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Between The Lines

Chapter Six

"Now remember, don't take any chances. Get the diamonds and get back here."

"Yes, sir."

"Uh, Colonel, are you sure you don't want me to go along?"

"No, Newkirk. Carter and LeBeau can handle it. We don't need more men out there dodging patrols."

Newkirk shrugged his shoulders uncomfortably. He didn't want to sound like a mother hen, but… well… those two sometimes needed some looking after.

"Yes, sir, of course they can handle it! I just thought another pair of eyes would…" Seeing the frown on Hogan's face, Newkirk let his words trail off and gave in with a hint of sarcasm, "I'll just stay here and put a pot of coffee on then—for when they get back."

Hogan relaxed his stance and looked back at Carter and LeBeau. "Any questions?"

"No, sir," LeBeau quickly answered.

Carter stared studiously into space as he ran through possible scenarios. "I can't think of anything, sir. You covered it all pretty well. Yes, sirree, I…"

Annoyed, LeBeau elbowed Carter on the arm and assured, "We'll be fine."

Blinking himself out of his trance, Carter caught sight of the frown on LeBeau's face and added, "Yes, sir, we'll be fine."

Hogan looked at his watch. "All right, I'll see you two when you get back. In the meantime, I'm going to go take another shot at Klink." The smirk on Newkirk's face glared at Hogan as he turned to leave. "Don't say it!"

Newkirk shrugged his shoulders and mumbled, "Well, somebody should have!"

"At least Klink is humane." Hogan reminded Newkirk as he started up the ladder. Grimacing, he added, "Except when he's giving violin concertos."

Carter turned to Newkirk, puzzled. "Should have what?"

"Don't get him started, Andrew." LeBeau advised. "Come with me. I'll explain it to you as we get dressed."

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After several grueling hours of arguing with himself, Klink had finally made his decision, though he wasn't happy about it. Messing with a man's mind seemed evil. It was one thing to convince somebody to come over to your way of thinking, but to alter their thoughts… their will… well, it seemed… wrong. But then, so did dropping bombs on innocent civilians. And Hogan certainly had done enough of that, as had German bomber pilots over England.

Klink shook his head. Men are forced to do terrible things during a war…

Reaching for the back of the chair in front of him, he clamped his eyes closed as vivid memories attacked him.

He dropped his head and conceded… Things they would never dream of doing otherwise… And then, they spend the rest of their lives haunted by it.

Klink had had his share of kills in the Great War, and in his youthful exuberance had been proud of his achievements. Now it seemed like such a waste, both of his youth and his enemies.

But he was still a soldier. And as a soldier, he had sworn an oath to both his country and to his Fuhrer. And though he didn't always understand the reason for what was happening, he had to trust that his superiors were acting in the best interest of Germany and the German people.

Opening his eyes, he straightened and thought, Perhaps these experiments with Hogan will help end the war a little sooner. It will certainly help to have everybody thinking along the same lines after the war. There will be less strife… a supportive coexistence will exist among all the countries under German rule, and the bonds of friendship and mutual admiration can be forged.

Now, feeling more confident, Klink dutifully assured himself he was doing what was best for Germany and, yes, even for Hogan. Carefully placing the drug into the teacup, he decided he'd wait and pour the tea after Hogan arrived. It would all look perfectly natural.

Pausing to survey the room, he once again wavered as his heart pounded in his chest. If I'm so sure this is the right thing to do, why don't I feel better about doing it? Shaking his fist at himself, he demanded, Enough! You've made your decision—get on with it! Orders are orders! Besides, you have a bigger problem to worry about. Hegel wants to take over your command!

A soft rap on the door ended his one-sided debate. Tugging and smoothing his uniform, he prepared for battle.

"Come in!"

"Herr Kommandant, I brought Colonel Hogan as you ordered."

"I can see that, Schultz." Remembering Hogan's earlier antics, Klink quickly ordered. "You're dismissed."

Schultz looked eagerly at the tea and cookies laid out on the small serving table across the room. "Herr, Kommandant, are you sure you don't want me to stay and…"

"I said, dismissed."

A dejected "Jawohl" followed as Schultz lumbered out.

Klink turned and began pouring the tea. "Sit down, Colonel Hogan."

Looking around the room, Hogan paused. "Are you expecting someone, Kommandant?"

"No, Hogan. I thought we would have some refreshments while we talked."

Hogan stared in disbelief, wondering if Klink had forgotten the seriousness of their problem.

