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Between The Lines

Chapter 17

Berlin

Colonel Knefler of the Sicherheitsdienst studied a transcript from the trial of the American Colonel Robert E. Hogan, former Squadron Commander of the 504th Heavy Bombardment Squadron. Before meeting this Ami for the first time, he had made a thorough study of his capture, interrogations, and hospitalizations. His participation in previous scientific studies had been fruitful and hopefully they would be again.

There has never been a successful escape from Luft Stalag XIII. And it looks like Oberst Klink has successfully maintained that record. I have to give him credit. Hogan's a maverick.

Opening the second file on his desk he leaned back in his chair and thumbed through it. The Hammelburg Gestapo was busy that night too. Major Hegel's temporary auxiliary headquarters was attacked and burned to the ground. SS soldiers and a civilian secretary were found gunned down, in the woods. And Major Hegel met an untimely death while assisting with your capture. Was the underground creating a diversion for your attempted escape? Of course that would mean you did and can communicate with them. That is some food for thought.

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Early Morning

"More coffee, Colonel." LeBeau held up the thermos shaking it temptingly.

Smiling he held out his cup. "Maybe just a little. Thanks."

Coffee was comfort and greatly appreciated in the cold dampness of solitary."

"Everything normal in camp?" Hogan asked, taking another sip of the dark brew.

"You mean except for you being in here? Oui. Klink put another lock on the tool shed. Newkirk says it's no problem. Barrack 12 and 9 have their mouse races today. I'm in for two chocolate bars."

"I'm telling you Theodores gonna win," Hogan chided.

Louis stuck out his chin and looked at Hogan. "We'll see."

Continuing LeBeau took on a more serious tone. "The underground has been lying low after rescuing Hegel's prisoners. From what we heard over the coffee pot, Hochstetter blames the underground for the fire at the bakery and the dead in the woods since he can't blame us."

Taking another drink of his coffee, Hogan commented. "They'll have to be very careful, Hochstetter's going to be desperate for answers. Tell Tiger not to take any chances. Gulping down the last of his coffee he handed the cup and plate to LeBeau. "You better get back. It must be getting close to roll call."

"Don't worry, Colonel, they will be. Tiger is French. We French are very careful people. Grabbing the thermos LeBeau disappeared into the tunnel. Hogan slid the stone into the wall, and LeBeau locked it in place.

Feeling for the cot he sat down staring at the light coming in under the door. And now I wait. Again.

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Later That Morning

Kinch entered the barrack from the tunnels below. "Burkhalter arrive yet," Kinch asked, clearing the bunk and sealing the tunnel.

Carter turned from his post at the window. "Not yet. I think it is too early. It's only eight. I didn't think Generals even got up before noon."

Newkirk smiled at Carter. "What I wouldn't give to sleep 'til noon."

Kinch took a seat at the table across from Newkirk. "LeBeau, Carter, come over here for a minute. I just got a message from the underground. Gustov and Tiger have returned home. Things are pretty much back to normal now that Hegel is out of the picture. The underground is bringing a downed airman to us tonight."

"Just one Kinch?" Newkirk asked.

"Yeah. You and Carter go out and meet them tonight. LeBeau, you think you can rustle up some food for him and some bedding."

"Oui. Do you know his sortie?"

"I know he was flying in a 'Dambuster'." Kinch got up and poured himself a cup of coffee.

"Were the other six captured," Newkirk asked?

"Don't know. He may not even know." Kinch took a sip of coffee and was lost in thought.

Carter silently walked back to his post at the window. "Wait a minute. Schultz went into Klink's office, and Burkhalter just pulled in. What do you know, Generals do get up before noon." Newkirk joined Carter at the window.

"Anybody with him," Kinch asked?

Newkirk shook his head. "Just Burkhalter and his driver."

"I'll go tell the Colonel," LeBeau stood and walked toward the bunk.

Newkirk turned to look at Kinch. "I'll plug in the coffee pot."

Kinch looked at LeBeau and grabbed his arm, as he was about to punch the side of the bunk. "Wait a minute, Louis. There may be more to tell."

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Klink's Office

Wilhelm Klink looked up from his desk and frowned. "Schultz, what are you doing back so soon?

"Herr Kommandant, I beg to report that Colonel Hogan did not eat this morning,"

Puzzled Klink asked, "He didn't even drink his coffee? He always drinks his coffee."

