Chapter 14
"Sergeant, you are keeping information for a country that hardly knows you exist. How many of your friends have well paying jobs, have gone to school, even your judicial system is against you. Your 'fair trial' by jury would be all white."
Kinch's interrogator's approach had begun with friendly talk, progressed to violent outbursts. After four and a half hours with Corporal Neiman, Kinch was feeling like one of the punching bags he used while in training for the fight arena.
The one thing working to his advantage was the fact that the "Master Race" and especially his interrogator viewed him as "inferior". Kinch wasn't expected to last long. Fortunately, he looked worse than he felt, and now Neiman had backed off and turned to persuasion.
Kinch had been listening to the Corporal expound on the plight of "his people". He hated the truth in the Corporal's words. Surely, following the war things would be different. After all, people all over the world have seen what hate and prejudice can do.
Gritting his teeth Kinch forced his feelings aside. Ok, don't let him get to you. You have a job to do here. Keep yourself focused. Don't let your thoughts stray. The time was right to begin to waver. Neiman would have no trouble believing he was cracking.
Feigning dejection, he looked away with pain in his eyes that he did not have to fabricate. "Yes", he whispered.
Leaning closer, Neiman encouraged his prisoner.
"Nobody will know what you say here…you don't really think Colonel Hogan cares what happens to you, do you? If the tables were reversed…he would sacrifice you in an instant. "
Kinch let his face go expressionless, as if the truth in Neiman's words had suddenly made sense.
"Why continue to be punished to keep information for an army, fighting for a country, where you have no rights? You're smarter than that…aren't you Sergeant?"
Kinch lowered his eyes to the floor and when he brought them back Neiman there was fire in them. "We have separate facilities, and drinking fountains."
Those words came out easy…too easy, Kinch admitted to himself. Stay focused. "I heard him say Major Martin was a double agent that he was really working for us."
"Who said this, Sergeant?" Neiman asked in a soft sympathetic voice as he leaned in closer.
Come any closer and I'll... no…Kinch thought, no head butting today. Stick to the plan, "Colonel Hogan, he said Miller told him."
Pulling up a chair, Neiman said, "Let's get more comfortable."
"Guard, untie the Sergeant."
Neiman handed Kinch a glass of water, which he drank hungrily.
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The men of Barrack Six had sent for Wilson as soon as the guards dropped Miller off. He was bloodied and unable to stand on his own.
"That was a nasty crack you took to the head, Lieutenant," Wilson acknowledged while gently washing the wound and examining its depth.
"The Interrogation was a little more than I had expected," Miller admited. "But, I think it went well."
"I assume you're referring to the information exchanged and not to the beating you took," Wilson said sarcastically.
"You men ought to have your heads examined…playing Russian roulette with the SD."
"I thought I was," Miller bantered.
Wilson fumed. "It's not funny, Lieutenant! You're lucky he didn't hit you any harder. You could have just as easily been in a coma right now."
Miller fell silent.
Wilson turned and looked at the men standing nearby.
"You men are going to have to watch him in shifts for the next 24 hours. He is going to want to sleep. You must wake him every two hours and check that, number one; you can wake him. And secondly, that he knows who and where he is. Have you got that?"
They all nodded. Private Chapin pulled Wilson aside and asked, "What if we can't wake him or he isn't able to answer our questions?"
"Then come and get me and pray," Wilson quietly ordered.
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"What do you suppose is happening to Carter? We know they took Kinch out." Newkirk asked, worriedly.
"I don't know," LeBeau answered
Pacing, Newkirk reassured himself, "Carter will be ok. He may be a little clumsy, but when the chips are down, he always comes through."
"Oui, Newkirk. Carter can take care of himself." Louis agreed as he watched Newkirk continue to pace while occasionally stopping at the window to look at Klink's office.
"You're going to wear a hole in the floor. Come and sit down." LeBeau patted the seat next to him. "You're making me nervous."
Newkirk looked at LeBeau and sitting down confided, "I have these pictures of Carter bloody and beaten. I just can't think about them hurting Carter. You and me we're different…but Carter is so..."
LeBeau straightened in mock disbelief and attempting to lighten the mood, jibed, "What do you mean? Are you saying you don't care if I get beat up?" Looking the other way LeBeau folded his arms and shook his head, "See if I ever cook for you again."
Just then the barrack door opened and Schultz escorted Carter inside.
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Well, this is a fine mess you're in, Hans. Strasser thought while sitting in a Gestapo jail cell.
Where's your credibility now? He asked himself as he stood and paced the floor. Hearing the door to his cell being unlocked, he turned and stared at the door.
The sneering face of a Gestapo Major bounded into the small room.
"Well, Herr Strasser, we seem to have caught us a spy. Hochstetter swung his hand and backhanded Strasser before he could answer.
Hans caught himself before he fell to the floor and rubbed his hand across his jaw. "That is no secret; I have been a spy for the Fatherland for several years now."
"Yes, you've been a spy for years, but for whom is the question. How does Colonel Hogan fit into this?" the Gestapo Major asked.
Strasser stopped rubbing his jaw and stared at Hochstetter. "How does Colonel…are you suggesting that I and Colonel Hogan are working together? That's preposterous. I told how I was tricked by the American Colonel, and kept confined at Stalag 13."
"Yes, you told us your story, now it is time to tell the truth. We have the note from your underground contact that was taken from you when you were caught, you can save yourself a lot of pain by confessing now, before…."
The Major was interrupted before he could finish his sentence by a guard bringing him a message from the Sicherheitsdienst (SD).
Hochstetter took it and read in silence.
"Bah!" He growled, crumpling the note in his hand.
"You have been saved from interrogation for now, but eventually you and I are going to talk, and when we do, you will tell me about your connection to Colonel Hogan ."
Hochstetter turned and exited the cell, and the door clanged shut.
"Well, Colonel Hogan, you've done it to me again, haven't you?" Strasser cursed.
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"Carter!" Newkirk jumped to his feet. "Are you all right?"
LeBeau jumped to Carter's side, grabbing his arm to offer support.
"I'm fine."
"What did they do to you?" Louis asked.
"Nothing! Colonel Knefler and I just had a long talk until he tricked me into telling him that Major Martin met with the underground before he came to camp," Carter proudly announced.
"Shortly after that, they called for Schultz to bring me back here. Thanks for the escort Schultz."
"Ja!" Schultz replied, and then somberly added, "Newkirk, come with me. They are ready for you."
Newkirk, sitting on the bunk next to Carter, gave him a pat on the arm. "I'm glad you're all right, Andrew, we were worried about you." Newkirk stood, shoved his hands into his pockets, and walked toward Schultz.
"Thanks, Newkirk." Carter answered and then added, "Be careful, buddy, we're with you all the way."
Newkirk glanced back, nodded, and headed out the door.
