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belong to ML Breedlove.

Between The Lines

Chapter 15

Secrets

"Is this nightmare ever going to end?" LeBeau asked, looking at the others.

Pacing in his cell, Kinch drew in a long breath. "The Colonel's right, Louis. The Gestapo was our biggest worry. We've got the tough part behind us. Burkhalter should be straightforward. " Kinch walked over to his bunk and sat down.

"I was talking about the war." LeBeau replied.

No one responded. It was a questioned each had asked their selves daily.

You're awfully quite, Carter," Kinch noticed. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Just thinking. I hope Hegel didn't have any silent partners. I don't trust him. I don't care if he is dead."

"Stop thinking, mate," Newkirk muttered. "You're scarring me."

"Hegel was too greedy to have partners, Carter." Kinch began replaying the events of the last couple days in his mind. "At least any that lived." Kinch was reassuring himself as much as his comrades. It was a thought that had briefly crossed his mind too.

The sound of the tunnel entrance sliding open brought everything to a halt.

"Baker? What's up?" Kinch jumped to his feet.

"Please don't tell us the Gestapo came back," Newkirk pleaded.

Baker quietly closed the tunnel entrance.

"No. In fact, we are all wondering what happened and…" Looking around he noticed someone was missing. "Where's the Colonel?"

Carter nodded his head toward the long dark corridor to his right. "Solitary."

"Solitary? Still?" Baker took two steps in that direction and turned back. "What's up? We thought the trial was over."

"It is. Accident of war they called it, according to the Colonel," Kinch answered. "But now it seems General Burkhalter is coming and he ordered the Colonel to solitary."

LeBeau lay back on his bunk staring at the ceiling. "Not good."

"You don't know that, LeBeau. The Colonels pretty good at talking his way out of trouble." Carter declared proudly.

"I'll let London know we are still unable to operate. Anything else you want me to tell them?" Baker asked.

"Nothing for London, but ask the underground if they have any knowledge about Hegel's secretary, um…Myra. Hegel said she was dead. If he was telling the truth I think we will be okay. If not…" Kinch didn't want to think about the alternative.

Baker smiled, "Well then, I've got some good news. We've already heard from the underground. Myra is dead. The underground said they came across her dead body in the woods the night you guys met Hegel."

LeBeau sat up and looked at Baker. "Are they sure, Baker?"

Baker nodded, "Tiger was there and verified it herself. She said they also picked up a machine gun that night. It was just sitting in the middle of the woods. Said it looked like it was just put there. They assumed it was what was used on the woman and the SS men."

Newkirk's eyes opened wider. "What SS men?"

A spew of French words came pouring out of LeBeau's mouth as he jumped to his feet. "Are they saying we killed them?"

Kinch shook his head. "No. We would have left with the Gestapo if they thought that. I'm pretty sure that was Hegel's mess. They probably blamed it on the underground."

And I think that machine gun was meant for us, too, mates." Lighting a cigarette Newkirk paled, "It's a good thing Klink showed up."

"That was Tiger's conclusion as well Newkirk." Baker headed back to the tunnel. "I better go update the Colonel in case he has any orders. Anything you guys want me to pass along?"

Kinch shrugged his shoulders. "Nope, you've got all the news. I think we're safe from anything Hegel or the Gestapo had planned."

Newkirk pulled the cigarette from his mouth, "And lets bloody well keep it that way."

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Hogan finished sliding the stone back into place and sat back on his bunk. Baker's news was a surprise, but only in the fact that those deaths were not mentioned during the trial. I guess they realized we were not capable of having killed them since they were killed with a machine gun. Running his hands through his hair, he leaned forward. But I know who did. And I know what he had planned for us. The dark cell gave his eyes little to focus on except the small crack under the door where a sliver of light found its way in. He could still feel his heart beating in his chest and assumed it was apprehension. Maybe it's because I know I still have Burkhalter to deal with. Rubbing his eyes he acknowledged how drained he was feeling. I need to get some rest. He felt for the blanket and sunk back on his cot. He was asleep before his head hit the mattress.

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Klink poured himself another schnapps as he mulled over the days events. He was beginning to feel more composed. Why does Hogan get to me the way he does? And how did he get those diamonds…fake diamonds. Hegel was never in camp. How did they communicate? It had to be someone bringing the information back and forth between them. Right? Or…was it really done with mirrors? Klink shook his head and emptied the schnapps into his mouth. Swallowing, he twirled the empty glass in his fingers staring at it. I am as empty as this glass when it comes to figuring that man out.

