Chapter 37

Sidestepping

Hildebrand ran out of the hospital and jumped into his staff car. "Take me to Stalag 13!" he bellowed as his driver slammed the car door and ran around to jump into the driver's seat. Hildebrand had rushed to the hospital to tell Krantz what he had learned at the hotel, expecting to find him still engrossed in the American Colonel. But he learned from Colonel Knefler that Krantz had already left for Stalag 13 to continue his interrogation of two of Klink's prisoners.

On his way to see Gruber, Kinch had barely stepped outside of Barrack Two when Krantz barreled out of the Kommandant's office and headed for the cooler, followed by three SS guards. Kinch picked up his step, sprinted up the stairs and across the porch in two leaps.

Krantz in the meantime was descending into the hole in which he had confined his suspects. As he strode off the last step, he glanced into the guardroom at the bottom of the staircase. The two Luftwaffe guards, surprised by Krantz's appearance, bolted to their feet, standing rigidly at attention.

"At ease," Krantz ordered as he entered the cubicle. Gesturing toward the listening equipment he asked, "Did you hear anything useful?"

The guard closest to the "eavesdropping" apparatus reached for the clipboard, where he had written down the conversations of the prisoners, and handed it to Krantz. The SS Captain read the transcript and finding no damaging information, frowned before dropping it back on the table. Looking at the guards, he ordered, "Open their cells!"

Louis, stretched out on his cot, and Newkirk, sitting staring at the floor, tensed when they heard footsteps coming toward them. As the German officer appeared, Newkirk stood to face their interrogator head on. LeBeau looked and then, dropping back on his bunk, stared at the ceiling, and took a few extra seconds to gather his wits.

The key rattled in Newkirk's cell first. "We're going to take a trip, Englander. I have just spent some time with Major Hochstetter. He has some interesting theories. And since there are no other leads, you two and your commanding officer are my most likely suspects." Krantz waited to see if his prisoner responded to this news.

Newkirk pulled his shoulders back and looked hard into Krantz's face, determined to show no fear, even though he felt as if the floor had just dropped out from under him.

"Colonel Hogan was quite cunning in the skies over Germany, until General Biedenbender outfoxed him. And then, after his captivity, Colonel Hogan's silence became a challenge. So much so that the High Command has…" Krantz paused and thought, "how was it the Major put it…" Smiling Krantz continued. "Oh, yes, 'put a ring of steel' around him, effectively keeping everyone's hands off of him, except the High Command's! Colonel Hogan has, in effect, become an implement for measuring our success in a 'race' for dominion of the world." Stepping closer to Newkirk, he continued, "His men, on the other hand, are 'free game'!"

"You're a ruddy madman!" Newkirk's face reddened with anger, as he demanded, "What have you done to the gov'nor?"

Krantz swung and delivered a backhand across the insolent face of his British prisoner.

Newkirk took a step back to absorb the blow. Turning his head back to Krantz, he continued, "Our Kommandant runs the most secure prison camp in Germany. There is no way any of us can get out of here!" Newkirk's stomach turned over as he continued to proclaim his innocence. Krantz looked callously at Newkirk and said, "Cuff him!" Two of the guards stepped forward and spun him around, while Krantz and the third guard exited the cell and proceeded to their next prisoner.

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"Captain Krantz has the authority to take the prisoners in for questioning. I have seen his orders from Major Lustig. And Major Lustig is the SS here," Gruber informed the American Sergeant.

"But he has no proof! Under the Geneva Convention he can't charge a prisoner with criminal activities without evidence, and the Red Cross has to be notified!" Kinch was trying desperately to keep LeBeau and Newkirk in camp. Once outside of camp there would be no witnesses to their fate.

Gruber was slipping his coat on as he spoke. He had already left word for the Kommandant to call him and had given orders to Schultz to make sure the tower guards were alert in case the other prisoners began to riot. The Captain started for the door to catch up to Krantz and ensure that everything remained under control. "Sergeant, there is nothing you can do or say to stop this. If Major Lustig has overstepped his bounds, it will be up to his superiors to rescind his orders. Please return to your barracks before I have to have you escorted." Gruber marched across the outer office and out the door.

