Chapter 17

"Corporal LeBeau. Why are you being so difficult? You have nothing to fear, you are not in any danger of being prosecuted yourself. You do not need to be concerned about your fellow prisoners, they will not be harmed. We would not hold them responsible. The responsibility would fall upon Kommandant Klink for allowing this to happen."

Yeah right, and I was born yesterday. "You would not hold them responsible for what? I told you what happened, but you don't believe me."

Louis's interrogator was walking back and forth in front of him. He stopped and looked down on the Frenchman. "You don't expect me to believe that Major Strasser told Miller to sabotage his plans. That would be ludicrous. The Major is a loyal German, that fact we know."

"Are you sure? It seems to me that a 'loyal German' is an inconsistency in your army." LeBeau expected the backhand he got for that remark. Score one for the Allies. The truth hurts, doesn't it, you stupid Kraut. Louis scowled back at the German.

LeBeau's interrogator, Corporal Pfrommer, took off his jacket, and settled into the work in front of him. "You know, 'Louis', we Corporals don't get paid enough for the work we do."

LeBeau's temper flared inside him, when Pfrommer called him by his first name. His interrogator hung his uniform jacket on the back of a chair, and turned to walk back to Louis.

"Ok," Pfrommer let out a resigned sigh, "Let's talk."

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"Corporal Newkirk, sign this and we have an agreement."

Newkirk took the pen and the document. He paused to read over the information he had given, and the agreement for his compensation after the war. Blimey, I don't want to sign this, but I don't see anyway out of it. They know if I refuse, I have not turned traitor. But if this document survives the war, I may not. Oh, bloody' ell, my odds of surviving this war, doing what we do, are practically non-existent anyway.

Peter placed the pen to paper and signed.

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Knefler arrived at Gestapo headquarters in Berlin early in the evening, and met with Major Hochstetter. The Major explained that since he was going to be taking Hogan through his "program", he had an interest in this new development with Major Strasser.

"I like to know as much as I can going into an assignment. It gives me a hand up on the psychology I need to use."

"You don't need to justify your being here to me, Major Hochstetter. I would have been disappointed if you weren't," Knefler assured. "Take me to Major Strasser, I will talk to him."

"Jawohl!" Hochstetter snapped to attention, and turned, opening the door of the conference room for Colonel Knefler.

Their boots echoed through the granite corridor, lined with isolation cells, and dampness clung to the walls with a sheen. Finally, they stopped and the guard leading the way opened a cell door, revealing Major Strasser.

"I will speak with this man alone," the Colonel said, entering the dark musty cell.

Hans was sitting on what passed for a bunk, but stood at attention when he saw the Colonel enter.

Knefler waved and said, "At ease, Major. I've come to talk to you about the 'slip' you gave us, and the note found in your pocket. What answers do you have for this?"

"The same answer I have been giving you all along. I know it sounds outlandish, but there is no other possibility. I have been giving this a lot of thought. Somehow, I am being set up. The Underground captured me, only to let me go several hours later. I wondered why they didn't kill me; now I know. They wanted to discredit me to make Colonel Hogan look innocent." Strasser paused and looked around the cell. "They seem to be doing a good job of it."

Knefler watched, as Strasser weaved his story, paying close attention to the Major's body language. Well, Herr Strasser, you tell a good tale. Hogan's confession would tend to substantiate your story, but something doesn't ring true here. I haven't quite figured it out, but I will.

"Your story is plausible, Major. Colonel Hogan has admitted to the accusations. But if what you say is true, there is something bigger going on here." The Colonel would have to have some means of contacting the Underground to set your abduction up. But, there is a flip side to this scenario also.

"Colonel Hogan confessed?" Strasser showed surprise for just a fraction of a second, before adding, "I knew you would get at the truth, Herr Colonel."

"Yes, well, the truth is not always what we make it out to be, sometimes it is more elusive. However, in your case it appears to be as you said. But the note, found in your pocket, is very incriminating."

"The note?" Hans paused, and then remembered. "Ah, yes, the one from Greta. That was just going to be an innocent drink for companionship."

Knefler looked at Hans questioningly. "What are you referring to?"

