Chapter 12 --- A Traitor Unnerved
Major Brendel slammed his hand on his desk after he hung up the telephone. He had just spoke with Von Strasser who had advised him that Hogan was still alive, and that the assassin had failed, at least in his first attempt. He also mentioned he had not seen the assassin nor made contact with him. But he was staying in Stalag 13 for a few days and if necessary, he would see to it himself that the plan was carried out.
Brendel got up and strode to the liquor cabinet. Pouring himself a brandy, he downed it in one gulp and sat the glass on the cabinet, thinking.
Damn you, Hogan! You should be dead! I made all the arrangements. I saw to it that the gun with the silencer was sneaked into camp by one of the guards and slipped to the assassin. All he had to do was shoot Hogan. Why is he still alive? Why? Brendel quickly poured himself another glass of brandy and just as quickly downed it. Then, he slowly made his way back to his desk and sat down. He was becoming unnerved. The longer Hogan was alive, the greater the chance Hogan would uncover his identity and expose him, unless that was in the works already. Brendel ran a nervous hand over his greying hair.
Still, knowing that Von Strasser was in Stalag 13 was like having added insurance. The Major knew all about the murder of Von Strasser's younger brother weeks ago and that the man responsible had been traced by Von Strasser to Stalag 13, and that he was going to punish him for it. But Brendel had spoken to Von Strasser and explained what he was having done, careful not to disclose any important information about Hogan and his organization. He simply made it appear as if Hogan was a thorn in his side from years ago and he had hired an assassin to kill him. All he wanted Von Strasser to do was make it possible for the assassin to complete his mission, and should he fail, to kill the assassin and then take care of Hogan himself. Von Strasser readily agreed to help an old friend like Brendel.
Brendel chuckled for the first time. He had now covered all his bases. He knew he could trust Von Strasser. Having him there was like being there himself. He knew if it had to be handled by his friend, Von Strasser would horribly torture and/or mutilate Hogan first before killing him. That was what Von Strasser enjoyed the most. Brendel had personally witnessed a few of Von Strasser's creative methods of interrogation firsthand and had to admit they sickened him to his stomach. He had witnessed an American prisoner's hands chopped off while the man was still alive simply because the man had touched Von Strasser. Another time he had a prisoner's tongue cut out simply because the man refused to answer any of his questions despite the torture. But the worst to Brendel was when he watched the man mutilate a British prisoner's groin area and then sit back and watch the man while in agony, slowly bleed to death. And all because the man had been romantically involved with a German woman. But in the end, the methods had been effective in their results. So, he agreed to allow the Major's request to have a bit of 'fun' with Hogan before he had to die. Afterall, Brendel thought, it was a small request to grant in exchange to have Papa Bear eliminated. So why not?
If only Von Strasser knew that he was really being asked to possibly murder the great Papa Bear. He would probably be stunned. He might even enjoy his future torture or mutilation a bit more. He might even come up with more creative methods to use on Hogan. He really didn't care one way or the other, as long as the end results was the death of Colonel Hogan.
Brendel sighed as he got up and stood in front of the closed window and looked out. The gardeners who had been outside working the last few days were finishing up their work and unaware they were being observed. He was and had never been a patient man, Brendel told himself. He wanted very much to be on a plane bound for Germany right now and enroute to Stalag 13 for a confrontation with Hogan. What he wouldn't give to see the look in Hogan's eyes just before he took his life. Even if it meant he himself would be killed, it would almost be worth it. But he knew that was not possible and he must persuade himself to rely on the man his superiors had sent to do the job. And now he had Von Strasser there as a back-up. He sighed wearily as he continued watching the gardeners at work.
He turned as his door opened and noticed his aide enter and salute him. Brendel returned the salute. "What is it, Captain?" he asked.
Captain Derrick handed Brendel a folded paper. "This message just arrived for you, sir," he said. "It is from our operative in Germany."
Taking the folded paper from his aide, Brendel unfolded it and let his eyes scan it's contents. A small smile crossed his lips. He then looked at his aide. "Is our operative waiting for a reply, Captain?"
"No, sir. Not this time. But he did say he would be in touch soon."
"Very well, Captain. Thank you. Dismissed."
"Yes, sir," Derrick saluted his commanding officer. After Brendel had returned his salute, Derrick turned and left, closing the door behind him.
Now alone, Brendel unfolded the message and re-read it. It read as follows:
'Made contact with target. Target hampered by previous injury which may make mission a bit easier. Is on crutches. Have idea in mind how to handle target. Believe target will not escape this time. Will contact you afterwards with update.'
Brendel crushed the message in his hand. So, Hogan had suffered a previous injury of some kind, and was using crutches. He had heard something about Hogan being injured and the last he had heard was that the Colonel was in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down. Apparently he had recovered enough to now walk with the aid of crutches. With any luck, Hogan wouldn't need those crutches much longer.
With a chuckle, Brendel resumed looking out the closed window at the gardeners outside. Perhaps things will be looking up after all. Allowing a small smile for the first time, Brendel knew he would have to wait for the update to come before he could breathe freely again.