Hogan wondered if it was worth the effort resulting in seven men in the Cooler. Hahn made his escape with the assistance of Danzig once the impersonator became available. Hogan tried ascertaining which operative suffered injury, yet Danzig remained closemouthed. It was a delicate situation and end of discussion. Hogan dropped the matter. The men were comrades in arm and on good relations, yet they were not friends.
At first, Klink would not budge. The seven men must serve the full thirty days. Hogan gave up the extra slice of bread in exchange for reduced sentences. Getting Klink's attention, he saw the wheels at work. POW camps had tight budgets, unlike frontline units. Klink relented and reduced the sentence to one week.
Just four more days and Hogan would have his team back in action. If he had a mission, he could always break them out in the middle of the night. They would have to return in time for morning rounds. It was not fair, yet it was war. They understood the greater good.
Tossing and turning, sleep refused to come. Another scientist away, Hogan tried counting the numbers that fled war-torn Germany through his embarkation center. How many more would come through? If something went wrong, had he doomed two hundred men to the firing squad? Could he get them out in time?
The altercation in the next room caused Hogan to jump out of bed. Neglecting his robe and slippers, he opened the door just as someone turned on the lights in the main room. Two men held back Collins, somewhat bruised yet struggling to free himself as adrenalin fueled his rage. Hogan snapped, "Stand fast!"
Collins retorted, "Hell no! You compromised me, you son of bitch. I've been recalled to Berlin. Obviously, I can't go to Berlin. My cover is blown!"
Hogan angrily said, "Nobody from MY unit compromised you. In case you forgot, there's a war going on. Someone compromised you? Sorry, tough luck. Don't compromise MY men. I'm responsible for over two hundred men. Now sit down."
Collins reluctantly complied. Enough men remained in the barracks despite the group stuck in the Cooler. Kinchloe maintained a professional boxing stance. No one messed with the golden gloves champion. His left hook and right upper cut combination was legendary around camp. Collins was no fool. He said, "Your men told Hochstetter I ordered them to take Hahn prisoner."
Hogan snapped, "So what? We got him out of here. They did what they had to do for the mission. Don't forget that you're the one who dumped him here."
"Thanks to them," snarled Collins, "Hochstetter complained. Oh, I tried to spin it around on his incompetence at losing a valuable scientist. That's the only reason I'm still alive. The man has a track record."
Hogan said, "Yes, also thanks to us. Berlin lacks faith in him."
"This time your little scheme backfired," snapped Collins. "They dragged me into it. I have to leave."
Kinchloe calmly said, "Don't let the door hit you on your ass on the way out."
"I'm not leaving her behind," Collins glared.
Hogan said, "You don't have a choice. Damn it! I don't want her here but I'm stuck with her until London OR Berlin change their damned minds. If she escapes, that'll bring the goons down on us – real hard. You only have one of two choices. Get your ass back to England or go to Berlin and clear your cover's name. Personally, I hope you go to England. You're bad luck."
"You have no idea what they'd do to her," hissed Collins. Tiger's image flashed through his mind. The Frenchwoman suffered at Hochstetter's depravity. Saunders was Airborne, the last surviving member of Alpha Team. He promised Brody that he would look after her. Bradley understood and allowed his return to Hammelburg.
Hogan calmly said, "I know what they would do to her. She understands the risks. She stays not because she wants to. She stays to protect the men here and the passengers on our railroad. Go to London or go to Berlin. Just get the hell out of my area of operation."
Collins laughed, "Have it your way, Hogan. I'm not leaving her alone in Germany. I'll find a different cover if I have to. You'll see."
As Collins walked to the tunnel entrance, Hogan said, "Make sure he doesn't go to Barracks 3."
"Yes sir," Kinchloe calmly said.
Hogan watched as Kinchloe left with several other men. He sat at the table and waited for his men. When Kinchloe returned, he reported Collins as away and the tree stump trapdoor locked from the inside. Hogan ordered the men back to bed before returning to his room. He hoped that he had seen the last of Collins but suspected the man would remain a thorn in his side.
What motivated Collins? Hogan knew more than orders. Airborne did not leave behind men, or so they claimed. Espionage was not their line of business, yet he saw firsthand individuals that operated with impunity. Even the nurse possessed skills and demonstrated ability. She wanted out of the game. Collins wanted her in it. She followed orders. What were Collins' orders?
Hogan could not fault the three men for using Collins' name to get Hahn. They wanted the scientist. The plan went askew and his men needed a gambit. It worked. They did not like Collins. Hogan did not like Collins. Still, he was not in the habit of using fellow soldiers as cannon fodder. He decided he would speak with the men to ascertain their reasoning.
#HH#
Hogan smiled as his men rejoined formation at morning roll call. Some men solemnly swore they were going to throw their friends in the shower. One week was bad enough. One month went beyond disgusting. Yet other men quietly thanked the seven for their personal sacrifice. Lack of wind prevented any relief. Even Schultz looked distracted until Klink arrived.
Klink haughtily said, "I hope we learned our lesson."
"Yes, Herr Kommandant," chorused the men in mock dejection.
