Düsseldorf Hotel
Düsseldorf, Germany
November 1944
Day 5

Hogan returned to Düsseldorf later that night, this time bringing Newkirk with him, and they met with Fritz and his men in the backroom of the bakery. Hogan and Newkirk had brought Gestapo uniforms with them for this plan and they made a quick change upon arrival. They were to go into the hotel, acting as if they were there for other business, get Miller and get him out of the hotel either through the service stairs or the kitchen area. There was just one problem. Fritz's sentries were reporting that Hochstetter had added a few more guards, one on the service stairs doorway and one in the kitchen area. This posed a slight dilemma for the Colonel.

"Blimey," Newkirk said. "That means no matter what door we bring 'em out of, we're going to be questioned."

"The service stairs exit is still the best bet," Hogan said. "If there's only one guard there, we can just knock the goon out, hustle Miller out into the car and get the hell out of Dodge. Simple."

"Oh." Newkirk nodded. "As long as it's simple...."

Hogan snorted. "C'mon, let's go."

Frtiz dropped Hogan and Newkirk off a block away from the hotel and proceeded to drive the car to the hotel and park by the service stairs exit. He checked his watch. It was almost nine-thirty.

Hogan and Newkirk walked briskly, but not too quickly, to the hotel. They passed by Fritz's car and continued on to the front of the hotel. They weren't even to the front door yet when a Gestapo guard passed by them and pulled up to the curb just ahead of them. Hogan and Newkirk stopped and stepped back and turned slightly to avoid having whoever was stepping out of the car see them.

There was no mistaking Major Hochstetter as he exited the car. Oblivious to the two additional Gestapo men loitering on the sidewalk, he gestured to the two guards that had accompanied him and they marched into the lobby of the hotel.

Newkirk looked at Hogan and cringed. "What's he doin' 'ere?"

Hogan didn't know, but he knew he didn't like it. "Let's just stay cool...remember we're here on other business..." He walked to the door, Newkirk following.

Hochstetter was well beyond the lobby when they came in. The guards in the lobby acknowledged them with salutes and nothing more. Hogan walked around non-chalantly, appearing to be examining the lobby and everything in it, with disdain.

Meanwhile, Hochstetter and his two guards had reached the sixth floor. Hochstetter lead the way down the hall way and the guard posted outside Miller's door came to attention. Hochstetter considered no courtesy and he immediately opened the door, barging into the room.

Major Miller was sitting at the writing desk doodling on the hotel's paper and looked up with a start. Hochstetter said not a word, allowing the pointing of the two guards rifles do the talking. Miller got the message and pushed the note paper aside and placed the pen down. He picked up his crush cap and stood up. Hochstetter stood aside and one of the guards turned to lead Miller out. Miller followed.

With a guard flanking either side of him, Miller was escorted down to the lobby. Newkirk saw the spectacle before Hogan and gently nudged the Colonel's arm. Hogan turned to look.

"Damn..."

"What do we do?" Newkirk asked. "Hochstetter will recognize us for sure if we approach now."

"I know... and we can't tail them either. He's more than likely taking Miller directly to Gestapo Headquarters--" Hogan stopped when someone coming into the hotel caught his eye. Newkirk turned to look too.

Hauptmann Reigels took a few steps into the lobby of the hotel and was met by Major Miller, the two guards and Major Hochstetter. The Ministry Captain and Gestapo Major looked at each other for a moment, both surprised to see the other, although Hogan noted that Hochstetter looked more startled than anything.

"Major Hochstetter..What is the matter here??" Reigels asked.

"Uh...the Major, we are taking him outside for air..."

Reigels looked at Major Miller. "You wish to step out for some air?"

"No. I believe Major Hochstetter wishes to show me the sights of his Gestapo jail."

Reigels bristled and turned to Hochstetter, switching back to German. "Major....I believe Fraulein Gebhart made it very clear that the Propaganda Ministry does not want to use strong arm tactics until it desired to do so."

"This man tried to escape! He must be punished! He must be shown that the Gestapo does not ignore something like this!"

"The Gestapo will ignore it until such time the Ministry decides it should not be ignored. Major Miller has been warned that if he attempts to escape again there will be more serious consequences."

