Hogan did not like the Gestapo. Hochstetter was at least a known quantity under typical circumstances. However, an unfortunate placement of an atypical prisoner changed things. Hogan knew from Tiger and several female Underground members that the Gestapo did not extend certain niceties that the Luftwaffe did with its prisoners of war. The SS operated Ravensbruck. Was Hochstetter trying to score a triumph before the SS wrestled control of the nurse away from Burkhalter?
Hogan took Olsen's report. At least his men knew to monitor the situation. He could do little while the men continued the detail. The day passed slowly. It was tiring work and unlikely to be finished in a day. As much as he wanted to recall his men to camp, he knew making a scene would arouse unnecessary suspicion.
Then he saw a strange sight – one that made him look twice. The infantry colonel accompanied with two officers arrived on horseback. Infantry on horses? What pretentiousness was this? The trio slowed from a gallop and carefully entered the mixed ranks.
"That's quite a conveyance you have," said Hogan. "Somehow, it suits you."
"A rare indulgence," said the colonel. "It occurs to me that we have not been properly introduced. If you will allow me – I am Oberst Hans Wagner, formerly of the 1st Cavalry Division and currently attached to the 7th Army Division."
Hogan reciprocated, "Colonel Robert Hogan, formerly of the 504th Bomber Squadron and currently Senior POW Officer at Stalag 13."
Wagner cried, "Ah, so you're THAT kind of a pilot! I imagined you a fighter. Instead, I learn that you are a terrorist!"
"Now wait just a minute," said Hogan. "My squadron targets military bases. Your bombers target cities. Which is worse?"
Wagner thought carefully and said, "I think you are misguided. Your bombers strike our cities as well, just as ours target your bases. Ah, but we are both temporarily in this region."
Hogan raised his eyebrow, "Temporarily?"
Wagner said, "One day, I will return to a frontline position. As for you, well, the fate of the most cunning prisoners is inevitably being shot while trying to escape."
Hogan scoffed, "No one escapes Stalag 13."
"Then you are delaying the inevitable," said Wagner. "Perhaps that is wise for the moment. Guten tag, Herr Oberst."
"Good day, Colonel," said Hogan. He watched as the three officers returned to the road and headed toward camp.
Carter asked, "What was that all about?"
Hogan said, "I haven't the slightest idea."
Currently, the Germans rarely used cavalry, phasing out the units in favor of mechanized transport. Horses needed more than grass to survive and as the war continued, their care proved more expensive. Mechanized units mobilized more rapidly than horses despite the fuel considerations. Hogan only knew of limited campaigns involving cavalry in France, Belgium, The Netherlands, and the Eastern Front.
Hogan could relate to Wagner's hope of returning to a frontline position. The man was accustomed to charging into battle. Now, he was forced to adapt to a changing armed forces structure. As an old cavalryman, Hogan suspected Wagner fought on behalf of the Fatherland rather than for the Fuhrer. If he had political allegiances, it seemed more likely that he was a social democrat instead of a Nazi.
"Colonel Hogan, it's time to go," said Schultz.
"Right," said Hogan.
The tired men formed ranks for the march back to camp. Some speculated as to the special dinner that might be waiting. Hogan remained concerned about the Gestapo presence. Boy, did he ever need a vacation! Not even a three-day pass could improve his spirit. The command responsibilities weighed heavily sometimes.
After the expected count, Hogan led the prisoners' march. The return felt slow and cumbersome. Several complained that Schultz should have arranged for trucks while the sergeant kept shouting, "March!" They made it back in good order. Schultz did a final count before releasing the men.
Hogan saw the Gestapo staff car parked outside of Klink's office. He also saw one of the infantry officers holding the reins of the three horses. What was Wagner's interest in the POW camp? He returned to the barracks as did the rest of the men but instead of lying down he had work to do.
Baker said, "Ah, Colonel Hogan, I've got a lot to report."
Hogan saw the coffee pot in service as an amplifier and said, "Spill it."
