Chapter 13

'Is something wrong with your breakfast?' Wolfgang questioned, noticing that Maisie had hardly touched her meal. 'I can have Heidi make something else up for you, if you wish.'

Maisie shook her head, pushing her plate away. 'I'm sorry, I'm just not hungry. It looks really good, but I can't eat right now.'

'I understand.'

'I know it's a shame to waste food, unless you would like it. Can you get her to put it away for later when she gets back?'

The general took the plate with a smile and dug in. 'Like you, I don't like seeing good food go to waste.'

Maisie giggled a little, then her expression sobered once more. She looked around to make sure that the housekeeper wasn't around and lowered her voice as she leaned closer to him. 'What is the plan for today?'

'I've got some arrangements to make, I'll be gone most of the day. You'll have to stay here, I'm afraid. I'll be back later this afternoon. Pack and be ready to go.'

She nodded. 'I'll be ready. What are we telling Heidi?'

'I have some leave coming to me, and you and I are going to visit your Uncle Wilhelm for a few days.'

'Is there anything else I need to know?'

He shook his head as he wiped his mouth on a napkin. 'What you need to know I will tell you as we go. You are on a need to know basis. It's safer for both of us that way. It would be providential for you to forget everything that happened last night, too, if you understand what I mean.'

'Consider it forgotten.' Maisie replied seriously. 'So, I'll just sit here and wait?'

'Help yourself to the library. If you find some books of interest, you can pack them to bring along. Other then that, yes.'

Great, more waiting. Just thrilling, she thought, as she sighed. 'I'll find something to amuse myself with.'

'Perhaps you should try to get some more sleep, too-' He added, as he stood, picking up his coat from the back of the chair to take with him. 'You look like you could use some.'

'Thank you for the suggestion, but I hardly think it'll happen.' Maisie remarked, as he left the room, leaving her alone and in silence once more. She sat for a little while, resting her chin on her folded arms, and glanced over at the clock. It was going to be a long day.

'You going so soon?' Heidi questioned, carrying fresh linens into the room where Maisie was, the teen looking around as the housekeeper walked in.

'Didn't Father tell you? We're going to visit Uncle Wilhelm for a few days.' She replied, with a smile. 'Father has a few days of leave, so he thought it might be nice for us to get away, seeing as we haven't spent much time together for a while.'

'Oh, that will be nice. I've heard about Wilhelm. A little bit, anyway. Have you met him before?'

'No, it'll be the first time.'

'I'm sure you'll get along splendidly. It'll be a shame you're leaving so soon when you only just got here-' She pulled the covers off the bed, changing over the sheets. 'I hope you enjoy your time, though. If there's anything you need or if you need help getting packed, don't hesitate to ask.'

'I'll let you know.' She smiled again, the woman smiling back as she left the room. After she was gone, the teen breathed a sigh of relief, tucking her trinket box away in its hiding place. Good thing she didn't ask what was inside. I'd never have lived it down if she saw Papa's pins. Or my books, for that matter. Despite the novels she carried being her favorite, a couple of them were banned literature. If Heidi had seen them- She tucked them away inside the lining of her bag and quickly packed some clothes over the top of them in case the housekeeper returned.

Looking over at the clock, she let out a huge sigh. It wasn't even close to noon yet, and already she was bored. Got a few hours to go yet, she thought, as she packed away another blouse and reached for one of the new skirts Wolfgang had purchased her yesterday. I sure hope that Papa is alright.

Wolfgang was right. She did look like she needed a good sleep. She couldn't remember the last time she'd actually slept. Her mind had been so consumed with a thousand thoughts she hadn't had a good rest for days. Last night, her thoughts about Hogan had kept her up until dawn, and now those same thoughts continued to play over and over in her mind.

Something else had been keeping her awake, too. The fact that this general was related to Klink, and his brother at that. Somehow it just didn't seem likely, but then again, everything about this whole trip had been strange. Who would have thought she'd have donned a Gestapo uniform to assist a rescue mission of an Underground commander right under the noses of the Germans? Newkirk is not going to believe that story when I tell him. She giggled a little at that thought, as she folded up some stockings to add them to the bag. None of them would believe the story, and she sobered again as another thought came into her mind. How was she going to tell them about Hogan?

