Chapter 2: Lost and Found
Colonel Hogan's jaw dropped and eyes went wide. At least inside he did. Major Hochstetter jumped up and went over to Hogan. "I have you now Colonel Hogan." Colonel Hogan tried to remain as calm as possible. His heart was racing and sweat started to bead on his forehead again. Colonel Hogan thought for sure he was going to have a heart attack. His mind raced trying to think of something to get him out of this.
"Now Maria, please tell me who Papa Bear is."
"I guess it is ok to tell you know, nothing left to hide. He was my husband Chris Crockett."
Major Hochstetter's eyes went wide and jaw dropped. He turned around and faced Maria. "You are mistaken. Don't you mean that Papa Bear is Colonel Hogan."
Maria gave Major Hochstetter a weird look and then looked at Colonel Hogan dumbfound. Who in return stared at her the same way. " This is the first time I have ever met Colonel Hogan. He is defiantly not my husband."
Major Hochstetter started to turn red. Before he could say anything, Maria started to explain. "Last night, Chris went out to blow up something. He kept me out of it as much as possible, so he never gave me any specific information. For the safety of the operation he would say. He didn't come home last night. A man that I have never seen before said there was an accident and that I had 10 minutes to leave before the house blew up. I didn't waste any time and just left. I also wanted to see for myself that he was dead." With that said, Maria turned her head toward the wall and started crying. There was silence as the two men digested what they heard.
"What are you talking about? Colonel Hogan IS Papa Bear!" Major Hochstetter said impatiently.
"See Major, I told you I wasn't Papa Bear."
"Shut up Hogan, before I find a reason to keep you here. Guard! Take Colonel Hogan back to Stalag 13. As for you, I am going to teach you that lying to the Gestapo is not a wise move."
"Major Hochstetter NO! There is no reason for this. Has it ever crossed your mind that she might be telling you the truth?" Hogan pleaded as a guard was dragging him out of the cell.
STALAG 13
"Welcome back gov'ner." Newkirk exclaimed
"Kinch, Get on the radio. I want to know about a woman named Maria Crockett. Major Hochstetter has her at Gestapo Headquarters."
"What's special about her." LeBeau asked
"She told Hochstetter that she new who Papa Bear was and told him."
"And Hochstetter let you come back to camp?" Newkirk inquired.
"Yep. Because she said that Papa Bear was her husband who will killed in the explosion last night."
"Why would she say that?" Asked Carter
"Don't know. Would like to find out. Hochstetter didn't believe her and he was going to punish her for lying. I have a feeling she knows about the whole operation and we need to get her away from there fast."
Later…
"Sorry Colonel. London has no information on her and the underground knows nothing about her story."
"Look fellas, Hochstetter is going to be keeping a close eye on her and this wont be easy. If you don't want to go I understand. Walking into Gestapo Headquarters and freeing a pensioner that Hochstetter is going to keep a close eye on, is going to be one of the hardest jobs we will ever do. Volunteers only."
"Well gov'ner, if she is this important and the operation could be at risk, which also means my life, so count me in." Commented Newkirk
"I think I can speak for everyone when I say that, as always, you can count on us." Kinch commented.
"Thanks men. I knew I could count on you. Now this is how we are going to get her out."
GESTAPO HEADQUARTERS
"Corporal! Don't you usually come to attention when a General comes into the room!"Carter yelled at the poor corporal sitting behind the desk. Immediately he came to attention. "I am General Cartenberger, and I am here for the transfer of a female prisoner by the name of… name of… Sergeant Muller what was her name?"
"Crockett, Maria Crockett." Newkirk answered
"Crockett sir? Umm Major Hochstetter already moved her."
"WHAT! How dare he move her with out my authorization! Where did he move her to?" Carter Demanded
The corporal started to get really nervous. He was starting to think about packing. He is sure he is going to get sent to the Russian front. "Sir…Major Hochstetter did not say where to. He just left, said he was taking the woman with him and that he will be back at a later date."
"I will be in touch. Inform the Major when he gets back to make no more transfers with out my approval. Heil Hitler!" Carter and Newkirk left there as quickly as possible and back to Stalag 13.
