Chapter 12

The morning turned into evening, and Maisie amused herself with the literature of the house library to pass the time. A tour of the house had been given to her, compliments of Heidi, and she'd also been given lunch before she retreated to the coziness of the library. For the most part, Heidi had left her alone, and she was glad for that. With how she felt, she didn't really like being with company. Books were all the company she needed, and she'd absorbed her attention into one of the novels she'd found.

'Annika, your father has just returned.'

It took a moment for the German to register, and she looked up from her book. 'Thank you, Heidi.' The woman nodded and left the room, the teen placing the book back on the shelf, then made her way out into the hallway.

Wolfgang had just walked through the door as she came to the entrance, the girl trying to carefully read the expression on his face.

'Are you ready for some shopping?' Wolfgang questioned, glancing over at Heidi as the woman came into the hallway, then disappeared into one of the other rooms.

'Yes, Father.' She nodded, begging her nerves to settle down. What about Papa? Do you have news? She wished to ask him, but she knew if he had found anything, he would tell her in time. All she had to do for now was play along.

'The car is waiting outfront-' He took her jacket from the coat rack and handed it to her. 'I thought we might go shopping, then take a walk and go out for dinner later this evening. How does that sound?'

Maisie tried to smile as she put her jacket on, but her heart wasn't in it. She wanted to know about Hogan. 'It sounds lovely.'

'Let's be on our way, then.'

She followed him out to the car, Wolfgang instructing the driver to take them to a store downtown but she didn't pay much attention to their conversation. Are you alive, Papa, she wondered, staring out the window at the scenery going by. Are you okay? When are you going to tell me something, Wolfgang?

'Here we are.' Wolfgang remarked, as the car came to a stop, and he gave her a hand out. 'Don't wait around for us, Huber. If I know my daughter, this shopping trip will take the rest of the afternoon. You can take the rest of the day off.'

The young man nodded and smiled. 'Thank you. Enjoy yourselves. I'll see you tomorrow, Herr General.'

He turned back to the teen as his driver drove off again, motioning towards the store. 'I'm sure you'll be able to find something suitable to wear here.'

Maisie nodded, following him into the store without a word. Wolfgang went over to the woman at the front counter, and while he spoke with her, she amused herself by looking around. She couldn't remember the last time she'd actually gone shopping, guessing it had to be back before her family had been taken to the work camp. While she was with her Uncle, she had to stay hidden away at his home so no one knew of her identity. Shopping was definitely out of the question.

Her eyes fell on a light purple shawl, one like her parents had gifted to her sister for her birthday before their arrest. Kalenthe would have liked this, she thought, as she ran her fingers over the knitted yarn. It would have gone well with her blue dress.

'Anni, come here, my dear.'

She took a deep breath as she turned to her 'father' and joined him at the counter. 'Yes, Father?'

Wolfgang placed his arm around her shoulders. 'What would you have available for this beautiful young lady?'

An hour later, Maisie and Wolfgang left the store, Wolfgang having arranged for her purchases to be delivered to their house. The little shopping trip had helped her nerves to settle a little, and to her surprise, she'd found herself enjoying the experience. Wolfgang had purchased her an entire wardrobe almost, explaining to the clerk that all her clothes had been ruined in a fire. Clothes were being rationed, but thanks to his rank, he had been able to get her everything she needed. Even back at the camp she hadn't had near the amount of clothes she now had. Perhaps being the General's 'step-daughter' did have its perks.

After going to the store, they made their way down to the Tiergarten, leaving Maisie to wonder what the man was up to. Polite conversation was engaged as they walked down the long path through the middle of the garden, Wolfgang showing her to an empty bench, and they sat.

'I didn't wish to tell you this at home-' He started, after looking around to make sure that no one would be able to listen to their conversation. 'And risk Heidi walking in on us, but I went to Gestapo Headquarters earlier. I carried out some enquiries. Your Colonel Hogan is still alive.'

Maisie's eyes welled with tears of relief. 'He's alive?' She questioned softly, her voice thick with emotion. 'Is he alright?'

