Chapter 37

Klink sat staring at the phone for several minutes after his call with the General had ended. He guessed he might speak with Sergeant Wilkerson about his predicament, but dismissed the thought at once. The man had told him not to visit the American for a few days as it might set back Hogan's recovery. With a groan, Klink rested his head between two clenched hands. He began seeing himself in a pair of snowshoes, shivering outside in falling snow. And surrounded by armed Russians with the names of Ivan and Boris. Then Klink raised his head and straightened up in his chair as a realization came to him. He was the Kommandant of Stalag 13 and didn't need to discuss his predicament with anybody; especially a Sergeant. No, he'd head to the infirmary, and speak with Hogan for a few minutes. He got to his feet, grabbed his coat and cap from the coat tree, and left his office. He nearly ran into Hilda who, at the same time, was entering the outer door leading to the compound.

"If anybody asks for me, tell them I'm out of the office," Klink said shrugging into his coat. "I should return in an hour or two. Just take a message."

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant."

Olsen and Wilson both sat at the medic's desk. LeBeau was seated in a chair between the cots on which slept Toller and Dray. He kept his thoughts to himself. Newkirk stood at the cracked open door of the infirmary to keep an eye out for unwanted visitors.

Olsen rubbed the back of his neck and glanced at Toller and Dray. He shifted his eyes to Wilson. "How are they doing, Joe? Will they be all right?"

Wilson let out a deep breath. "They will in time. I'm still worried about Toller's right eye, though. The sooner his eye can be examined by a doctor, the better I'll feel."

LeBeau looked up at the medic. "But his eyesight can be saved, can't it?"

Wilson shrugged as he looked at the Frenchman. "I don't know. I hope it can. As the saying goes, only time will tell."

LeBeau sighed. "Filthy Bosche."

"Klink's coming this way!" Newkirk warned them shutting the door. He joined the others.

Wilson, Olsen, and LeBeau jumped to their feet.

"Sacre Chats," LeBeau muttered. He looked at Newkirk. "What are we going to do now?"

Newkirk grabbed Olsen by the arm and shoved him in the direction of the back room where there was a hidden tunnel entrance. "One thing is get Olsen outta here. If ole Klink sees 'im the game's over, mate." He started to follow Olsen.

"What do I do?" asked LeBeau.

"Stay here with Wilson," Newkirk ordered from the doorway of the back room. "Stall Klink. Tell 'im he just missed catchin' the Colonel."

"D'accord."(1)

LeBeau and Wilson waited until the Englander disappeared into the back room. The medic returned to his chair, while LeBeau took the chair Olsen had vacated. Several minutes later, Klink walked in the infirmary. He looked around and frowned.

"Something I can do for you, Kommandant?" Wilson asked looking up as the German officer came closer.

"I was hoping Colonel Hogan was still here, Sergeant," Klink said.

"You just missed mon Colonel, Kommandant," LeBeau said with a smile. "He left ten minutes ago. He decided to stay only a few minutes."

"That's right, Kommandant," Wilson added. "The Colonel complained of not feeling well."

Klink looked at the two men with suspicion. "I didn't see Hogan leave. And where is Newkirk, hmmm?"

"He didn't want the Colonel to leave by himself," LeBeau explained. "He went with him to make sure he'd be all right."

Klink looked back and forth between the two men. "Did Hogan indicate where he was going before he left here?"

LeBeau shrugged. "I'm not sure, sir. He said something about needing to see Master Sergeant Wilkerson."

Klink nodded his head as the Sergeant was a psychologist. He glanced at the two sleeping men. "How are they doing, Sergeant Wilson?"

Wilson sighed. "I sedated them right after the Colonel left, sir. They both were in pain, but refused any medication before Colonel Hogan came. So I waited until he left."

"Very well. Do everything you can for them. I will go to barracks eight and hope to find Colonel Hogan there." He started to turn away.

"Why do you need to see mon Colonel, sir?"

Klink turned back toward LeBeau. "That is none of your concern, cockroach," he snapped. He turned away and strode out of the infirmary. The minute the door closed, LeBeau was on his feet and heading toward the back room.

"Where are you going?" asked Wilson.

"Back to the barracks. Somebody needs to warn Newkirk the Kommandant is looking for the Colonel."

"Good luck."

"Merci." LeBeau disappeared into the back room.

