity to grab Milner's jacket and quickly made his thorough search. Sighing dejectedly, he tossed the jacket back on top of the small pile and got to his feet, dusting off the back of his pants. Sticking his hands in his pants pockets, he proceeded to walk away in the direction of barracks two. He spied Milner and the other prisoner running in his direction with Milner carrying the ball. He and Newkirk made brief eye contact as the Captain ran past him, and though Newkirk couldn't be sure, he would've sworn the Captain had a knowing smirk on his face.
"You're sure, Newkirk?" Hogan asked when the Englander approached Hogan in barracks two and the two of them went into the Colonel's quarters and shut the door.
"Yes, sir," Newkirk replied. "I checked that jacket quickly but thoroughly and there's nothing hidden in it anywhere." He watched Hogan wrap his arms around himself, and sit down on the edge of his desk, his dark eyes narrowing.
"Colonel, if I may be so bold as to ask…" Newkirk lit a cigarette before continuing. He took a drag before looking at Hogan directly. "…exactly what the hell is going on? I mean, when the Captain first got here we checked him out as did London, and nothing was found. Now, I know LeBeau doesn't like the bloke for some reason, but his dislike seems to have grown, and when I asked him what was wrong, he told me nothing. Now it don't take no rocket scientist to know when something's going on, Colonel."
Hogan let out a deep breath. He knew the time had come to let the others in on his and LeBeau's suspicions. "Newkirk, where are Kinch and Carter right now?"
"Carter's in the other room. Kinch, I think, is relieving Baker on the radio. Why?"
Before Hogan could respond there was a knock on the door. Hogan gave permission for the person to enter. The door opened and Carter stuck his head inside. "Sorry, Colonel. But LeBeau wanted me to tell you and Newkirk that lunch is ready."
"Okay. Thanks Carter. We'll be right there." With a grin, Carter backed out and closed the door. Alone again, Hogan stood up and clapped a hand on Newkirk's shoulder. "Newkirk, after lunch I want you, Carter, LeBeau and Kinch to come into my quarters for a short meeting. It's important and I feel you, Kinch and Carter should know what's going on."
Immediately following lunch, Newkirk gathered Carter, LeBeau and Kinch who had Baker relieve him on the radio, and entered Hogan's quarters. The Colonel also left instructions not to be disturbed for about an hour or two. Closing the door, Hogan urged them to find places to sit while the he leaned against his desk, arms wrapped around himself. Once everybody was seated, Hogan took a deep breath.
"Okay, I called this meeting because I think it's time I let you fellas in on what's been going on lately. First, let me begin by saying this meeting concerns Captain Milner and that LeBeau and I both believe he is hiding something from us that could be important, while on the surface may currently seem to be very minor."
"We're talking about this journal of his, right Colonel?" asked Carter.
"Yes we are," Hogan replied.
"But the Captain said he had destroyed the journal shortly after he got here," Kinch remarked. "What makes you believe he's lying about it?"
Hogan looked at the Frenchman. "You want to answer that one, LeBeau?" The other three turned their attention to the Frenchman.
"Well, you all know I've made no secret of my mistrust of Capitaine Milner."
"We know," Newkirk interrupted sarcastically. "You remind us every chance you get."
"Newkirk…" Hogan interjected, his eyes flashing a warning. The Englander saw his commander's face.
"Sorry, sir," he apologized.
"Continue, LeBeau," Hogan urged getting up and making his way over to the window. Leaning against the wall, he gazed out through the frosted glass looking out into the compound while the Frenchman continued. He was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he didn't hear Kinch calling to him after LeBeau had finished.
"Mon Colonel?" Hogan stiffened feeling a hand on his shoulder. Looking around he saw LeBeau standing behind him; he then noticed the other three looking at him, concern and worry on their faces.
"Sorry, LeBeau. I was just thinking." Hogan turned away and faced the others as he returned to the desk and sat on it's edge, both hands on his thighs. "Are there any questions so far?" he asked.
"I have a question, Colonel," Carter said as his hand shot up in the air.
"What is it, Carter?"
"I mean , I agree with LeBeau's concern over the Captain's apparent interest in you. But sir, so far he hasn't done anything to suggest he's after you other than LeBeau's suspicion and his apparent lying about having destroyed the journal. And Newkirk's frisked 'im a second time and found nothing. Your quarters have been searched twice and LeBeau's searched the tunnels."
"What's your point then, mate?" asked an exasperated Newkirk.
"Well, taking all that into account, what are we suppose to do now? That is if he's really after the Colonel. And if he is after the Colonel, what would be his reason?"