'I don't know. I didn't see him while I was there.' He continued. 'From what I was able to find, Major Langer had him transferred from Dusseldorf to here for questioning, but he kept his identity a secret. Had I known that he was here, I would have been able to intervene earlier, but I just didn't know. Major Langer arranged for one of the men being held in Dusseldorf to be executed while wearing Hogan's jacket. His intent was to make everyone believe your Colonel Hogan was dead.'

Oh, my God. The teen brought her hand to her mouth in horror. He'd been with the Gestapo all that time, and they hadn't done a thing!

'It was Major Langer's intention to prove that the sabotage activities in that area were caused by Hogan out of Stalag 13. However, the blowing up of the refinery and other acts of sabotage while he's been in custody have proven his suspicion wrong.'

'But if that is the case, why didn't they release him?'

'The Major believed they would be able to get military information from him if they tried hard enough. That is why he hasn't been released.'

'What do we do now, then?'

'Major Langer will meet with an unfortunate accident tonight-' He snorted with disgust for the man beneath his command. 'His files on the case will also mysteriously disappear. With him out of the way, we can remove Hogan from custody.'

Still in shock at the news, Maisie took a moment before she asked her next question. 'What happens now? How can we get Colonel Hogan out of there?'

'That's where you come in.'

She raised an eyebrow. 'Me?'

'I know it's not going to be pleasant, and I'm sorry, but if we're going to get him out of there, he's going to have to cooperate with us. He's never met me, and he'll never believe that I'm a member of the Underground when he sees the uniform I wear. But you, he'll trust you. I understand the two of you are quite close.'

'He's the closest to a father that I have.' She replied, her voice hitching a little with emotion. 'But how can I help? I mean, what are you going to need me to do?'

'Your job will be to keep him calm. There's no telling how he's going to react or what condition he's going to be in. I have another Underground member who will be assisting us ,but it is vital that Hogan goes along with us. If he doesn't, if something happens…' His voice trailed off. He knew he didn't have to spell out the consequences for her. 'Are you in?'

She swallowed hard, then nodded decisively. 'I'm in.'

Maisie's heart skipped a beat as they walked into Gestapo Headquarters later that night, the teen looking around nervously as Wolfgang spoke to the officer in charge. Wolfgang had given her a new outfit to wear for the occasion: a Gestapo officer uniform without any major ranking. She loathed the fact that she had to wear it, but he had insisted that she look the part if their rescue was to be a success. Besides, it wasn't that uncommon to see a woman in the uniform of the Gestapo. We're coming, Papa, she repeated over and over in her mind, the knowledge that he was close by being the only thing helping her stay calm.

As Wolfgang continued to speak with the officer, she focused on her breathing to prevent the panic attack she could feel coming on. She was worried. Nervous about the whole situation, but she trusted that Wolfgang knew what he was doing. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the officer standing beside her, another member of the Underground also dressed in the Gestapo uniform. If they got caught… She didn't wish to think of the outcome. No. They wouldn't fail. They couldn't fail. Hogan was relying on them.

A key was handed to Wolfgang, and he motioned for the two of them to follow him. A shiver ran up her spine as they walked down the long hallway, the sight of the uniformed officers making her heart skip a beat. It's alright, you're alright. We'll be out of here soon, she repeated to herself, swallowing back the lump of fear in her throat.

Not a word was spoken as she continued to follow the general, various officers in the building saluting him when they walked past. This place is huge- she thought, as she looked around. I'm glad I don't have to do this on my own, I'd never have been able to find Papa in such a big place. They turned another corner, Wolfgang opening another door, and they started down a staircase to the underground cells.

Maisie's face was set and hard, cold and emotionless, as she hurried to keep step with the general. Inwardly however, her heart was breaking. I should have done something sooner. I could have saved Papa from all of this. Another officer standing guard in front of a door saluted as they walked past, and she wondered how much further they had to go down the concrete corridor.

Wolfgang came to a stop outside one of the cells, the officer standing at the door saluting as he stood at attention. 'At ease. You are hereby relieved of your post. This prisoner is being transferred under my order. Report to your commanding officer for new duties.'

'Of course, Herr General.' He saluted and left, heading down the corridor.

After the guard had left, Wolfgang pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked the cell door. 'Just stay calm-' He instructed, in a low whisper to the teen. 'You've done well, so far.'