STALAG 13
"Where is she?" Kinch asked
"Hochstetter moved her and no one knows where." Answered Newkirk
Colonel Hogan heard the men come back, and went into the radio room to talk with them. "Kinch get on the radio with the under ground and see if any one has spotted him. Thanks for trying men. Lets get some sleep before roll call." Hogan went back upstairs with a heavy heart. Carter and Newkirk looked at each other.
"Nothing about this seems right. And did you notice how disappointed the Colonel was. It wasn't just that we didn't come back with her. It was something more. I haven't seen him like that. I…"
Newkirk interrupted "Mate, do you ever stop rambling? But you are right; it does seem to be bothering the gov'ner differently. Lets hit the sack."
"Well one thing is for sure. If she does know about the operation, she hasn't talked yet."
Kinch commented.
"How do you know that?" Carter inquired
"If she had, this place would be crawling with Gestapo and we would either be tortured or in front of a firing squad right now."
"That makes since. Good night Kinch." Carter said excitedly
KAMMANDANTUR NEXT DAY
"Colonel Hogan, what was it that Major Hochstetter wanted yesterday?" Klink inquired
"He had some one who could identify Papa Bear." Hogan answered
"Oh! I am taking it that since you are standing here the person did not identify you. So who is it?"
"Doesn't matter, their dead. Can I go Kommandant?"
Klink noticed that Hogan wasn't acting himself. I have a feeling there is more to this than Hogan is telling me. Will have to look into it further. "Yes, Hogan, you are dismissed."
Colonel Hogan acts like he lost his best friend. I hope he is not planning on trying anything stupid, like trying to escape.
BARRACK 2
"Any news Kinch?" Hogan asked
"Sorry Colonel. It is like they just disappeared. No one has seen or heard anything."
"Men we are going to have to be extra careful. I don't know how much she knows about the operation, so we must be ready to leave at a moments notice. Hochstetter has a way of being very persuasive, and he usually gets the answers he wants." After he finished his speech, he went into his office and closed the door.
Tap. Tap. Tap. "Come in." Hogan said to whom ever was knocking at his door.
"Colonel Hogan, can I speak with you?"
"Yes LeBeau. Have a seat."
LeBeau entered the room and sat on the stool that was at the desk. "Colonel, I can't help but notice that you are acting differently. Is there anything you would like to talk about?"
Yes there is LeBeau, but I cant. I can't even admit it to myself. "Thanks for asking LeBeau, but I am ok. It just bothers me when we cant save everyone from Hochstetter's grasp. It is just something I have to accept." I cant believe I just lied to LeBeau. If I say it enough times, I might actually start believing that myself. By the look on LeBeau's face, I don't think he believes me either. I will be glad when this war is over, so I don't have to keep secrets, or hide my true feelings.
"Colonel if you do need to talk I am here to listen."
"Thanks LeBeau."
LeBeau went back into the common room and shook his head. "Didn't think 'e would really tell us the truth. Thanks for trying LeBeau. Too bad there isn't another officer in camp, besides bald eagle, that the gov'ner can go to. 'e knows 'e can talk to any one of us, but 'e probably feels like it might be a sign of weakness or we might not support 'im as much. Why does there have to be such a gap between enlisted and officers?"
"You take that back Newkirk. Colonel Hogan is not weak!"
"Calm down Carter. I didn't say 'e was weak. 'e might view opening up to us a weakness."
"Oh that's different then." Carter smiled
Later that afternoon…
"Good afternoon fellas." Shultz said cheerfully.
"Afternoon Shultzie" Newkirk said, "What brings you by? LeBeau isn't cooking anything"
"Jolly Joker. I am here for Colonel Hogan. Is he in his room?"
Before any one could answer, Colonel Hogan opened the door. "I'm here. What can I do for you?"
"Kommandant Klink would like to speak with you about business."
"Ok. I'll be there in a minute. Can't get a moments peace around here."
KOMMANDANTUR
When Colonel Hogan walked into Klink's outer office, he went up to Helga, Klink's secretary to try and get a heads up on what Klink wanted. But it was different this time. Usually, Colonel Hogan would nuzzle up to her and make her many promises for any information she could give him. This time he seemed distant and did not nuzzle or promise.
"Colonel Hogan is there any thing wrong? You don't seem like yourself today."