"Those are valid questions, Carter," Hogan agreed. "And while it's true there's no definite proof Captain Milner's after me. It's just that my gut keeps telling me that despite us and London both clearing him, there is something off about him. And if he's lying about something as minor as a journal, than what else could he be hiding." Hogan let out a deep breath. "As far as why he may be after me, and that is supposition mind you, I couldn't even begin to answer that."
"So like Carter asked, Colonel," Kinch asked folding his arms. "What do you want us to do?"
"Keep your eyes and ears open for now," the Colonel explained. "That's all we can do until Milner either slips up or reveals himself." All the men suddenly looked around when there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Hogan said.
The door opened and Sergeant Baker looked in. "Sorry to interrupt, Colonel, but this message just came in from London. I thought you might want to see it as soon as possible." He handed the folded message to the Colonel.
"That's okay. Thanks Baker. You can go now."
"Yes, sir." The young black Sergeant grinned as he closed the door.
Hogan unfolded the message and read it as his men watched and waited. Finally, Hogan looked up again.
"What's it say, Colonel?" asked Newkirk, curious.
"I was just thinking," Hogan explained. "This mission could be just what we need to catch Captain Milner and find out what he's up to." Hogan re-read the message and sighed wearily.
"What makes you say that, Colonel?" asked Kinch. "What's London have to say?"
"We're to contact three different underground groups; one in Hammelburg, one in Schweinfurt and the third in Karlstadt. Each group has a section of information relating to a Kraut counter offensive. London wants us to get all three pieces of information and send it to them so the Allies can be ready for the attack."
"Why is the information divided among three different underground units, mon Colonel?"
Apparently they believed it would safer this way. One part of the information is no good without the other two. By breaking the information up this way, London believes it to be safer than if one group had everything."
"When do they need the information, sir?" asked Newkirk.
Hogan looked at the end of the message. " By the end of the week."
"Blimey," Newkirk grumbled partially to himself. "They sure don't ask for much do they?"
Colonel, you said something about this mission being a way to get Captain Milner to reveal himself and what he's up to," Kinch said. "What makes you say this concerning this mission?"
"I feel the best way we're gonna find out if Milner is after me like LeBeau suspects is to force his hand."
"What do you mean by forcing his hand, mon Colonel?" LeBeau asked, suspecting where the Colonel was going.
"Only this. If Milner is so patiently waiting to get me alone, than why not make it possible. I'll set up the meeting with underground in Hammelburg for day after tomorrow and take the Captain with me as backup." Hogan was immediately bombarded with protests from his men. He held up a hand.
"I don't see any other way," Hogan explained. "So if one of you fellas has an idea, let me hear it then."
"You can't do it, mon Colonel. You'd be out there all alone with this man."
"I think the idea is bloody risky, Gov'nor. If this Captain is up to something, we have no idea what. And besides that, it's ruddy dangerous. I say we corner him and convince him to tell us everything." Newkirk punched his right fist into his left hand to demonstrate what he meant.
"I say we get him before he gets Colonel Hogan," Carter said. "How 'bout we take him prisoner and torture him until he admits why he's so interested in the Colonel?"
Kinch looked at Hogan with narrowed eyes on a face etched with deep worry. "I really don't think you should go out alone with this guy if he's as dangerous as you and LeBeau think he is. I suggest you take at least one of us with you when you and the Captain go out. Or at least allow one of us to trail behind the two of you."
"I've made up my mind," Hogan replied, hooking his thumbs in the side pockets of his leather jacket. "Captain Milner and I will go out in two days and meet with the Hammelburg underground. And I don't want anybody to follow us, and that's an order. I can take care of myself. And I promise I'll be careful."
"But Colonel…" Newkirk began to protest again. He stopped when he saw the Colonel's eyes harden.
"I said no, Newkirk. And I repeat that it's an order. I don't want to catch anybody following me. The decision's been made and that's the way it's going to be. Kinch, contact the underground and set up a meeting with our contact in Hammelburg for the day after tomorrow regarding the first part of the information."
"Right away, Colonel," Kinch replied grimly.
"Okay, fellas. That's it," Hogan said getting up from his seat on the desk and sitting down at his desk pinching the bridge of his nose. When he didn't hear the door open, he looked up and saw the men looking at him with concern. "What is it?" he asked.
"It just occurred to me, Colonel," Kinch began slowly. "If Captain Milner is as dangerous as you believe, how are you going to convince him that you really need him for this mission and that it's not a trick to catch him?"
Hogan let out a deep breath. "By letting him think that you and Newkirk are going to Schweinfurt and LeBeau and Carter are going to Karlstadt at the same time he and I are gonna meet with the underground here in Hammelburg."