Kinch had followed close behind Gruber and, now out on the porch, objected, "By the time that occurs, Newkirk and LeBeau could be half beaten to death…or worse!"

"If Newkirk and LeBeau cooperate they will have no problems!" Gruber knew Kinch's fears were justified, but he had valid orders putting the two prisoners into SS custody and he was not going to disobey those orders. Gruber spun around to face Kinch and was about to call a guard to escort him back to the barrack when a car came speeding through the gate, distracting him.

Skidding to a halt in front of the Kommandant's office, the door to the staff car flew open and Hildebrand stepped out. "I'm looking for Captain Krantz," Hildebrand announced, while jumping out of the car.

Hildebrand's unexpected arrival elevated Gruber's anxiety, and he impatiently demanded to know, "What is this about, Lieutenant?"

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Louis slid his feet over the side of his bunk and stood staring rebelliously at Krantz. The guards had finished with Newkirk and one went to join Krantz, leaving Newkirk in the corridor with the remaining guard. The SS Captain looked over his shoulder and motioned for the two guards to move forward and apply the handcuffs. Krantz pulled his dagger from its sheath and, holding it with its point resting on his left index finger, turned it examining the blade. "And you, Frenchman, do you also claim that no one can get out of Oberst Klink's camp?" Krantz watched a drop of blood form on his fingertip and then laid the flat of the blade to the side of LeBeau's neck.

"No," LeBeau answered in an even voice.

Newkirk stiffened, and attempted to take a step toward LeBeau's cell. The guard behind Newkirk clamped down with an iron grip on the Englander's arm, giving him a jerk and a hearty slap to the back of the head. "Here now, take your filthy…" Newkirk felt a hand grab him by the throat, effectively keeping him from speaking out. He struggled to free himself while fighting to breathe and was on the verge of passing out, before the guard eased his grip allowing him to take a couple of gasping breaths. As his vision returned, he looked to find LeBeau. Louis was standing rigid and stretching to his fullest height with the dagger stroking the side of his neck. You ruddy Kraut Newkirk thought while at the same time wondering, Louis, what are you doing?

LeBeau met Krantz's stare head on. "We can get out of camp." LeBeau announced.

Krantz tilted his head surprised at the Frenchman's statement. Smiling, he slid the knife around to the front of Louis's throat and placed the point in the hollow of his neck. "And have you been outside of this camp?"

"Oui." LeBeau continued to stare unflinching into Krantz's face, and then just as quickly, shrugged and smiled coyly, saying, "On work details and under armed guard, getting out can be done. Staying out is another matter!"

Krantz's smile faded as he lowered the blade and stepped back. "Get him out of here!"

The guard holding Newkirk released his grip and, stepping back, brought his gun to bear on Peter's back. Newkirk grinned at Louis as he exited his cell. Good job, mate!

LeBeau was shoved to stand next to Newkirk. "You all right, Louis?" Newkirk asked.

"Quiet!" Krantz shouted. "From here on you will not speak unless you are spoken to!"

"Take these two…" Before Krantz could finish his thought Hildebrand stormed around the corner and stopped abruptly.

"Heil Hitler!" Hildebrand barked, clicking his heels and coming to attention before a surprised Krantz.

Krantz looked at his friend and junior officer warily as he returned the salute. "Heil Hitler! What is the meaning of this, Lieutenant?"

Hildebrand looked at Krantz. "I came to tell you there have been some new developments."

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Kinch burst into Barrack Two. "The cavalry has arrived!"

Carter and Olsen were already aware of Hildebrand's arrival. They had run to the window as soon as they heard the car scream to a halt in the compound.

"What's Hildebrand doing here?" Carter asked, turning from the window and getting paler by the second.

"Does this have anything to do with the hospital?" Olsen asked, and then held his breath waiting for an answer.

"The hospital…? No, no, he didn't mention the hospital, but he did say they found where the men that burgled SS headquarters had been staying." Kinch looked questioningly at Carter and Olsen, suddenly wondering if the two had done more than go to the hospital. "Did you two have something you wanted to tell me about your trip into town?"