Ignoring Hogan's obvious bewilderment, Klink carried the tray to the table and again ordered, "Sit down."

Hogan slid into the chair with an impatient sigh.

"This is a new tea I'm trying." Klink offered the cup to Hogan. "Tell me what you think of it."

Puzzled, Hogan sniffed its aroma and took a sip.

"Well?" Klink asked, as Hogan swallowed the tainted brew.

"It's not bad." He took another sip. "But it has a bit of an after taste. I can't quite tell what it is."

Hogan began to set the cup down and Klink hurriedly encouraged, "Take a bigger drink so you can really taste it. I'll let you know if you guess right."

"It's hot!" Hogan protested, wanting to get on with their conversation.

"It's not that hot!" Klink countered with an edge of panic.

Confused, but not wanting to rile Klink, Hogan picked the cup back up and took another sip.

Cookie?" Klink asked, offering a plate of small delicately iced confections.

Hogan choked! Sputtering into a napkin, he set his cup down. He was done being congenial.

"Kommandant, we have a more pressing problem here than your…" Hogan groped for an uncensored word. "… new… tea!"

"What do you mean?"

"What do I mean? This afternoon you threatened to throw me into the cooler if I didn't leave you alone so you could think. And now you act like nothing's wrong. I hate to be an alarmist here, but… what about Hegel?"

"I'll get to that after you finish telling me how you like the tea."

Dumbfounded, Hogan grabbed up his cup and drank the remainder of the tea in one gulp.

"There!" The cup clanked back onto the saucer.

Klink relaxed and smirked. "I thought you said it was hot!"

Hogan anxiously declared, "It's delicious! Now, would you mind telling me what you've decided? Are we going to try to stop Hegel? Or should I make out my will?"

Success!–I hope. I only wish I knew how this drug was supposed to affect him. What if… Stop! General Burkhalter and Colonel Knefler expect Hogan to be ready for them when they arrive. I had no choice!

Klink ignored Hogan's outburst, and cheerfully carried the tea service back to the sideboard, and out of Hogan's sight. That battle won. It was time to answer Hogan's question. He somberly turned to answer.

"I've decided to try it your way. But I want your word you'll not attempt an escape."

Hogan exhaled and waved his hand dismissively. "You have my word. I just want to protect my men and come out of this alive?"

"I'll have more than your word if you do try an escape. I'll have you in the cooler."

Klink shook his fist in the air, building up steam.

"If I get to that barn and you aren't there, I swear to you, I will hunt you down if I have to go all the way to England. And you will spend the next six months in solitary—on bread and water! Do I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly!"

Still making demands, Klink returned from the sideboard with the wire cutters. "And I expect you to leave these at the fence after you cut the opening and make your escape."

"I promise; they'll be lying right where you can find them," Hogan assured.

Klink sat back in his chair, studying Hogan. He seemed sincere, the key word being, seemed. Still, what other choice did he have? Klink gave in to the inevitable and asked, "What time will you go out?"

"As soon as it gets dark. Give us a twenty minute head start and then follow."

Without skipping a beat, Klink asked, "Did you get the diamonds?"

Hogan frowned. "I thought we agreed that you wouldn't ask me about that?"

Klink's face turned red as he again attempted to put Hogan in his place. "All right, Hogan, I'll drop it—for now! But eventually, I'll want an answer!"

Hogan shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

In an aura of earnest concern, Hogan tilted his head slightly.

"Just be sure you're ready when we go out."

Klink's pulse quickened. He had to ask.

"Ready for what?"

"Hegel may try an ambush in the woods tomorrow night."

"Ambush!" Klink exclaimed, catching his monocle as it cascaded toward the floor.

Hogan leaned forward.

"Don't panic, Kommandant! I said may try an ambush. Odds are good he won't. I'm sure he doesn't want anyone to know he's extorting diamonds from us. But… you can't be too careful."

Replacing his eyeglass, Klink waved his hands excitedly, "Is there anything else you want me to not panic over?"

Hogan sat back, rubbing his arms as if he were cold.

"No, that ought to do it."

"You're sure?" Klink asked, noting Hogan's inability to sit still.

Again, leaning forward, Hogan fidgeted, placing his hands on his thighs, he slid them down to his knees.

"As sure as I can be."

"Thank you, Hogan. That makes me feel a lot better!" Klink answered sarcastically.

"Glad to be of help."

Hogan shrugged his shoulders, flexed his fingers, and folded his arms tightly across his chest. A slight shuddered followed, as he was not quite able to hide the chill that rattled through him.