"The note from Greta, isn't that what you are talking about?" Strasser asked.

"I am referring to the note telling you about the rendezvous with the Underground." Knefler looked intently at Strasser.

"The WHAT?" Strasser froze and starred back at Knefler, with an air of disbelief. You are quite resourceful, Colonel Hogan. "They must have planted that note on me when they drugged me." Strasser smiled and shook his head. "Do you think that if I had a note that incriminating, I would keep it in my pocket?"

"I admit it seemed like a stupid thing for a man of your experience to do, but stranger things have happened. Under stress, men make mistakes. However, in your case, with the confession corroborating your statement, what you suggest is a possibility," Knefler admitted.

"You will accompany me back to Stalag 13, but for now you'll remain in this cell. I must talk with my superiors to make the… arrangements." Knefler turned and called to the guard outside the cell door. The door opened and Knefler made a hasty exit.

I am surprised Colonel Hogan cracked. From what I know about him, I expected him to take the truth to the grave with him. Well Colonel, let's see you get out of a full confession!

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The door opened into Barrack Two, and a slightly "worse for wear" French Corporal was ushered in. Newkirk stood and went to the Frenchman's side. "Louis, are you all right?"

"No, I'm not all right. Do I look all right?" Louis was sporting a black eye and swollen lip. "But, I stuck to my story that the Underground was going to arrange his escape, with us setting up a diversion."

Louis looked up at Newkirk, "So how did it go with you? LeBeau paused, "I don't see a mark on you."

"Louis, my good man, you have to know how to handle these bloody Krauts," Newkirk boasted. The Englander's pride took over; he wouldn't tell anybody about the bruise the club left on his stomach.

"Yeah," Carter added, "you have to be stupid enough to sign your name on a confession." Carter laughed.

"YOU DID WHAT?" Louis shouted.

Newkirk blushed, "I had no choice, if I didn't, I would have blown the whole operation." Louis starred at Newkirk unbelievingly.

Kinch had approached Louis and was looking him over. "Better let Wilson have a look at you, Louis, just in case there is more than the obvious wrong with you."

Louis nodded. "So are we set?"

"I think we're ready for act two." Kinch announced, and then thought to himself. It's up to you Colonel. Good Luck!

Kinch had no way of knowing that the curtain had already come down on act two.

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Hogan was escorted from the Hospital building to a cell in the cooler, and was grateful for the respite. Having been without sleep, and exhausted from the interrogation, he went to lie down on the cot. His second exam left him emotionally numb. He felt no anger, no fear, and no abuse. He had disassociated from it all, to survive.

Glassy eyed, he looked at the bandages on his wrists. If that was their normal "bedside manner" German medicine leaves a lot to be desired.

Hogan lay wondering why they were so interested in his health. It didn't make any sense, but as exhausted as he was, nothing would make sense. Trying to find a comfortable position that didn't aggravate his already battered body was all he had the strength for at the moment. Luckily, he passed out before he realized that was an impossible task.

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"Jawohl, Herr General, Colonel Hogan's confession is in Major Strasser's favor." Knefler was bringing General Kaltenbrunner up to date on the investigation and preparations.

"You sound less than convinced, Colonel," the General remarked.

"I always doubt, Herr General. I never allow myself to get comfortable with the obvious. It can blind me to the truth."

"That is why you are the best at what you do, Colonel Knefler," Kaltenbrunner concluded.

"Danke, Herr General. And danke, for allowing me the freedom to proceed as I see fit." Knefler added.

"I wouldn't dream of interfering in your work. Goodbye, Heil Hitler." The General hung up the phone.

"Heil, Hitler," Knefler looked at the wall across from him, apparently in deep thought, when Major Hochstetter interrupted the silence.

"So, Herr Colonel, may I assume Colonel Hogan is to be shot?" Hochstetter had a definite tone of disappointment in his voice. The thought of losing the opportunity to fulfill all of his promises to the American, Colonel, was too insufferable to consider.

Colonel Knefler turned suddenly at the uttered question, and looked at Hochstetter with reassurance. "Maybe later, Major, but right now, we proceed as planned."

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