Chapter 11 --- The Reason Behind It

Von Strasser, hands clasped behind his back, slowly circled the chair in which Sergeant Randall was seated. Randall's eyes watched the SS Major every minute.

"Sergeant Randall, I notice you were somewhat surprised to see me again after all this time."

Randall didn't reply. But the fear he felt was evident in his eyes.

"What's the matter, Sergeant? Cat got your tongue? I believe that is the expression you Americans use?" Von Strasser's glare turned towards Hogan who merely smiled sweetly.

"No, sir," Randall replied softly. He avoided looking at the Major. He kept his eyes on the floor.

Von Strasser suddenly leaned forward, palms resting on the arms of Randall's chair. He brought his face close to the Sergeant's who seemed to cringe. "Did you really think I would let you believe I forgot about you? You will never escape from me Sergeant. Never! I will get from you the information I seek even if I have to use uh, creative means, to get it."

Hogan suspected something else was going on but he didn't have enough information right now to figure out what. He leaned forward. "Major, are you threatening one of my men? Because if you are I must protest."

Von Strasser straightened up and turned towards Hogan. "You protest, Colonel Hogan? How amusing. A cripple's going to protest about my line of questioning. I suggest you keep your mouth shut. You are here only as a courtesy of the Kommandant, even though if it had been left up to me, I would have had you shot for interferring with an interrogation."

"Interrogation? I haven't heard you ask anything of any importance yet."

Von Strasser took a step towards Hogan, fists clenched. But then stopped as a twisted smile appeared. He unclenched his fists. "I was warned about you, Colonel. You like to irritate your opponent. However, I am wise to you. I will prove that to you later when you and I have our meeting."

Leaning back in his chair, Hogan crossed his legs and folded his arms. "I look forward to it," he said with an impish grin.

Ignoring the Senior POW officer, Von Strasser turned his attention back to Randall. Suddenly seizing him by his shirt collar, he yanked him to his feet and began to shake him. "I want you to tell me what I want to know!!! Now!!!"

Hogan immediately got to his feet and despite the room still spinning, forceably separated the two men. Randall fell back in his chair.

"Colonel Hogan!!!" Klink uttered, jumping to his feet. He sensed Hogan was heading towards being hurt by this maniac.

"Scream and yell all you want. But I insist you keep your hands off of my men," Hogan remarked with a hint of anger in his voice.

Von Strasser, enraged, violently shoved Hogan who fell into the chair he'd been sitting in. He stood over him with his hand resting on the butt of his pistol. "You dare to put your hands on me, swine?! I ought to put a bullet in your head right where you sit." He started to slowly remove his pistol from it's holster. "In fact...."

"Major Von Strasser, wait!" Klink responded nervously. "Colonel Hogan was only trying to protect one of his men. I'm sure he didn't mean to put his hands on you. It's just that he's very protective of his men. Surely you can understand that."

Von Strasser hesitated for a long moment. Then, he chuckled as he slid the pistol back into his holster. He laughed an evil laugh. He continued laughing as the door to Klink's office opened and Kinch stood in the doorway, his eyes darting around as he took in the situation. Schultz was behind him.

Klink spotted Kinch. "Sergeant Kinchloe, what is the meaning of this intrusion?"

"I was waiting in your outter office, Kommandant," Kinch said calmly. "Colonel Hogan hasn't been feeling well the last few days. Sergeant Wilson recommended he get some rest. I came with him as a precaution only, sir."

"That is true, Herr Kommandant," Schultz chimed in. "I was told the same thing in the barracks by the prisoners."

Von Strasser stared at Kinch with disdain. It was the first time he had seen a negro up-close. And Kinch's very presence disgusted him. He let out a deep breath. "Very well. Klink, get these men out of here. Now!"

"Yes, sir, Major Von Strasser. Schultz, take Colonel Hogan, Sergeant Randall and Sergeant Kinchloe back to the barracks at once. And then come back here."

