Copyright of the Hogan's Heroes characters

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ownership is intended. Copyright of original text and original characters

belong to ML Breedlove.

Between The Lines

Chapter Four

Hogan stepped off the last rung of the ladder and a garble of voices assaulted him from the radio room. Carter, LeBeau and Kinch were all excited about something.

"What's going on?"

Kinch turned with a start, "Colonel! When did you get back?"

"I just got here. What's wrong? Is everybody okay?"

"Oui, we're…"

"London aborted the mission!" Carter blurted.

Hogan looked at Kinch.

"It's true, Colonel. About an hour after the fellas left I got a message aborting the drop. They'll try again tomorrow night."

"That's just great! I've got a rabid Gestapo Major breathing down my neck, a Kommandant who's going off the deep end and a plan I can't get off the ground." Hogan turned to pace.

LeBeau nervously shifted his weight "Sorry, Colonel."

Waving his hand dismissively, Hogan turned to pace back. "It's not your fault. You can't meet a plane that's not there, Louis."

Hogan stared at the ground and rubbed his chin. "I really wanted those diamonds in camp before I met with Hegel tomorrow. Now I don't even know if they'll be here at all." Hogan looked back at his men and shrugged. "I'll just ask Hegel for more time."

"Do you think he'll give it to you… us?" Kinch asked.

"We'll find out tomorrow. But for now, we'd better get upstairs. I'm sure Klink will order a bed check tonight. He's not completely convinced I'm on the level."

"Hey, mates… Schultz is coming!" Newkirk's voice filtered down from above.

"See, what'd I tell ya—bed check. Let's go!"

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Hochstetter parked his car on the street and made his way down the alley to the back-door of what was once Schiller's bakery.

It was early morning and he hoped to do a little snooping around before anyone arrived. It paid to keep tabs on one's underlings. Ambition was only good when it was your own.

Opening the door, a pleasant aroma surrounded him.

Standing just inside the threshold, he sniffed. Is that coffee?

The pleasant, unmistakable, odor was wafting up the stairs. Slowly, he began his descent, pulling his gun as he went. The scent led him directly to Hegel's makeshift office. Pausing for a moment, he listened to the movement inside, and then quietly pushed the door open.

"Good morning, fraulein."

Myra turned from the table in the far corner of the room with a start.

"Oh! Major Hochstetter! "

"Sorry, fraulein," Hochstetter apologized as he put his gun away. "I didn't know who was in here."

Myra exhaled, and tried to hide her unease.

Groping for conversation, she asked, "Would you like some coffee, Herr Major?"

Hochstetter glanced quickly around the room. The desk was neat and clean. There was nothing of interest there.

His eyes landed on the filling cabinet. That was where he needed to look.

Looking back to Myra, he casually walked toward her and away from his real target.

"Yes that would be very nice, my dear. Won't you have some with me?" Hochstetter asked.

The Major had long admired Myra, and though he knew of her involvement with Hegel, he wasn't above enjoying her company, given the opportunity.

Myra poured a second cup without hesitation. Turning down an invitation from Major Hochstetter was simply not done.

"You are here early," Hochstetter commented pulling out a chair and motioning for Myra to sit.

"I always come to work before Major Hegel."

"Really?"

"Yes, I have his coffee and the day's files pulled and ready for his arrival."

Hochstetter sneered and looked at Myra appreciatively. "The Major is very lucky to have you. Perhaps I should pull rank and steal you for myself."

He took a sip of coffee and glared at her over its rim.

Myra's heart raced. Trapped, all she could do was play along.

"Danke, Herr Major You honor me. But everything I've learned, I learned from your secretary. So you see you already have the best!"

Hochstetter swallowed his coffee in disgust. "You are too modest, my dear. My secretary should be taking lessons from you."

Reaching for Myra's hands he continued. "For example, how do such lovely hands know which files to pull and have ready for Major Hegel every morning?"

Myra looked away trying not to encourage Hochstetter's advances, an act Hochstetter mistook for shyness. He rubbed the top of her hands with his thumbs to encourage her.

"The Major places a paper clip with a red tag to the files he wants me to pull each morning and places them in the top drawer of the filing cabinet."

Myra stiffened, uncomfortable with not only Hochstetter's questioning, but with his touch.

Smiling, Hochstetter coaxed, "Obviously, there is much you can teach me as well!"

Hegel stood poised just on the other side of the partially closed door. He had arrived just in time to hear Hochstetter's last statement. What sort of an alliance was being formed here?

Taking in a sharp breath he opened the door. Myra and Hochstetter were—holding hands!

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Klink tugged at the bulky uniform he was wearing, trying to make it fit better. It was hopeless.

What am I doing? Hogan had better be telling the truth! If this is some trick of his to escape, I'll...

