Chapter 14: Visiting Hours

In the morning, Frau Linkmeyer was taken to her brother's cell. Hogan opened the door and let her in. He remained on guard outside.

As she walked over to the table where Burkhalter was sitting, Frau Linkmeyer quickly examined her brother. "Albert, they are treating you well?" she wondered.

The surprise of his sister's presence was evident as Burkhalter failed to answer her question. Instead, he declared, "Hogan lied to me. He said you were in London."

"Ja. I was. But they let me return."

"Someone arranged an exchange?" guessed Burkhalter, standing and gesturing for his sister to take the vacated seat.

Frau Linkmeyer accepted the offer and sat down. "Nein. They allowed me to come." It was then she noticed the handcuffs on Burkhalter's wrists. She became a little irate. "Albert, they keep you in chains when you are locked up?"

Burkhalter glanced at his bound wrists, then back at his sister. "I think to discourage any escape attempts. I reminded Hogan that it is an officer's duty to try to escape. He said I was not to be harmed."

"Ja, Albert. You must not be harmed."

"Nor must you, Gertrude. Why did they drag you off to London?"

"They didn't drag me," Frau Linkmeyer confessed. "I asked to go."

Burkhalter frowned. "Asked to go? Why? I do not understand."

"You must not be harmed," Frau Linkmeyer declared once more. "The war is almost over and we are losing. You must not be executed as a war criminal. I could not bear it."

"What are you talking about? Gertrude, what did you do?" The tone of his voice indicated that he probably already knew her answer.

Dreading the response she might receive, Frau Linkmeyer replied, "I made a deal. For your life."

Burkhalter was furious. "You betrayed your country! I don't want that kind of help."

"It's done, Albert," Frau Linkmeyer insisted. "And the Führer is the one that betrayed the people."

"You may go. There's nothing more to say," Burkhalter decided.

"Albert, please," Frau Linkmeyer begged. She stood and took a few steps towards Burkhalter. "I couldn't let them hurt you. You're my brother."

Burkhalter glared at her. "I don't have a sister. Not anymore." He motioned towards the door. "Now, get out."

"Albert--"

The pain in his sister's voice had no effect on Burkhalter. He turned away, refusing to look at her or say another word. Frau Linkmeyer fled from the room. She'd tried to stop them, but the tears were already streaming down her face.

Hogan quickly locked the door, then hurried down the tunnel to catch up with Frau Linkmeyer. He put his arms around her to provide what comfort he could.

"He is so angry," Frau Linkmeyer sobbed. "I did it for him. For him and Anna."

"I know," agreed Hogan, in a soothing tone. "I heard. Someday, he'll understand. Then, he'll thank you for what you did."

"He said he has no sister."

"Then, he's the real loser," declared Hogan, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I should not have broken down like this," Frau Linkmeyer apologized.

"It's understandable. You've been hurt. You love your brother a lot."

Now that Frau Linkmeyer had regained some of her composure, Hogan released her. Her eyes still remained slightly wet, evidence of her pain. "Ja. And now he hates me," she sighed.

"He only thinks he does. They say time heals all wounds. I think you'll find out they're right. At least in this case."

Frau Linkmeyer glanced back in the direction of Burkhalter's cell. "I hope you're right. He is family."

Hoping to change the subject, Hogan asked, "Would you like to see Klink?"

"Perhaps later. Now, I think I'll just go back to my room and rest a bit. Maybe come to terms a little with what just happened."

"All right," Hogan agreed. "If you need anything, just let one of us know. And when you are ready to see Klink, I'll arrange a visit."

"Danke, Colonel Hogan. For everything," acknowledged Frau Linkmeyer, as she left to go to her temporary quarters.

- - -

Hogan entered the Kommandant's quarters using the stove entrance. After noticing Wilson asleep on the sofa, Hogan slipped quietly past and entered the bedroom. Carter was sitting in a chair beside the bed.

After a concerned glance at Schultz's still form lying on the bed, Hogan asked, "How is he?"

Carter sadly shook his head. "Wilson said there's no change," he replied. "He finally agreed to get some sleep on the sofa. I'm to wake him in two hours. Earlier, if it looks like there's any change."

"I'm glad he's finally taking a break," Hogan declared. "He's hardly left Schultz's side since the shooting."

"Wilson chased Corporal Langenscheidt out earlier. Ordered him back to the guards' barracks to get some rest."

Hogan considered it a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Langenscheidt needed it, too. He's another one who's been here most of the time since Schultz was shot."

"A lot of people are worried about Schultz," Carter declared. "A majority of the camp. People from both sides. Schultz would be surprised to discover how many care."

"Yeah, he probable would," Hogan agreed. "I've decided to tell Klink what happened and arrange a visit if he wants. First, though, I'm going to send LeBeau in to relieve you. I need you to work on a special project."

"What is it, Sir?" Carter asked.

"I'm not sure how much longer we can stall the German High Command. If they discover we're in control, we may have to defend ourselves. There's some hand grenades and mines in the ammo building but not nearly enough. We'll need powerful explosives and a way to deliver them. See what you can come up with."

Carter grinned and practically bounced with excitement. "Wow! You can depend on me. I won't let you down. Boy…I mean, Sir, I'll build you some of the best bombs you've ever seen." Carter clapped his hands together. "KABOOM!!"

Hogan couldn't keep from smiling at Carter's enthusiasm. "Better stay in German uniform in case we should have company," he suggested. "Just find something to wear over it while you work."

"Okay, Sir. You're not really expecting company, are you?"

"Not really," Hogan answered. "At this stage of the game, I'd just like to be prepared. Let me know what you come up with."

"Yes, Sir," acknowledged Carter, as Hogan left to find LeBeau.

