Chapter 13: A Helping Hand
Klink stood up and walked around his desk and stood beside Hochstetter. "Major that is enough! You will release him this instant." Klink demanded
"I will when I get answers from him." Hochstetter said through gritted teeth and tightened his arm around Hogan's neck.
Klink glanced at Hogan and saw the almost pleading look in his eyes. Was he pleading for air, for Klink's help or something else? Klink took a deep breath and grabbed Hochstetter's arm. "I said let him go now!"
Hochstetter let go of Hogan and stared at Klink. "How dare you interfere with Gestapo questioning?"
"How dare you come in here and harass a Luftwaffe prisoner without proof of guilt? Bring me some hard evidence proving Colonel Hogan's guilt and we will talk. Now is there anything else you wanted?" Klink demanded.
Hochstetter looked down at Hogan who was still catching his breath. "Klink I am only going to say this once. This does not concern you and for you to stay out of it. After a few moments of questioning him, I will have your proof. I am not leaving here until he tells me where Sleeping Beauty is and how he was involved with her escape."
In that instant, Klink knew he had to play his ace. Without a word Klink went to his desk and picked up the phone. "Fralein Helga please get General Burkhalter on the phone." He knew that Burkhalter did not like Hochstetter and as desperit as Hochstetter was toget Hogan to talk, he would never go against a general. Wonder why he will follow any other officers orders except mine?
Hochstetter ran over to Klink and snatched the phone out ofhis hand "Cancel that call." and hung it up. "There is no need to involve the General. I will leave." He walked toward Hogan. "You will slip up one day and I will have you where I want you. The evidence is out there to prove you are Papa Bear and I will find it. When I do, I will be back to continue this conversation..." Hochstetter looked at Klink "And no one will be able to stop me." He pushed past Shultz and stormed out of the office.
Klink walked over to the window and watched Hochstetter leave. "Sorry." Klink said quietly.
Hogan stopped rubbing his throat and stared at Klink. "Sorry for what?"
Klink took a deep breath and looked Hogan in the eye. "Sorry for not doing that sooner." Klink walked behind his desk and sat down. "There is still a good chance that Hochstetter will try to get me transferred or maybe even find a way to take over the camp."
Hogan for once saw Klink as a real human being. He saw the fear of what might happen to him because of his humane action. "What are you going to do?"
"I am going to make a report to General Burkhalter explaining how Hochstetter overstepped his bounds. I am betting that General Burkhalter would rather have me running this camp and not the Gestapo, so he will back me up."
"If not?"
Klink gave a nervous laugh. "If not, you better get use to being questioned by Hochstetter non-stop or you better do better at escaping. With the Gestapo, you will only get one try and you better succeed or else..." Klink let the sentence trail off. Hogan didn't have to hear the rest. He has heard about those who try to escape from the Gestapo and were caught. The Gestapo enjoyed making example out of people. First they would humiliate them and then torture them to death in front of the other prisoners. Very effictive.
For a brief moment Hogan thought about what life would be like with Hochstetter running the camp. The thought sent a shiever down his spine. "Kommandant," Hogan put as much feeling as he could into that word. It sounded more like the way a friend would say it instead of a prisoner to his jailer. "I will do what I can to help." There is no way that Klink could be that close to that picture without seeing that microphone. I have a good feeling he isn't as dumb as I first believed. I think as long as his perfect record stays intact and nothing goes on that will get him transferred, he will overlook a lot.
Klink smiled at Hogan. "I know you will. Dismissed." Hogan stood up and gave one of his better salutes "Thanks." and left.
HH HH HH
Kinch came up from the tunnel and sat down at the table with the others. "Somethin' wrong mate?" Newkirk asked
Kinch just shook his head and looked at LeBeau briefly. "Nothing. I just got a message for the Colonel, that's all." Hogan walked into the barrack. "Message Sir." Kinch handed Hogan the letter.
Hogan read it and nodded his head. "LeBeau be ready to go out tonight at 2300."
"Oui Colonel." LeBeau responded handing him a cup of coffee.
