Hi, my dear readers,
Thank you once again for all the many comments and reviews, you left. We're nearing the end, and to let you not longer wait, I not only publish this chapter, but also the final one after this one.
The story is mostly told, only a few further things have to be done – and one last time Hogan has to pull the strings.
Have fun
Love
Yours Starflight
Chapter 108 – The days after
The days after Butler's departure went by in a flurry mixture of making arrangements and taking care of the camp and town. Misunderstandings and intolerance met understanding and tolerance; old grudges on both sides faced willingness to forgive.
The injured soldiers and members of the Volkssturm were technically POWs, yet Captain Godman allowed them to be treated in the relative comfortable shelters of the commercial school and hospital. Those who were more recovered were questioned. Many of them were sent to the west to one of the large POW camps. Those who had been forced to join the fighting troops were allowed to return home after the war – or in 17 cases, go home immediately because they were from the area.
On April 12, 1945, the world changed – not in Germany, but in the United States. A change that would influence the next several years and the future of Germany entirely.
During the evening, Hogan looked at Kinch, who was operating the now official radio of the former POW camp, with horrified eyes. "What happened?"
"Roosevelt…He died this morning in Warm Springs, Georgia. They said he had a cerebral hemorrhage." James sounded as forlorn as Hogan felt.
"Now?"
"Vice President Truman already took the oath and is now the new president," Kinch informed him and placed the headset beside the radio. "Be glad that the President didn't die when Butler was still here. I don't think he would've allowed you to stay in camp under the given circumstances. I'm sure there'll be a gathering of all available staff officers soon. The air smells of change – a big change."
Hogan nodded. "Certainly. Truman is a completely different type of man, has other regards, and…" Robert stopped as a thought hit him.
"Colonel?" Kinch asked, as he saw the wheels beginning to move in his friend's mind.
"Truman…He's more liberal than Roosevelt. I read some statements from him before I left the US," Hogan explained. "If he hasn't changed completely, then I think Germany has a chance to not be completely rubbed down. A chance to be rebuilt – this time hopefully for the better. And to help the civilians. We're needed here."
Kinchloe stared at him and began to chuckle. "You grip for every straw to return to Germany – to be with Klink."
Robert sighed. He and Will had had another very intense night of lovemaking yesterday, and Hogan tried to hide the outcome of it. He leaned against the table and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "It's not only for Will. I really think the people here are going to need help and…What?" He all but demanded as he saw the wide grin of his second in command.
"If you say so, sir," James teased.
"Yeah, really," Hogan reaffirmed, and Kinchloe only smirked more.
"If you say so," he repeated, laughing.
*** HH ***
The chaos Roosevelt's death brought for the acting US troops would last for a few days. Yet it didn't influence the men of Stalag 13 or the military government in Hammelburg and other conquered towns. Fate simply continued its way; sometimes for the worse, sometimes for the better.
While the Red Army finished its conquering of Vienna, something like a beam of light shined down on one particular family in Heidelberg.
The cozy town on the Neckar River had been seized at the beginning of April without any resistance from the Germans. Like this, the town wasn't damaged much and became the new Headquarters for the US Army within Germany.
Like in Hammelburg, the people were checked through, everything that had a Nazi symbol was destroyed, and books of 'Mein Kampf' were burned. Yet companies a part of the war industry were closed and were planned to be dismounted. All except for one.
On April 13th, a jeep entered a street with single villas near the Neckar River and parked in front of a house. A GI and an US captain left the car, checked some documents, and headed to the house's front door to ring the bell.
Margarethe Schultz, always called by her pet name 'Gretchen', went to the door. They all were nervous since the US Army was in town, and she opened the entrance reluctantly. Her mouth became dry as she saw the two Americans standing at her door step.
"Frau Schultz?" An officer asked in plain German.
"J-j-j-ja," she answered, her eyes wide. Usually the older lady was a bit gruff and didn't shrink back from telling everyone her mind, but by now her nerves lay blank. Her three sons were POWs, and her two daughters had been sent home by the new owner of the erstwhile Schatze Toy Factory as US troops entered the town. She hadn't heard anything from her husband until now. Rumors said that a large part of North Bavaria, including Nurnberg, was conquered, and she feared that he had been killed or was a POW now, too. And remembering the latter, fear gripped her tightly. What if these men had come to tell her of her husband's death? Yes, she and Hans had their difficulties, but she still loved him.
