Chapter 21

Hogan wheeled his chair around at the sound of the barracks door opening just in time to see General Burkhalter, followed by Klink, Schultz, and two more guards enter. He sighed as he moved forward. The other prisoners were either seated or standing around nearby. Carter was still standing beside Hogan, his hand still gripping the Colonel's shoulder as if he believed this single act was giving his commanding officer some of his own strength. "General, Kommandant," was all Hogan said softly. "I see Schultz told you what happened."

Burkhalter glanced at the covered body on the floor. He then turned his attention to the man in the wheelchair. "Suppose you tell me what happened here, Hogan?" he clasped his hands behind his back, waiting.

"We're not really sure exactly, General," Hogan chose his words carefully. He knew he had to control the situation. "But, if you gentlemen will follow me." Hogan then led them in the direction of his quarters, it's door still open. "I suggest you have a look in there."

Burkhalter, Klink and Schultz all looked inside Hogan's quarters and gasped when they saw the crossbow attached with masking tape to the bedframe of Hogan's double bunk bed. Burkhalter, having regained his composure, turned and approached the body on the floor. Lifting the sheet, he glanced momentarily at the arrow shaft protruding from the body before letting the sheet drop. Klink faced Hogan, shaking his fist in the Senior POW's face. "Hogaaaaannn!" he muttered nervously. "What is the meaning of this?! Where did that crossbow come from?!"

Burkhalter sighed. "Klink, shut up." He again looked at Hogan. "Colonel Hogan, suppose you tell us how this unfortunate incident happened?"

Hogan glanced up at Carter and for a brief moment their eyes met. Sighing, Hogan let out a deep breath as he looked at the General. "As I said, General, we're not exactly sure. I mean, I and six of my men were on a work detail earlier today so this..." he pointed in the direction of the crossbow,"...must have been set up while we were out. After all, General, where would any of us get a crossbow? I mean, it's not like we have access to any weapons in here."

"That's very true, Hogan," Burkhalter's gaze never wavered from Hogan's face as he tried to see even the slightest hint that the man was lying. He found none. "However, that doesn't dismiss the fact that there is a crossbow in your quarters, and an arrow in the body of the man lying here. Somebody put it there. Suppose you tell me who? Was it you, perhaps?"

"I wasn't here, General," Hogan stayed calm. He really wasn't in the mood for this right now, but, since he knew it was coming he'd have to put up with it. "If you don't believe me, ask Schultz. He's the one that came and got me and the others for the work detail."

Burkhalter glanced at the rotund guard who swallowed nervously. "Jawohl, Herr General," he stuttered. "Colonel Hogan was present with the work detail all afternoon." Burkhalter turned back to Hogan.

"I see. Tell me, Hogan. What do you think happened?"

"Well, some of my men here think somebody was trying to kill me and that this crossbow was meant for me instead of Sergeant Tucker."

"And why would somebody want to kill you, Hogan?" Burkhalter smirked. "Besides Klink," he added.

Klink shuddered as he looked at Burkhalter. A nervous smile appeared and quickly disappeared.

"We think it might be an assassin," chimed in Carter, looking at the General. "Y'know, sir, some unknown person who wanted to hurt Colonel Hogan for some unknown reason."

"Burkhalter froze momentarily at the word 'assassin.' He paled. He faced Carter. "And what makes you say that, Sergeant Carter?"

"Well, sir, it's like this...."

"Carter...." Hogan said warningly.

Burkhalter's eyes shifted from Carter, to Hogan, and back to Carter. "Never mind Hogan, Sergeant. What were you going to say?"

"Well, it all started when Colonel Hogan received this letter threatening his life...."

Hogan looked over his shoulder at Carter. "That's enough, Sergeant," he said.

"Yes, sir," Carter replied sheepishly. "Sorry, sir."

Burkhalter licked his suddenly dry lips.

"A letter you say? Let me see it, Hogan," Burkhalter ordered.

"I can't, General," Hogan hung his head. "I burned it after I read it."

"I see," was all Burkhalter said.

"I suppose you'll now get the Gestapo involved," Hogan said quietly, looking up. " And of course they'll want to investigate." He looked at Klink. "Don't worry, Kommandant, I just want you to know we'll cooperate in every way with the men in black, sir. And we'll do our best to protect both you and the General."

