The Case of the Mistaken Identity Raid
By: AliasCWN
Chapter 6
"How is this going to work Major?" The major had kept his word and allowed Hitch to shower. The food had arrived and was in his cell when he returned from the showers. It was more of a snack than a meal but Hitch wasn't complaining since it came with a cup of coffee. He had been tempted to quench his thirst in the shower after going without for so long but he knew the dangers of drinking unpurified water. The major had arrived to talk to him before his visit with the general.
"I will tell you what you need to know," the major repeated. "To start with, the general mentioned telling his wife you were safe. The general's wife is dead, but you must not let on that you know that. She was a frail woman, in poor health after Kurt's birth. His death only made her worse. She died a few months after Kurt. What you need to know is that Kurt and his mother were very close. He adored her and pampered her every chance he had. He called her his angel and she always called him by his name. She loved flowers and had a garden that she refused to let anyone else tend. She lived in Berlin while the general and her son were stationed at various bases." The major seemed to get lost in thought. "Lydia was her name," he added after a moment. "She was so proud of her husband and her son. She carried on alone while they were gone like a good army wife. I think losing Kurt broke her heart, and she lost her will to live, and just gave up."
Hitch didn't comment on any of the information the major gave him. "And his relationship with his father?"
The major sighed. "Kurt and the general spent as much time together as their careers would allow. Even as a child Kurt would follow his father around everywhere. They were as close as any father and son could be. Kurt loved his father and the general loved his son. He was so proud of him. I think his death broke the general too, that and the death of his wife. I don't like this deception, but if it makes the general happy in his last hours, I am willing to go along with it. I must remind you, if you do anything to hurt that old man…"
Hitch nodded. "I got that Major. I'm just not sure that I can play the part of a dead man."
"You can, and you will," the major insisted. He gave Hitch another of his humorless smiles. "Ironic isn't it, I am asking a man about to die to play the part of a man already dead."
"Creepy is more like it," Hitch answered.
The major gave Hitch another of his smiles.
"What did he call his father?"
"In private, he called him Father. In public, he was more reserved, calling him sir, or general. Kurt was a good soldier and never wanted to be anything else. He and the general were inseparable during his time at the military school. I can tell you stories of there time there in case he brings it up."
"You said you knew the son pretty well, what did he call you?"
"In public, major, in private, he called me Josef. That's how the general addresses me too."
Hitch nodded again. "I guess since he's so weak I won't have to carry on any lengthy conversations."
"Don't forget, while you are with the general, you are his son. When you aren't with him, you are still a prisoner. If you try anything my men have orders not to kill you. They will shoot your legs out from under you and our deal will be done. Remember what happens then?"
"I remember," Hitch nodded.
"Good, then we understand each other." The major left the cell, leaving Hitch alone in the dark again.
It was several hours later that the guards returned for Hitch. He was hungry again but there was no offer of food this time. He expected to be bound but the guards didn't make any attempt to tie him. He was led to the hospital and to the second floor. Major Riche was waiting for him at eh end of the hall.
"Remember, you must let him think that you are his son. If you hurt him in any way, either physically or otherwise, I promise, you will regret it."
Hitch took a deep breath to steady himself and nodded.
"When we go in, you will walk to the bed and greet him as Father."
"Are you going to stay with me to help me over the awkward spots?"
The major nodded. "If the general allows me to stay, I will. I must warn you; he may want to speak with you alone." The officer glared at Hitch. "I have no intention of leaving you alone with my general if I can help it."
Noting that the major had referred to the general as my general, Hitch nodded again. The major turned and led Hitch into the general's room.
Stepping through the door, Hitch was once again struck by the general's appearance. He tried to tell himself that it was because the general reminded him of his own father, but that wasn't it. It was the look on his face when he saw Hitch that affected Hitch the most. He couldn't remember ever seeing that same expression on his own father's face when he walked into the room. It was almost a tangible thing, that love and pride that radiated from the wounded man.
"Father."
"Kurt!" The old man reached for his hand.
Hitch took the frail hand and squeezed it gently. Not sure what to do next, he shifted his weight to his other leg. He winced when the weight settled onto his injured knee.
