Chapter 14

Rachel couldn't stop from screaming at the sight in front of her. There was a man wearing a Luftwaffe uniform standing beside Colonel Hogan's bed with his arms raised in the air with something shiny in his hands. He turned and looked at her with a angry expression.

"Who, who are you?" she stammered. "What do you think you're doing?!"

When the man turned towards her and started to approach, Rachel turned and bolted. Dietrich stood in the doorway and watched her race down the hall. He then looked over his shoulder at the unconscious man and as much as he hated to, he figured he'd best get out before her screams brought others and he'd be caught. There would always be another chance. Dietrich quickly exited the room and found a door marked 'Exit.' Pushing it open he raced down the stairs, the door slowly closing behind him.

Moments later, Rachel and Mara both hurried from around the corner with two hospital guards. Seeing the door to Hogan's room open they went inside. The two nurses immediately went to the bed to check on their patient and both breathed a sigh of relief that the only thing they found wrong was that his hospital gown had been cut open in the chest area. Other than that, Hogan seemed to be all right.

One of the guards found the body of the Gestapo guard behind the door in a growing pool of blood. He pressed two fingers against the man's neck. "He's dead," he announced. There was a sharp intake of breath from the women. The other guard started out the door. "I'll see if I can find this man. He might still be in the hospital since I have a description of him."

After he left, the other guard stood up. "Did you recognize the man you saw?" he asked Rachel looking up at her. "Or do you have any idea why he'd want to kill this man?"

"I've never seen him before in my life," Rachel admitted reluctantly.

"And I never saw him," Mara said. She looked at Rachel. "I'd better phone Dr. Szell and let him know what's happened. He'll want to examine the patient." She hurried out the door leaving Rachel and the one guard alone.

Mara managed to reach the nurses station in record time and suddenly froze in her tracks. Alice was applying an ice pack to the head of one of the Gestapo guards who had been posted outside Colonel Hogan's door.

"Alice, what happened?" she finally managed to say when she had found her voice.

"A Luftwaffe sergeant was here wanting to see the American. I told him nobody was allowed to see the Colonel unless authorized by Dr. Prust or Dr. Szell. But he said it was important that he see him."

The guard winced as he looked up at Mara. "He said he was Sergeant Wilson from Stalag 13 and that he was sent here by a General Kinchmeyer to check on the American's condition and report back to camp." He winced again. "We told him he couldn't see the American without authorization. It was then he said we could call Stalag 13 and speak with the general who would verify who he was and that he'd been sent to check on the American."

"He and this man came back here looking for a phone where they could have some privacy so I directed them to the waiting area," Alice added.

The guard finished the story. "He dialed a number and started talking to the general and handed me the phone saying the general wanted to speak with me. Funny thing is when I put the phone to my ear all I remember is hearing a phone ringing on the other end, and then someone hit me over the head. I woke up a few minutes ago in a closet in the waiting area." His eyes suddenly widened as a thought occurred to him. "The American officer…"

Mara put a comforting hand on his shoulder and smiled faintly. "Relax. Colonel Hogan is fine thankfully. That same Luftwaffe sergeant got into the Colonel's room and tried to kill him. A nurse happened to enter his room and caught him before he could. But I'm afraid he killed one of the two other guards. His body was found inside the colonel's room."

"Oh God," the guard mumbled with anguish. He took a deep breath and got shakily to his feet with Alice's help. "I need to contact my commanding officer and let him know what's happened."

Alice motioned to the phone on the counter of the nurses' station. "You can use this phone, Sergeant," she said pleasantly. She felt badly at what her husband had done to one of the Gestapo guards, but felt no regrets about him trying to kill the American Colonel. She hated all Americans and felt they shouldn't be allowed to breathe the same air as Germans. And just who was this Colonel Hogan that he received such special treatment from Drs. Prust and Szell and several of the nurses and even had Gestapo guards outside his door. It's this Colonel Hogan's fault my husband had to kill that Gestapo guard. He should pay with his own life for causing the death of a loyal German. Too bad I can't get into that room." Suddenly her eyes narrowed as an idea began talking shape and a small smile appeared on her face. She finally knew how Hogan could pay without causing the death of any more loyal Germans. Plus, perhaps her husband would then leave her alone.

The sergeant staggered towards the nurses' station and picked up the phone. He immediately dialed the phone number to the switchboard in the tunnels of Stalag 13. Papa Bear's men had to be informed of the attempt on his life. The phone rang for a few times before someone picked up. "Hello, this is Sergeant Mueller. I need to speak immediately with General Kinchmeyer. It's urgent! He's not available? Who is this? Lieutenant Steiner?"