Maisie nodded and swallowed hard again as the door was opened, the general flipping on the light in the cold cell. A form lay on the bed against the wall, the air thick with the smell of blood. She covered her mouth with her hand as she walked in, forcing back the urge to gag. Just keep it together. Papa is relying on you.

As she stepped closer, her boots loud on the concrete floor, she could see Hogan's eyelids flutter ever so slightly. Oh God, Papa- He looked worse than when the Gestapo had beaten him up all those months ago. His face was covered in bruises and dried blood. What was left of his uniform was bloodied and torn. She slowed her approach when she saw him flinch, her heart breaking as she saw the fear in his eyes.

'It's okay, Papa.' She whispered softly, in English as she knelt down beside him. 'You don't have to be afraid.' She saw as he tried to move and continued, trying to comfort him with her words. 'Sssh Papa, it's okay. You don't have to be scared. It's me. Little Bear.'

For a moment, she thought she saw a flash of recognition in his gaze.

'I'm going to get you out of here, Papa. I promise.' She continued, after a moment, forcing her voice to stay level and calm despite being on the verge of breaking down. Even though she had no medical training, just from a glance over him she could tell his condition was bad. His left arm looked broken, his wrist and hand swollen, as was his right ankle. Oh, Papa- She choked back a sob, speaking just as calmly and sweetly as she always did. 'You need to trust me, Papa. I need you to trust me. Can you hear what I'm saying? If you understand, blink for me.'

Hogan blinked twice slowly, and a little smile came to her lips. He understood. She glanced back at Wolfgang and Hans, motioning for them to come closer. 'Papa, these men are here to help me get you out of here-' She said gently, as he eyed them warily. 'I trust them. They've helped me find you, and I need you to trust me.' She couldn't help the shiver that ran through her. It was freezing in the cell. She continued after a pause. 'They're not going to hurt you, okay?'

She lingered a moment longer to make sure that he understood, then rose and turned to Wolfgang and Hans. The expression on both of their faces seeing the state he was in matched her own. 'Papa can't walk out of here. You're going to have to carry him.'

'We'll try to be as gentle as possible.' Wolfgang replied, moving into Hogan's view. 'Colonel Hogan, we're going to get you out of here, but I'm afraid it's not going to be easy. We can't get a stretcher to carry you out, so we're going to have to carry you between the two of us. As soon as we've got you to the truck, though, we'll make you as comfortable as we can.'

Hogan nodded ever so slightly.

The general turned to Hans. 'Help me get him up-'

Maisie turned away, tears in her eyes as she heard them help Hogan get to his feet. All this time everyone had believed he was dead, and he'd been here the whole time. Keep it together, she ordered herself, as she wiped her eyes dry. If she lost it, she wouldn't be a help to anyone. You've come this far, now we're going to get Papa to safety.

As carefully and gently as they could, Wolfgang and Hans helped Hogan out of the cell, and the group started back down the corridor. Maisie's face was hard and set again, following along behind the two men, Hogan slung between them. Oh Papa, you must be in so much pain- No! Don't think about it. You can't afford to blow it now. She swallowed a lump in her throat, fixing her gaze past the men so she didn't see Hogan struggling to walk. He's safe now, that's all that matters.

It felt like an eternity had passed by the time they finally made it out of the building to the waiting vehicle in the back parking lot. Their driver, another Underground member dressed as a Gestapo officer, hurried out of the seat when he saw their approach and assisted Wolfgang and Hans getting him into the back of the truck. Maisie climbed up beside him after he was laid down on the mattress inside, fighting back tears. 'It's okay now, Papa. You're safe. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. We're taking you someplace safe so you can get better.'

Wolfgang looked around, closing the tailgate as Hans climbed into the front of the truck. He glanced back at the teen, motioning for her to move closer to him. 'Will you be alright with him?'

'I'll manage.' She replied, her voice wavering ever so slightly as she began to pile blankets onto him to keep him warm. 'Papa needs to be in a hospital-'

'I know.' He interrupted, with a harsh whisper. 'But it's too dangerous to take him to one here. Until we can move him to the one in Duesseldorf, we're going to have to make do. I'm sorry.'

