Chapter 36

Information Please!

"Rap, rap, rap," Krantz knocked before reaching for the doorknob to let himself into the hospital lounge. Kaltenbrunner, Burkhalter, and Klink were sitting in various stages of wakefulness as they read or dozed to pass the time. Krantz came to attention and saluted.

General Kaltenbrunner returned the salute saying, "Well, Captain, we seem to be seeing a lot of you today."

"Jawohl, Herr General. I've just left Oberst Knefler. He asked that I give you a report before I left."

Klink looked over the top of the newspaper he was reading, "You have been with Oberst Knefler and Colonel Hogan?" he asked. Not waiting for a response, Klink left the chair he was sitting in to gather closer to the group.

Yawning and Rubbing his face, Burkhalter stretched. Then, looking at the Oberst who had intruded on his nap, he straightened in his seat to hear what was being said.

Krantz, now the center of attention, began, "Oberst Knefler wanted you to know that the American Colonel's physical condition has not digressed any further. The doctor is able to keep the fever from climbing and believes this to be a good sign. It indicates the medicine the American was given is having some effect. Otherwise the prisoner's body temperature would have continued to rise despite the doctor's efforts to contain or lower it."

Kaltenbrunner's frown relaxed into a more noncommittal look. "Good, we may be able to save this experiment, preventing the loss of valuable time."Did he say how his evaluation of our subject's psyche is coming along?"

"No General, he is still working to gather that information. He is a 'master' at what he does and fascinating to watch. I would very much like to work with Oberst Knefler one day. His logic and ability to direct thought is incredibly impressive." Krantz, smiled, "Especially since the American Colonel seems to have an excellent sense of humor. Some of his answers are…well, let's just call them creative."

"Why does that not surprise me?" Klink mumbled to himself. Then raising his voice, asked, "Did Oberst Knefler say how much longer he would be?"

"Nein, Kommandant, he did not. But he has just sat down to begin again, if that is of any help."

Klink turned and paced away. If I know Colonel Hogan, it could be hours before Hogan gives in or Knefler gives up! Klink plopped back down in his chair, and settled in for what he knew would be a long wait.

"Kommandant, I will have to question at least two of your prisoners and I feel I can do that best at SS Headquarters." Krantz had followed Klink back to his seat and stood towering over him, appearing immovable.

"My prisoners were all accounted for, Captain!" Klink tilted his head and leaned back in his chair to look at the mountain eclipsing him.

"Yes, so I've been told, but since my only lead is that the suspects were last seen heading in the direction of Stalag 13, I have to investigate. Perhaps something was seen that will aid in the capture of these fugitives."

"Don't interfere Klink. The Captain has an investigation to perform. If the prisoners were in camp there is nothing to worry about. Right?" Burkhalter asked with a voice seeking affirmation.

"But, General Burkhalter, I…"

"KLINK!"

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Hildebrand was enjoying Gretchen's company as he helped her carry supplies into the infirmary, at SS Headquarters.

"Thank-you for your help today, Jonathan," Gretchen commented, as she began putting the medical supplies away.

"It was my pleasure. What are you doing tonight? I thought maybe you would consent to help me fill a few lonely hours by having dinner with me."

Gretchen looked at Jonathan, surprised at the invitation.

"It would simply be dinner and good company. I thought, since the doc was out of town for a day or two, you might enjoy some friendly company.

"All right, Jonathan, as long as it is just a friendly invitation that would be very nice." Gretchen turned and went back to work sorting her supplies.

Well a fella's got to start somewhere! Jonathan's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Excuse me Lieutenant, the Major sent me to tell you he has another assignment for you." The Corporal bearing the message looked at Gretchen and nodded, saying, "Sorry for the interruption, Nurse Hummel."

Gretchen nodded, and looked at Hildebrand, "You had better go, I can finish up here."

"I'll call you later." Jonathan picked up his cap and coat before following the Corporal out of the room.

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"Did you have any trouble?" The smile and look of relief was evident on Kinch's face.

"You mean besides running into Krantz when we stepped out of the car!" Olsen, eyes widened as he recalled the event.

Kinch's smile faded. "Krantz?"

"Yeah, it was almost over before it started. But Krantz stopped to speak with some officer and…hey, Olsen, wasn't that Hildebrand he was talking to outside the hospital?" Carter stopped cold.

"You know, I think you're right Carter." Olsen answered as he quickly shed the German uniform.

"Hildebrand, you ran into Hildebrand at the hospital, too?" Kinch questioned, recognizing the name.

"Yeah, do you know him?" Carter asked.

"Well, I know of him. The Colonel mentioned that he was one of the officers at SS headquarters," Kinch answered.

"Well, I wish we had heard of him before we got there. We could have panicked at least thirty seconds sooner! I almost fainted when he mentioned Krantz as his direct superior." Olsen responded, as he sat down heavily on the bench along the tunnel wall.

"You mean you stopped to have a conversation with him? I thought I told you guys to get in and get out?" Kinch felt his pulse quicken as he began to feel some of Carter's and Olsen's panic.

"Well, it was kinda unavoidable, after he bumped into me and knocked 'Hoffmeyer's' belongings out of my hands and across the hospital corridor. I mean, we had to say something!" Carter answered, shrugging his shoulders.

Kinch, running the "what ifs" through his mind, stood speechless for a moment and paused briefly before continuing, "Okay, we'll just have to hope there are no future encounters with this Hildebrand. The main thing is you got in and got out with the package."

Carter and Olsen both nodded.

"How are Newkirk and LeBeau?" Carter looked around to Kinch waiting for an answer.

"They're fine!"

Carter's answer came from behind him and he swung around at the familiar sound of Wilson's voice.

"How about the two of you?" Wilson asked, while performing a quick visual check.

"We're good!" Carter answered.

Olsen was in the process of fastening his pants, when he stopped and commented, "Speak for yourself, Andrew. I could use a drink! Got any medicinal brandy, Joe?"

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Major Lustig, sitting at his desk, was reading a report to Hildebrand, while the Lieutenant stood at attention in front of him. "Herr Weinzaphel believes he has some suspicious guests staying at the hotel here in town. He reports that they checked in yesterday morning, slipped down the back stairs after dark, and exited the hotel. Nobody saw them return, but they were in their room when the maid went to clean it the next morning. The maid reported that when she walked in, they jumped up from a table covered with papers and quickly rushed her out of the room." Lustig looked up from the report, "The Gestapo went to investigate and have asked that we send someone over. They have a few questions they hope we can help them with."

Hildebrand laughed, and smugly asked, "What would they do without us to answer their questions and direct them in their investigations?"

"Ja, but let's not forget we are on the same side in this war. Go and see what you can do for them." Lustig advised, placing the report face down onto his pile of work completed. "Report back to me when you return."

Clicking his heels and saluting, Hildebrand responded with a resounding, "Jawohl, Heil Hitler!"

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"KINCH!" Carter barreled into the barracks, "Krantz is back! And the Colonel's not here! What do we do?"

Kinch ran to the door. Slapping the door frame with his open palm, his eyes saddened as he looked down without seeing. Now what do I do? Spinning around he looked at Olsen and Carter saying, "Okay, I'm going to go talk to Gruber and see if I can find out what's going on. You two stay here and don't interfere. We won't be helping them by getting the Krauts stirred up."

"But…" Carter began and then felt Olsen's hand on his shoulder.

"We hear you, Kinch. Good luck!" After that, looking at Carter, Olsen added, "Come on, Andrew, It's time we talk to the man upstairs."

"What?" Carter looked confused. But gradually, his look changed to one of understanding and bowing his head, he walked to his bunk.