"Frau Schultz, ich komme im Auftrag von General Patch, kommandierender Offizier des US Hauptquartiers hier in Heidelberg. Ist es korrekt, dass Ihre Familie für drei Generationen im Besitz der Schatze-Spielzeug-Fabrik war, aber vom Nazi-Regime 1941 enteignet wurde?" (Mrs. Schultz, I'm coming by orders of General Patch, the CO of the new US Headquarters here in Heidelberg. Is it correct that your family owned the Schatze Toy Facility for three generations, but was disowned by the Nazi regime in 1941?)
Gretchen gulped, completely confused why the US officer asked her that question. "Ja," she answered quietly.
The man in front of her smiled suddenly and offered her a few documents. "Aufgrund der großen Verdienste Ihres Mannes für die West Alliierten, der Fürsprache von General Butler und Colonel Hogan, sowie in Übereinstimmung mit dem US Hoch Kommando, erkennen wir den Besitzanspruch Ihre Familie für die Schatze Spielzeug Fabrik an. Dies ist die neu ausgestellte Besitzerurkunde. (Because of the abundant merits of your husband for the West Allies, the intercession of General Butler and Colonel Hogan and agreement with the US High Command, the claim of ownership for the Schatze Toy Facility of your family is accepted. This is the new issued document of claim.)
Gretchen could only stare at him with an open mouth. "W-w-w-was (What)?"
"Die Militär-Regierung stimmt zudem zu, dass die Fabrik ihre Arbeit als reine Spielzeugfabrik wieder aufnehmen kann, sobald Produktionsanlagen für die Herstellung von Waffen deinstalliert sind. Zudem werden neun angeworbener Werksarbeiter zuvor von uns befragt und wir halten ein Auge auf alles, bis Ihr Mann wieder zurück ist. (The military government agrees that the facility can restart its work as a toy facility as soon as production machinery for weapons are un-installed. Furthermore, the new hired workers first have to be questioned by us, and we'll keep an eye on everything until your husband is back.)"
"Mein Mann? Ist…ist er am Leben? Und was meinen Sie mit, großen Verdienste für die West Alliierten? (My husband? Is he alive? And what do you mean with his 'abundant merits for the West Allies?)"
The captain wanted to answer, but was interrupted.
"Mama, what's going on?" A female voice called from the inside. A young woman about 20 years old appeared beside her mother. Brown eyes looked warily at the two Americans, blondish brown hair pinned up. Only a few locks had escaped and played around her fine face.
The GI nodded at her, while beside him, the captain bowed his head. "Miss," he greeted – and took a closer look. Dammit, she was pretty. A little too thin, and the dress was well-worn, but regarding the lack of nourishment and the hard months prior, her condition was no wonder. But, contraire to many other women he had seen while fighting his way through the west of Germany to the south, she was clean and held herself with some dignity.
Clearing his throat, he straightened his shape. "Ich bin Captain Thomas Furson, mein Fräulein." (I'm Captain Thomas Furson, Miss.) He introduced himself and took her offered hand.
"Margarethe Schultz," she replied. As the oldest daughter, she was named after her mother. "You can speak English with me, Captain. Our father took care that we were all well-educated and learned English in school."
A shining smile was the first answer before the young man explained quickly to her why he was there. And Margarethe, who hadn't seen such white teeth and such a well-built man in quite some time, smiled shyly, but got a big shock as she learned why the American officer – who had to be in his mid-twenties – was here.
"Dad…supported the Allies? And because of his help you're giving us back our traditional factory?"
Furson nodded. "Yes. Your father has mighty intercessors – General Butler and Colonel Hogan, who was the Senior POW Officer of the camp your father served in. It turns out that the colonel was one of our spies, and your father supported him and his men."
The young woman's jaw dropped. "Dad – an Underground agent?"
A soft laugh escaped Furson. "Well – yes." He grinned and handed Margarethe the documents. "Here. I think you're going to need this. I hope we've cleaned the factory out within the next three weeks so that you can restart production there, and…"
"Captain, many production machines were simply equipped with some implements the Nazis needed to produce parts for the war weaponry. If those tools are removed and replaced with the old ones, the machines can be used for the production of toys again."