A knock on the door interrupted Klink's thoughts. Setting the glass down on the tray on his desk, he grudgingly answered. "Come in."

"Herr, Kommandant, do you still want me to bring Colonel Hogan's dinner here before I take it to him?"

Klink sat back in his chair and sighed. "Yes, Schultz." He didn't like this. He never liked it. But what was he to do. He was just a player in this war. Just another cog that could be replaced…would be replaced if he didn't follow orders.

So was it guilt or regret that caused him to give his next order.

"Before you do that, though…" Klink paused and swallowed his pride. "Release Colonel Hogan's men from the cooler."

Schultz's eyes opened wide. "Yawohl, Herr Kommandant! Immediately."

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Cold air swept in ahead of Joe Wilson as he entered Barrack 2.

The men he came to see were huddled around the stove warming their selves.

"Anyone here in need of my services," he asked, as he joined them at the stove. Before the trial, security had been too tight in the 'cooler' for house calls.

"Not unless you've got a prescription for warming me cold bones up," Newkirk answered, pulling the blanket a little tighter.

LeBeau with a pair of socks on his hands confirmed Newkirk's statement. "Oui."

Kinch held his cup of coffee with both hands not even attempting to take a drink. The warmth it gave off was being absorbed from the outside in. "Got any whisky in your pocket?" Kinch asked.

"No. But I don't see any frostbite so my prognosis is you will recover." Looking around the room, Wilson asked, "Where's Carter?"

LeBeau looked over his shoulder toward the door. "He's working on Schultz trying to find out more about the trial. We'd ask the Colonel but he's got enough on his mind."

"And sometimes he doesn't tell us the whole story, privilege of rank. You might say we're a bunch of nosey parkers," Newkirk admitted.

Wilson smiled understandingly. "Baker said the Colonel's still in solitary, at least until Burkhalter gets here. I haven't been down to see him yet. Thought I'd wait until the Kommandant turns in."

Kinch agreed, "Good idea. Schultz said he was going to be taking the Colonel's dinner down to him shortly. Probably should wait until he's gone. Maybe we'll join you,"

"Um…maybe you should wait until I come back. Hopefully I won't be long." Wilson smiled at Kinch.

Taking a drink of his coffee Kinch nodded. "Whatever you say, Wilson."

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Carter hurriedly opened the door to the barracks and rushed in red faced and breathing heavy.

"What's the matter, Carter? Did Schultz have some bad news about the trial?" Newkirk laid the deck of cards he had been shuffling down on the table.

"Where's Kinch? Carter did a quick scan of the barracks."

"He's down in the tunnel with Baker." LeBeau stood from the table and stepped closer to Carter. "Something wrong?"

"I don't know," he answered, making a beeline for the tunnel. Newkirk and LeBeau gave each other a quick glance and were close behind Carter as he began his way down.

Kinch was getting the low down from Baker on upcoming sabotage the underground had been planning and the next bombing runs coming from England, while busily taking notes.

Carter suddenly burst into the room followed by Newkirk and LeBeau.

"What's wrong?" Kinch straightened from the desk he had been leaning on.

Newkirk and LeBeau rushed to Kinch's side leaving Carter on his own in the middle of the room.

"That's what we want to know, Kinch. Carter rushed in asking for you," Newkirk explained. 'What's wrong mate? Schultzie say something about the trial?"

"Come on give," LeBeau prompted.

"It may be nothing, but I thought it was mighty peculiar. I was asking Schultz about the trial and he didn't seem too concerned. You know how Schultz is you have to kind of lead him along…"

"Carter, you're nattering again! Get to the point."

"Well I thought, why would Schultz take the Colonel's dinner to Klink's office first before taking it to the cooler?" Carter looked at his buddies for answers.

"What?" Kinch set his pad and pencil down. "Back up, Carter. You followed Schultz to the mess hut and then to Klink's office?"

"Well it just kind of worked out that way. I was talking and he was walking and before I knew it, we were walking out of the kitchen and toward the cooler and I stopped and Schultz kept on going. I said 'Schultz'…you know how he gets distracted and I thought he had…"

Newkirk took a step forward and gave Carter a swat with his cap to get his attention.

Kinch cut in. "Did you ask him why?"