"That's right, sergeant," said Sergeant Richard Baker who was on the opposite end of the switchboard while Kinch was still meeting with the underground. "I'm General Kinchmeyer's aide. What can I do for you?" Baker heard the urgent tone in the underground operative's voice and knew immediately something was very wrong. A cold feeling in his chest told him it had to be Colonel Hogan.

"Lieutenant Steiner, somebody entered the hospital tonight and attempted to murder Colonel Hogan. No, the Colonel is alive fortunately and was not harmed. It seems one of the nurses on duty discovered the assailaint. Yes, sir. He was wearing a Luftwaffe Sergeant's uniform but claimed he was Sergeant Wilson from Stalag 13 and had been sent by the general to check on Colonel Hogan. Unfortunately, sir, according to the nurse who foiled the plan, Corporal Stengel is dead. He was killed by Sergeant Wilson. No, sir, I have no idea where Corporal Schneider is. He is unaccounted for right now. Tomorrow morning? Yes, sir. Danke. Jawohl. Auf wiedersehen, lieutenant." He hung up, heaving a sigh of apparent relief. He then turned towards the two nurses. "Lieutenant Steiner is aide to General Kinchmeyer. He said the general will have additional men assigned to Colonel Hogan's room tomorrow morning. They will be posted inside the colonel's room in addition to the three guards posted outside."

"Thank God," Rachel murmured. "This Colonel Hogan must be quite important," she said when she noticed Alice studying her after she gave thanks for the extra security for the American.

"Ja, he is, fraulein. He is the Luftwaffe's prize possession and Herr Himmler doesn't want anything to happen to him if it can be helped." He saw Rachel raise both eyebrows. They both knew this info was for Alice's ears only as she couldn't be trusted. "But I am certain the general will want to know how Sergeant Wilson or whoever this man was got into the American's room. He had to have help." He suddenly looked at Alice with narrowed eyes. "You were on duty at the nurses' station, fraulein when this Sergeant Wilson and I approached. What can you tell me?"

Baker, after disconnecting from the switchboard raced to find Kinch who he hoped was still in the tunnel. It didn't take too long to find him saying goodbye to Otto and Dieter with Carter preparing to escort them out. "Kinch, we've got trouble! It's the colonel!"

The five men froze instantly and Baker noticed they all were expecting to hear the worst.

"He's still alive, but just barely. Sergeant Dietrich got past the guards outside his room and was preparing to kill him when one of the nurses discovered him. He killed Corporal Stengel."

"But the Colonel is all right?" asked LeBeau.

"Yeah, Louie, he is. Thankfully."

Kinch finally found his voice. "How did he get past the guards?"

Baker swallowed hard. "He claimed to be Sergeant Wilson and had been sent by you to check on the colonel. Since the guards don't know Wilson by sight…"

"They still should have checked, dammit!" Kinch snapped. "Why the hell didn't they check with us first?!"

"They did in a way. Dietrich faked a phone call and conversation with you and then gave the phone to Wasserman. As soon as Wasserman took the receiver Dietrich knocked him out cold. He woke up later in a closet and knew immediately something was very wrong."

Kinch sighed. His eyes turned to Otto and Dieter. "Otto, Dieter, our deepest sympathies on Stengel. He was a good man. His sacrifice will not be forgotten. Please give his family our sympathies." He held out his hand to Otto and then Dieter who both shook it.

"Thank you," Dieter replied sadly. "We must inform his family. Kinch, this Sergeant Dietrich sounds more dangerous than we thought."

"I underestimated him," Kinch admitted. "And it almost cost Colonel Hogan's life. It won't happen again I promise you. Dieter, I don't want you to wait until tomorrow. I want you to get those additional guards over there as soon as possible. Tomorrow may be too late. Michael Prust and Albert Szell are to be informed as soon as possible."

"You can count on us, Kinch," Otto said.

"Good. Carter, escort them out and then get back here on the double."

"Right," the young sergeant replied as he started up the ladder leading to the emergency tunnel. Taking a few minutes to make sure Otto and Dieter got out with no problems, Kinch then turned his attention to Baker and LeBeau.

"Richard, keep monitoring the switchboard. We might hear from somebody else after word gets around as to what happened."

"Right, Kinch." Baker hurried away leaving LeBeau and Kinch alone. The Frenchman looked up at his Acting Senior POW.