"Bah! Your words are weak, Kapitan. You must back it up with force. Where we have let his first attempt at escape go unpunished, he will only think he can try again. And then what will you allow for punishment when he tries again? As long as he has the will to resist, he will try to escape. You must crush the will to resist!"

"Major Hochstetter, I am fully aware of the methods and tactics of reducing a man's will to become submissive. However, if you were to be allowed to implore your methods of punishment on the American, it would not be in the best interest of Dr. Goebbel's plans for propaganda. A plan that, I remind you, you seemed very interested in just a few short months ago..."

Hochstetter paused, clenching his teeth. "That is true..." he conceded, "but I did not know I would have to be nice for this plan to work."

Reigels chuckled. "It was never said that you had to be nice. But the Ministry does expect you to show some restraint. Now....you are holding the Major's pack, yes?"

"Ja."

Reigels nodded. "Good. I want you to return the pack to him, but you will remove any cigarettes from it first...."

Hochstetter turned to one of the guards and gave the order. The guard saluted and left.

Reigels turned to Miller. "Major Miller, my apologies for Major Hochstetter." He turned and gestured with his hand to the stairs. "Please..."

Major Miller showed no acceptance of the apology or any appreciation for it. He merely gave Hochstetter a look that could have killed and a look to Reigels that could have seriously wounded. He then turned toward the stairs with Reigels walking with him.

Hochstetter scowled and marched out of the hotel, his guards following. Hogan and Newkirk remained where they were, watching as Reigels and Miller headed for the stairs.

Newkirk looked at Hogan. "Did you pick up any of what they were saying?"

Hogan nodded. "Enough not to like it."

"Same here."

Across the lobby, Reigels studied Major Miller for a moment as they walked to the stairs. "If you'll pardon the observation, Major," he said, "you're quite a brusque and indifferent individual."

Miller stopped two steps upon the stairs and turned to Reigels. "When you kidnap someone, hold them against their will, threaten their life and force them to do something they don't want to, you're not exactly going to get sunshine and lollipops."

Reigels tilted his head, conceding that that was true. "Ja..."

"And apologizing for Hochstetter doesn't win you any brownie points--"

"Brownie points?"

"Favor. With me. Especially since you've threatened me yourself."

"I will be completely honest with you, Major, the Propaganda Ministry is not interested in the use of strong arm tactics by the Gestapo in order to achieve our means. However, that does not mean we won't consider them if it becomes apparent that such methods would be effective."

"In other words, if I make you mad enough you'll take Hochstetter off the leash."

"Exactly."

Miller looked at Reigels for a moment, wondering if this conversation was really taking place. "Why are you here? I'm sure you didn't come here knowing you'd be sparing my hide from the Gestapo and then graciously reminding me that if I push things too far, I won't be so spared."

"No. Actually I came to speak with you about the broadcast."

Miller looked at his watch. It was nearly quarter to ten. "Now?"

"Well, Major, most of your day is spent rehearsing with the band and that is time I do not want to interrupt. I figured now would be satisfactory, as I have read that keeping late hours is not unusual for you."

The guard Hochstetter had sent off returned with the Major's pack. He walked up to the Reigels and presented it. Reigels took it and thanked the guard, sending him on his way. Reigels then offered the pack to Miller.

"Your pack, Herr Major."

Miller looked at the pack for moment and then took it but offered no appreciation. He then turned and headed up the stairs with Reigels following.

Hogan and Newkirk looked at each other. "No telling how long that Kraut will hang around," Newkirk said.

"Mmm.." Hogan growled. His brown eyes looked around the lobby of the hotel but his head didn't turn. "It's getting to the point where the only option left to get him out of here is going to be blowing the whole place apart." Hogan paused. "My luck can not be running this bad..."

"What about when you, Kinch and Louie are at the radio station? Any chance there?"

Hogan shook his head. "We'd all be shot before we got out the door," he said. He slapped the riding crop he held against his hand and paused, thinking of the uniform he was wearing. Newkirk suddenly saw the Colonel's eyes spark to life. "Unless...the Gestapo came and escorted us out...."

Newkirk grinned and Hogan tucked the riding crop under his arm. "Everything seems to be under control here," Hogan said loudly. "Come Putzie!" They marched to the door of the hotel, saluting the guards as they left.