He lifted both eyebrows. "In other words, if we remove the machines…"
"…We cannot produce." Margarethe nodded. "My older brother studied machine engineering before he was summoned by force into the Volkssturm. He left drawings and documents on how to change the machines back to be used for their original purpose. If you like, I can show them to you."
Cocking his head, he pursed his lips. "This is new information my superior didn't have. I have a suggestion. Come tomorrow to our HQ and bring those documents with you. I'll get an appointment for you with the responsible officer for the deinstallation of factories, and you can discuss everything with him." He saw her hesitating and gave her another smile. "You don't have to fear anything. I can pick you up tomorrow and accompany you – if you like."
Was she mistaken or was there something like hope in his eyes? Well, why not? He seemed to be trustworthy – and he was incredibly handsome. Wetting her lips, she nodded. "Okay," she replied. "When will you be here?"
"First, I have to make the appointment, but I'll send Private Miller here in the evening to give you more details."
"Thank you," Margarethe replied, and offered her hand again. He took it and promptly placed a kiss on the back of her hand. The young woman flushed, and he smiled, saluted, and went to his jeep, Private Miller beside him.
Frau Schultz stared at her daughter. "What the hell is going on here?" She demanded. "And stop ogling this Ami."
"Why? He is handsome – and polite," Margarethe giggled before she stepped back into the house. "Come on, Mama; I think you need to sit."
*** HH ***
While the rest of the Wehrmacht troops were broken down by the US Army the following day, the fate of one family in Heidelberg began to head towards a happy ending – because of the oldest Schultz daughter. She presented the technical documents to General Patch in person and convinced him of removing only the tools of the machines within the production lines of the factory. The staff officer was first skeptical and only after one of his technical advisors confirmed the young lady's statements and recommendations, he agreed on her plan. Furthermore, he asked her to be there when a few of his men 'cleaned' the factory. Captain Furson suggested to be in charge of the task, and again, the general agreed – not knowing that he technically supported the beginning of a romance.
At least in the Schultz family one thing changed for the better. But for other families, the real danger began now.
Only one day later, (after Potsdam experienced the most heavy air raids ever and lay in ruins) Wilhelm Klink got reason to be worried sick for his mother and younger brother, Wolfgang. News was given that US troops were encircling Düsseldorf – and the town was no longer ruled by civilian burgomasters, but the SS, which made it clear that there wouldn't be any surrender.
In the afternoon of April 15th, the telephone rang in the Kommandantur, and a German speaking US officer, who had taken over the telephone exchange in Hammelburg after it was repaired, told Hogan that there was a private call from Düsseldorf of an old lady demanding to speak with her son.
Hogan knew instantly who the old lady had to be. "Put her through, Sergeant. I know who's calling," he said, covered the microphone of the receiver with a hand, and addressed Olsen, who was his 'secretary' now. "Is Klink back from town?"
"He came back a quarter hour ago. Do you want me to get him?"
"Yes, please. I think I have his mom on the line."
Surprised, the man looked at his superior, nodded, and called from his own phone in the anteroom to Klink's quarters.
Hogan listened to the static noises, then the voice of an older woman was heard. "Wilhelm, bist du das (is that you)?"
The American cleared his throat. "Nein, Madame. Oberst Klink wird gerade geholt. Sie sprechen mit Robert Hogan und… (No, Ma'am. Someone is getting Colonel Klink right now. You're speaking with Robert Hogan, and…"
He was interrupted by a confused, "Mit wem…(with whom?)" Then she stopped and took a deep breath. "Colonel Robert Hogan…Wilhelm's Senior POW Officer?" She asked in surprisingly well English.
"Yes, Ma'am, that would be me," Robert replied, baffled. Will had never mentioned that his mother spoke English. On the other hand, he had told him that his mother came from a wealthy merchant family, and as a daughter from such a household, she certainly had visited a higher girls' school.
"What are you doing in his office?" Her voice was stern, but also betrayed some fear.
"Ma'am, Stalag 13 was liberated nine days ago and is now under US control like the rest of the area," Hogan said softly. He heard her gasp and added quickly, "Wilhelm is well, so don't worry. He's still here in the camp and is treated as an equal." Silence was the answer, yet the line wasn't dead. So the old lady seemed to be at a loss of words. Hogan smiled. Typical mothers. "Ma'am, is there a certain reason why you call? I know that our comrades are closing up on Düsseldorf. Are you and Wolfgang in trouble?"