"Good," said Klink. "I'll make this quick before the Cockroach turns into a slab of Pont-l'Évêque. No more monkey business. Dismissed!"
Thankful it was a short formation, men returned to the barracks. Some made the typical jokes of dirty clothes walking on their own to the laundry while others nominated the ripest of the bunch. While in good fun, Hogan made it clear he appreciated their sacrifice for the mission before prodding them to the showers.
Life felt too complicated, thought Hogan. With luck, Collins was out of the picture permanently. Hogan had to get the nurse out of Germany without violating orders. Lacking a man on the outside, Saunders was effectively neutralized unless he had need. Collins was too bold and reckless.
Kinchloe joined Hogan in his office and asked, "Is everything alright?"
Hogan sighed, "For now. Collins is gone. Now we have to get the nurse out of here."
Kinchloe said, "Maybe now that her unit is neutralized, London will cave. There's always the Red Cross. That Brandenburg fellow is kind of sweet on her."
Hogan softly chuckled, "True. Collins is fit to be tied, though."
"Just don't come down too hard on the guys," said Kinchloe. "They did what they had to do. Maybe if Collins fell in line with chain of command, he'd be an asset."
Hogan contemplated, "Yes. He doesn't respect our chain of command though."
"The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing," smiled Kinchloe. "The Underground can't stand him either."
"I don't understand his motivation," said Hogan.
Kinchloe posed, "What motivation? It's unit loyalty exaggerated. We'll never know what she had going on with General Brody. There was something there. He's dead and Collins won't leave without her. Maybe General Brody solicited a promise out of him before he died. His Feldkamp cover is blown, but I don't think we've seen the last of him."
Hogan asked, "Do you think her unit orchestrated the High Command somehow?"
"That's poor cricket," laughed Kinchloe. "Nah, I think Mueller saw a target of opportunity. She knows more than we think she does and that's why the Krauts want her under their thumbs."
"She's just a nurse who wants out of the espionage game," sighed Hogan.
"That may be true," said Kinchloe. "Airborne still wants her in it and so does London."
Hogan said, "Airborne wants her in it for their own objectives. London's agreeable to her working for us."
"If you can't get her orders changed," said Kinchloe, "at least she's under your authority. She won't have the shadow of her old unit hanging over her."
"It's better that I get her out of here," Hogan affirmed. "She's done with the game. Once she's back in London, she can put in for retirement. She's got the time in service to do it."
"You're assuming that she would," said Kinchloe. "What if she wants to just be a nurse?"
Hogan replied, "I don't think her unit will let her do that."
Kinchloe said, "Colonel, don't obsess over this. You can only do so much. Outside influences beyond our control have set something in motion. We'll look after her; maybe even use her in some of our missions."
"Women don't belong here," sighed Hogan. "Maybe if she was just a nurse, it wouldn't bother me so much. The Krauts have her marked."
Kinchloe said, "Then just bore them to tears. Don't use her; and don't let her unit use her."
It made sense. Hogan understood his mission. He accepted the risks. While not willing to hasten to his demise in front of the firing squad, he knew one wrong move would forfeit his life. He prayed his men could avoid that fate. He missed his family. He feared that he waited too long to marry. While every man wanted a son, he would be happy if he had a daughter.
Listening to the merriment in the next room, Hogan vowed that he would do whatever in his power that he could to spare them the firing squad. He did his best to hide his concerns. The men thought him cunning and fearless. He feared what ifs, yet remained diligent. He was an officer and a damned good leader.
#HH#
Over the next several days, Hogan felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. Something nagged him. London had no missions. He was free to take initiative as he saw fit. He casually strolled about camp as men passed the time in various sports. He said nothing when Baker approached and discreetly palmed him a small blue slip of paper. Taking a quick glance, he read the message.
Evacuate Monster Grimm earliest and safest opportunity. Contact submarine when package is ready.
Hogan quietly asked, "Are they talking about Collins?"
"Probably," replied Baker. "They did just reissue code names and that's his now."
Hogan asked, "Our London? Or their London?"
"Theirs," replied Baker. "Colonel, why the distinction?"
"Their unit doesn't work well with others," replied Hogan. "We've got a real problem. Collins is probably hundreds of miles away by now. He's rogue and he's dangerous."
"Maybe he's just laying low," suggested Baker. "He said he'd never leave her behind."
Hogan thought for a moment then said, "Tell London we don't know where he is. Ask about Rapunzel."
Baker responded, "Yes sir. You still want her out of here."
"Yes," said Hogan. "Baker, anything can happen. I don't want a woman's death on my conscience."
"Understood," said Baker.
Hogan watched the young NCO head towards Barracks 2. The thought of Collins accepting his help felt farfetched. He tried analyzing the message. Maybe Bradley wanted Collins out of Germany but the errant officer had other plans. In all his time in camp, Hogan never felt so disrespected by another serviceman.
Sometimes passengers did not want to ride the train to freedom. Hogan arranged escorts. Some were hostile and aggressive. Collins was expert and dangerous. He was reckless. He refused cooperation. He presumed command authority despite Hogan's seniority. Somehow, Hogan was going to get that man the hell out of Germany.