Hogan took it and motioned that he was going to have a team meeting in his office. When everyone was situated and the door closed, he began. "I have reason to believe that Klink has a general idea of what is going on around here." He held up his hand to quiet the men. "I don't think he knows much or wants to know. In his office he was staring at the picture we have the microphone in and didn't say a word. Even touched the picture right next to the microphone. I believe he knows it is there. I also believe he knows that we have the capability to leave camp whenever we want, but doesn't know how. I don't have any solid proof, just my gut. For a while I want things to lay low. No one leaves camp unless necessary. If he does believe that, then he could set a trap."
"What about us going out tonight?" LeBeau asked.
"This is necessary. For the next week or so we are going to act like regular POW's. Any questions?" No one raised their hand. "Good. Has Eva been fed?"
"Yes Sir." LeBeau answered.
"Kinch see if you can arrange it so we can take Eva with us when we go out tonight."
"Yes Sir." Kinch responded.
"Everyone is dismissed."
Everyone walked out of Hogan's room with a look of confusion and all thinking the same thing.Is Klink smart enough to set a trap? Newkirk thought back to all the dumb things Klink had done over the years. Na, he would never be able to come up with a clever enough trap to catch the gov'nor. At least not without help.
Kinch went down to the tunnel and to the radio and made the call. A few minutes later Kinch was back upstairs telling Hogan that all was a go for tonight.
HH HH HH
Hogan, Eva and LeBeau crept through the woods to the rendezvous. Hogan's senses were on high alert. He had a feeling that someone was following them, but never saw or heard anything out of the ordinary. Finally they made it to the farmhouse again. Hogan motioned for Eva and LeBeau to remain behind while he checked things out.
As Hogan crept toward the house, he thought he saw something move out of the corner of his eye. He crouched down with his gun pointed in that direction and waited for a moment to see if there was any more movement. Nothing. Jumpy Rob? There is nothing to be jumpy about. Everything is just fine. Could this be Klink's trap? Wait until he has all the players and then close in?
One thing he has learned over the years is to listen to his gut. Even though Klink setting a trap was a possibility, his gut was telling him that he could trusthim and that he would not use the information he had or believe he had on Hogan to prove he is Papa Bear unless he was pushed into that corner. Now was not the time, so he made his way to the door and gave the secret knock. There was the response knock and the door opened. "Where are the others?" Tiger asked.
Hogan gave the signal for LeBeau to bring Eva. They ran quickly across the yard to the house and entered.
"Papa Bear, can you please take Sleeping Beauty in the other room? I need to talk to LeBeau alone." Tiger asked. The sad look in Tiger's eyes told them that she did not have good news, so they walked into the Kitchen and sat at the table.
A little bit latter they could hear sobs coming from the living room.
Tiger entered the kitchen. "I will take care of Sleeping Beauty and see to it that she makes it to London safely. You take care of LeBeau."
"How many?" Was all Hogan asked.
Tiger had worked with Hogan enough to know how he thinks and knew the whole question. "Two."
Hogan nodded his head and turned to Eva "Have a good safe trip."
"Danke. You stay safe also."
Hogan looked into Tigers eyes and then quickly glanced away. "Stay safe." And walked into the living room to get LeBeau.
Tiger looked to Eva and at the door Hogan had just walked through. I have it figured out. He has feelings for Sleeping Beauty and feels guilty about it. I can't blame him though she is pretty, but he doesn't owe me anything. His heart doesn't belong to me. He is free to give it to whomever he wants. A smile appeared on her face. That's right and he has chosen to give it to me.
HH HH HH
Hogan sat beside LeBeau "You going to be okay?" LeBeau nodded wiping away the tears. "I am sorry. If there is anything I can do, please let me know."
"Merci. I will be fine thanks. At least they were able to rescue the majority of my family. Thank you Colonel for doing this for me."
Hogan put his arm around LeBeau. "That's what friends are for."
"It has been a long day. Can we go?" LeBeau stood up and walked to the door. Hogan didn't bother saying good by and followed after LeBeau. He knew that LeBeau just wanted to be alone to morn his loss and rather do it back at camp.