How could she tell them? She couldn't tell them what she'd seen. When they found out, they were going to be beside themselves. Each and every one of them had given Hogan up for dead. Even London had written him off. She herself had even given up hope, though her heart had desperately wanted to believe that Hogan had escaped death. He had, for now, by some miracle, but what if he did die? What if she just hadn't been quick enough? What if she hadn't gotten to him in time?

Her heart felt heavy, her stomach full of butterflies. The very thought of breakfast had almost made her throw up then and there. It was a miracle of its own that she hadn't been sick when she'd seen Hogan. At least he was out of there, now. That was the main thing, and she kept reminding herself of that fact. Everything else didn't matter. Just him. Hogan being okay.

Please God, if you're up there, please help my Papa, she prayed, her eyes welling with tears once more. While she didn't consider herself an overly religious person, what else was she to do? It was out of her hands and in those of the man above. Papa is a good person, he doesn't deserve to die. Don't let him die, God, I need him. Please.

The sound of a car coming to a stop out the front of the house roused Maisie from her reading, the teen hurrying over to the window to look out. Finally! It was Wolfgang, and as the general stepped out of the car, she was already making a beeline for the door. She opened it just as he walked onto the porch, her heart racing. 'Can we go, now?'

Wolfgang nodded. 'Are you packed?'

'I've been packed for hours.' She replied, her tone thick with worry and frustration. 'When can we get moving?'

'Just calm down-' He looked around to make sure that Heidi hadn't seen their exchange and stepped inside the house, closing the door behind them. 'I know you're anxious to go, but there's an order to these things. I need to go and get what I need. You're going to have to wait a little longer. Do you think you can wait another fifteen minutes?'

She nodded, trying to contain herself. 'I can wait, but not a minute over, you hear?'

The general smiled a little, looking up as the housekeeper walked into the hallway. 'I trust my girl has been well behaved while I've been gone?'

'She's been the perfect angel.' Heidi replied, with a smile. 'Eager to go see her Uncle Wilhelm, however. You never told me you were going away for a few days.'

'I apologize. It completely slipped my mind. With everything at the office-'

'It's alright. No apology needed. Annika told me you two were going away, and I took the liberty of packing you fresh uniforms and the rest of your things-' Heidi looked over at the teen. 'Your father is away so often I just permanently keep a bag packed for him.'

Maisie giggled weakly, her heart not in it, but still trying to play along as best she could. 'I'll go gather my things, then. It was nice to get to meet you, Heidi.' The housekeeper smiled and turned back to Wolfgang as she left the room, making her way back upstairs to where her bags had been left. Please be alright, Papa, she begged, her heart skipping a beat. The butterflies in her stomach were getting worse again, and she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. Just hold it together a little longer. You'll be able to see him again soon.

Lingering a little longer to ensure her emotions were under control, she picked up her luggage and started down the stairs to the front door. Heidi and Wolfgang had disappeared as she came into the hallway and winced as she set the bags down beside the front door. Her arm had been giving her trouble for the last few days, and she'd attempted to ignore it was getting worse. Guess I can't complain about my arm with what Papa's gone through, she thought, rubbing her arm to try and ease the cramp. Another thing she hadn't been doing was her exercises or using her special glove. After a little while, the cramp eased some, and her thoughts turned to Colonel Hogan once more.

'Thank you for this, Heidi.' Wolfgang said, as they returned, both of them carrying bags. 'While I'm away, you can take a couple days off yourself, if you wish.'

'That would be nice, Herr General, I appreciate it. How long will you be gone for?'

'A few days. A week, perhaps. I'll send word ahead when I'm on my way back.' He looked down at Maisie. 'You ready to go, my dear?'

She nodded, picking up her bags again. 'Ready, Father. Good bye, Heidi.'

'Good bye, dear. Have a safe journey.'

The teen couldn't hurry to the car fast enough, the driver getting out to open the boot for their bags as they walked out of the gate. 'Here, allow me-' the driver offered, and he helped them get their things into the vehicle. 'All set, General?'

Wolfgang nodded, and he closed up the boot, opening the door for Maisie to get in. After a moment, the three of them had gotten into the car, and they started off. 'Maisie, this is Stefan-' Now that they were alone, he spoke in English. 'He's another member of the Underground that works in the Gestapo.'