Kinch adjusted his body in the chair he used while turning the page of his paperback book. He sat on the chair from Hogan's desk. Every so often, he allowed himself a glance at Hogan who had finally fallen asleep much to his relief. On occasion, the Colonel whimpered in his sleep causing him to be concerned. But the officer never awoke. Closing the paperback, Kinch closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was so weary right now that he wished he could sleep for a week. But that wasn't likely until Hogan was back to being himself. He opened his eyes when someone knocked on the door. He sat the book on the desk, and hurried to open the door. He didn't want whoever knocked to wake up the Colonel. He was surprised to find Olsen and Newkirk standing there, each with a worried expression.

With a glance back at Hogan, Kinch slipped out into the common room and quietly closed the door. He followed the two men a few steps away from the smaller room. Carter came over after Kinch motioned for him to join them.

"The Colonel finally fell asleep and I don't want him disturbed for any reason." He checked the time. "You three weren't due back for an hour." Kinch directed his question to Newkirk, puzzled.

"Me and Olsen had to make a quick escape using the tunnel entrance in the infirmary," Newkirk explained. "Ole Klink showed up unexpected, and Olsen and I decided to scarper. We barely got out in time."

Kinch's eyes narrowed and his eyebrows knitted together. "Where's LeBeau?"

"We had him stay with Wilson to try and stall Klink," Olsen continued.

"Damn!" Kinch muttered under his breath. "I should have seen this coming."

"What?" asked Newkirk.

Before Kinch could answer him, the lower bunk in the corner rattled upward again and an out-of-breath LeBeau climbed up the ladder. He stepped over the bed frame and struck the hidden mechanism. As the ladder rose and the bunk dropped over the tunnel opening, he joined Kinch, Carter, Newkirk and Olsen. He took a few minutes to catch his breath.

"We have a problem, mes amis. Klink is looking for Colonel Hogan. When I asked why he refused to say. Wilson and I told him the Colonel went to barracks eight to see Sergeant Wilkerson."

Kinch folded his arms across his chest. "Wilkerson will be able to cover for Colonel Hogan. Our problem is keeping Klink away from the Colonel. And I think I know why Klink is suddenly looking for the Colonel."

"What's the reason?" asked LeBeau.

Kinch shook his head. "I suspect Burkhalter's behind this. My guess is he wants Klink to find out what condition the Colonel's in in case…" he didn't finish.

Carter looked at the radioman. "In case what?"

"Nothing," Kinch replied. "I have an idea. LeBeau, I want you and Carter to go to the other barracks. Speak with the barracks chiefs. Tell 'em to tell Klink the Colonel was there but left before he came, and send him to another barracks. This way Klink will be told the same story at each barracks. Olsen, after you change out of the Colonel's jacket and cap, go to barracks eight and tell Wilkerson I need to speak with him asap."

"You got it." Olsen began shedding the bomber jacket as he walked to the smaller room.

"What do you want me to do, mate?"

"Newkirk, I need you to stay with the Colonel and not let anybody in his room but us. Since you're suppose to be with him, you have to stay out of sight for now."

"I have no problem doing that, mate. But what if the Colonel wakes up and starts askin' 'bout his godson again? What do I tell 'im?"

Kinch thought for a few seconds. "Tell him Terry went to the infirmary because he wanted to visit Toller and Dray. But don't mention Terry unless Colonel Hogan does first."

"Understood."

Olsen closed the door behind him after changing out of Hogan's jacket and cap. "The Colonel's still asleep," he said.

"Looks like everything's going to hell as I thought it might," Simpson smirked causing the others to turn and look at him. "If you ask me…"

"Nobody's askin' you," Newkirk replied.

The Private ground his lower jaw so hard one expected it to break. "Fine. I'll sit back and wait for everything to fall apart. But when Klink gets here…" Simpson never got to finish his sentence. A pair of hands grabbed him roughly, turning him around, where the young man found himself face-to-face with Garlotti. Baker and Addison stood on either side of him.

"You aren't gonna say a thing. Got it?" said Garlotti.

"You can't threaten me," Simpson muttered with more courage than he felt.

"It's not a threat," Garlotti added. "You open your mouth to Klink, and you'll be eating your meals through a straw."

Addison cracked his knuckles loud enough to get the Private's attention. "Kind of hard to eat normally with a broken jaw."

Baker glared at the Private but remained silent. His eyes spoke volumes.