Schultz shook his head. "Nein, He said he was not hungry. He did not look so good."

"What do you mean?"

"His eyes looked tired like he had been up most of the night. Maybe he was too tired to eat."

Klink tapped his pencil on his desk. "Hmm, he always drinks his coffee. General Burkhalter will be here any minute. I can't tell him…"

"You can't tell me what?" Burkhalter demanded looking questioningly at Klink.

Klink stood up and saluted. "Herr General, what a surprise."

"Surprise? You knew I was coming, Klink."

"Yes, but I am usually informed when you come through the gate."

"I told them not to bother. And it sounds like it was a good thing. Are you keeping secrets?"

"No, General! Sergeant Schultz just told me that Colonel Hogan refused breakfast this morning. He said he looked tired."

Burkhalter looked at Schultz. "Is that right, Schultz? Colonel Hogan was too tired to eat?"

"Jawohl, Herr General."

"He didn't even drink his coffee. And he always drinks his coffee." Klink insisted.

Burkhalter frowned, as Schultz helped him off with his coat.

"He is still in solitary," Burkhalter asked? Walking around the desk he sat in Klink's chair.

"Yes, General Burkhalter, just as you ordered," Klink assured.

"Schultz, bring Colonel Hogan here." Burkhalter reached for one of Klink's cigars and Klink jumped up offering a light.

Puffing on his cigar, Burkhalter continued. "I wonder if he is tired or if he has realized something is wrong?"

"Do you suspect he has figured out we are slipping him something, Herr General?" Klink paced over to the window and watched as Schultz walked toward the cooler.

"It's very possible. Hogan is not a stupid man. We hoped he would not become suspicious before he was ready to proceed and we took him to Hohemark." Puffing vigorously on the cigar, he came up for air. "I wonder if it was the medicine that prompted his escape." Watching the smoke swirl in the air Burkhalter took another puff. "Sitting in solitary has given him time to think. He may have but two and two together."

"Yes, maybe." Klink was quick to jump on that possibility. It might take some of the heat off of him for the escape attempt that wasn't.

Burkhalter knocked the ash off his cigar and took another puff. "Well, how he reacts to the medicine is not our problem. Our task is to make sure he takes it and is here when it's time to turn him over to the SS." Taking another contemplated puff on the cigar, he added, "Colonel Knefler will be here tomorrow."

"Yes, Herr General."

Turning his attention to the escape itself, Burkhalter continued. "I read the transcript of the trial. Hogan confessed to stealing a wire cutter. Have you taken precautions to assure that does not happen again?

Klink pulled at his collar. It suddenly felt quite tight. "Yes, General Burkhalter. We have placed them inside a locked box and have added a second lock to the door of the shed."

"And the light along the fence," Burkhalter asked? "No blind spots?"

"We have increased the arc of the searchlight. It now sweeps the entire fence line." Klink proudly proclaimed.

Hogan's observation that part of the fence was being missed by the light had been accurate. That meant Hogan had been looking for a way out. Klink's thoughts had been running rampant since that realization. Perhaps he would have tried a real escape if Hegel hadn't spoiled his plans. Or maybe he did escape and Hegel caught him and that is when he tried to extort the diamonds. Those diamonds…I still don't know how he got them.

Burkhalter frowned, "If there is one breach in security, you can count on the prisoners finding it. Fortunately the escape was not successful and the breach has been taken care of."

"Yes, Herr General, very fortunate. Maybe we should reconsider electrifying the wire."

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Schultz ushered Hogan into the outer office.

"Good morning, Colonel Hogan." Helga looked up from her desk and stared sadly at Hogan.

Hogan managed a smile. "Good morning, Beautiful. Sorry for my appearance. Heard any good rumors lately?"

Before Helga could answer, Schultz had knocked on the Kommandant's door and announced Hogan to Burkhalter.

"Bring him in, Sergeant."

The American Colonel was disheveled from his stay in solitary, hair uncombed, in need of a shave, eyes bloodshot and just an overall look of exhaustion.

"Colonel Hogan your name has been in my ears for all the wrong reasons these past few days."

"Yes, sir." Hogan stood holding his crush cap in front of him.

"Colonel Klink shot an officer of the Gestapo because of your escape attempt. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

The muscles in Hogan's jaw tightened as he forced himself to swallow his anger. Hegel was a killer of his own men and secretary, not a hero by any means. It irked him to be 'on-the-carpet' for his death.