Klink was puzzled. "Protect us? Protect us from what?"

"Well sir," Hogan looked at Klink innocently. "They'll wonder where the crossbow came from and how it ended up in the barracks of prisoners-of -war while both of you were here in camp. They might even start an investigation of both of you."

Klink and Burkhalter both swallowed nervously and looked at each other. "I don't see any need to include the Gestapo in this, do you, Klink?" he said nervously.

"Not at all, General Burkhalter."

Burkhalter glanced again at the body on the floor and then at Klink. "An unfortunate incident, the death of this young man. Klink, you will see to the removal of his body from this barracks and of that weapon in Colonel Hogan's quarters at once."

"Right away, General Burkhalter. Schultz! Carry out the General's orders at once!"

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant!"

"Schultz, before you remove Chris...Sergeant Tucker, I'd like his dogtags," Hogan said quietly.

"What for?" asked Klink.

"As his commanding officer, Kommandant, I'm the one who'll have to write to his parents. I'd like for them to have them. If it's all right."

"See to it, Schultz!" Klink replied, his accusing eyes on Hogan.

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant!"

"Thank you, sir."

"Schultz! After you're done with that I want this barracks turned inside out to see if there are any weapons hidden in here!" Burkhalter's eyes never left Hogan's face.

"Jawohl, Herr General! It will be done!"

Satisfied, Burkhalter motioned for Klink to follow him. "Come, Klink, let us leave the Sergeant and his men to their duties while you and I retire to your office and discuss this further."

"Yes, General Burkhalter," Klink said. As Burkhalter opened the barracks door, he suddenly stopped and turned. "Oh, Hogan...."

Hogan turned his wheelchair around, allowing him to face the General. "Yes, General?" he said sadly.

"I am sorry about your young Sergeant Tucker, Hogan. I am, after all, not a heartless man."

"Yes, General. Thank you," Hogan replied, not quite sure what Burkhalter was trying to say.

"I suggest you be careful, Colonel. I'd hate to see anything happen to you."

"I'll certainly try, General," Hogan smirked. "But you never know what to expect when you're dealing with an assassin. Y'know what I mean?"

With a slight frown on his face, Burkhalter closed the door leaving the men, Schultz, and the two guards alone. Schultz quietly approached Hogan and dropped the dogtags in his hand. Hogan gripped them tightly. "I'm sorry, Colonel Hogan," he remarked quietly.

"Thanks, Schultz," was all Hogan managed to say.

"You," Schultz orderd one of the guards, "Go remove that crossbow from the other room and be quick about it. And you, go get the stretcher and hurry back. I'll wait here. Schnell!"

The other guard hurried out of the barracks. Schultz sighed. He approached Hogan. "Is there anything I can do, Colonel Hogan? Do you or your men need anything?"

Looking into Schultz's face, Hogan could see genuine concern from Schultz. "No thank you, Schultz. We'll be okay. Thanks for asking, though."

"We might be enemies, but I also consider you and your men my friends. This is a terrible thing that happened to Sergeant Tucker. He was such a nice boy."

"Yes, he was, Schultz," Hogan said softly, running his fingers over the dogtags in his hand. "One of the best."

Schultz was about to say something when the guard he sent into Hogan's quarters emerged carrying the crossbow. Schultz winced when he saw it. Hogan turned his head away so he wouldn't have to look at it. Schultz, seeing Hogan's reaction, looked at the guard and ordered him to take it to Klink right away. He passed the other guard who entered with the stretcher.

Then, Schultz and the guard both carefully transferred the body from the floor to the stretcher. Lifting the stretcher, they made their way towards the open barracks door. As they passed....

"Wait a minute, Schultz," Hogan replied." Schultz stopped.

Hogan wheeled himself forward. Swallowing hard, he gripped Tucker's shoulder. "I promise you we'll find out who did this, Chris. And I'll keep my other promise to you as well. And you know I don't make empty promises." Hogan glanced over his shoulder at Carter who smiled faintly at him. Hogan returned the faint smile. He looked at Schultz. "Okay, Schultz."