Her reply wasn't an exact answer. "Friedrich told me that you and Wilhelm have become friends. I couldn't believe it at first. On the other hand, Wilhelm spoke with an odd mixture of amusement, frustration, and something close to affection about you whenever he was at home. And now you refer to him on the first name base. And you called him an 'equal'. Do you refer to your equal ranks – or to more?"
What in God's name did the woman mean? Did she know that Will had worked against the regime, or was she hinting that she knew of his preferences concerning a partner and that he had fallen for his own Senior POW Officer?
Before he could try to find some innocuous words, the door opened, and Will came into the Kommandantur – clad only in civil trousers, shoes, and a thick pullover. Since he had vacated his post and rank as a Oberst of the Wehrmacht, he wore civilian clothes even when he was in town to act as a mediator between the military government, the interims police, and the citizens. He had only returned a short time ago from his new job, and he had been about to take a shower as he had gotten the call from the Kommandantur, chasing him square over the compound.
"Rob? Olsen said you have my mother on the line?" He asked, a little bit out of breath and with worry in his blue eyes. Since two days ago, he had picked up three new monocles from the optician, which helped to sooth his eyes' infection he had gotten because of overstressing them.
"Yes." Hogan nodded before he spoke into the receiver again. "Ma'am, you were informed correctly. Will and I are friends – and he just arrived. I think he can answer your questions better than I can. I'll link you to him now." He hesitated for a moment. "Ma'am, I ask again: Are you and your youngest son in trouble? If so, I might be able to help."
Frau Klink's voice was a little bit hoarse as she answered. "If you can stop your comrades from razing Düsseldorf and give the SS government here a reasonable mind, you maybe could help, Colonel."
Hogan frowned, waved Will to step beside him, and turned the receiver enough so that the older man could hear what his mother was saying.
"Ma'am, as much as I understand from your words, you're trying to tell me that the current town government doesn't want to surrender and that our troops are about to conquer Düsseldorf by force?"
Will paled dramatically, while he spoke up. "Mutter, it's me, Wilhelm. I'm listening with Robert. Where are you? At our home, or…"
"Yes. The house was damaged during another air raid of the British Air Force two days ago, but thank the Lord we were away to exchange some food stamps against nourishment."
Klink took a sharp breath. "Why didn't you call sooner?"
"Because this is the first time some telephone lines have been repaired." She lowered her voice. "Wilhelm, rumors are saying that the US troops are increasing and that they stationed air fighters near Düsseldorf. The Underground here…is planning something, but I fear it's too late. I…I wanted to speak with you one last time before…"
"Don't talk like that," Will interrupted her, swaying ever so slightly. Robert's warm hand on his arm steadied him, then Rob pushed the receiver into his hand, rose, and walked to the radio that was set up near the desk. For a moment, Hogan's gaze grazed the empty walls that were in earlier times covered by the pictures of the Führer. Now dirty frames on the wall showed where they had been – or the secretly installed microphone of the Heroes – and Robert preferred this sight a thousand times more than the old one.
"I'll ask London. Hold your mother on the line." He instructed, while placing the headset on his ears and activating the radio. "Papa Bear calling Goldilocks, come in!"
Wilhelm moistened his dry lips, his stomach felt like an icy stone had dropped into it. "Mutter, Robert is trying to get some more information. Hold on, please." He hesitated before he asked, "How are Wolfgang and Grandfather?"
While he listened to his mother's answers, his glance found Hogan. They had installed the Heroes' radio from the tunnels in the Kommandantur, because its frequencies were adjusted to those of the West Allies.
Hogan pressed his lips into a short line. "Understood, Goldilocks. Papa Bear out." He put down the headset and walked back to the desk, where he spoke loud enough for Frau Klink to hear. "Ma'am, you should warn your friends to leave town as soon as possible. An ultimatum will be given soon, and when I consider your current town government, I don't think this will have the same happy ending like here in Hammelburg. Are you able to leave, too?"
Klink's mother answered only quietly – too quietly to be understood by Hogan, and so Will repeated. "The SS controls all passable access roads. Who tries to flee is shot – and in the town's center death lays ahead, too, because that will be attacked first." Her voice trembled, and Will shuddered. He knew exactly what that meant for his family.
Hogan cursed, stemmed his hands in his hips, and thought for a moment. "Will, tell your mother that we'll call her again in one hour. I have to make some calls. Tell her to pack everything she wants to take with her – including all documents and small, but valuable things she can convert into money later. The same goes for Wolfgang and your grandfather."
