Chapter 28 --- Surviving to Fight Another Day

As Hogan and Kinch made their way across the compound towards the barracks, Hogan looked at his radioman. "Did General Brennan say they found the hidden documents, Kinch? Please tell me he did."

"He didn't say, Colonel. All he said was that he had to speak with you and only you. So I thought I'd better come get you right away."

"Thanks. Well, after I speak with the General, we'll either be okay and have dodged a bullet, or we'll have to close up shop, evacuate the camp, and get out quick."

"I just have a feeling it's gonna be good news, Colonel," Kinch replied. "I don't know why but I just do." Reaching the barracks, Kinch opened the door and stood aside allowing Hogan to pass by before following him inside.

Hogan looked around and noticed the other prisoners all looking at him with worried expressions. It was obvious to him the word had spread throughout the barracks at least that the operation may have been compromised and that the entire camp might have to be evacuated. Hogan wished he could reassure all the men things would be all right. But how could he do that when he didn't know himself? He made his way into his quarters with Kinch, LeBeau, Carter and Newkirk following. Carter closed the door. Sitting down at his desk, Hogan plugged in the microphone and switched on the red light.

"This is Colonel Hogan, General. My man said you wanted to speak with me personally. I hope you have good news for me."

"I'm afraid not, Colonel," Brennan replied glumly. "We've been through everything in Brendel's office and found nothing. We even sent men to his home and found nothing there either."

Hogan hung his head, despondent. He could hear the murmurs of his men behind him. "Are you positive you've searched everywhere, General?" he asked almost in a whisper.

"We've torn this office apart as well as his home. There's nothing in either place. Sorry."

"No sorrier than I am. Then that's it, General. I already have my men packing whatever they want to take with them. We'll make arrangements to evacuate the camp within the hour. We're going to need several...." Hogan didn't get to finish his sentence as he heard what sounded like something falling followed by the sound of excited voices over the microphone. "General, what's happening?"

"Hold on a moment, Colonel," Brennan replied. The mic went silent at that point. Hogan glanced over his shoulder at his men who were holding their collective breaths. It was then that Hogan realized he too, was holding his breath as well.

"Colonel?" asked Carter softly.

"I have no idea, Carter," was all Hogan could say.

Newkirk rubbed the back of his neck anxiously. "Blimey, they sure know how to give a chap a nervous breakdown don't they?"

"Oui, Newkirk," LeBeau added. "The suspense is killing me as well."

"It ain't doin' much for me either," Kinch added letting out a deep breath.

Hogan ran a hand across his forehead. He could feel the beginning of a headache. Suddenly the microphone in his hand came alive.

"Good news, Colonel," said Brennan. "We found the documents Heisler had hidden. We have them. Seems they were hidden in a wall safe behind a portrait of Churchill. We didn't check there because there never was a wall safe to begin with. Heisler must've had one installed."

Hogan let out the deep breath he'd been holding as he heard the whoops of joy from the men behind him. "Are you sure you've got everything, General? There are no copies anywhere?"

"Positive, Colonel. When we questioned Heisler he told us he hadn't sent anything to the SS yet because he was waiting to hear of your death first. The only other person who knew something of it but not everything was Von Strasser. However, he didn't tell Von Strasser that you were Papa Bear or anything of your operation. All he told him was he wanted you dead, and Von Strasser agreed because they were close friends. But I'm positive we have everything. We'll see to it these documents are destroyed immediately. Don't worry."

Newkirk suddenly grabbed the microphone from Hogan's hand. "General, this is Corporal Newkirk, RAF. Tell us, how did you happen to find that wall safe behind the portrait of old Winny?"

"By accident, Corporal," Brennan explained. "Seems one of the guards who was helping us search the office was standing too close to the portrait and accidently knocked it off the wall when he turned around. That's when we saw the wall safe. We knew there never had been a wall safe in this office so we figured Heisler must've had it installed in order to hide things he didn't want found in his floor safe."

Hogan, grinning, took the mic back from Newkirk. He shook his head. "General, I don't know how to thank you. It's been a nerve-wracking several days here."

He heard Brennan chuckle. "I can only imagine. But you and your men needn't worry anymore. We have all of it."

"Thank you again, General. Papa Bear out." Hogan switched off the mic and fell backwards in his chair. Removing his crush cap, he tossed it on the desk and ran both hands over his thick black hair.

"Newkirk, you and Carter can spread the good news to the others."

"Righto, Gov'nor," Newkirk replied as he and Carter left the small room.

Hogan glanced at his radioman. "Kinch, how did you know?"

"Some of you must be rubbing off on me, Colonel," Kinch replied with a wide smile. "I just had a gut feeling that General Brennan would find those documents."

"Mon Colonel. To celebrate, I will fix the most exquisite dinner possible."

Smiling, Hogan chuckled at the Frenchman. "Sure, why not. We could use it. Go ahead, LeBeau."

After Kinch and LeBeau left Hogan alone in his room, the Colonel put his crush cap back on his head and pushed it back. He slowly got up, grabbed his crutches and made his way into the common room of the barracks. He heard the excited chatter of the other prisoners and saw LeBeau gathering what he needed to prepare the feast. Hogan knew they had dodged several bullets this time. Two attempts on his own life. An encounter with a psychotic SS Major named Von Strasser. Documentation exposing his organization and the underground. Having the Kommandant shot by firing squad or sent to the Russian front. Carter not being seriously injured pushing Hogan out of the way of Mitchell's gun. Finding the traitor on Prime Minister's Churchill's staff. Stopping an assassin who infiltrated the camp under the guise of a prisoner, and a camp guard who was really an SS Captain masquerading as a Luftwaffe corporal.

But there were three down sides to it all. One being the deaths of Sergeant Mitchell, even though he was a traitor, and that of Captain Davidson who pushed Hogan out from the path of an out-of-control car. And lastly, there was the pending investigation Hogan knew was certain to come about once Burkhalter reported the incident to Berlin. The Colonel suspected the Gestapo would become involved then. He sighed wearily at the thought of having to face Hochstetter. But for tonight anyway, Hogan surmised, he would let the men enjoy themselves and keep his concerns to himself.

Hogan knew he would mourn the young captain who gave his life to save his. He would even mourn Mitchell's death to some degree, despite him being a traitor who tried twice to kill him. But Hogan also knew he had a lot to be grateful for. But most of all, he was especially grateful for one thing in particular.

And that was that he and his men had survived to continue their fight against the Krauts for another day. But despite that knowledge, Hogan told himself as he sat down at the table, he suspected that an even bigger fight would soon be coming their way in the form of the Gestapo.

The End