Watching Hogan's fidgeting, Klink declared, "I think we'll forgo the violin playing tonight. You… I mean, we need to get some rest."

Hogan, his comprehension lagging, stared blankly at Klink.

Not knowing what else to do in the uncomfortable silence, Klink offered, "Of course, if you'd rather… I suppose I could play one or two…"

Hogan blinked himself out of his trance and ended his silence in a hurry. "No, no, no." Grabbing his cap, he pushed himself to his feet and backed toward the door. "You're right. We need to rest up for tomorrow night. I'll just be going back to my barracks."

Klink followed Hogan onto the porch, watching him closely. "Schultz! Where is he? Schuultz!"

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant," Schultz answered from across the compound.

"Take Colonel Hogan back to his barracks." Klink turned to Hogan. "I don't want one of the guards thinking you're trying to escape and shoot you again."

"Yeah, I don't want that either." Hogan answered, taking in a deep breath of cold air and giving his head a slight shake.

"Wait here for Schultz." Klink watched as Hogan, appearing flushed, sagged back against the wall of the building. "You'd better lie down, Hogan. You look like you can hardly stand."

Hogan rubbed his eyes. Pushing himself back on his feet, he took in another deep breath of cold air and grumbled, "It's been a long day."

Alarms went off! Klink had expected a rebuttal. Hogan's answer was close to an agreement. "Schultz, hurry up!"

"I'm hurrying, Herr Kommandant!"

Not wanting to arouse Hogan's suspicion by staying any longer, Klink went back inside and closed his door. I better not give him anymore of that stuff tomorrow… at least not before we catch Hegel with the diamonds.

Klink rubbed his chin as his thoughts shifted. What do I do with Hegel after I catch him? I can't turn him over to the Gestapo. They'd do what Hogan said, "cover for their own" and cut my head off. I'll have to bring Hegel back here and call General Burkhalter.

Moving to his window, Klink watched Hogan cross the compound. Was it the drug working on Hogan or was he simply as exhausted as he claimed to be?

He has been extremely active lately for a man recovering from a bullet wound. Make that three bullet wounds. Still, he seemed all right when he came in tonight… Didn't he?

Klink searched his memory. He had been so caught up in getting Hogan to drink the tea that he hadn't really noticed if he appeared tired or not.

Well, regardless of whether it's the drug or exhaustion, I hope he's over it by tomorrow night.

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Schultz stopped in front of Klink's quarters. "Are you ready, Colonel Hogan?"

"Yeah, Schultz, I'm ready." Zipping his jacket, Hogan stepped off the porch and was immediately engulfed in searchlights. Squinting, he pulled his cap down to block out some of the light and started across the compound.

"Are you all right, Colonel Hogan? You look a little green."

The question seemed to reverberate in Hogan's ears, but it was the lights that bothered him most. "I'm just tired Schultz… did the guards put new bulbs in their searchlights? They seem brighter tonight."

Schultz shook his head. "No. Maybe they just seem brighter because you're tired."

Hogan nodded in mock agreement. "Maybe." Or maybe the Kommandant still thinks I'm up to something and replaced the bulbs.

"Thanks for the escort, Schultz."

"Ja." Schultz looked at Hogan with concern. "Colonel Hogan?"

"Yeah, Schultz?"

"Get some rest. No monkey business tonight." Schultz smiled. "I'm not up to it."

Right, no monkey business tonight Schultz. We'll all go to bed as soon as Carter and LeBeau get back.

"G'night, Schultz," he answered, sliding away from the glaring lights and into the comforting gloom of the barracks.

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The patrols in the woods had been increased all right. The failure of Hochstetter's plan to flush out the underground had placed the Gestapo Major in an embarrassing position and he was determined it wouldn't happen again.

Undaunted, LeBeau and Carter waited in the shadows for the drop. They were very much aware that once the plane appeared, it would draw all the German patrols in the area directly to them.

"As soon as we pick up the diamonds, we'll head away from Stalag 13, Andrew."

Carter started to shake his head in agreement… and then it registered.

"Away?"

"Oui, les Boches may pick up our trail and if we head straight back, it won't take them long to figure out where we're going. We'll head away and circle back."

"Good idea, Louis."

Both men sprang into action as a plane's engine hummed above them. Racing down the side of the hill to an open area, Louis pointed his signal lamp up and flashed its light. Within seconds, a chute opened and their parcel parachuted to the ground. The clock was ticking.