With big eyes, Will looked at him. "What are you planning?"
Robert smiled grimly. "I get them out of Düsseldorf. Wagner still owes me one – and now is the best time for him to repay me." He went back to the radio, switched the frequency, and took a deep breath. As it seemed, Papa Bear's job would never be over as long as the war lasted.
An hour later, Kinchloe had to use every trick he ever had developed to get a connection with Frau Klink in Düsseldorf. As it seems, it was almost impossible to call someone in a town that was mostly cut off from power, totally controlled by the SS, and was 80% in ruins.
Pretending to be a senior physician from the university hospital that was still more or less in function, he finally was connected to Klink's home.
"Frau Klink?" Kinch asked. "A moment please, I'll link you to your son."
Will took the receiver. "Mutter? Listen closely. At 6:00 an ambulance will come to our house to pick you, Wolfgang, and Grandfather up. In the ambulance car, you and Wolfgang will switch into medical clothes, and Grandfather is the patient." He listened for a bit and said, "Mutter, trust me – and Colonel Hogan. He did such things for three years. And the man who agreed to help – Albrecht Thiele – did it even longer. He and his comrades are bringing new ID documents for you and will smuggle you out of Düsseldorf. Whatever comes next, stick to the story they made up for you, and do what they say." He listened again and smiled for the first time within the last hour. "Where are they taking you? To Stalag 13, of course. Robert has arranged for you to be allowed to pass the US control station, and…What? Yes, I know, your back issue. But think, Mutti: You have to endure this trip, or you may…die." He took a deep breath. "Just be strong, and you'll get help in camp. We have good doctors here." He was silent again and finally chuckled. "No, I need nothing from home – except for you three. Even the old coot. – What? – Yes, I'm happy, too to see all of you again. Be careful, will you?" He gulped down a sudden lump in his throat. "I love you, too. Goodbye."
The whole talk had been done in German, but this wasn't any problem for Hogan or Kinchloe. Askingly, the colonel looked at his counterpart. "This isn't a small risk they're taking," he said quietly, and Wilhelm groaned.
"Robert, dammit, I KNOW! Don't add oil to the flames. I'm already sick with worry enough!"
Hogan rounded the desk and stopped beside the desk chair Will had occupied like in earlier times. Bending down, he wrapped an arm around the older man and squeezed his shoulder as he felt Wilhelm trembling. "Hold your head up, Honey. I'm sure we can welcome them tomorrow safe and sound here in this camp."
Those blue eyes looked at him full of fear and hope. "You think so?"
Nodding, Robert gave him a warm smile. "Yes. Wagner is one of the best the Underground has. And if he entrusts Thiele with such an important task, this man has to be good." He cocked his head. "If your family leaves your home now, it will be lost."
Wilhelm didn't want to think about that detail. He knew that not only the house he had grown up in would be lost, but also his possessions – things which weren't really important but held dear memories for him. He shrugged. "Well, I do have some memories I connect with this home, but to lose that and a few personal items is nothing compared to the danger of losing my family."
Robert squeezed his shoulder again. "We're going to make new memories soon, Will. Better ones. I promise." He tried to comfort his lover.
Will gave him another sad smile, then rubbed his temples, praying the next day would come soon.
*** HH ***
April 15th was a day full of fate – and not only for the Klink family. English troops liberated the concentration camp Bergen-Belsen in the Lueneburg Heath. While more than 50,000 prisoners from the camps in Sachsenhausen and Ravensbrück were forced on a death walk to the west, the Brits freed and saved more than 60,000 people in Bergen-Belsen. The English soldiers found the prisoners half starved to death, gravely sick, and barely able to walk. Thousands of corpses lay unburied. In the following two days, the new named camp commander, Colonel Taylor, had all hands full from preventing a catastrophe taking place. Prisoners tried to murder their guards, plundered the pantries, and lashed out at everyone who wore German uniforms. In the end, Taylor was forced to lock the former guards up to save their lives. Medical teams came to help the freed prisoners and tried to save as many sick ones as possible.
Finally, female and male captured members of the SS had to bury the thousands of dead people in mass graves – a special punishment to let them see and realize what they had done or had allowed to happen.