"Why is everyone assuming there is something wrong. Incase no one has noticed, I am a POW. This isn't the most glamorous place in the world to live in. There are many other places I would rather be or things I would rather be doing!" Colonel Hogan looked at the shocked and yet hurt expression on Helga's face. "I'm sorry. Just been a little depressed lately, that's all. I am tired of missing my mom's birthday. I use to always take her out to a nice restaurant for her birthday. Just miss it, that's all." Is that the best excuse I can come up with? I must be slipping.
"Sorry you can't be with your mom. You will get to be with her again some day, and you can start taking her out again. This war cant last forever."
"I know. I'll make it up to her and you later."
"Promise?"
Hogan gave her a smile and walked into Klink's office.
"You wanted to see me sir?" Hogan thought back briefly at how many times he has had to play the cowed prisoner and swallow his pride for the Germans, all for the good of the prisoners.
"Yes, Colonel Hogan I did. I noticed at roll call this afternoon, the prisoners were more casual than usual. I don't want to see that again. If I do, I will subtract a half hour of electricity a night until I am satisfied. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir. I will speak to the men. Any thing else?"
"Yes. I want a work detail of ten men to help fix the road to Hammelburg."
"According to the Gen…"
"I already know what you are going to say." Klink interrupted "I have heard it enough times. How about the Rec Hall open for an extra hour?"
"And an extra hot shower for every one."
"Denied."
"Then I have no choice but to deny your request. If there is nothing else sir, I'll be leaving."
"One extra hot shower for one week."
"Two weeks."
"Two weeks, but only for the men who work on the road."
"You have a deal Kommandant. When do you want them to start?"
"Tomorrow morning after roll call. Disssssmissed."
ROAD TO HAMMELBURG
"Why is it that out of all the freezing days we 'ave a year, the day we work on the road it 'as to be 'ot?" Newkirk commented to no one in particular as he wiped the sweat off his brow.
A horse and cart came down the road full of vegetables.
"Hey Shultz! Can I get some vegetables for dinner tonight? I'll share some with you." LeBeau asked.
"As long as you don't tell anyone and you share. If I get in trouble, so will all of you!"
"Don't worry, you wont."
While LeBeau and Shultz were examining the vegetables, Colonel Hogan spoke with the driver.
"Any word yet?"
"Its not good. It has been reported that Major Hochstetter's car was spotted on the way to…"
"To where?" Hogan almost yelled impertinently.
"A concentration camp south of here." The man could not look Hogan in the eye as he told him. He didn't know the whole story, but after seeing how impatient Hogan was and the concern look in his eye, he didn't have to know.
Hogan dropped his head down trying to control his feelings. Why is this bothering me so bad? He thought. "Thanks. Keep me informed." Hogan walked back to the group as Shultz paid for the produce.
"I take it that by the look on your face, bad news." Kinch observed
Colonel Hogan just nodded his head "He is taking her to a concentration camp south of here. The only camp I can think of is too far for us to help and there are no underground in that area." I hate feeling helpless. Sorry Maria that I could not help you. May God be with you.
"Why Colonel, the only camp I can think of is Dachau and... Oh! Sorry Colonel. Sometimes I just need to know when to keep my big mouth shut. You would think…"
Carter started to ramble, but Newkirk cut him off my smacking him in the back of the head.
DACHAU
Maria was pushed into a small room with no windows and no furniture. "You thought we were rough on you before. Ha! You have not seen anything yet. Here, your worst nightmares will become reality, and made much worse. I promise you, you will tell me everything I want to know and then some. You will be begging me for death, and if I don't have the answers I want, it will not come. Now, I am having a hard time believing that your husband was Papa Bear. Granted he might have been in the underground, but not as Papa Bear. I also don't believe that you don't know anything about what was going on in the underground. Last chance for answers."
Maria tried to control her fear. Everything that she has read and heard about what the Nazi's did to female prisoners came to her mind. Her heart started to race. I cant tell him about what I know about the real Papa Bear or his operation, but how long can I hold out? Lord please let me die before I betray Papa Bear.
"I don't want you to be lonely while I am eating dinner. Guards! Please make sure Maria here is comfortable until I get back." Hochstetter gave Maria an evil grin as four guards entered the room. Hochstetter left and closed the door behind him. As he walked away, Maria heard him laugh with delight, and the guards had a smile that made her skin crawl.