"I sure did! He said it was none of my concern and I should go back to the barracks. I came straight here. I think there is something sneaky going on."

Kinch got a sinking feeling. "You may be right or there could be a simple explanation. But we had better check it out."

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Hogan woke to the sound of keys jingling in the door and was soon accosted by glaring light from the single light bulb over his head. Shading his eyes he sat up and struggled to see who it was.

"Colonel Hogan, I've brought your dinner." Schultz announced setting the tray on the only chair in the room, a small round wooden object with three legs that could be used for sitting or as a small table depending on the need.

Relief quickly replaced dread as Hogan recognized Schultz's voice. He wasn't sure how long he had been asleep or what day it was at first. Still squinting, he picked the tray up and put it on his lap. "Thanks, Schultz. Have a seat. What's going on out there?"

"Not much. Just the end of the day routine." Schultz smiled. "But I have a surprise for you. The Kommandant released your men."

Hogan stopped eating to look at Schultz. "That is a surprise. I wonder what changed his mind." Hogan paused in thought for a minute before continuing, "Well, I'm glad he got his thinking over with."

"He has been doing a lot of that lately." Schultz admitted.

Hogan scowled, "Haven't we all?" Taking a drink of coffee, he asked, "No Burkhalter yet, I take it."

"Nein. The Kommandant is expecting him tomorrow."

"Do you know what time?"

"The Kommandant says before noon." Schultz watched as Hogan hungrily ate and downed the coffee consuming the medicine the Kommandant had added. It was a secret only Schultz knew and he was ordered to keep it quiet.

Hogan's hand jerked as he set the coffee down sloshing a little over the edge of the cup. Grabbing the sides of the tray, he steadied his hands.

"Colonel Hogan, are you cold?" Schultz asked. "I thought I noticed a shiver."

He was not cold which was surprising. And he was not sure what just happened. Instinctively, he diverted attention. "Just a sudden chill." He lied, agreeing with Schultz. Motioning toward the door he complained, "There's a draft. You left the door open."

Puzzled, Schultz looked toward the door and back to Hogan.

"If you go around leaving doors open, I'm never going to get warm."

Schultz caught the slight gleam in Hogan's eye. "Jolly joker." He murmured as he took Hogan's tray and headed toward the open door." Turning back, he added, "Colonel Hogan, I will bring you another blanket."

Not knowing Burkhalter's plans, maybe getting an extra blanket, now, would be a good idea. "That would be nice. Thanks, Schultz.

"I will bring it before lights out. I mean before barracks lights out. Unfortunately, I have to turn yours off now."

Hogan allowed a small smile to show. Schultz sometimes let his compassion get the better of him. It was one of Schultz's weaknesses he and his team had come to count on. "I understand, Schultz"

The cell door closed and locked followed by darkness. He was almost glad for the darkness. What had started as a light headache was beginning to pound in his ears. Sweat broke out on his face as he unzipped his jacket to release the heat. He was abnormally hot. Something is not right, he thought. I might be catching something. A wave of dizziness caused him to surrender to the cot once again. Lying back he kept one leg grounded to the floor. Yeah, I've caught something.

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LeBeau was outside the barracks watching for Schultz to exit the cooler. The thought of the Colonels food possibly being tampered with made him angry. But first they needed to talk to Schultz. Perhaps he was just dropping something off to Klink before he went to the cooler. Carter could have missed something. And he hoped that was the case.

Twenty minutes later Schultz exited, exchanged a few pleasantries with the guard, and ambled off in the direction of the kitchen.

As Schultz left the kitchen, LeBeau approached. "What do you want, Cockroach?"

"With Colonel Hogan in Solitary, Kinch is left in command and he wants to see you."

"What does he want?"

"I don't know. I'm just a corporal."

Schultz's face sagged a little. "Okay, tell him I am taking Colonel Hogan another blanket and then I will be there."

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Fraulein Helga stacked the papers on her desk into a neat pile. It was later than she usually stayed at work but this had been a busier day than normal.

The door opened and Schultz ambled in to give the Kommandant his report. "The big shot still in?" he asked.

Looking at the closed door to Klink's office, she nodded. "It's been quiet in there. I hesitate to disturb him to tell him I'm leaving for the day but…"

Interrupting her, Schultz waved his hand, "I will tell him. I have to report to him about Colonel Hogan. Have a good evening, Fraulein." Schultz stepped toward the door but Helga intercepted him.