For one, help came too late. Anne Frank, the young girl that hid with her family so long in a back court in Amsterdam, had died four weeks before the liberation took place. Her diary would become one of the most read books concerning the fates of Jews in the Third Reich. Her older sister, Margot Frank, had died a short time before her after falling from her bunk and going into shock.
Yet the camp's liberation was a peaceful one, because Himmler had agreed to the surrender. Why he did it was a speculation only a few men knew the truth of. The 'so mighty' Reichsführer followed his own target now, going behind the Führer's back. Himmler was intelligent enough to know that the war was lost and tried to strike a deal with the West Allies. To show his good will, he allowed Jewish prisoners to be set free or surrendered outposts of camps to the Allies, but all his tricks didn't help him in the end. None of the Allies trusted him, and without an official surrender of Germany, the war would continue to its bitter end.
All of that was unknown to Frau Klink, her father-in-law, and her youngest son as the ambulance vehicle reached Hammelburg in the evening of the 16th. The older woman had skipped counting how often they had been stopped – two times by the SS, and many more times by US troops or their British Allies. Every time the young man, who went by the name Albrecht Thiele, brought up the story of a medical transfer (when they were stopped by the SS) or showed the American/British officers a document, they checked it and allowed them to continue their way.
Of course, the three Klinks asked themselves why this ominous Colonel Robert Hogan had helped them at all. Yes, obviously he and Wilhelm had formed a friendship – Friedrich already told them so. But this was enough to help his former jailer and official enemy? And how did it come that this colonel had such good connections to the Underground? Thiele told them only a little bit – that the colonel was an American Ally they owed a lot to, but it wasn't much of an answer. They certainly would get more satisfying information when they reached their destination.
They ate only a little bit and spoke even less. Everyone was lost in the own thoughts, which circled around three topics: What would become of them when they reached the former POW camp? Where would they go afterwards? And what would happen to Düsseldorf? Would they ever see the town again?
Dawn was already approaching as they were stopped one last time. An American officer spoke with Thiele, who was driving at the moment, then the man walked around the car and opened the door. Frau Klink almost jumped. Yes, she had seen dark-skinned people before, but never that close.
The man smiled warmly at her and the others, and the moment he began to speak, she recognized his voice.
"Mrs. Klink? I'm Sergeant Kinchloe. We spoke yesterday shortly. I'm here to accompany you to the camp." He climbed into the car, offered the lady his hand, then the old man, and finally Wolfgang.
Klink's grandfather watched the American warily, but said nothing, while his sister-in-law and grandson dared to give the stranger a shy smile.
Twenty minutes later, the car slowed down, turned to the right, and drove down a small hill.
"We're here," Thiele called from the front seat, and Kinch – who had had a little talk with the former Kommandant's brother and mother – looked out of the window. A few GIs waved at him, and he waved back before the car passed through two gates and came to a stop.
Spotlights were trained on dozens of wooden Barracks, the compound was full of men, mainly American, British and Serbian men, but there were also a few Germans among them – talking and smoking cigarettes.
The back door of the ambulance car was opened, and a round face with large blue eyes looked into the vehicle. To the three Klink's astonishment, the man wore Wehrmacht grey and a steal helmet.
"Frau Klink?" He addressed the lady and smiled even more. "Sergeant Schultz at your service."
Anna-Maria Klink had already assumed who he was. Wilhelm had described the 'big oof' often enough, but she liked his gentle eyes and kind smile. Carefully, she tried to climb out of the car, but her back protested enough to make her moan in pain.
"Wait a moment, Ma'am," Kinch said, climbed beside her down the car, reached inside, and simply lifted her in his arms. She gasped in shock and clung to him, making him chuckle. "Don't worry, Ma'am; I would never let a lady fall – and especially not Old Willi's mom."
"What did you call my son?" She asked perplexed, while Kinch carefully placed her on her feet.
"Old Willi. Yeah, he was our Kommandant, and there were moments I wanted to kick his a… ungh…butt, but most times he's a good guy."
Kinch steadied her, for which she was more than grateful. Behind her, Wolfgang left the car using a cane before the voice of her father-in-law creaked in German, "And what about me?"
"Wait a moment, sir. Two of the medics will help you. I'm sure your arms and legs are numb after such a long ride – regarding your age," Schultz said helpfully. Of course, the latter part was the worst he could say.