'Pleasure to meet you, Miss,' Stefan said, in perfect English, with a hint of a British accent.

'Nice to meet you, too.' She replied politely, then turned back to the general. 'Are we going to Papa, now?'

He nodded. 'Patience, little one. You'll get to see him soon.'

Days had passed, weeks perhaps. Hogan couldn't remember how long he'd been in Gestapo custody for. The days had blended together one after the other into one painful blur. How long had he been here for? Had it been a couple weeks? Months? With no way of being able to tell the time, he didn't even know what day it was. Not that it mattered. Each day was like the one before, and he was filled with dread at the thought of the future. They wouldn't stop until they'd gotten what they wanted from him, and despite what they had attempted to get him to talk, he wouldn't. He'd die before he ratted out his operation. The safety of his men and everyone connected to them was on him. He held their lives in his hands. No, he wouldn't talk. He had to keep them safe.

All throughout his interrogation, his only thoughts had been those of his men and Maisie. The memory of her sweet face and her smile had helped to bring him comfort and encouragement. His men, too, had been in the forefront of his mind, playing memories over and over to distance himself from his reality. How were they? How were his men? How was Maisie? Were they alright? With no way of being able to know for sure, the only thing he could do was pray for their safety. Unable to protect them himself, he gave them over to the care of God. The only prayer that he'd prayed for himself was that God would grant him the strength to endure until the end.

At the sound of the cell door being unlocked, Hogan couldn't help the shudder that ran through him. Who would it be this time? Was it Langer, the major who kept insisting that he tell them what he knew, or would it be Sergeant Vogel, the major's assistant, who was just as bad as his commander?

Footsteps came closer to him, and he forced open his swollen eyes to see who it was. His vision was blurred, but as the figure came closer, he could tell it wasn't either Langer or his assistant. It was someone new. Someone familiar-

'It's okay, Papa.' The figure spoke in English, a language he'd almost forgotten existed with the constant stream of German he'd been listening to nonstop the entire time. He tried harder to focus as the figure knelt down in his view, and his heart skipped a beat when he could make out the uniform.

'You don't have to be afraid, I'm not going to hurt you-'

Maisie, what had they done to her? Why was she wearing a Gestapo uniform? Why was she here? What was going on- He tried to move, tried to speak, but nothing came out. If they'd laid a hand on her, God help him…

'Sssh, Papa, it's okay. You don't have to be scared. It's me. Little Bear.'

Little Bear! Maisie's code name. She'd never use that without knowing that it was safe to do so. He relaxed a little, willing his eyes to focus on her face. Through the blurriness he could just make out a little smile as she continued to speak.

'I'm going to get you out of here, Papa. I promise.'

A little flicker of hope ignited in his heart, then just as quickly was extinguished. She was here, in the middle of Berlin Gestapo Headquarters, to get him out?! Maisie, you foolish girl! You shouldn't be here! It's too dangerous-

'You need to trust me, Papa. I need you to trust me.' He heard her continue, her voice as calm and sweet as if they were just having a casual conversation. Her voice was music to his ears, though he was out of his mind with worry for her. She shouldn't be here! She came for you-

'Can you hear what I'm saying? If you understand, blink for me.'

I understand, my sweet girl. What I don't get is why? You were told I was dead- With effort, he managed to blink twice, wishing he had the strength to speak to her. To hold her. To tell her it was going to be alright.

'Papa-' She was speaking again, and he focused every last reserve of strength into listening to her sweet voice. 'These men are here to help me get you out of here.' Behind her, he could make out two more men coming into his view, both uniformed as Gestapo officers. An uncontrollable shudder coursed through him, but he willed himself to listen to what she was saying. 'I trust them. They've helped me find you, and I need you to trust me.'

If Maisie said she trusted them, and he knew firsthand how hard it was to gain her trust, then he knew he could trust them, too. 'They're not going to hurt you, okay?'

You are a brave and foolish girl, Maisie.

He could hear in her voice her concern, and he wished he could say something to ease her fears, but he had no strength to utter a sound.

'Papa can't walk out of here.' She'd turned to address the men, and he couldn't see her face anymore. 'You're going to have to carry him.'

'We'll try to be as gentle as possible.' The taller man replied, as he moved back into view. He tried to concentrate on the uniform, trying to see what rank the man was-

'Colonel Hogan-' He continued speaking. '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.'