Baker said, "Hochstetter is beside himself. He's been trying to bully Klink into handing over Colonel Saunders but Klink keeps telling him that he has his orders."
Hogan asked, "Where is she?"
Baker responded, "In the Cooler for now. Hochstetter got tired of two hours of name, rank, and serial number. Get a load of this – there's a colonel in Klink's office from the local infantry unit."
Hogan said, "Yeah, we met. What's he want?"
Baker said, "He wants Klink to visit his unit for dinner. He's apparently introducing himself to all the commanding officers in the area. Hochstetter made the mistake of calling him a washed up plow owner. They're all going at it now."
Hogan listened to the chaos. Klink feared the Gestapo but he feared Burkhalter more, so he refused to hand over his prisoner. Hochstetter must have been beet red in the face judging by his tone as he issued empty threats. Wagner told the Gestapo to get back to work and leave the tending of prisoners of war to the experts.
Hochstetter snapped, "Klink, you are not equipped to take care of frauen."
"Nor are you," interjected Wagner. "Tend to your problems with the Underground."
Hochstetter said, "You are making a mistake siding with this idiot."
Klink protested, "Now see here!"
"Oh, is the Gestapo upset? Forgive me, civilian major," mocked Wagner.
Hochstetter said, "That fraulein is no ordinary nurse."
Wagner said, "Of course not. I saw her treat all of the wounded with the greatest skill and respect regardless of nationality. Can you say the same?"
Hochstetter calmed and said, "You are new here so you are unaware of certain things. The Underground is a growing threat to the Fatherland. It must be smashed! We have evidence that the 82nd Airborne was attempting to deliver a shipment of thermite explosives to a cell in Dusseldorf. The fraulein is the last surviving member of that team. She has information and I will get it!"
Klink cried, "Bah! She is just a nurse. Besides, General Burkhalter wishes her to remain here and the High Command agrees."
Hochstetter asked with suspicion in his voice, "And why is that?"
Klink proudly said, "No one escapes from Stalag 13. I have my orders. I will gain her trust and eventually she will reveal what she knows."
Hochstetter said, "You? That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard yet!"
Klink smirked, "I am a skilled interrogator."
"Oh I see," said Hochstetter, clearly unable to accept Klink's boast. "Very well. For now, I will bide my time and when you fail she is mine! Good day!" The door slammed.
Wagner said, "That man has issues."
Klink said, "Tell me about it! Imagine the nerve of that man! He has never seen a day in combat and he presumes to order men like us about. Forgive me. You came here intending good manners and military courtesy."
Wagner asked, "Are you up to the task of taking care of the fraulein?"
Klink sighed, "I shall do my best. I must confess we don't have frauen here. I have concerns, of course. I don't think I should leave camp for now. If the Gestapo should return while I am away…"
"I understand," said Wagner.
Klink said, "Wait a minute. Where are MY manners? I should like to get to know you better. I will arrange dinner here. How about Friday?"
Wagner said, "That is most kind. I understand and heartily accept."
Hogan unplugged the coffeepot. Hochstetter had evidence. Hogan had to find out what he meant. Something or someone compromised the Dusseldorf mission. With the Gestapo's interest in the Stalag, Hogan felt renewed concern that Hochstetter believed someone at camp was involved. There were times Hochstetter remained steadfast in his belief.
LeBeau entered and said, "Colonel, supper is ready."
"Yours?"
LeBeau replied, "I haven't had a chance; sorry, Mon Colonel."
Hogan said, "That's alright. Let's see what Klink managed to cook up for us tonight. And it better not be soup."
"Oui," agreed LeBeau.
The hungry men made their way to the mess hall. Hogan was impressed with the cuisine. Two good meals in a single day! Only once did he enjoy jaeger schnitzel and that was on a trip to town to meet an Underground agent. The breaded pork steaks were delicately fried and covered with mushrooms in sauce. The side vegetables were fresh. How long would Klink's generosity last?
So engaged with supper, Hogan failed to notice a certain absence until Kinchloe said, "I guess the Colonel's not hungry."