"What? I'm old. I'M OLD! I'm 90, not old! You should have seen me two years ago. I still could…"
"Grandfather, please," Wolfgang sighed, and gave Schultz an apologizing look. "He's a little grumpy," he whispered, while he tried to stretch his frame.
"Mutter!"
Frau Klink would have recognized that voice from anywhere. Looking around, she saw two men coming from a single room to the left of the entrance. A sign showed that it was the 'Kommandantur'. One of them wore an American uniform; the other one was in civilian clothes, but that didn't fool her.
"Wilhelm!" She tried to hurry to her son, but her legs wouldn't allow quick movements. Kinch wrapped an arm around her waist and supported her.
"Easy, Ma'am. Give your body time."
He held her until the former Oberst was there and took her in his arms. Only then did James step back. Hogan, who had stopped behind mother and son, nodded gratefully at his friend, who gave him a sloppy salute and made some room.
Will held his mother in a bear hug close to him, relieved and happy beyond imagination. The hours between her first call yesterday and now had been one of the longest in his life. The fear if they would be able to leave town at all or would be caught by the SS had been as strong as the fear if whether they would make it safe to camp or not. The travel through half of Germany – partly conquered, partly battle zones, partly still under control of the regime – was more than dangerous, and all sorts of horrible imaginations had haunted him.
Robert had wrapped him into his arms the whole night trying to comfort him and give him courage. Only in the morning had Klink found some hours of needed sleep, only to be like a caged tiger for the whole day – unable to eat, unable to sit for long, unable to go to his 'job' in Hammelburg. Captain Godman had been sympathetic enough to give him a day off. Last but not least, because of Hogan, who had hinted he was still the highest ranking US officer in the area.
And now the Klinks were reunited – a mother and her two sons, and a grumpy grandfather who was still on the stretcher in the ambulance car and complaining that no one was getting him out. Hogan knew now from whom Friedrich had gotten the nasty behavior.
"You're safe," Wilhelm murmured, and pressed a gentle kiss on his mother's temple. "Thank the Lord. I was so worried for you."
"You got us out," Anna-Maria whispered back. "I called you to say goodbye. I never would have thought in a thousand years that I would see you again – and so soon."
Will lifted his head and looked down at his mother, his eyes full of love. "It was Robert who got you out, Mutti." He smiled as Wolfgang limped to them and encircled his mother with his arms from behind, clapping his hands on his older brother's hips.
"You're okay, Willie?" He asked quietly, and the former Oberst laughed.
"Better than for a long time, Wolfie. I'm so glad to have you all here."
"WHY DOES NOBODY GET ME OUT OF THIS DAMN CAR?!" The shout sounded through the evening and woke a lot more attention.
"You're really glad to have us ALL here?" Wolfgang teased his brother, grinning at him.
"Well, maybe not so happy about one, but what the hell." Wilhelm sighed, earning him a rebuke from his mother and a snicker from his brother.
Hogan stood still behind them and watched them fondly. Will's mother was a petite woman with grey hair and intense brown eyes. Her frame beneath the white nurse-clothes was thin, and the wrinkles spoke of too much mourning, too many worries, and too little calm times. Her stance was bowed – her bad back, this much he knew.
Behind her was Will's younger brother, Wolfgang. He had the typical Klink eyes –blue with a hue of grey. His hair was dark, but contraire to his brother, there was no sign of balding. He was not as tall as Will was, yet the resemblance was plain to see. As were the tracks of the injuries he got a year prior as the lab he was working at exploded. There was a scar that went over his left cheek, the skin of his left hand looked wrinkled and sprinkled with white dots, and Hogan had recognized the limping. Obviously Wilhelm's younger brother had been bared with his left side to the blaze of the detonation, and it was sheer luck – and the help of at least a dozen guardian angels – that he was still alive.
Will glanced at Wolfgang full of love, squeezed his mother once again, and finally turned around, one arm still wrapped around the old lady.
"Mutti, Wolfie, may I introduce you to the man who really got you out of Düsseldorf. Colonel Robert Hogan – a dear friend and the finest fighter I ever met."
To his horror, Robert felt his face heating, while he closed the distance to the Klink family and bowed his head. "Frau Klink, Herr Klink, willkommen im Stalag 13 (Mrs. Klink, Mr. Klink, welcome to Stalag 13)." He greeted the two newcomers before he lifted the woman's right hand to give her a kiss. Afterwards, he offered his hand to Wolfgang, who shook it with a smile.