Schultz nodded, and with the guard, proceeded out of the door. LeBeau closed it behind them. Then he, Carter and Kinch gathered around Hogan. The Colonel wheeled himself over to the table with his men following. They sat down. Hogan pinched the bridge of his nose with eyes closed. Then, shaking his head, looked up and sighed. He noticed LeBeau holding up a cup of coffee. He took it gratefully.

"Thanks, LeBeau," he said.

"You're welcome, Colonel," the Frenchman replied, a sad smile on his face.

"You okay, Colonel?" asked Kinch, concerned.

Hogan sipped his coffee. "I'm as okay as could be expected, Kinch," he replied. "But I never would have gotten though it without help from our resident shrink here, Andrew Carter." Hogan held up his coffee cup in salute. "Thank you, Carter. Really. You gave me the strength to get through it."

LeBeau patted the young Sergeant's hand. He smiled. "The Colonel's right. You were great, Carter!"

"I was impressed, Andrew," said Kinch with a smile. "I was really impressed."

Carter smiled sheepishly at the praise. He shrugged. "Aw shucks. I didn't do anything so great. I mean, everybody once in awhile needs somebody to lean on. I suppose even Colonels. I just kinda figured Colonel Hogan should know he could lean on me in a difficult moment. What's so great about that? Any of you guys would have done the same thing."

"That's true," Hogan replied, "But it was you who was there for me, Carter. You sensed what I needed and you were there. Even with your concern about Newkirk, you were still there for me when another person might have been so wrapped up in their own concerns they'd have no time for anybody else. I won't forget it. You're a good friend, Andrew. All you men are good friends. I couldn't ask for better ones."

"C'mon, Colonel," Carter was beginning to blush. "Now you're embarrassing me."

Hogan found himself smirking as Kinch pulled Carter's cap down over his eyes playfully.

Corporal Dennison slowly approached the group. "Colonel Hogan, sir?"

Hogan glanced over his shoulder. He had forgotten about the young Corporal. "I'm sorry, Corporal. I forgot you were here. Thanks for your help. I don't think we'll be needing you anymore today. But you may have to stand in for Newkirk again tomorrow at roll call. Do you mind?"

"No, sir."

"Hey Corporal," LeBeau called out as Dennison started towards the back of the barracks to change clothes. He turned. "What is it, LeBeau?"

"I'm curious. Aren't you missed in barracks eleven if you're over here?"

Dennison smiled. "Our roll call ends about fifteen minutes before yours begins. So we're just finishing when you guys are ordered outside for roll call." Suddenly Dennison looked puzzled about something. He looked at LeBeau. "Talking about roll call reminds me of something I wanted to ask you."

"What's that, Corporal?" asked Hogan sipping his coffee.

"Well, your roll call was pushed back an hour later than it used to be. How come?"

Hogan sighed and studied the coffee in his cup. He didn't respond. Instead, LeBeau answered the Corporal's question.

"Klink did that to accomodate Colonel Hogan since the accident. It takes the Colonel at bit longer since that day. So until he's well, Klink figured this was his way of trying to help."

Dennison nodded understandingly. "I didn't mean to pry, Colonel," he said quietly.

"You didn't, Corporal. It's the truth. But should the day come when I get out of this chair, roll call will be back to it's regular early morning hour. Besides, this later hour benefits Klink as much as it does us."

Carter appeared puzzled. "How do you figure that, Colonel?" he asked.

Hogan took another sip of coffee. "Klink gets to sleep later," he winked at Carter.

The others snickered at what their CO said.

Just then, the barracks door opened again and Schultz entered with the same two guards. He looked around apologetically. "I'm sorry to barge in on you boys right now...."

Hogan looked over his shoulder. "Here to take inventory, Schultz?" he asked, completely disinterested.

"Colonel Hogan, you heard General Burkhalter order me to have the barracks searched for any weapons that might be here after....after....that is...."

"Fine. Just hurry up and get it over with. We've got things to do, Schultz."

The rotund guard's eyes shifted from Hogan to his men and back to Hogan. "Things to do? What things?" He groaned. "No. Don't tell me. I don't want to know. Forget I asked." He looked at the guards. "You men, get to work!"

Hogan and his men watched as the two guards then proceeded to search every corner of barracks two. Sipping his coffee, all Hogan could do was watch Schultz's men and remember the young blonde Sergeant he thought of as a brother.