'I understand.' She nodded soberly, turning back to Hogan as the general left and climbed into the front of the truck. After a moment, the engine started, and as the truck slowly started forward, she could finally breathe with relief. They'd made it. They'd managed to get Hogan out of Headquarters right under the Gestapo's nose. It was only thanks to Wolfgang that it had been successful. If he hadn't been on their side, rescuing Hogan would have been impossible.

She looked out the back of the covered truck as they pulled away from the large building, then back at Hogan. Despite the pain she knew he was in, Hogan hadn't made a sound. She tried to focus on his face, unable to tell in the darkness if he was still conscious or not. 'I'm so sorry, Papa-' She whispered softly, more to herself than Hogan. 'I should have done something...anything. I'm sorry.'

The truck gained momentum, and Maisie stared into the darkness as they drove through Berlin. Wolfgang hadn't told her what the next step was, and she had no idea where they were going, but at least Hogan wasn't being held by the Gestapo anymore. Alone, in the darkness, and where no one would see, she finally allowed her silent tears to fall.

A couple hours passed before the vehicle came to a stop behind a little farm cottage a few miles past a village they'd gone through. Maisie opened her eyes as the men came to the back of the truck, someone coming out of the house with a lantern.

'Have you got him?'

'We've got him. We're going to need a stretcher, Dr. Wiesmeier,' Wolfgang said, as he lowered the tailgate. 'He's in bad shape.' The doctor nodded and hurried back into the house, then the general turned to Maisie. 'How is he?'

'Hasn't stirred.' She replied softly, her voice thick with concern. 'Where are we?'

'Outside Wolfsburg. Dr. Wiesmeier is a member of the Underground. Colonel Hogan will be safe here for tonight.'

The doctor returned with the stretcher, handing it to the two men, then lifted the lantern to look inside the truck. 'Oh, dear Lord…' He muttered softly, and moved out of the way as the men prepared to take Hogan inside. 'Careful now, gently does it.'

Maisie looked on with concern as Wolfgang, Hans and Erich carefully moved Hogan onto the stretcher, the teen following behind as they carried him into the house. The doctor led the way through the cottage, showing them the cellar where a room had been fixed up. She stood back, tears in her eyes as they gently laid him down on the bed in the center of the cellar. Oh, Papa. I'm so sorry, I should have done something-

A woman came into the room after them with another lantern, Wolfgang and the two men leaving Hogan in the doctor's capable hands. Wolfgang placed his hand on Maisie's shoulder, motioning that it was time to go, and she followed him back up the stairs, the four of them making their way back to the truck.

'They'll take good care of him-' Wolfgang said softly, as he motioned for her to get into the truck. 'Don't worry about him, little one.'

'Can't I stay with him?'

He shook his head, climbing into the truck with her as Hans and Erich got into the front. After a moment, the engine started, and they were on their way again, the teen watching sadly as they drove away from the cottage. 'I promise you he's in good hands. We need to get back to Berlin.'

'And then what?' She wondered, out loud. 'What do we do, then? You saw him, he needs to go to the hospital-'

'And he shall, just not tonight. The doctor will take care of him tonight and tomorrow night. We'll take him to the hospital in Dusseldorf.'

'What about the Gestapo? How are we going to deal with that and getting him back to camp-'

Wolfgang interrupted her rant, patting her shoulder. 'I have already taken care of the details, little one. You needn't worry. Your job is done, for now, and a good job it was. I'm sorry you had to see what you did, but if we'd attempted to move Hogan ourselves, it would have done more harm than good. In his state of mind, there's no telling what he would have thought.'

Maisie looked away from him, bowing her head as tears began to slip down her cheeks. 'W-what did they do to him?'

'I don't think you'd wish to know.'

'I don't think I do, either...' She agreed, after a moment, turning back to the general. 'I was arrested and held by the Gestapo about a year ago for almost two weeks. I never want to go through that again. How can you stand being in this job? How can you stomach what our countrymen are doing to their fellow human beings? It's just not fair, it's not right-' Her voice broke, and she swallowed back the lump in her throat. 'Why are people so horrible to each other?'