"So, this is the troublemaker, nuisance, robber of last nerves, and oversized boy," he grinned, while Will winced a bit.
Robert wasn't surprised that Wolfgang spoke English, too. The whole family was well-educated after all. He lifted both eyebrows and smirked at his lover. "Wow, I didn't think you spoke so well of me to your family during vacations."
"That was the nice version." Wolfgang added.
"WOLFIE! STOP IT!" The former Oberst groaned and shook his head before he looked apologizingly at Robert. "I had to speak like that to awake no suspicion against you." He explained.
Rob nodded. "Of course."
"I didn't mean it – not much." Wilhelm added.
"I know. You called me worse straight to my face." Hogan chuckled and winked at the older man, who smiled back.
Anna-Maria had watched his son and the American closely. She saw the warmth and tenderness shining in their eyes as they looked at each other and teased the other one. Wilhelm was relaxed, his smile a real one, and despite everything that happened within the last several months – including his grave injury and the fact that he had to surrender the camp, quitting his post in the process – he looked far better than he did in years.
She knew of his preferences concerning a partner. She had known it before he even realized it himself, and she had feared that it would be his downfall one day – in job and society. Heavens, after Hitler got more and more power, and the 'old values and German virtues' became a kind of second religion, she had feared that her middle son would fall prey to it. Queer people were executed – after they went through hell in labs or camps. Her biggest fear had been that it would happen to her Wilhelm, but there he stood; well, healthy, a little bit thin, but still strong – and obviously no longer alone. Frau Klink would have bet her last shirt that the handsome American officer and her son were a couple.
Cocking her head, she looked him up and down. Dark hair that showed thin silver at the temples, warm brown eyes, a lopsided grin that made him look like a churl, an even face, broad shoulders, a lax stance…He was the living example of a perfect man-boy mixture. Yet one thing was clear; he had strong contacts to the Underground – and enough influence to let agents of this organization bend to his wishes. This man was anything but an oversized boy. This man was a warrior through and through, and she simply knew that beneath this impish smile a stern fighter was hiding. Yet she felt safe in his presence.
Clearing her throat, she addressed him. "Colonel Hogan, I want to voice my son's and my gratitude for your help and the effort you went through to get us away from Düsseldorf. I learned by now that you saved Wilhelm's life a few times – and now that of my youngest son and mine, too. Thank you." She gripped for his hand and held it in her thin, cold, but delicate fingers.
Robert smiled down at her. "A pleasure, Ma'am. I would never allow any harm befall to those dear to Will." He gave his German counterpart a soft glance – and Anna-Maria saw her assumptions confirmed. Those two were together. There was no doubt possible.
Around them, half of Germany burned, the other half lay in ruins. On both sides people died in the hundreds per day, grudges and hate dictated many actions. And here were two men. Two higher ranking officers of the same rank, jailer and POW, who had overcome all pre-justice and borders, had looked beneath the uniform and ignored heritage only because love was stronger than hate. It gave her hope for the future – that hate would lose in the end.
"HEEEELLLLLOOO, I'M STILL HEEEEREEE!" The scream sounded from the vehicle square through the largest part of the camp, and laughs and snickers erupted.
Kinch, who was still nearby, as well as LeBeau and Newkirk, began to chuckle, while Wilhelm sighed. "If we don't get him out of the ambulance soon, we will be in for the high jump."
Hogan grinned and waved at Wilson and Newkirk to free Klink's grandfather from his unwanted position. "Do you want me to get some bodyguards for you?" He pulled Will's leg, who only rolled his eyes.
"Be careful that you don't need bodyguards. When Grandfather is angry, there is only one thing you can do: Run."
Again, Robert laughed quietly and lay a hand on Wilhelm's shoulder. Finally they could face more peaceful times – even with an 'angry grandfather' in their middle.
TBC…
Yeah, I had something to do about Klink and his family. To bring them to safety was the only logical solution. By the way: The ultimatum concerning Düsseldorf is – once again – a historical fact. Only a few hours laid between the surrender of the citizen and the total destruction of the town. The named men, who fought the regime and were killed, are also historical persons and I refer to them with highest respect. I was born in Düsseldorf and those names are still well-known among our citizen.
I hope, you liked the new chapter and how everything turned out well for our Willie in the end.
The last chapter follows within the next minutes, so have some patience.
Love
Yours Starflight