"What is it, Kurt?" the general demanded.
"It's nothing Father," Hitch answered.
"I saw it," the general insisted, don't try to fool your father." The general tried to sound stern but his voice was too weak to pull it off.
Hitch looked down at the floor as if in shame. "I'm sorry Father, I just didn't want to worry you. It's nothing really, ask Josef. I twisted my knee and it hasn't healed completely yet."
"Has the doctor looked at it?"
"Yes sir," Hitch answered.
"Then do what they say. I am sure that a doctor would have told you to stay off of it." The general smiled weakly. "So do it."
"Yes sir," Hitch answered. "I have spent most of the day resting in my room."
"Good, good. Josef, pull up a chair so Kurt can sit next to me." The old man pointed at the side of his bed where he wanted the chair. "I want my son next to me."
The major moved the chair and Hitch sat down next to the general. While his back was turned to the general, he gave Hitch another glare.
"So, tell me, why are you wearing that uniform?" The general got right to the point.
Hitch forced a laugh. "You still get right to the point I see."
"Is there any other way to be?"
"No, I guess not," Hitch answered. "But the reason I am wearing this uniform isn't common knowledge. In fact, the three of us are the only ones who know. I have been working undercover as an American private to gather news about their bases. My cover is still good so I can go back when I am ready."
"Must you go back?"
"Yes Father, it is my duty."
"It has been so long Kurt," the general lamented.
"I know Father, and I wish it could be different. I long for the day when this war is over and we can be together again."
"Me too Son," the general agreed. "We'll soon be together again." The old man started to cough and Hitch reached for him. The major pushed Hitch aside and helped the old man to sit up in the bed. Major Riche fluffed the pillows and pulled the blankets around the wounded man's shoulders.
"Don't fuss so Josef," the general complained. "Why don't you see to your duties? I can only imagine how many you have ignored to fuss over me."
"This isn't my base; I have no duties that can't be ignored General."
"Then get some fresh air, I will be fine. Kurt is here."
"But General…"
"Go Josef," the general ordered. "Kurt and I have much to catch up on." He smiled at Hitch so he didn't see the major's expression darken.
"I'll stay with father," Hitch offered, knowing it would only infuriate the major.
"All right," Major Riche agreed. "But call if you need anything. I will leave guards outside in case you call." He gave Hitch a warning look as he mentioned the guards.
"I won't need anything," the general answered, "I have my son."
Major Riche reluctantly left the room, knowing better than to argue with the general. Even though they had been together for over thirty years, the general was still the general. He stepped out into the hall and quietly closed the door. He paused for a moment to listen through the door. He heard quiet voices but he couldn't hear what was being said. He left orders with the guards and stomped off to find the doctor.
After about fifteen minutes he returned to call Hitch out of the room to let the general rest. When he opened the door, he found Hitch leaning over the old man. He called the guards and rushed into the room.
Hitch twisted around at the sudden intrusion. He groaned as the sudden movement hurt his injured ribs. The damp cloth in his hand dropped to the floor. His arm hit the basin of water next to the bed and it hit the floor with a clang. The general didn't move.
Major Riche rushed across the room and shoved Hitch to the side. The guards grabbed his arms and pulled him away from the bed. The major bent over the general.
"He fell asleep a few minutes ago," Hitch informed the officer. "The doc asked me to keep him cool."
The major felt the general's forehead. The skin was still damp from the cloth. It felt cooler than it had when he had been in the room earlier. He checked the general's pulse and nodded in satisfaction. He looked down at the basin and water on the floor.
"You don't think I'd hurt a sick old man, do you?" Hitch asked. "I'd never hurt a noncombatant who couldn't defend himself."
"I misjudged you," the major answered. He ordered the guards to release Hitch. "How long was he awake?"
"After you left?" Hitch asked. The major nodded. "Only about five minutes. He tires out pretty fast. He asked me to stay a while, so I did. The doctor was in and asked me to sit with him and keep him cool." Hitch shrugged. "I wasn't doing anything else."
"Go back to your cell."
Hitch nodded and turned to the door. The guards fell in behind him.
