Chapter 10 --- The Mystery Deepens
***Sorry. Here's Another Character I've since created that I didn't think I would be. The character of SS Major Wilhelm Von Strasser.
It was late in the afternoon and Kinch and LeBeau were outside the barracks when a big, black staff car with it's black flags with the white sig runes emblazoned on them flapping in the breeze drove through the front gates. They watched as it pulled up in front of the Kommandant's office and Klink come hurrying out as Schultz quickly approached the car and, opening the back passenger side door, stood at attention saluting it's passenger as he climbed out of the back seat. The man was tall with silver grey hair dressed entirely in black with a silver eagle on one sleeve with a similar sig rune insignia on his collar. Klink saluted the visitor and then shook his hand. The two men then walked up the stairs into Klink's office.
"That must be that Bosche Major Von Strasser," said LeBeau, distastefully.
"We better get inside and listen in on the coffee pot," Kinch told him opening the door of the barracks. He and LeBeau entered and headed towards Hogan's quarters.
"Wait a minute," LeBeau put a hand on Kinch's arm. "What about the Colonel?" he said. "We can't listen on the coffee pot without waking him. The doctor said we should not wake him under any circumstances."
"I know, I know. But what choice do we have? We have to know what's being discussed in Klink's office and which prisoner this Major is interested in."
Newkirk was sitting with Carter who was still sleeping. Kinch motioned for him to join them as they headed for Hogan's quarters. Opening the door, the three men quietly entered Hogan's quarters and closed the door. They noticed the Colonel who seemed to be sleeping on the lower bunk. LeBeau plugged in the coffee pot.
"Major Von Strasser, I can't tell you what a tremendous pleasure it is to have someone of your caliber here at our little Stalag," Klink replied, fawning all over his visitor.
"I know," Von Strasser replied coldly.
Klink rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Would you care for some refreshment, Major?"
"Nein."
Klink opened his humidor and offered it to the Major. "A cigar perhaps?"
"Nein. Klink, I am not here for a social visit. I am here on business and I suggest we get down to it."
Klink quickly shut the humidor and put it back on his desk. He frowned at the Major as he slowly sat down. "Perhaps you want to tell me why you're here, Major Von Strasser?"
Von Strasser crossed his legs and folded his arms. "I am here to question one of your prisoners, Klink."
"One of my prisoners, Herr Major? Which one, may I ask?" Klink asked nervously, fearing the SS Major was going to tell him he wanted to question Hogan.
Von Strasser reached inside his jacket pocket and, removing a small notebook, flipped it open. "A Sergeant Carter Randall." He flipped the notebook closed and put it back inside his pocket. "I believe he was assigned here a few days ago. I want him brought to me immediately!"
"Right away, Major. Schuuullltttzzz!"
The door opened and Schultz ambled in. He saluted. "Herr Kommandant. Herr Major. Sergeant Schultz reporting as ordered."
Klink saluted. "Schultz, I want you to go to barracks two and bring Sergeant Randall back here immediately."
"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant." Schultz saluted again and then turned and left the office.
Kinch, LeBeau and Newkirk all looked at each other, puzzled.
"Didn't Carter say that Randall had a reaction when he heard Klink mention Von Strasser's name?" asked Kinch of Newkirk.
"That's right," the Englander agreed. "I'd be curious to know where he knows that Kraut from."
"So would I," said a voice from behind them. The men turned and were surprised to see Hogan looking at them through barely open eyes.
"Sorry we woke you, Colonel," said Kinch. "But we were listening in to the conversation in Klink's office with that SS Major Von Strasser."
"You didn't wake me," Hogan told them. "I wasn't sleeping anyway. I was just laying here with my eyes closed. How's Carter?"
"He's sleeping, sir," said Newkirk. "As you should be."
"I can't sleep now anyway," Hogan said slowly sitting up. "If one of my men is going to be questioned by the SS or anybody else, I need to be there to protect him." Hogan struggled to his feet. He staggered as a momentary wave of dizziness overcame him. Kinch caught him as he stumbled.
"Colonel, you should be resting and not running to Klink's office in your condition," said Newkirk.
"LeBeau, hand me my crutches, will you?" asked Hogan, ignoring Newkirk's advice.
The Frenchman handed Hogan the crutches which were resting against the wall near the bed. The Colonel managed to put one crutch under each arm and force himself to stay on his feet despite the dizziness he was feeling and the pounding in his head.
"Kinch, I want you to come with me. LeBeau, I want you and Newkirk to continue listening in." Hogan slowly made his way out of his quarters and into the commons area with Kinch behind him just as the barracks door opened and Schultz ambled inside. He saw Hogan and Kinch.
