Chapter 3 – The Top Secret Top Coat

Several months passed. The thought of Josephine raising Billy stayed in the back of an impatient Kinch's mind. During these months, his sister continued to send him letters- all were filled with updates about old classmates and about Detroit during wartime instead. She would mention Billy of course, but the letters contained no detailed stories about him. Kinch convinced himself that Josephine wasn't mentioning Billy because she had calmed down over the anxiety she had expressed before. Although he didn't think she would have relaxed due to anything he had said in his letter back. He hadn't been sure what advice to give, considering he was a bachelor who had no children.

All that silence about Billy changed one morning when Schultz came in with the mail. This time, the prisoners mostly behaved themselves while they waited for any deliveries. It was a few days before Christmas and everyone was eager to hear from family members during the festive period.

Schultz made eye contact with Kinch as soon as he came in and wiggled his mustache. Kinch took a deep breath—this was his sign from Schultz that there was a letter from Josephine regarding Billy included in the pile and he needed another bribe. He handed the envelope quickly to Kinch first and then made his way to the others.

Kinch couldn't wait to hear what was happening so he stood at the common table and read:

December 15, 1942

Dear Ivan,

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a happy holiday- it was must be awful to celebrate it at that rotten place.

How are things going over there? I am sorry to hear you sleep on such lumpy mattresses—it must be bad for that back of yours. You'll get a sound sleep at home once you come home.

Things are going okay here. Papa has had a couple more customers than usual, so I haven't seen him much lately and John is still working long hours.

John bought me a new red polka dot dress and it is lovely. I wanted to wear something nice because we had a Christmas party and some friends from John's work attended.

At the party, Billy got into a lot of trouble. He is walking now but is fast and hard to keep up with! He seems super interested in watching things fall so there were a lot of messes at the party. Some of the guests brought toys for Billy to play with, but he seems not interested in them. One brought him a toy car and he only wanted to hold it in the air and spin the wheels, rather than roll it on the floor. One of our guests thought we should have more control over Billy, and was upset that Billy wouldn't greet him. I was so upset by his comments and I shunned this guest all night. Then the problem was because this guest turned out to be a supervisor of John's and John and I had a quarrel about it.

Ivan, Billy is still not talking. I am trying to keep calm about it and I have given much time and thought. I am trying to convince myself that he will be talking any day but the waiting is hard. Now it is becoming an issue as strangers are noticing. I take him to the park and every other child his own age is joining two words together but mine says nothing. I try to tell people 'He's just taking his time to talk' and most people understand, but I had another mother tell me that children who are Billy's age who aren't talking yet wind up needing straightjackets! It took all my strength not to punch her or cry— he's only almost two! Couldn't she see he is trying to talk?

I am going to end my letter on a good note. After Billy made a mess at the dinner party, I told him I forgave him and that I loved him. Sometimes he acts deaf, but this time he did not. My little boy turned to me, made eye contact with me and smiled! He smiled at me and it was the most beautiful thing I ever saw.

All of us are thinking of you. We wish you were celebrating with us.

Love,

Josephine Kinchloe Harris

Although parts of her letter brought continued fear and anxiety to Kinch, the last couple paragraphs brought a smile to his face. Next to him, he could hear Corporal Peter Newkirk complaining to Schultz about a missing plum pudding. Kinch was too happy with his letter to care about Newkirk's traditional English holiday treat- there was hope for little Billy.

Kinch's thoughts turned to the here and now when the Colonel opened his door.

After a brief conversation, Schultz handed out a large package to Hogan.

"The last piece of mail. Woolen socks from your Aunt Alice- hand knit," Schultz announced.

That was all the info that Kinch and the others needed. As soon as Schultz was on his way out, Kinch stood up and put away his letter. He headed to Hogan's office with the others. The package was a message that another mission was just starting.


In my headcanon, "The Top Secret Top Coat" is a Hidden Hogan's Heroes Holiday episode, despite the lack of mentions or decorations. There are many reasons why I believe this- a. It's apparently very cold, appropriate for December; b. Newkirk is given a plum pudding, which is traditionally served during Christmas; c. Hogan getting a "gift"; d. Klink attends a party, and although parties happen throughout the year, more parties still occur during the festive period than any other time. Season's Greetings!