"How is Colonel Hogan? I heard the trial went well." Her voice echoing concern, she added, "Does he know that Colonel Knefler is expected in a few days?"

Schultz put his finger to his mouth and hushed her. "Nein, and don't say that too loud. The walls may have ears." Schultz didn't know how Colonel Hogan and his men learned their information, but he did know it was better to not speak about things the Kommandant did not want known. Lowering his voice he added, "No one is suppose to know. How do you know?"

"There is very little I don't know of what happens around here, Oberfeldwebel. But like you, I say nothing."

"Colonel Hogan does not know." Pausing he added, "At least I think he does not know." Frowning he said, "If he does know he did not learn it from me. But sometimes he knows more than he is suppose to know."

Taking another step, he proceeded to knock on Klink's door.

"Come."

Interring the room, he closed the door behind him. "Herr, Kommandant, I have come to report that Colonel Hogan has eaten all of his dinner, as you ordered. Oh, and fraulein Helga has left for the day."

Klink stroked his chin. "How did he appear?"

"How did he appear, Herr Kommandant?" Schultz asked.

"Yes, Schultz. How did he appear? Was he talking to you? Was he standing…sitting?"

Schultz shrugged his shoulders. "He was sitting and he appeared cold. I am taking him another blanket. "I hope that's all right. Oh, and he wanted to know about General Burkhalter's arrival. I told him you expected him before noon tomorrow."

"Very good, Schultz." Satisfied that Hogan was still functioning normally he relaxed. "Yes, take him a another blanket." Klink stood and walked to the coat rack. "I will be retiring to my quarter's for the night. Do not disturb me unless it is an emergency. I want to try and get some rest before General Burkhalter arrives tomorrow."

"Yawohl, Herr Kommandant. Do you want me to wake you in the morning?"

"You don't have to bother. I have no doubt I will be awake before you."

Schultz stood aside as Colonel Klink passed. Reaching to turn off the light and close the door, he silently agreed, he had no doubt everyone would be awake early tomorrow.

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"Are you sure Schultz is coming, LeBeau?" Newkirk reached for another cigarette.

"I can only tell you what he…" LeBeau suddenly spun around as the door opened and Schultz lumbered in.

"What is it, Kinch?" he asked as he took a seat at the table. "It has been a long day and I still have lights out to do before I can go to bed."

They had to time this right if they hoped to learn anything. It was unlikely Schultz would volunteer any informational. Kinch circled the table and stood in front of Schultz. "We just want to know what is going on?"

Looking suspiciously at the four men, he hesitated, "What do you mean?"

Carter spoke up. "I saw you take Colonel Hogan's food to the Kommandant."

Schultz stood up. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Come on, Schultz, The Gov'nor's been through enough these last few weeks. "You know something."

"I know nothing…nooothing!"

LeBeau stood in front of the door blocking his exit. Arms folded with no intention of moving.

"Please it would be worth my life," Schultz whined, looking at the man in front of him.

Kinch came up behind Schultz. "Well that pretty much says it, doesn't it?"

"I said nothing." Schultz answered.

"You didn't have to Schultz." Newkirk added. "The Kommandant is adding something to his food."

I'm disappointed in you Schultz. What's the Colonel ever done to you?" Carter asked.

LeBeau stepped forward, "Nothing!" LeBeau shouted. "Except give you candy bars."

"And loan you money when you needed it." Carter reminded.

"What else do you know, Schultz?"

"I only know that General Burkhalter will be here tomorrow." Schultz edged toward the door.

"What is the stuff your giving to the Colonel and what is it supposed to do to him?" Kinch looked Schultz in the eye and waited.

Guilt did not sit well with Schultz, at least not this kind of guilt. Schultz sighed and relented, "The Kommandant only said it would help Colonel Hogan relax. Now that is all I know. You boys get ready for bed. Lights out in one HOUR!" Schultz made his break for the door. He needed to get away before he was tricked into revealing more.

As the door closed, Louis looked at the others. "Do you suppose that is all that it is? Just something to help him relax?"

"Well Klink has been playing the violin for him." Newkirk added, "If you call that relaxing."

"Never take anything at face value." Kinch warned pacing. "Carter, have you got a little vial or bottle somewhere that we can use?"

"Sure, Kinch. What are you thinking?"

Kinch placed his arm over Carter's shoulder. "I think we'll do a little office snooping tonight."