Ever so slightly, he was able to nod that he understood. Pain radiated through him as they helped him up, yet he was so exhausted he didn't have the strength to cry out when they got him to his feet. Keep it together, Robert, he ordered himself, as they helped him out of the room, fighting to keep control over himself. His head swam, his vision blackening from the pain, and if it wasn't for the two men he was between, he wouldn't have made it a step without falling.

After what seemed like an eternity, he felt a rush of cold air and guessed that they'd made it out of the building. A few more steps, and he could feel himself being lifted and laid down on something soft, then Maisie was beside him again, speaking gently.

'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.'

If he'd been able to see her expression, he was positive that she was close to breaking down. He could hear it in her voice-

'Will you be alright with him?' One of the men questioned, as he heard a tailgate being closed.

'I'll manage, was her reply, and he felt something being laid over him as she spoke in a softer tone. 'Papa needs to be in a hospital-'

'I know.' The man interrupted, and he strained to hear what he said. '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.'

Düsseldorf? Was that where they were going to take him?

'I understand.'

He heard footsteps leaving, and after a moment, the truck began to move. He looked around for Maisie, but in the darkness he couldn't make out a thing and wearily closed his eyes. His mind raced with questions, but he didn't have the energy or strength to find answers-

'I'm so sorry, Papa-' He heard her say, after a little while, and wondered what she was apologizing for. 'I should have done something...anything. I'm sorry.'

It's not your fault at all, little one. He wished he could say that to her. Don't blame yourself, my girl, none of this is your fault. None at all…

Sweet unconsciousness claimed him as his strength gave out, unable to fight against the pull of the darkness any longer…

The car finally came to a stop behind the cottage, Maisie's stomach in knots as Wolfgang stepped out, and she followed. Please be alright, Papa, please-

'We won't be long, Stefan,' Wolfgang said, after the driver had wound the window down to speak with him. 'Hans should be here with the truck anytime, now.'

'Keep the engine running then, sir?'

'Yes-' He looked around, but the truck didn't appear to be anywhere near the place. 'As soon as he gets here, we get Hogan in, and we get out of here.'

'Understood, sir.'

'Come along, Maisie.'

Maisie hurried after the general, following him along the path to the back of the house. They stopped at the door, and he knocked softly, the pair waiting a moment for it to be opened.

Dr. Wiesmeier opened the door a crack to see who it was, then opened it wide as he recognized the people standing on the porch. 'Come in, come in.'

Wolfgang stepped in quickly, Maisie beside him, and the door was closed once more. 'How is Colonel Hogan-'

'I'm afraid he's not too good-'

'Can I see him?' Maisie interrupted, a hint of frustration in her voice. 'Please?'

The old man nodded. 'You can see him-' The girl hurried away before he could finish what he'd been saying, and he turned back to the general. 'Someone appears worried.'

'She's been out of her mind with worry since Hogan was arrested by the Gestapo...poor dear.' Wolfgang remarked sadly, then returned back to business. 'How is he?'

'Not well, I'm afraid. He's had a time of it, believe me-'

'Just tell me what I need to know.'

'Alright, he's been starved, beaten, electrocuted, tortured, and sleep deprived. That just about sums it up, I believe.'

'I already gathered that from the files. What I want to know is about his injuries.' He had to work hard to control the hint of annoyance in his tone. For someone who was a doctor, he wasn't the smartest person he'd ever met. At least that was one thing that made working with him safe. No one would believe someone so gullible would be in league with the Underground.

'Where do I start? From what I've been able to tell, he's got multiple broken ribs, fractured radius and wrist, broken ankle, more bruises and cuts than I've ever seen, electrical burns, not to mention internal damage. I've fixed him up the best I can with what I've been able to use. I've splinted his arm and ankle and wrapped his ribs to help him for the trip, but he needs to be seen at a hospital right away.'

'That's exactly why we're here, Doctor. Has he been conscious at all?'

He shook his head. 'I've administered the absolute maximum dosage of morphine I can to make him as comfortable as possible for the move. He hasn't stirred.' He pulled an envelope from his pocket to hand to the general. 'This here contains all the information on his injuries and what I've administered, so you can give that to them at the hospital.'

