Chapter 35

Close Encounters

The clerk in the security office checked the last item in the bundle off her list, as Oberst Myerhoff, alias Carter, called it off.

"Are you going to be in town long, Herr Oberst?" the young woman asked.

"Nein, fraulein, we must return to Berlin immediately!" Carter stepped away from the fawn like eyes that had fallen upon him. And picking up the bundle remarked in a loud efficient voice, "I will tell your superiors what a fine job you are doing,"

"Danke, Herr Oberst," she cooed in response.

Carter froze staring at the sweet face blinking back at him. Then in a softer, less formal voice added, "Maybe if I'm ever in town again we could…"

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Hildebrand was standing looking at a hospital bulletin board while he waited to finish his assignment and be on his way. He was alert to his surroundings not wanting to be caught off guard, no matter how routine the day seemed to be going. Looking down the hall toward the entrance to the hospital, he saw two Generals and Kommandant Klink, whom he had met the day before at SS headquarters, entering. There's a meeting that needs to be avoided. Hildebrand hurriedly disappeared down a connecting hall and made another quick right hand turn down a branch hallway effectively disappearing from the approaching officers.

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"Excuse me, sir, but we will miss our connections if we do not hurry," Olsen encouraged.

"Hmm?" Carter slowly looked at his "aide". "Oh… yes…we have to go." Olsen opened the door and clicked his heels, encouraging Carter to make his exit. "Auf Wiedersehen," Carter said and marched out the door followed by Olsen. They had not traveled far down the hall when an SS Lieutenant came barreling around the corner and bumped into Carter, sending the bundle he was carrying flying across the floor.

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"Wasn't that the SS Lieutenant that we saw with Captain Krantz yesterday?" Klink asked pointing to a side hall.

"I didn't see anybody, Klink," Burkhalter grumbled. Lunch was not sitting well with the General and he wanted to get somewhere to sit down.

Kaltenbrunner looked at the deserted hall and changed the subject. "I have some phone calls to make. Come, there is a private lounge with a hospital aide assigned for our use, while we wait for Oberst Knefler."

Burkhalter rubbed his massive stomach. "Good, maybe they can get me something for this indigestion."

"It would help if you slowed down to chew your food," Klink mumbled to himself

"What did you say, Klink?" Burkhalter asked still holding his stomach.

Klink's eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights and he fumbled for the "correct" words. "Oh, I…I just said…it would help if that chef would learn how to cook food."

"I agree with you…" Burkhalter glanced disgustedly at Klink and then turned away amending his statement. "…for once!" Burkhalter turned to follow Kaltenbrunner and Klink fell in behind, taking one last look down the, now empty, side hall.

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"I beg your pardon, Oberst, I didn't see you." Hildebrand was slowly picking up the spilled items. Stalling for time while waiting for Kaltenbrunner, Burkhalter and Klink to move on.

"Do you know who you are bumping into, Lieutenant?" Olsen asked.

"Yes, sir!...I mean no sir, I'm sorry Oberst, it was careless of me." Hildebrand picked up a fountain pen and admired it before handing it back. "Here you are sir, I'm sure you don't want to lose this. It looks like a very fine pen."

Carter held out his hand trying not to look too anxious. Unless he missed his guess, that pen contained the microfilm they had been sent to retrieve. "Thank-you, Lieutenant…" Carter paused waiting for the Lieutenant to fill in his name. The Colonel had always told them to pay attention to anyone they unexpectedly came in contact with on a mission. Loose ends could trip you up later. It was always better to head off trouble before it caught up to you.

"Hildebrand, Herr Oberst," Jonathan saluted.

Carter returned the salute. "Who is your superior?"

"My direct superior is Captain Krantz. We are under the command of Major Lustig at SS headquarters here."

Carter was afraid he may have visibly paled at the mention of Krantz's name but continued without pause, "I'll not report this but, I suggest you slow down and watch where you are going."

"Jawohl!" Hildebrand stayed at attention.

Olsen, too, felt the flush of panic before interceding, and looking at Carter said, "We must be going, sir."

"At ease Lieutenant, carry on." Carter dismissed Hildebrand and continued down the hall followed by Olsen.

Phew, that was close! Hildebrand slumped out of "attention" and relaxed.

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Kirk climbed out of the staff car as he saw Carter and Olsen exit the building. He had been holding his breath waiting for all hell to break loose as soon as he saw Klink and Burkhalter enter the building. He still wasn't sure if he should be expecting to lay down cover fire. Carter and Olsen proceeded to the car at a normal pace and Kirk relaxed as he went to open the car door for the approaching officers.

"Our business is finished here, driver, we may leave," Carter said, as he climbed into the backseat.

"Jawohl," Kirk clicked his heels and shut the door, and with renewed vigor climbed behind the wheel. As soon as he pulled away from the curb, he shared his fears. "You two had me worried."

"We weren't feeling too good, either," Carter said wiping his forehead.

"You must have seen him enter the building," Olsen probed, trying to ascertain how Kirk knew that Krantz was inside.

"Yeah, when I saw Klink and Burkhalter enter the building..."

"KLINK!" Olsen shouted.

"BURKHALTER!" Carter followed.

"Yeah, isn't that who you two are referring to?" Kirk asked.

"No, we thought you meant Krantz!" Olsen explained.

"KRANTZ? Who's he?" Kirk asked.

"Oh, boy, I'm not feeling so well!" Carter groaned.

"Me either, Carter, me either!" Olsen gulped.

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Doctor Schmidt was keeping Hogan's face and neck sponged off with cool water and an ice pack on his neck, while Knefler worked with Hogan. The Oberst had now paused to give the doctor a minute to assess the situation.

"How high?" Knefler asked as Schmidt removed his hand from under the prisoner's chin and slipped the thermometer out of his mouth.

Schmidt nodded his approval. "It has dropped a degree. It's at 102." The doctor instilled another half cc from the syringe into his patient, "You may continue."

Knefler sat back down in his chair, loosening his tie and unbuttoning his top shirt button as he went. He leaned in and placing his hand under Hogan's chin, raised his head and patted his cheek to get his attention. Hogan barely opened his eyes. "Okay, Robert, let's try this again!"