"Calm down everybody. We need to keep our heads. We have to pull together to protect the Colonel," Kinch reminded them. Garlotti thrust Simpson away from him with disdain. The grumbling Private walked away and sat on his bunk, sulking.

The radioman turned his attention to Carter, LeBeau and Olsen. "Get going you guys. Then come back here once you've alerted everybody. We need to be ready when Klink gets here."

Newkirk sat in the chair Kinch had vacated earlier. His arms rested on his thighs, and hands clasped between his knees. His sad green eyes were focused on the face of his sleeping commanding officer.

"Gov'nor, you gotta snap out of this and come back to us," he said. "We need you, sir. Who's gonna keep Carter from makin' stupid mistakes? Who's gonna keep LeBeau's temper in check? Who's gonna keep Kinch from going crackers under the strain of takin' over for you?" He let out a deep breath. "And who's gonna listen to me complaints and keep me outta trouble? Who, sir?" Newkirk's eyes narrowed when Hogan's eyes opened and looked at him with a blank expression.

"Newkirk."

Getting up from the chair, the Englander came close, crouched down, and placed a hand on Hogan's shoulder. "Sir? How you feelin'? Any better?"

Hogan's eyes scanned the room before they fell again on Newkirk. "Newkirk."

"I'm right here, Gov'nor. Do you need anything, sir? Tell me what I can get you?"

"Terry. Tell me if Kinch has found Terry. I need my godson."

Newkirk recalled what Kinch had told him to say. He licked his suddenly dry lips before he spoke. "Uh, Kinch found your godson, Colonel. He's visiting the infirmary right now. He wanted to spend time with Toller and Dray. Should be back before long I reckon."

"As long as he's safe," Hogan said as his eyes closed. "Newkirk…"

"Yes, sir?"

"Don't let the others come back. Make them leave me alone." Hogan's breathing evened out and Newkirk knew Hogan had gone back to sleep.

Letting out a weary sigh, Newkirk straightened out the blanket tucked around his commanding officer. "That's it, Gov'nor. You go back to sleep and rest. Ole Newkirk will stay with you for now. Nobody will hurt you. You have me word."

Wilkerson broke a record getting to barracks two. When he entered, he found Kinch waiting for him at the table with Olsen, who had returned several minutes prior.

"Olsen told me what happened in the infirmary," Wilkerson said. "What went wrong?"

Kinch sighed. "I think Burkhalter's behind Klink's actions. Based on an earlier phone call we overheard days ago, I'm guessing he wants to know if the Colonel is acting strange. And you know what will happen to Colonel Hogan if Klink and Burkhalter find out."

"I do know. You don't have to explain."

"Right now we've got Klink running from barracks to barracks looking for the Colonel and just missing him. Newkirk is with him now in his quarters."

"How is he? Any change?"

"Only that he finally fell asleep on his own. I 'm just hoping he stays asleep when the Kommandant comes."

"Sounds like you're expecting him to come here."

"He will. Trust me." Kinch rubbed his chin. "What we need is a plan to throw Klink off the scent, and satisfy Burkhalter at the same time. It's the only way to protect the Colonel."

"Any ideas, Kinch?" asked Olsen.

"Just one. We need to have Wilson sedate the Colonel again. This way Klink won't be able to speak with him." The radioman looked at Olsen who was getting to his feet.

"I'm on my way," he said before he raced out of the barracks nearly colliding with Carter and LeBeau who were coming in the barracks

"What's going on?" asked a worried LeBeau. "Did something happen?"

Kinch explained his idea to LeBeau and Carter."

"I sure hope Wilson gets here soon," Carter said. "We saw Klink a few times while we were going from barracks to barracks."

"Did he see you?"

"Not sure," LeBeau added. "When I saw him, he looked like he was about to have an attack, his face was so red."

Klink's feet were aching from the walking he had done from barracks to barracks after he had left the infirmary. So far, he had visited ten different barracks and got the same response. Klink, despite his ineptness, had seen a possible pattern forming. He could see just missing Hogan in the infirmary. He could have missed him at one barracks. But not ten in a row. Hogan was in shaky condition. He could not be expected to move that fast. In addition, he had caught a brief glimpse of Carter and LeBeau leaving two different barracks within seconds of each other. At the time he didn't give it another thought. But when he stopped at the barracks LeBeau had walked out of, he got the same answer. That was when Klink began to suspect he was being sent on what the Americans called a 'wild goose chase.' To test his suspicions, Klink went inside the barracks Carter had left. When he received the same answer as he had at nine other huts, Klink had his answer. He shook his fist angrily.