"Kinch, don't second-guess yourself regarding this," he said softly. "You had no way of knowing he would go after the colonel tonight."

"That would be of small consolation, Louie, if he had succeeded in killing Colonel Hogan. I underestimated him and it almost cost us dearly. It already has where Fredrick Stengel is concerned. I won't let it happen again."

The Frenchman knew Kinch would beat himself up over this error in judgment. A small smile appeared. In that way he was exactly like the colonel. Many times would Hogan beat himself up repeatedly over a lapse or error in judgment. The two men were so much alike it sometimes frightened the Frenchman. "Mon ami, the colonel sometimes makes mistakes as well. You both are human, you know. It happens. But as long as you learn from it you won't repeat it."

"Thanks, LeBeau," the radioman said softly. "But as I said. If Dietrich had killed the colonel, your words would have brought no comfort. No, what we have to do, is try and think like Dietrich does. Perhaps that way we can outsmart him."

"It's going to be difficult to think like an animal, mon ami."

Kinch chuckled at LeBeau's analogy. "True. But what concerns me now is that he will probably take out his frustration on us. And With Klink being of no help, we're pretty much on our own."

They both looked around when they heard footsteps and saw Carter approaching. They both looked at the young sergeant. "Otto and Dieter both get away all right?" asked Kinch.

"No problems at all," Carter replied. He then became serious suddenly. "Kinch, are we gonna be able to protect Newkirk and Colonel Hogan from Dietrich?"

Kinch put his good hand on Carter's shoulder and let a small smile appear. "Andrew, I promise you, no matter what we have to do, Dietrich will not get near either Newkirk or Colonel Hogan again."

Carter smiled. "I believe you, Kinch. I just needed to hear you say it."

Grinning, Kinch squeezed Carter's shoulder. "You and LeBeau get changed and cleaned up, and then go upstairs and get some rest." He watched the two men slowly walk in the direction of the changing room. With a sigh, Kinch made his way to the switchboard where Baker sat reading a magazine. The sergeant looked up when he saw Kinch appear.

"Anything, Richard?" Kinch asked.

"All's quiet so far," Baker replied.

"Okay," Kinch answered with a tired sigh. "Keep watch for another few hours. I'll relieve you at midnight."

Baker sighed. "Kinch, if it's okay with you, why don't you get some rest instead. I can handle things here. You look exhausted, and you've been going since this morning."

Kinch massaged his forehead. He had to admit he was exhausted and could use some sleep. "I could use some sleep. But I can't ask you to monitor the switchboard all night. It isn't fair to you. Besides, what if a message comes in over the radio? You can't be in both places."

Baker shrugged. "If nobody calls on the switchboard in say another hour, I'll shut it down and monitor the radio. Besides, there's a cot in the radio room. I'll be okay. Please, Kinch. Let me do this. You need the rest. You're carrying the load for Colonel Hogan and need the rest."

"Okay. But only if you promise to grab some sleep in between."

"Scouts honor," Baker replied with a wide smile while holding up his hand with the palm facing Kinch.

Kinch chuckled. "Scouts honor, huh. You sure you're not related to Little Deer Who Runs Swift and Sure Through Forest?" (1)

"Never know. Maybe." He and Kinch exchanged laughter which felt good since there had been nothing to laugh about since before Colonel Hogan had been shot.

Kinch turned and left the side tunnel with the switchboard and headed back in the direction of the ladder leading to the barracks. With effort, he started to climb the ladder when Carter, now cleaned up and wearing his uniform again, stopped him.

"Kinch, is it okay if I go to the infirmary and keep an eye on Newkirk? Please?"

"Carter, you need some rest. You've had a busy day and night so far. I'm gonna need you and LeBeau more than ever since Newkirk's unavailable."

"I know. And I promise to get some sleep while I'm in the infirmary. It's just, well, I want my face to be the first Newkirk sees when he opens his eyes."

Kinch was a softie for Carter's hound dog expression and his sad eyes. He smiled. "Sure, Andrew. Go ahead. Just make sure you get some rest as well. I need you back here before roll call in the morning."

Carter smiled broadly. "I promise. Thanks, Kinch." Turning, he hurried off to the area of the tunnel leading to the infirmary entrance.

Kinch watched him leave. Then, turning his attention to the ladder, he climbed up.

(1) Little Deer Who Runs Swift and Sure Through Forest was Carter's Sioux name in the episode Drums Along The Dusseldorf, Season Three.