'Thank you.' He securely hid it away in his inner coat pocket. 'And the other items I requested; did you obtain them?'

'Yes, everything is ready.'

Maisie stopped, tears welling in her eyes as she saw Hogan lying in the bed, still and motionless. Oh, Papa. Papa- She hurried over to his side, choking back tears as she desperately waited for his chest to rise. It did after a moment, ever so slightly, and relief filled her heart. For a moment there, she'd thought he was dead. He looked like death warmed over. His two month old beard had been shaved off, and his face looked more drawn in than before. You've lost so much weight, Papa. Did they starve you?

She had a feeling that guess was right, tears rolling off her cheek onto the makeshift cast on his arm. Except for the slow rise and fall of his chest, he didn't move. Not even so much as an eyelid flutter as she tenderly took his good hand in hers. 'Papa, I don't know if you can hear me-' her voice broke, and she had to pause for a moment before she continued. 'But please, Papa, please hold on. I can't lose you now. Please, Papa…'

Hearing footsteps coming down the stairs behind her, she quickly wiped away her tears and turned to see who it was. It was Wolfgang, carrying something over his arm.

'Hans just arrived with the truck-' he announced, holding out the clothing to her. 'Put this on.'

She raised an eyebrow as she took the uniform. 'You want me to dress as a nurse?'

'If we get stopped by roadblocks, you need some kind of identification. Might be a little too hard to explain how the general's daughter is tending to a POW, but not a nurse. You want to stay with him, don't you?'

She nodded.

'Then get the uniform on. Go upstairs. The room on the left you can get ready in.'

Without another word, Maisie hurried back up the stairs and went into the room to change. Last night, she'd been a Gestapo officer. Tonight, she was going to be a nurse. Perhaps when the war is over I should think about getting into acting, she thought, a little amused smile coming to her lips for a moment, but it went as quickly as it had come. She changed into the uniform and tied her hair up in a bun, tucking her brown locks beneath her cap.

With her other clothes slung over her arm, she emerged from the room, Wolfgang waiting for her. The general looked her up and down, then nodded. 'You will stay in the back of the truck with Hogan for the trip. If we get stopped at checkpoints, do not speak English. Here are your identification cards-' He handed the forged documents to her. 'And your orders.'

'And when we get to Dueseldorf? What do I do, then?'

'You'll change in the truck back into civilian clothes. Hogan will be admitted to the hospital as my brother in law, for now. That way you'll still be able to see your 'Uncle' without arousing suspicion. You'll also need to tell Hogan what is going on when he is conscious. You'll need to get him to go along with us.'

Maisie nodded. 'And after that? When do we tell Wilhelm that his prisoner is alive?'

'One problem at a time. Wilhelm is on a need to know basis, just as you are. And right now, neither of you need to know-' He looked around as Hans and Erich walked up the hallway, motioning for her to go wait in the truck. 'Get those clothes out of here, and wait in the truck. We'll bring the Colonel up and be on our way.'

'Yes, Herr General.'

Making her way out of the house, she shivered in the cold night air as she hurried over to the car. I hope they've got enough blankets to keep Papa warm, she thought to herself, placing her clothes back in her bag in the boot of the car, then took out her long coat to put on. They'd had to wait for night to fall before they'd come to take Hogan, the few hours they'd spent in Wolfsburg put to good use with a little extra shopping. Wolfgang had explained to her that she would be staying at Stalag 13 for the foreseeable future, and since she hardly had any belongings, he'd arranged for her to get what she needed. After all, the step-daugher of a Gestapo general couldn't be clothed in rags. Oh, I can't wait to see the look on Papa's face when I tell him I'm Annika Klink, now. With General Klink as my 'father'. He's going to be so surprised- Her expression sobered, as she hurried to the truck, climbing in as the men carried Hogan from the house.

'Easy, careful there-' Wolfgang instructed, overseeing the transportation of the American colonel. They laid him back down on the mattress, the men handing the stretcher back to the doctor, and he passed in a couple torches for the teen.

'I've given him a sedative-' the doctor said, as he handed Maisie the torches. 'He'll be out for the trip. All you need to do is keep an eye on him. Make sure he stays warm.'

'I understand.'

'Good luck-' He turned back to the general. 'You're all going to need it.'