Klink repositioned the monocle in his eye. What am I saying? It would be much better if this were some foolish escape attempt that I could put a stop to. But…

Pulling his collar away from his throat, Klink tried to swallow. No, this is too crazy even for Hogan to think up.

Klink reached for his rifle. But I need to hear it from… how was it Hogan said it… "the horse's mouth"! Where do the Americans come up with these sayings! Who ever heard of a talking horse?

Klink shook his head and reached for the door. Anyway, I must have proof before I go to General Burkhalter.

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"Schultz!" Hogan argued, making an all encompassing sweep with his arms.

"We're not taking every single over-sized rock out of this road! We'll just concentrate on the ruts where the tires go!"

"Colonel Hogan, I have my orders." Schultz affirmed, loud enough to be overheard by Klink. "We Germans do not do a job half way!"

"Neither do we… but these aren't our roads!"

Schultz frowned, "Don't make me report to the Kommandant that you were disobedient." Leaning a little closer he whispered. "I don't mean it." Then again raising his voice to impress Klink, he yelled, "Take all the rocks out of the road!"

Hogan dismayed, continued to watch as Schultz walked away and overplayed his hand by next yelling at Private Klink. Shaking his head he silently pleaded, Please, just help me get through this day!

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If Hegel felt he needed more justification for what he was about to do—and he didn't. This mornings display was more than enough reason to cut his losses.

Hegel's anger had been unbridled all morning after catching Hochstetter and Myra together. Now, the people of Hammelburg were experiencing the results of that encounter first hand.

A few more civilians had been yanked out of their daily lives and were being taught how to be good citizens.

"We know the Underground operates out of this town! When I come back you will tell me what you know or…"

Hegel tossed the old man back into the chair and took his gun out of its holster "… you have my word that you won't be telling anybody anything anymore! I'll be back. It's up to you whether or not you walk out of here. Think it over."

Looking at the guards, he ordered, "Keep him here. I won't be gone long."

"Jawohl, Herr Major."

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Hogan looked at his watch. Maybe he's not going to come.

As much as he wasn't looking forward to this meeting, he liked the implication of Hegel's failure to show even less. They could have a surprise waiting on them back at camp. Hogan was just beginning to dwell on that unpleasant thought when…

"Hogan." Klink quickly caught up with his pacing prisoner."I still would like to know how Major Hegel got in touch with you."1

Not really in the mood to banter, Hogan half heartedly answered, "It's all done with mirrors."

"Mir…" Klink began to question and then it came to him. "Aahh… the sun catches the mirror and then you give him a signal and then he signals him back!"

Klink's gullibility stopped Hogan in his tracks. In total exasperation, he uttered, "Why don't I just keep my big mouth shut?"

The hum of a motor and the sound of crunching gravel thankfully put an immediate end to their conversation.

A black Gestapo car rolled to a stop in front of the POW work detail.

Schultz frowned as a Gestapo Major got out of the car.

"Oh, boy! What does he want?" Looking at the prisoners nearest to him, he ordered, "I'd better go find out. You boys be good!"

Straightening, Newkirk placed his hand in the small of his back and stretched. "Blimey, it's about time!"

"Shh, don't let the guards hear you." Kinch shot a quick glance at the Gestapo Major. "So that's him."

"Yeah, I'd like to sort him out right proper!"

"I'd like to do more than that!" Kinch swung his pick releasing his anger into the road.

Looking around for Klink, Newkirk whispered, "Hey, where's the Kommandant?"

"I don't know." Kinch answered, shooting a questioningly look at Hogan.

Hogan nodded to his left at the hill next to the road.

"It looks like he's circling around," Kinch answered, swinging his ax.

"Colonel Hogan!" Schultz called out.

"Showtime!" Newkirk murmured under his breath as their commanding officer passed by.

LeBeau anxiously watched as Hogan approached Hegel and Schultz was dismissed.

Hogan and Hegel disappeared into the Gestapo car.

"Hey, I need the wheelbarrow over here!" LeBeau called out, while stooping and clawing at a large rock buried in the road.

"Here, let me help you with that, Louis," Carter offered and bent down to take a closer look.

"We need more help." LeBeau stood. "Schultzie, I need Kinch to help get this rock out."

Carter frowned. "We can handle it, Louis… Ouch!"

LeBeau's foot found its mark on Carter's shin.

"Kinch!" Schultz pointed at the rock. "They need your help over here."

Kinch looked questioningly at Newkirk, and then went to join LeBeau and Carter. Bending down to look at the troublesome rock, he whispered, "What's wrong?"

"I don't like it! Le Colonel is in the car. We can't see if something goes wrong."

Kinch looked up into Louis's worried face. "I don't like it either, but what do you want me to do about it? The Colonel probably wanted to give Klink a chance to get close enough to hear without being seen."