'I'm afraid I can't answer that one, but I can answer the one about this job.' He replied, as he crossed his arms in front of himself. 'I do it so I can try and help people like Hogan. I've been assisting the Allied forces for almost ten years, and they assigned me into this position. I don't like the job any more than you like seeing this uniform, but it's a job I must do. If I weren't in this position, I wouldn't be able to help people like your Colonel.'

Maisie wiped the tears from her eyes as she nodded, struggling to regain her composure. 'I'm sorry...my outburst was uncalled for.'

'I know it's hard when you see someone you care about be treated so unfairly.' Wolfgang smiled sympathetically, then pulled a torch from his pocket to check the time. 'But if it makes you feel any better, as of three hours ago, Major Langer was disposed of, compliments of the Underground. He won't be bothering your Colonel or the Underground ever again.'

'I guess that's something, at least.'

'People like Langer need to be disposed of-' He shook his head. 'Evil must be done away with. I can't take down every single person like him, but I can try my best to help the Underground and Allies where I can.'

'Aren't you scared, though? Of being found out?'

'That's why I never leave anything to chance. I don't allow room for error. Now that Hogan is out of their hands, those files and anything written up on him will disappear along with Langer. He'll go back to being an ordinary POW in Stalag 13, as far as the Gestapo is concerned.'

'And me? What will happen to me when he returns to the camp?'

'You, little one, will go with him. Under the care of my brother, Wilhelm Klink.'

In the early hours of the morning, Maisie lay awake staring up at the ceiling. Please be alright, Papa, she begged in her mind. She was supposed to be sleeping, but sleep wouldn't come. Each time she closed her eyes, all she could see was Hogan. Her papa. Lying beaten and hurt in that horrible cell. Her heart was broken, shattered into a thousand pieces. Seeing him in that condition was almost as bad as him being dead. She'd seen his wounds. The cuts, the bruises, the blood… If he survived, it would be a miracle.

I'm so sorry, Papa. She rolled over onto her side, more tears slipping down her cheeks as she clutched Hogan's pins in her hand. If I had known, if I had done something, I could have gotten to you sooner. Why had she fallen for it? Why had she bought the lie that the horrible Gestapo Major had tried to sell them? If roles were reversed, if it had been her, she knew that Hogan would have stopped at nothing to rescue her. Why had she given up on him? Why had she wasted all that time?

Papa thought he was alone. That no one was coming for him. The thought sent more tears rolling down her skin. The general had revealed a few little details from the files Langer had compiled on Hogan, one of those details being that Hogan had known they were sending his bloodied jacket back to the men at camp. It made her sick to her stomach. Hogan would have known that they all thought he was dead and even so, he still hadn't said a word. Wolfgang had told her Hogan had refused to speak, the only thing able to get out of him being his name, rank and serial number. Knowing that Hogan had withstood their interrogation and torture to keep the Underground and his men safe (not only his men, but her, as well) only further tore at her heart. Papa would have rather died than betray his men.

What would the men back at camp think when they found out what had actually happened? She couldn't guess an answer to that question, when she herself was overcome with remorse and grief. She could have done something. If only she'd tried to find out the truth earlier, maybe she could have spared him the unnecessary suffering. She sniffled, wiping her eyes on her pajama sleeve. She hadn't even gotten the chance to say 'goodbye'. Again. Yes, time had been of the essence, but she hadn't had a chance to speak to him. To tell him how much she loved him. Please, Papa, please know that I love you. Please be alright.

Rolling over again, trying to get comfortable, she could feel her pillowcase was wet with her tears. Ever since they'd gotten back to the house, and she'd been alone, the tears hadn't stopped. While she couldn't allow herself to break down and have someone hear her crying, the silent tears wouldn't stop flowing. The pain in her heart was nothing to what Hogan had to go through, and she knew that fact well.

No one except Hogan knew that she'd been held by the Gestapo. Not even her Uncle. She'd kept that part of her life closed to everyone, refusing herself to even think of the memories. They'd only held her for a little over a week, and she still had nightmares. The very sight of the uniform was enough to send her into a panic attack, and it was the occasion Hogan had been wearing it for a mission. They'd had Hogan for almost two months, and she knew firsthand that being interrogated by the Gestapo changed a person. If Hogan survived, would he even be the same man, or would they have broken him into someone that was a stranger to them all?