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Hogan sat at the table in the common room. It wasn't just Schultz's voice that reverberated in his head, every voice rang a little longer in his ears. Though it wasn't enough to distort their meaning, it certainly was annoying. Now on top of that irritation, Carter and LeBeau were late and Newkirk's frantic pacing wasn't helping.

"They should have been back two hours ago, sir—two hours!" Newkirk fussed, as he poured Hogan another cup of coffee. 1

"Don't worry, they'll make it." Hogan mumbled, as much for his own sake as Newkirk's. Come on guys, don't make me out a liar.

Newkirk placed the pot back on the stove and paced around the table. "Sure, they'll make it all right sir. I know they'll make it. There's no doubt about 'em making it, it's just… I should have went out with 'em, that's all."

Newkirk's words rang in his ears. Something's happening out there… or they'd be back. But your being out there wouldn't have changed anything, Newkirk. Carter and LeBeau are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. Hogan watched the coffee slop back and forth in his cup and a wave of nausea hit him. There seemed to be a slight haze around everything. Perspiration broke out on his forehead and he pushed his hat back to cool off. He'd been worried before, but this was the first time he'd actually worried himself sick!

Oblivious to what was going on behind him, Newkirk plopped onto the table and continued fretting. "I sh… what time did you say it was?" he asked, looking at Hogan.

Hogan, afraid he wouldn't be able to see his watch clearly enough to read it, looked from Newkirk to Kinch and asked, "What time is it, Kinch?"

Kinch Impatiently pulled his sleeve back and jutted his arm out in front of Newkirk.

"It's ten o'clock!" Newkirk muttered. "Funny, it doesn't seem like ten o'clock."

Newkirk's words still hung in the air when the bunk covering the tunnel entrance rattled open. Jumping to his feet, he confronted his two mates with relieved fury as Kinch turned to watch.

Hogan's head dropped in a silent thank you, and then with his men occupied, he pushed himself to his feet, taking a moment to regain his balance before making his way into the fray.

"Did you get the stuff?" He asked, while nonchalantly holding out his hand.

Carter nodded and handed it over, still watching LeBeau explain why they were delayed.

Taking the package, Hogan retreated to a corner of the room away from the door and dropped down on a bunk. All the while, the banter was still flowing, with Carter trying to explain about the heavily patrolled woods.

"That's what you're getting paid for!" Hogan interjected, hoping to put a stop to the commotion.

"Then I want a raise!" Louis fired back, earning him a quick glance from Hogan, who was opening the bundle of diamonds.

Whistles and exclamations soon followed as the fake diamonds were revealed and passed around.

"Very nice indeed. Never tell their rubbish." Newkirk punched a diamond into LeBeau's hand. "Here's your raise."

London had come through. Now, it was all up to them.

Hogan stared at the diamond between his fingers. He brought it closer, trying to get his eyes to focus. It sparkled in the dim light of the barracks. He decided Hegel would have a hard time distinguishing them from the real thing. And that meant they were still in the game. It was time to fill his men in on the plan.

Just as he was about to speak, Newkirk launched into one of his boastful stories about a "bird" he once knew in London.

"All right, Newkirk, save it for your memoirs." Hogan stopped him with a wave of his hand. It was abrupt, but it was also late, and he needed to wrap this up quick—before he fell on his face.

"Listen. This is our plan for tomorrow night. Klink has agreed to let us out of here. I've sold him on the idea of grabbing Hegel with this stuff on him. We go out first; Klink follows with his men after the delivery."

Hogan had his eyes on Newkirk, expecting him to offer a challenge. Instead, the question came from his second in command, Kinch.

"Well, what's to keep Hegel from talking when Klink arrests him?"

Hogan had hoped no one would ask, because there was nothing to stop that from happening. This whole setup was based on Hegel taking the diamonds and running, because if Hegel didn't run, this would all end in their deaths. Having Klink there would at least mean Hegel wouldn't get away to enjoy his new found wealth. It would be Hogan's final act of retribution. Unfortunately, Klink would also end up on the losing end.

"If he doesn't try any fancy footwork, there won't be an arrest. We let Hegel get away with his pound of glass."

"Yeah, but suppose he does try a double cross?" Kinch persisted.

"That's why we bought the policy from the Klink insurance company!"

His men looked at him and he could see in their eyes they were beginning to put two and two together. Still, Hogan wanted to give them hope.

"If Hegel hears Klink pull up, it may give him more incentive to run with the money, rather than risk being found with the diamonds and having to explain how he got them."

