Chapter 8: Who's Camp Is It
Before LeBeau could finish his thought, the lid was yanked opened and Colonel Hogan was standing there out of breath. LeBeau went down the ladder and Hogan followed. "Miss me?"
"You are lucky the Krauts did. The did didn't they?" LeBeauasked withworry.
"Yes LeBeau the missed." LeBeau had a skeptic look. He knew how Hogan kept things a secret especially with his health."I promise, no new holes." Hogan held up his fingers like a boy scout. Hogan smiled after he saw that LeBeau believed him, he motioned for him to hurry and change. "The gunfire is sure to cause another bed check."
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Klink came dancing out of his quarters trying to get his coat and boot on. "Who's shooting?"
Hochstetter ran out of the guest quarters with his gun drawn "I want an immediate roll call and no one rests until whatever is running around in the woods is brought to me dead or alive."
Between the gunshots, Germans yelling, sirens going off and the dogs barking, everyone was standing in front of their barrack trying to figure out what was going on.
Hogan and LeBeau made it to stand in line with the others just in time. Hogan was the first person Hochstetter looked for. Hochstetter then went to the solitary confinement cells to check on Eva. To his surprise, she was in her cell wondering what was going on. "Bah!" Was all Hochstetter said to her and then left.
Hochstetter joined Klink in front of the prisoners awaiting the count. The entire time he kept his eyes locked with Hogan's. Since Hogan knew all his men were safe, he just gave a smug smile to Hochstetter.
Hochstetter was getting tired of being made a fool of and he knew that some how Hogan was behind it. All he needed to do was prove it.
Shultz stood before Klink and Hochstetter and saluted. "All prisoners present and accounted for."
"Thank you Sergeant." Klink congratulated.
"Bah!" Hochstetter exclaimed and marched up to Hogan. He shook his fist in Hogan's face. "I know you had something to do with this now tell me what it is."
Hogan let out a slight laugh. "I have no idea what you are talking about. I was in bed sleeping when it sounded like the front had made it to Stalag 13. I came out in the hopes of seeing Patton and the rest of the Allies."
Hochstetter didn't find any humor in what Hogan said. "You better watch your tongue before someone decides to remove it." Hochstetter walked back to Klink "I want another count!" Klink rolled his eyes.
"C'mon Major, It is cold out here." Hogan protested
Hochstetter grinned at Hogan. "Should have thought about that before you decided to disrupt the camp."
Keep quiet Rob. He is just fishing. If he had anything he would have arrested you by now. If I stay silent than that will prove he is right. "Whatever makes you fell better? You have your version and I know the truth." So what if they are the same? He doesn't need to know that.
"And what is the truth Colonel?" Hochstetter asked.
Please shut up Hogan so I can get back to bed. You're men are not the only ones who are cold. Klink prayed silently.
"The truth is you have an animal out there some where and you keep thinking I had something to do with it."
"Waaaarrrrrah!" they heard
"Now explain how I was able to do that when I was standing here talking to you and all my men are here?" Hogan folded his arms across his chest.
"Simple, you some how made contact with the underground and you are having them do it." Hochstetter answered
Hogan, Klink and the rest of the men rolled their eyes. "Whatever." Hogan responded
"Herr Major," Shultz saluted "all prisoners still here. Would you like me to dismiss them now?"
Hochstetter smiled evilly at Hogan. "Yes Sergeant, but Colonel Hogan must remain where he is."
Hogan threw his hands up in disgust. Of all the times for him to play games.
Shultz herded everyone back inside and only Hogan, Hochstetter and Klink remained in the center of the compound.
Hochstetter circled Hogan like a predator with is prey. Hogan just stared at Klink hoping that he would put a stop to this. After about five minutes of him circling, Hogan spoke up. "Is there something you wanted or do you enjoy admiring me?"
"Nervous Hogan? Do you have something planned and I am keeping you from it?"
"As a matter of fact you are. You are keeping me from returning to my bed and going back to sleep." Hogan answered testy.
"Major, if you have a purpose for this get on with it otherwise I am ordering Hogan back in." Klink stated.
Hochstetter faced Klink. "You dare give me orders? I am the one giving the orders around here. Klink you are not needed any more, you are dismissed."
"Danke Major." Klink started back to his quarters then stopped and stomped back to Hochstetter. "You are dismissing me? Now wait a minute Major. Do I need to remind you that I am a colonel and you are a major and this is my camp?"
"So what's your point? If you would like, I could arrange it so I am in control of this camp?" Hochstetter said with a shrug.
Klink let out a nervous laugh and started backing away. "My camp is your camp. Good night."
Hochstetter went over to the bench in front of barrack two and sat down. This is going to be a long night Hogan thought.
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"What do we do now?" LeBeau asked
"We still have a job to do. Do we have everything ready for Operation King Kong?" Kinch asked. Everyone nodded. "Good. Nothing more we can do until Hochstetter leaves. Might as well get some sleep."
"What about the Colonel?" Carter asked bouncing from one foot to the other.
Kinch let out a sigh. "Nothing we can do Andrew. He is on his own for now."
Newkirk crawled into bed but before he went to sleep, "Kinch, do you suppose that the underground was responsible for that roar?"
Kinch gave a shrug "I hope so. It would explain the meeting with Tiger."
Even though LeBeau knew the truth about the meeting, he said nothing. Maybe le Colonel told her about the roar after I left.
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Half-hour later, Hogan started shifting his weight from one leg to the other. Even though his leather bomber was usually warm; it felt like he was wearing just his shirt. The night wind was cold and damp. Hochstetter sat on the bench with out a word in his warm long coat.
Hogan closed his eyes and imagined himself on a warm beach with a beautiful blonde. Better make that blonde Tiger. They were holding hands and walking the shoreline. Even the water was warm. They found a nice secluded place and decided to get better acquainted. Hogan held Tiger in his arms and said I love you.
When Tiger opened her mouth, the only sound was a roar "Waaaarrrrrah!"
The roar brought Hogan out of his thoughts. Hochstetter jumped up with his gun drawn. "Release the dogs. I want this creature found! If it isn't found by sun up, I am going to shoot someone!"