- - -

Hogan entered Klink's cell. Klink was seated at the table, reading a book. "Mind if I interrupt?" Hogan asked.

Klink was puzzled. "Since when do you ask permission for anything?" he wanted to know.

"Just trying to be polite," Hogan responded.

As he closed his book, Klink cast a dubious look Hogan's way. "Something must be up. What is it?"

"We've taken control of the entire camp," Hogan informed him. "Your guards are now our prisoners."

Klink took on a smug air. "They'll never let you get away with it. You'd be wise to surrender to me, now," he declared.

"They?" Hogan wondered.

"The High Command. The Gestapo. Take your pick."

Hogan cast him a dark look. "We don't plan on surrendering. Not now. Not ever. We're in this too deep. We'd all be shot." Hogan walked closer, towering over Klink. "And if we go down, we go down fighting. For your information, they were planning to close down this little hotel of yours. Move us all to other prison camps. We couldn't just sit by and let that happen. Besides, the Allied forces should be here any day now."

This news distressed Klink. "Close us down? Why?" As he glanced up at Hogan, Klink answered his own question. "To move them away from the Allies, why else? You've been giving it to me straight, haven't you? The Allies really are closing in. The war is almost over."

Hogan's nod confirmed Klink's fears. "Crossed the Rhine almost three weeks ago. Every day brings them that much closer. But this isn't why I'm here. Our seizing control of the camp didn't go exactly as planned."

Klink was curious about this admission. "What happened?"

"A man was shot. Nobody was supposed to be hurt."

"Serves you right," Klink remarked. "That'll teach you to mess with the Third Reich."

Hogan stared coldly at him. "It was Schultz."

Klink's demeanor fell. "You shot him? How could you? He's harmless."

Hogan's look became even colder. "It wasn't us. It was one of yours. A guard shot him."

"Why?"

"He called Schultz a traitor. Schultz was helping us."

"Then, he was a traitor," Klink concluded. "Is he…uh…is he…"

Noticing Klink's difficulty with the question, Hogan quickly provided the answer. "Hanging on, for now. It doesn't look good. He hasn't regained consciousness since it happened. Wilson's removed the bullet but says Schultz's condition is critical. The longer Schultz can hold on, the better the chances of survival."

His concern obvious, Klink considered the news. "I'd like to see him," Klink finally decided.

"That's what I came to find out," Hogan told him. "I can take you there now."

Klink stood. "Thank you. You have my word as an officer and a gentleman, I'll give you no problems."

"I wasn't counting on any," confirmed Hogan, as he opened the door and the two of them left the cell.

As they walked through the tunnels, Klink closely observed them for the second time. He still couldn't help but feel impressed with the complexity of it all. And to think Hogan had done it without any of them suspecting. Of course, Hochstetter had his doubts, but he was never able to prove them.

They were nearing Carter's lab when a German general approached from the other way and entered the room. Klink glanced in the direction of the lab. "That was one of our generals," he declared. "What's he doing down here?"

"Actually, he's one of ours," explained Hogan, as they continued on through the tunnels. "Sergeant Carter."

Klink seemed surprised. "Sergeant Carter! Impersonating a German general? He could--"

"Be shot," Hogan finished, interrupting him. "Yeah, we know. But he's not impersonating. Not anymore."

Klink was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Well, when we grabbed you, we had Carter take your place. Colonel Braun. Major Hochstetter paid us a little visit. Investigating General Burkhalter's disappearance. Trying to discover your connection with the whole thing."

"My connection?" repeated Klink, sourly.

Hogan ignored Klink's question and went on. "Was very impressed with the way Carter was running the camp. Anyway, the next day, Carter was called to Berlin and received his official promotion."

That information made a strong impact on Klink. "They…they promoted him? I've been trying to get promoted for years. And…and right away…they promote him?"

Hogan's grin showed that he was enjoying this. "Should tell you something. But there's more."

"More?"

Hogan nodded and his grin became wider. "They chose him as Burkhalter's replacement."

Klink was flabbergasted. "You mean…you mean, he's in charge of the Luftwaffe camps?"

"Uh huh."

"How long do you think you can get away with this?"

"Hopefully till the end of the war," Hogan answered. "If not, as I told you earlier, we're prepared to fight."

They continued on a short distance further till they reached the ladder leading up to the Kommandant's quarters. Hogan had Klink go up first, then followed. When Klink had reached the top, Hogan explained how to open the entrance.

As he entered the living room, Klink said, "But this is my quarter's."

"Was your quarters," Hogan told him, softly. Then, putting a finger to his lips, and pointing at Wilson, still asleep on the sofa, Hogan said, "Shh. We have Schultz in the bedroom."

Klink headed for the bedroom, with Hogan following. LeBeau was seated in the chair next to the bed. He immediately stood and offered it to Klink.

"Danke," acknowledged Klink, as he took the offered seat. He examined Schultz closely. "He seems so…so still."

"Yeah," agreed Hogan, sadly.

"He has to make it." Klink was surprised at his own admission. He glanced over at Hogan and repeated, "He just has to." As he received Hogan's nod of understanding, Klink reached over and gently took hold of Schultz's hand. "I don't understand why you helped them, but that's not important, now. You have to get better, Schultz. This is your commanding officer speaking--former commanding, anyway--and that's an order."

Hogan and LeBeau quietly watched as Klink lay his free hand across the one he had clasped, effectively sandwiching Schultz's hand between the two.

Using Schultz's first name, which he rarely did, Klink softly stated, "Hans, you never cared much for the war. I think we all knew that. Now that its almost over, you need to live to see it end." Klink glanced around the room for a moment, his eyes meeting first, Hogan's and then, LeBeau's. Finally, Klink turned his attention back to Schultz and added, "A lot of people will be disappointed if you don't."

Hogan and LeBeau nodded in silent agreement.