SHATTERED
Newkirk's bones shattered on impact. The Nazi thug hefted the sledgehammer for another blow.
"No. No, stop! I'll talk!" Hogan cried.
Newkirk couldn't find the air needed to tell Hogan that it was all right. To beg him to remain silent. To stay strong.
But Hogan talked. And Newkirk's illusions of holding out to the bitter end were shattered.
"Thank you, Colonel Hogan," Hochstetter sneered, "for finally telling the truth. I hereby find you guilty of espionage." He pulled out a gun and placed it on Hogan's forehead.
Newkirk closed his eyes. When the gun fired, his heart shattered, too.