"Oui, I know. But what if Hegel decides not to give us more time? I don't like it!"

Kinch already knew the answer to that. The Colonel could be dead before they knew he was in trouble. And they would be next.

"Okay Louis. I don't know what good it will do but, I guess it wouldn't hurt if we were all together."

Looking over his shoulder he asked, "Hey Schultz, can you have Newkirk give us a hand? This rock's bigger than it looks."

Just a beat behind in the conversation, Carter spoke up. "I bet the Colonel, doesn't like it either."

Kinch elbowed him in the shoulder.

"Ow!" Carter complained.

Schultz, thinking they were still talking about the rock, noticed it was just outside the rut in the road. "Ja, hurry and get it out before Colonel Hogan gets back."

"What's up, mates?" Newkirk looked puzzled at the puny rock in the road.

"LeBeau and Carter can't get this rock out." Kinch motioned for Newkirk to join them. "Give us a hand."

Newkirk looked puzzled. "It doesn't look like it should be a problem."

Carter agreed. "Oh, its not, we're just worried about the Colonel trying to get Hegel to give us more time."

Newkirk gave Carter a sharp poke and looked over his shoulder.

"Ow!—Would you guys stop that?"

"Andrew, keep your ruddy voice down?" Newkirk whispered. Then, pretending to examine the rock more closely, he loudly announced, "Oh yeah, I can see where this could be a problem." Again whispering, he asked, "What's the plan?

The foursome quietly plotted. It would have to be an act of desperation. The Colonel vetoed bringing any weapons along. With Klink in tow, being caught with weapons would only add to their troubles.

"We could jump the guards and take their guns!" Carter offered.

"Oui, and by the time we manage that, Hegel will have shot us all.

Newkirk shook his head and nodded toward Carter. "I vote for acting like Little Dear here and running swift and sure through the forest!"

Kinch quietly studied the car while Newkirk, Carter and LeBeau continue to banter back and forth. Normally, he would have put a stop to it, but it gave them something to do during a time when there was nothing they could do.

The next few minutes seemed like hours. But finally…

"There he is!" Carter whispered excitedly, while guarding against any incoming blows from his comrades.

Hogan started to walk away and then stopped, returning to the car window.

"Now what's he bleed'n doing?"

"You know the Colonel; he's thought of something," Kinch defended. "Come on, Colonel, get away from that Goon."

Finally, Hogan pushed away from the car and Kinch dropped his head to exhale.

As Hogan returned, the troublesome rock was miraculously pulled free from the road.

"Everything okay, gov'nor?"

Hogan nodded, "Yeah, we've got forty-eight hours."

"Watch it! Here comes Schultz." LeBeau warned.

Afraid he may have gotten the boys in trouble, Schultz interceded, "Don't get mad at your men, Colonel Hogan. I told them to remove that rock." Then looking more closely at Hogan, he asked, "Are you all right? What did the Major want with you?"

Hogan shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, I'm okay, Schultz." And then smirking added, "The Major just wanted directions back to town."

Schultz's smile faded as the answer sunk in. "He whaaat?"

"Schultz!" Klink screeched. "Load the prisoners up. We're going back to camp!"

Hogan folded his arms and glared at Klink, "Satisfied, Kommandant?"

Red faced and shaking his fist at his senior prisoner, Klink threatened, "Hogan! I have half a mind…" Swinging his fist he ended in a "Harumph" and stormed away.

Newkirk mocked, "Now, there's the understatement of the year!"

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Hegel replayed the conversation in his mind.

"Diamonds don't grow on trees, especially a million bucks worth… I'm trying," Hogan had explained and then stated, "I need more time."

Hegel smiled. I like seeing you squirm, Colonel Hogan. I wish I could take the time to interrogate you. But keeping you alive would be dangerous. Major Hochstetter outranks me and I would lose control of you as soon as I took you in. In fact, I probably should shoot you right now and quit while I'm ahead. But…

Hegel had promised Hogan forty eight hours. Besides, he needed a little time to set up the ambush by the Underground that was going to kill Myra and the soldiers that had been helping them.

Then, I'll finish you and your men off at the barn we're meeting at. After that it will be a small matter to go to Stalag 13, expose your tunnels and arrest that fool, Klink.

Hogan's sarcasm and the calmness of his voice had stretched Hegel's self control to the limit. It took every bit of his willpower not to reach out and backhand the cocky American. He was used to seeing fear in people's faces when confronted by the Gestapo.

You need a lesson in respect before you die. I will see fear in your eyes. Hegel smiled at the scene taking place in his mind. I'll have a little target practice with you before I kill you. But for now, let us see how badly you want to live and whether or not you can get my diamonds.

Hegel parked his car and climbed out. Now let's see what that old man, Gustoff, has decided.

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