Carter said, "That's ridiculous. He's downed almost all of his plate."
Hogan said, "I think we forgot to spring someone from the Cooler."
Newkirk said, "Suddenly I lost me appetite."
Hogan said, "Alright, take it easy. I'll get her out. LeBeau, save her a plate."
"Oui," said LeBeau.
In all the time Hogan commanded, he could not recall an instance of forgetting one of his men. Was he losing his edge? No. He needed an aide-de-camp. Kinchloe served as chief of operations. It was not the same, but the communications expert proved a valuable asset. His choice of wording was passive, not accusatory, and served as a notice to Hogan that he had unfinished business.
Klink had no objection to releasing Saunders from the Cooler, as it was Hochstetter's insistence that she was placed in isolation. If Klink felt regret at neglecting to release her, he showed no signs of it.
Hogan went with Schultz to the Cooler. He found Saunders calmly sitting on a bed without a mattress. He said nothing as Schultz unlocked the door and told her she was free to go. Once outside, Saunders said, "Thank you for getting me out of there. I don't think they were going to light the stove."
Hogan said, "You don't belong here."
"I know," said Saunders. "I trust you will find a way to get me out without endangering your operations."
"I'm working on it," said Hogan. "Did the Gestapo give you a rough time?"
"Not particularly," Saunders replied. "They're like sharks that smell blood in the water. They'll keep circling until they can make a kill. I do hope you make it to Dusseldorf."
Hogan lied, "It's all taken care of." He deposited his charge at the mess hall before returning to the barracks.
Dusseldorf seemed so far away. He had to get a car or truck. He did not want to go into Dusseldorf wearing a Luftwaffe uniform. He preferred a car. He sat with his men at the table and outlined a plan. Olsen noticed vehicles continued coming and going with frequency due to the provisioning of the camp. All he needed was a signed order to leave camp on a mock errand. Then he could hide the car in the woods and return by way of the tunnel such that Hogan could leave after bed checks.
Newkirk asked, "You're not thinking of going alone, are you Colonel?"
"Thank you for volunteering," said Hogan. "Olsen, get in uniform. Kinch, have the forgers draw up orders. LeBeau, we need two suits. Oh, and someone find me a map of Dusseldorf."
The men reacted positively to Hogan's orders. They were men of action. The resumption of their operation boded well for morale. As an old established organization, they had an ample costume supply in the tunnel. Olsen successfully made it out of camp and hid the car in the woods. Hogan and Newkirk waited until Schultz made his rounds and then took off with Olsen leading them to the car.
Hogan teased, "You will remember to return to camp, right?"
"You cut me to the quick," said Olsen. With gravity he added, "Good luck sir."
"Thanks," said Hogan. He and Newkirk entered the car and headed towards Dusseldorf. Unlike the small town of Hammelburg, Dusseldorf was a medium sized city. Shops closed at dusk but restaurants and bars thrived to a mixed clientele of civilian and military personnel.
When they located the Helmut die Gaststatte, Hogan realized it was not the sort of place two men entered without the accompaniment of women. Through the window, they observed romantic candlelight and tables of two occupied by interested persons. He instructed Newkirk to park around the corner.
Newkirk asked, "Blimey, Colonel, what'll we do now?"
Hogan said, "We've got to risk it. You stay here. I'll go in and see if I can get directions." Hogan exited the car and entered the restaurant. He looked around and saw a few empty tables in the dining area. He also noticed a section with a bar and tables to the left. He decided to order a beer.
An older man took Hogan's order, which did not surprise him as younger men heeded the call to military service. He watched as a man approached a table with two women and offered to buy them drinks. The man appeared to have some modest income but not particularly wealthy. The women permitted him to join their table.
This environment did not suit Hogan. He only had one chance to find the correct waiter. Yet only the one man tended the tables in the bar area. He decided he had to risk it. He summoned the waiter and asked, "Pardon me, but do you know the way to Gießen?"