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant." Schultz saluted sharply and he quickly ushered the the prisoners out the door. As Randall started out the door, Von Strasser stared at him.

"I shall be right here tomorrow, Sergeant. You and I will pick up then where we left off today. And believe me, you will tell me what I want to know."

Randall didn't respond. He just quickly walked out the door behind Kinch and Schultz. As Hogan slowly made his way out the door, Von Strasser grabbed his arm. "I haven't forgot about you, Colonel. You and I have unfinished business between us."

Hogan looked at him, disinterested. Then, he looked at the hand holding his arm. Von Strasser released him and watched the Colonel as he exited the office. He then slammed the door shut behind Hogan. He turned towards Klink who slowly sat back down behind his desk.

"Klink, I will be staying for a few days until I finish my interrogation of Sergeant Randall. You will prepare your guest quarters immediately."

"Yes, sir, Major," Klink responded nervously. This man frightened him more than Hochstetter, if that was even possible. "As soon as Sergeant Schultz returns, I will see to it."

Von Strasser sat back down. He crossed his legs slowly. "I also suggest you think about perhaps getting a new Senior POW officer."

"May I ask why, Major? Is Colonel Hogan going someplace?"

Von Strasser smirked in such a way that it sent chills down Klink's spine. Yes, this man was definitely more frightening than Hochstetter. "Because I may have to use my creative questioning with him in order to show him who's in charge. There's always the possibility he may not be the same afterwards, if you know what I mean."

Klink swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. Just then, Schultz reentered the office. He saluted. "Sergeant Schultz reporting as ordered, Herr Kommandant."

Schultz, you will escort Major Von Strasser to the guest quarters. He will be staying with us for a few days." He then saluted.

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant. Major, if you will come with me, bitte."

Back inside the barracks again, Hogan sat down at the long table. Kinch poured two cups of hot coffee and handed one to his commanding officer, the other he placed in front of Randall who had been silent the entire walk back to the barracks. He then sat down beside Hogan.

LeBeau and Newkirk emerged from Hogan's quarters and sat down at the table with the others.

"After you left, Colonel, Von Strasser told Klink he was going to stay for a few days," remarked LeBeau.

"In addition," added Newkirk, worried. "He told Klink he might want to consider getting a new POW officer because you might not be the same after he uses his creative methods on you. He wants to show you who's in charge, so to speak."

Hogan took a drink of coffee. "For some reason Von Strasser thinks he is," he remarked afterwards. Sighing, he pinched the bridge of his nose. His headache was back with a vengence as was the nausea and dizziness. He squeezed his eyes shut.

Kinch, Newkirk and LeBeau all exchanged concerned looks. LeBeau motioned to Kinch who nodded and went into Hogan's quarters and shortly returned with the bottle of aspirin. He quickly filled a glass with cold water and approached Hogan. He sat the glass in front of the Colonel, then opened the bottle of aspirin and shook out two pills into his hand. Hogan looked up at Kinch who handed him the pills.

Sighing wearily, Hogan put the two pills in his mouth and emptied the glass. He then turned his attention to Randall. "Sergeant, I want you to tell me and tell me right now why is this Von Strasser here and what information is he hoping to get from you?"

Randall continued staring into his coffee cup without answering.

"I'm waiting, sergeant," Hogan replied impatiently.

Finally, after a long moment, Randall looked up and into Hogan's face. The Colonel could see the fear still etched on his face.

"I'm sorry, Colonel. I didn't think he'd find me."

"Why is he looking for you anyway?" Kinch asked.

Randall sighed. "When Captain Davidson and I crashed landed, we ran into a small patrol of SS soldiers and were captured by them. We managed to escape before they could get us back to their headquarters. But during our escape, their captain was killed. His name was Von Strasser. Captain Klauss Von Strasser."

"Von Strasser?" asked Newkirk. "Isn't that..."

"His brother," said Randall. "I killed Major Von Strasser's younger brother."