"Colonel Hogan. The Kommandant wants me to bring one of your men, Sergeant Randall, to his office right away. There is an SS Major Von Strasser there as well."
Randall, who was sitting at the table drinking coffee, looked up nervously.
"What for, Schultz?" asked Hogan. "What does this SS Major want with Sergeant Randall?"
"I know nothing! Nothing! I'm just suppose to bring him to the Kommandant's office right away. Now let's go." As Schultz noticed Hogan and Kinch joining them, he put a hand on Hogan's chest. "And where do you think you're going, Colonel Hogan? The Kommandant did not ask for you. He only asked for Sergeant Randall."
"Schultz, if one of my men is going to be questioned by the SS, as Senior POW officer I have the right to be there. So don't try to stop me."
Schultz shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't going to argue with the brash American Colonel.
Randall nervously got to his feet, looking at Hogan and Kinch. He licked his suddenly dry lips. "Do you feel all right to be able to come, sir? I mean, the doctor said you should be resting."
Schultz paused. He looked from Randall to Hogan. "What's wrong with Colonel Hogan?" He looked at Hogan and Kinch. "And why is Sergeant Kinchloe coming along?"
"The Colonel hasn't been feeling well lately, Schultz, that's all," said Kinch. "Might be coming down with something. Nothing to worry about. He asked me to come with him just in case." Kinch shot Randall a warning look which told Randall not to pursue Hogan's condition any further. "Schultz, I promise I'll wait in the waiting room until the Colonel's ready to come back to the barracks. It's just a precaution in case he needs help."
Schultz shrugged. "It's okay with me. Now let's go."
As Schultz led the way out of the barracks and towards the Kommandant's office, Hogan, fighting the nausea and dizziness, and with a fierce headache, took a deep breath and followed behind them with Kinch at his side, keeping an eye on his commanding officer.
To Kinch, Hogan didn't look well at all, and was obviously struggling to keep it together. Kinch promised himself as they mounted the steps of the Kommandant's office, that once this meeting in the Klink's office was over, he, Newkirk and LeBeau would make sure the Colonel got the rest he was suppose to get and wouldn't let anybody disturb him for the rest of the night for any reason.
Schultz opened the door to Klink's office and ushered Sergeant Randall and Colonel Hogan inside. He saluted. "Herr Kommandant. Herr Major. The prisoner, Sergeant Randall reporting as ordered."
Klink saluted as he saw Hogan for the first time. He noticed his Senior POW officer didn't look well at all and wondered if he was coming down with something. "Hogan, I didn't ask for you. What are you doing here?"
Hogan took a deep breath. The room was starting to spin, but he forced himself to hold it together. "Kommandant, Schultz said Sergeant Randall was to be questioned by an SS Major. According to the Geneva Convention...."
"Klink, who is this cripple?!" asked Von Strasser coldly without looking at Hogan directly.
"This is Colonel Hogan, the ranking POW officer."
This time Von Strasser got to his feet slowly and stood face-to-face with Hogan. "Ah yes, Colonel Hogan. I've heard a lot about you," he said with a smirk.
Hogan looked the Major directly in the eyes, his face remaining expressionless, hoping to hide the nausea and dizziness he felt. His head continued pounding. "Have you?" he said with a smirk of his own. "Can't say I've heard about you at all, Major. Just what bring you here? Slumming perhaps?"
The smirk disappeared from Von Strasser's face as he struggled to maintain his composure. He had heard about Hogan's ability to get under the skin of those he disliked and he wouldn't give this crippled American the pleasure. "After I'm done with Sergeant Randall here, I shall be teaching you to know your place, cripple, and to show some respect."
Hogan allowed an impish grin to appear. "I already know my place, Major. My place is as Senior POW officer at Stalag 13. Do you know your place?"
Rage appeared on Von Strasser's face and his eyes were ablaze. He clenched and unclenched his fists which didn't go unnoticed by Hogan or Klink. The Kommandant suspected he'd better do something quickly to diffuse the situation before Hogan ended up getting hurt.
"Hogaaaannnnn! You will show some respect for Major Von Strasser here. That's an order."
Hogan chuckled as he sat down in a nearby chair, resting his crutches against the wall. "Whatever you say, Kommandant. Besides, the Major here just might prove to be an amusing and entertaining diversion from what was, up to this point, a dismal and boring afternoon."
Von Strasser suddenly relaxed, but his eyes remained cold and dead. He knew he would deal with Hogan again before long. I will teach you to respect me. Just like the crippled swine you are, he told himself. You will rule the day you crossed me!
All the while, Randall nervously watched Von Strasser. He swallowed hard and wondered how did this man find him again after all this time.