"Honest, Kinch, we did exactly what you told us to do. We went straight to the hospital, made the pickup and left." Carter was standing wide-eyed, trying to figure out what Kinch was getting at.

"And you can believe we did it as fast as our legs would carry us!" Olsen punctuated his statement by stepping forward as it dawned on him what Kinch was insinuating. "It wasn't us, Kinch!"

Kinch, shook his head and turned to pace, "I don't understand what or how this is happening! The SS are not easily fooled."

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Hildebrand stood at attention in front of Krantz. "Are you sure about this, Lieutenant?"

"Jawohl, I just came from the hotel." Hildebrand looked at his Captain with concern. "After our discussion earlier at the hospital, I knew you would want to know immediately."

"Ja, ja," Krantz answered, distractedly. Looking at his prisoners, he continued, "I could still take you to SS Headquarters and hold you until we investigate this possibility."

Newkirk straightened, preparing to cite all the reasons prohibiting the German officer from doing that. LeBeau shook his head and shifted his weight while scowling.

Krantz enjoyed the reaction he saw in the prisoners as they realized he had the upper hand. "But I know where you are, and there is no reason for us to expend our time guarding you while we investigate." Krantz looked them up and down and, turning his back to them, began to march out while calling over his shoulder, "Release them!"

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"So, you're telling us that the Gestapo was called to investigate three 'suspicious characters' at the hotel in Hammelburg and, for whatever reason, decided these men were the three who broke into SS Headquarters?" Olsen questioned.

"Yeah, it sounds too good to be true…doesn't it?" Kinch took his hat off and scratched his head.

"I don't know, Kinch, but either those are three of the unluckiest guys in the world, or someone is helping us out." Olsen looked at Kinch, trying to read his mind.

"Or…" Kinch added, "it's a Nazi trap!"

"KINCH," Carter called from his spot at the window. Kinch turned from his conversation with Olsen and looked at Carter. Carter's voice raised with excitement, as he continued, "Krantz, Gruber, and Hildebrand just walked out of the cooler…without Newkirk and LeBeau."

Kinch joined Andrew at the window and watched as the three German officers stood talking. Shortly afterward, Newkirk and LeBeau exited the cooler, followed by the three SS soldiers who had been guarding them.

"Let's go!" Kinch was already half way out the door. Carter hurried to catch up followed by Olsen. By the time they reached the cooler, Newkirk and LeBeau were standing outside the wire fence that surrounded the cooler's entrance. "Are you guys all right?" Kinch asked.

Peter was squinting and rubbing his eyes against the bright contrast of the outdoors versus the underground cooler.

"Boy, are we glad to see you guys!" Carter proclaimed, smiling from ear to ear and slapping the two on their backs in his excitement.

LeBeau with his arms wrapped around himself against the cold, admitted, "You're not half as glad as we are to see you!"

Olsen, too, added his voice to the relieved group. "We thought you guys were…" Olsen stopped without finishing his sentence and cleared his throat, while waving his hand in a "never mind" gesture.

Silently and studiously, Krantz stood off to the side watching the "reunion".

The prisoners were just turning to head back to the barracks, when Hildebrand approached to address Carter. Looking at him questioningly, he commented, "I keep thinking I've seen you somewhere outside of this prison camp."

"ME?" Carter cried out, looking properly shocked.

"What are you saying, Lieutenant?" Krantz asked.

Stepping closer and looking at Carter, Hildebrand asked, "Have we met before?"

The other four POW's had already taken a few steps toward the barracks when they realized Carter had been stopped by Hildebrand and Krantz. Turning briefly back, they caught the tail end of the conversation.

Carter could feel his heart beating in his throat. He searched his mind for his next move and found it. Remembering a time Colonel Hogan had been asked a similar question, he shrugged and said, "Gee, I don't know…ever been to Milwaukee?"

Hildebrand's expression changed from a frown to a questioning, "What?"

Krantz looked from Jonathan to Carter, but before the SS Captain could understand Carter's question, the American Sergeant was surrounded by his four friends and efficiently swept away toward the barracks.