The waiter quietly said, "Yes, but it is not safe tonight." Somehow, Hogan captured lightning in a bottle. Was it too easy? The waiter continued, "Meet me in the back in ten minutes."
Ten minutes was long enough to summon the Gestapo if the man proved a double agent. Hogan finished his beer and left the restaurant. He asked Newkirk to stand guard and ordered him to leave him behind if he must. Hogan checked his gun. Then he went down the alley to the back of the restaurant. There was no sign of a trap. He watched as the waiter exited and lit a cigarette.
Hogan approached the man and said, "Can you help me?"
"Others already came," said the waiter. "They said someone else might come."
Hogan asked, "What others?"
"Americans," replied the waiter. "Who are you?"
"Papa Bear," Hogan said.
"Jack Frost," said the waiter. "It isn't safe here."
Hogan asked, "Why are you still here?"
The waiter said, "The others have already left. I remained, knowing someone else was coming. We were supposed to meet the Americans. They were bringing us explosives. Something went wrong. The Gestapo found our safe house."
Hogan asked, "How did you get away?"
"I was working," replied the waiter. "The others got away thanks to my sister."
Hogan asked, "How did she know?"
"She works for the Gestapo as a secretary," replied the waiter. "They don't suspect her. She's provided us with invaluable information."
Hogan asked, "Does she know who tipped off the Gestapo?"
The waiter said, "One of the men on the American plane was a double agent. He was supposed to signal the Gestapo when the plane landed but fighters shot it down before it could reach here. They say only two escaped the plane before it exploded."
"Only one survived," said Hogan.
The waiter said, "Two survived."
Hogan looked at him and asked, "Which two?"
The waiter said, "Hauptmann Albert Mueller and an operative named Monster Grimm."
Hogan asked, "Who is Monster Grimm?"
"I do not know," replied the waiter. "The others that came told me she is a woman. They were most curious to learning about Hauptmann Mueller."
Hogan asked, "Who were the others?"
The waiter replied, "I only know one name – Robin Hood. The other two did not give me their names. I must go back inside now. You must take great care. The men that came are bold yet arrogant. They are out for blood."
"Thanks," said Hogan. "Stay safe."
"Good luck," said the waiter.
Hogan returned to the car. He and Newkirk headed back to camp. He related the conversation with Newkirk. London indicated they dispatched one agent. Jack Frost said Robin Hood had two men with him. Out for blood was another way of saying potentially careless. Whoever met with Jack Frost was some type of amateur.
Newkirk suggested, "Maybe it was some blokes from her unit. They might be expert at jumping from planes but what about espionage?"
Hogan liked having a sounding board. He said, "She was convinced the man behind her was Colonel O'Neil yet Jack Frost was convinced it was this Hauptmann Mueller."
"Maybe he's one and the same and she doesn't know it," said Newkirk.
Hogan said, "Unlikely. Colonel O'Neil was in charge of the operation. He would have known all the details, including us. She said they were briefed on our operations. The Gestapo seems intent on interrogating her. They believe she has information that Mueller couldn't get."
Newkirk said, "She says she saw Colonel O'Neil jump after her."
Hogan thought about it. What were her exact words? He said, "Colonel O'Neil ordered the evacuation. The thermite started detonating. We were closest to the door. Colonel O'Neil pushed me out. Then he jumped. The thermite blew."
"Then he's the bloke," said Newkirk.
"Not necessarily," said Hogan. "Think about it. You're an imposter on a doomed plane. You've got to get out but you need to make sure you have someone you can take as a prisoner that knows something you don't. What commanding officer jumps and leaves behind his men to certain death?"
Newkirk said, "Blimey, I see where you're going. She only assumed it was her colonel because he was right behind her."
Hogan sighed, "It's only speculation right now. Mueller could have set a bomb and in the evacuation frenzy seized his chance to escape."
Newkirk said, "It doesn't disprove that her colonel was a double agent."
Hogan said, "This one's not so simple." He remained bothered by the situation. He had to establish contact with the team led by Robin Hood.