"Hrmph!" he muttered to the open air. "Try and fool Colonel Klink, will you? I'll show you!" He abruptly turned and stormed in the direction of barracks two. On his way there, he caught sight of his rotund Sergeant-of-the Guard and motioned for him to come with him. Then, Klink waved four of the 'not so tame' guards to come with him.

"Herr Kommandant, where are we going?" puffed the large man. He had a suspicion what their destination was, and hoped he was wrong. But he didn't think he was.

"You'll find out," Klink snapped quickening his pace. Schultz, huffing and puffing, hurried to keep up with the others.

Kinch and Wilkerson stood on either side of Hogan's bunk. Wilson, his medical bag on the officer's desk, was rummaging through it looking for what he needed. Hogan, awake again, lay on the bunk staring blankly at the worried faces. Wilson found the sedative bottle and filled the syringe. He turned to face Hogan.

"Roll up his sleeve and stand by," the medic ordered coming closer. "I don't know what his reaction might be."

"What are you doing?" Hogan panicked as Wilkerson reached for the cuff of his sleeve and unbuttoned it. He pulled away at seeing the syringe. "No! Leave me alone! No more needles!"

Kinch crouched beside the bed. "Colonel, relax, please. It's for your own good. Trust me."

Hogan's eyes suddenly widened when he looked at the closed door. "They came back! They're here! That, that woman and Claude. They've come back to taunt me. And you're helping them get me!"

Kinch and Wilkerson found themselves each gripping an arm and wrestling with the Colonel. As they did, Hogan let loose the longest string of expletives they had ever heard him utter.

"Traitors! Every one of you! You're trying to keep me away from Terry."

Between the Colonel's cursing, and their struggle with him, nobody heard the commotion right outside the closed door. The door flew open, and Kommandant Klink stomped into the room with four armed guards, two on each side, pointing their weapons at the men. Schultz blocked the doorway with a sorrowful expression.

"Ah ha! I thought so," Klink smirked. "So, I've caught all of you in the act." He took in the sight of Hogan struggling against being held by Kinch and Wilkerson. A look of pity crossed his face momentarily. The American officer was now focused exclusively on the Kommandant's face, eyes blazing.

"You!" Hogan shouted. "You stopped the Major from bringing Terry back to camp! You chased him away! I hate you! Hate you!" That said, the American lunged toward his German counterpart, but being held couldn't reach him. Klink, shocked, still took a step backwards. The sound of safeties being released was heard, and the guards aimed their weapons solely at Hogan. With Hogan distracted, Wilson jabbed Hogan in the arm and pushed the plunger. The Colonel turned his hostile look on the medic. "You're working with Klink to keep Terry away! That's why he isn't here now. It's…it's…" Hogan started slurring his words. His eyes rolled back in his head, and he fell backward on the bed unconscious.

Wilson lifted both eyelids. "He's fully under the effects of the sedative. He'll be out for at least twelve hours if not longer."

Klink took a wary step toward the bunk. He was still rattled from witnessing Hogan's reaction to him. "Colonel Hogan doesn't appear to be getting better to me, Sergeant Wilson. What do you and Sergeant Wilkerson have to say for yourselves about this deception of yours?"

Wilkerson hoped to do damage control. "But he is getting better, sir. He just overdid things. He felt he owed the men in camp an explanation for his recent behavior. And I told you not to visit for a few days."

"And don't forget, sir, the Colonel blamed you for Major Hochstetter not bringing back Lieutenant Carpenter," Wilson added. "That was why he reacted to you as he did."

"And you expect me to believe those lies?" Klink smirked. "You two!" Nobody moved as the guards Klink pointed at put the safeties back on their weapons. They slung the straps over their shoulders. The other two kept their weapons aimed.

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant," one of them, a Corporal, said with a salute.

Klink returned it. "I want you and Private Heilman to remove Colonel Hogan and lock him in solitary until a decision is made as to his disposition. He is to have no visitors. And I want a guard posted outside his cell. Understood? You other guards, if anybody tries to interfere, use your weapons. I have to phone General Burkhalter and make a report." Klink abruptly turned and stormed out of the small room, shoving past Schultz who barely had time to stand aside. All he could do was watch sadly as two guards roughly grabbed the unconscious Hogan.

(1) D'accord means All right.