"It is the duty of every prisoner to try to escape, General. The Major captured us and unfortunately did not identify himself before leaving the barn. That is nobodies fault but his own." Hogan answered, trying not to sound defiant.

Klink watched Hogan, knowing that if Burkhalter knew the real reason Hegel was in the barn, he would not be so eager to defend him.

"It was truly an accident of war, Herr General. A cruel twist of fate," Klink volunteered. He couldn't let Hogan take the brunt of this. Not with what he knew about Hegel's plans.

Burkhalter looked at Klink. "Are you defending his actions?"

"No. I'm defending mine. I did not know Major Hegel was in the barn. Hogan had already surrendered to Hegel. As Hogan said, Hegel did not make himself known to me. When we saw the gun in his hand we could not tell who it was. I assumed it was a prisoner. My thought was to protect my men and myself. So we opened fire. It all happened in a split second."

"If Hogan had not tried to escape it would not have happened at all."

Hogan bowed his head slightly and acknowledged Burkhalter's statement. "I know."

Looking at Klink, he added, "Nobody has ever escaped from here. And as I learned, it seems nobody ever will. The Kommandant appears to have a sixth sense when it comes to tracking us down."

Klink nodded, "I do have a knack for knowing how the prisoners think."

"So it seems," Burkhalter admitted.

Hogan looked dejectedly at the floor. "But hope is a hard thing to give up, General. Especially if that's all you have." Hogan could see he had struck a nerve. Burkhalter, having served in two wars, could agree with that declaration. His face softened a little but he looked hard at Hogan.

"I do understand the duty of a soldier is to attempt escape. But I hope, Hogan, you now see how futile it is to try."

"Yes, sir." Hogan conceded.

"I will move you out of solitary and put you in a cell for a few days longer until I am sure you have had ample time to think about how foolish your actions were."

Feeling relieved, Hogan breathed a little easier.

"Schultz, you can provide Colonel Hogan with a bucket of water daily and let him wash up and shave.

"Jawohl, Herr General."

"There is another matter I need to discuss with you, Colonel Hogan." Burkhalter sat back in his chair and studied Hogan. "Kommandant Klink has informed me that you refused to eat this morning. I want to know why."

Again the muscles in Hogan's face tightened as he tried to maintain his calm. Momentarily looking at Klink he returned his gaze to Burkhalter. Standing a little straighter, he said, "I don't know why that should concern you. Whether I eat or not is nobody's business but my own…sir."

Klink paled. "Hogaan!" Rising from his seat, he clenched his fist and shook it in the air more as a release of energy than a threat. "You will not talk to the General in that way. Answer his question."

"Sit down, Klink," Burkhalter ordered as he leaned forward. "It is very much my business. I am responsible for the running of all the prison camps. I share information with the Red Cross. And beyond that you are not an ordinary prisoner, as you well know. It is my job to keep you confined and healthy for the good of the Father Land.

Hogan recognized the inference. He had been used for various military tests to improve conditions for the Luftwaffe and for testing in their 'brainwashing' experiments. Evidently, he was still on the list. Steaming mad he began, "Then you know 'why'. Slipping drugs to a prisoner is in violation of the Geneva Con…"

"Don't quote the Geneva Convention to me." Burkhalter warned. Taking a breath he continued in a calmer voice. "There are some things more important. We are trying to provide World Order. Scientific advancement is paramount to survival and the betterment of society. You are a means to that end."

Hogan was on the loosing end of this conversation and he knew it. Realistically, there was nothing he could do to stop them. But he didn't have to make it easy. His look of defiance made his position clear to Burkhalter. "I don't have to cooperate."

Burkhalter acknowledged the challenge. Sitting back in his chair he looked at Hogan dead on. "I think you've answered my question. We knew given enough time you would figure it out." Leaning forward he promised, "I will send somebody to assist you with the medicine. You may feel free to eat, Colonel, your food will be untainted."

Hogan grit his teeth. If he were going to be force fed, he would like to know what to anticipate from this concoction the Nazi's were peddling. "Can you at least tell me what to expect?"

Burkhalter could not. This was outside of his authority. With a slight smile, he asked, "You tell me. How have you been feeling?"

Hogan straightened his shoulders and gave the only answer he was required to give. "Robert E Hogan – Colonel – serial number 0876707"

Burkhalter's smile vanished and was replaced with a uncompromising command. "You are dismissed, Colonel Hogan."

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