"Private."
Hitch stopped and turned. "What now Major?"
"Thank you." He pointed toward the basin on the floor.
"Sure," Hitch answered. He turned and left the room. The walk back to the cell gave Hitch time to think about what he was doing. He wasn't sure what he was doing was right, at least as far as the army was concerned, but he wasn't really thinking about the army.
The guards locked him in his cell and the lock turning was the only sound that penetrated the small room. The light went out and he was in the dark again. He wasn't sure how much time had passed since his capture since day and night looked the same in the cell. He was still hungry and he wasn't expecting another meal any time soon, so he decided to try sleeping.
The guards came for him again, and as expected, there was no food or water. Hitch stood, waiting for instructions. He was taken to the hospital where the major met him again. The officer examined him critically.
"I told you, the general will be expecting you to be well groomed. You need to clean up."
"With what?" Hitch asked.
Major Riche frowned. "The guards will take you to the showers again. I will have a clean uniform waiting for you after you shower. Shave while you are there."
"All right."
"The guards will be watching," the major warned. "They will check to make sure that all of the sharp objects are still there when you are finished."
"You're a real trusting fellow," Hitch answered.
"Don't test me," the major growled in warning. "The guards are nervous after learning who you are. Any quick move on your part may be your last, so move easy."
"How do you know I won't try to drown myself in the shower?"
"You won't," the major answered with some confidence. "Now go clean up before you go in to see the general."
When Hitch got out of the shower, the clean uniform he found was German. He only put it on at the insistence of the guards. He felt awkward wearing the uniform when he knew that almost everyone knew he was an American. The guards escorted him back to the hospital. The general was awake when he knocked on the door.
"Here he is General." Major Riche stepped away from the general as Hitch opened the door. He gave Hitch a quick once-over and nodded with satisfaction. "Is the uniform satisfactory Kurt? I wasn't sure of the size anymore."
"It's fine Josef," Hitch answered. "It feels a little strange. I haven't worn one like it for some time."
"It looks fine on you," the general praised. "I like it much better than the American one you wore earlier."
"Thank you, Father."
"Will your assignment be over soon? I was hoping that when I return to Berlin, you could come with me."
Hitch glanced over at the major. "Josef seems to think it may end soon."
"Excellent. Josef, start making inquiries about having Kurt assigned to my office in Berlin. He can join us as soon as his assignment is over."
"I'll get right on it General."
The general sighed. "It has been so long. It would be nice to have Kurt with us again, wouldn't it Josef?"
"It would be very nice indeed," the major agreed.
"See, even Josef wants you with us," the general smiled. "Finish your assignment and come back to us Kurt."
"We'll see Father," Hitch answered. "I do have my duties. I can't just drop everything and go to Berlin."
The general nodded slowly. "I understand Kurt. Duty is important, but your mother will be so disappointed."
"Tell her not to worry about me Father. We will all be together again after the war, if not before." Hitch reached out to the general. "Please rest now Father, I don't want you to tire yourself too much. The doctor says you need your rest."
"Oh poo," the general scoffed. "I'm have been feeling much stronger these last few days. Having you around is good for my health."
"Kurt is correct General, you should rest." Major Riche agreed.
"But Kurt just got here."
"He can come back after you've rested a bit more. We have things to discuss concerning his assignment. I will see to it that he returns later."
"Business," the general groaned. "Can't an injured man see his own son without business interfering?"
"I will come back later Father. Your doctor will be checking on you soon and I don't want him to find you all worn out. He might tell me not to come so often."
"Then I shall order him to allow you to visit," the general promised. He gave Hitch a wan smile. "But I will allow Josef to have a visit with you. I must not keep you all to myself."
"Actually, it is Captain Hertz who wants to see him," The major corrected. "I can stay if you like until the doctor arrives." He noticed how the prisoner paled at his correction. He had ordered the captain to stay away from Hitch but he couldn't tell the prisoner that in front of the general.
"We haven't spent as much time together since Kurt's arrival. I do have a few things I would like to talk to you about too," the general agreed.
The prisoner left the room and the major didn't give him another thought. The guards took Hitch back to his cell again.