Hogan could feel Kinch studying him. A quick glance into Kinch's eyes told him, Kinch had it figured out. Klink wasn't there to protect them. He was there to catch Hegel if anything went wrong. Because if everything went right… Klink wouldn't be needed.

Hogan smiled reassuringly. "Okay, everybody to bed. We need to be sharp tomorrow. LeBeau, Carter, back to the tunnels and get changed. I'm going on to bed."

Hogan eagerly retreated behind the closed door of his room. The weight of command was heavy tonight. Leaning on his desk, his hands rolled into fists and he shook his head. There was so much riding on tomorrow night. It had constantly been in the back of his mind that it could end like this. But he had always thought it would be Hochstetter who pulled it off. He'd been outflanked, but how?

He straightened and rubbed the back of his neck, noting that the ringing in his ears was easing up.

It's just stress, not a relapse. I won't give Wilson the satisfaction of having a relapse and having to listen to him gloat. He snorted. Not that I'll necessarily have the chance to listen to him gloat.

He hated feeling so out of control. Placing his hands in the small of his back, he stretched and immediately flinched as his still healing left side protested.

Ugh! His right hand quickly offered support as he slowly exhaled. It's nothing more than exhaustion. You've felt it before. A good night's sleep will take care of it.

Easing himself onto the chair, he laid his head on his desk.

His bunk was just… too far away.

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Kinch was half way into bed before he suddenly remembered he had something to tell the Colonel. Quietly crossing the barracks to Hogan's room, he slipped inside. "Colonel, you wanted…"

Seeing Hogan slumped over his desk, Kinch closed the door. "Are you all right, sir?"

Hogan pushed himself up and turned to face Kinch. "What is it, Kinch?"

"You wanted me to remind you that the mail goes out tomorrow and along with it, Klink's report about you."

Hogan nodded, relieved. "Oh, right, right. I'll talk Schultz into having Newkirk clean Klink's office in the morning. Thanks, Kinch."

"Yes, sir."

Hogan could feel Kinch studying him. "Is there something else?"

"Colonel… you look awful."

"Thanks a lot."

"No… I mean… you look exhausted. There's more going on than what you let on out there, isn't there?"

"I think you have a pretty clear picture of the situation, Kinch." Hogan hesitated. "But what is starting to worry me more is—Klink!"

"Klink? Why's that? I mean. besides the obvious."

"I'm afraid he may be cracking up." Hogan shook his head. "And he'd have to do it now!"

"What happened, Colonel?"

Hogan looked in earnest at Kinch. "Do you know what he did tonight? He had a tea party. Here we are right in the middle of this… crisis, and he wants me to taste some new tea he bought on the black market! I almost abandoned the whole operation!"

"A tea party?"

"Yeah, can you believe it!" Hogan rubbed his eyes.

Walking a little closer, Kinch offered, "Well, sir, we have to remember, Klink doesn't have the whole picture. He doesn't know Hegel has such damning information on us and… on him. Maybe his cavalier response is not too far out there."

Hogan dropped his hand and looked back at Kinch. "Yeah, you're right. That has to be it." Hogan's shoulders relaxed and then tensed again. "I should have thought of that."

"Colonel, you can't expect to be able to think of everything. You've been pushing yourself pretty hard after what you've been through these past few weeks. Besides, that's why you keep me around, isn't it?"

Looking away, Hogan rubbed his forehead. "It's my job to think of everything! And I'm not pushing myself that hard." At least I didn't think I was until tonight. Standing, he met Kinch head on. "And I keep you around because you're a good radio operator and level headed under fire!"

"Thanks, Colonel."

Sheepishly Hogan grumbled, "And… you remember what I forget."

Laughing, Kinch joked, "Or choose to ignore!"

"All right, point taken, I'm a know it all."

Kinch nodded, still amused. "Yes, sir…" and then sobered, "I mean, no, sir!" … and then smiling awkwardly, finished, "You know what I mean."

Hogan leaned heavily on his desk and rubbed his eyes. "Yeah, now go get some sleep."

"Yes, sir." Kinch turned and walked toward the door.

"Oh, and…"

Kinch turned, expectantly awaiting some new order.

"… you also make good coffee!"

Kinch smiled, "Aha, the truth comes out."

The door closed and Hogan sagged. Yeah, there's nothing wrong with me a good night's sleep won't cure. Looking over his shoulder, he grimaced. Now, if I can just make it to my bunk.

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1 From the episode, "Diamonds In The Rough", second season.