Chapter 8 -- The Plan

Hogan massaged his temples hoping to ease the fierce headache he had, but it didn't help. Opening his eyes, he saw he was still in his prison cell. He sat up slowly. The nausea was not as bad as earlier, but was still present. The dizziness wasn't as bad either if he took it slow. Hogan glanced around his dismal surroundings. Other than the cell door with it's small sliding window which was closed right now, and the single lit bulb hanging from the ceiling, he could see no way out, not without help. He recalled Heinman saying he was in Abwehr Headquarters and that he was to be traded for an unnamed operative who was being held by someone. If two things scared Hogan, one was the knowledge that he was completely alone this time. Everybody thought he was dead, at least that was what Heinman had said, so there would be no outside help. Not even from his own men. He was completely on his own. The other was the realization that if he couldn't get out of here somehow, he would probably never see his men or Stalag 13 again.

The drug he had been given had his brains so scrambled at the moment, Hogan wasn't sure what he remembered and if what he remembered was true. He checked his watch. It was nearly eight-thirty, but was it morning or night? He didn't know anymore since there were no windows to look out of. Hogan wondered why his captors and that Doctor Erlichman had not been in to give him another injection since he definitely recalled being told he was to be kept unconscious. Letting out a deep breath, Hogan ran a hand over his black hair. All he could do was sit, and wait, and see if an opportunity to escape or to make contact with someone on the outside presented itself.

The Stalag 13 truck followed by the car pulled up outside the safe house just outside Berlin. Morrison, Lancelot, the guards and Hogan's men all exited the vehicles and went inside. Once inside, everybody sat around the table. One of the guards began preparing coffee for everyone.

Morrison looked at everyone. Then, he focused his attention on Hogan's men.

"I've been doing some checking around," he told Hogan's men. I still don't know the name of the operative of Frolichman's that's being held, but I can tell you the people he's negotiating with for that operative's release is, from what I understand, ten times worse than the Gestapo."

LeBeau, Kinch, Carter and Newkirk all exchanged concerned looks. Newkirk lit a cigarette. "Worse than the Gestapo? Is that bloody possible? I mean, they're the worse of the lot, and now you're telling us there's somebody worse than them?"

"That's right," Morrison replied, "And that's why we have to get Hogan out of there, the sooner the better. Now, here's the plan…."

Morrison waited until the guard had poured coffee for everyone and sat down at the table with the others before he spoke. "I understood from Hogan that one of you men can do a pretty good Hitler over the phone."

"Oui," said LeBeau, "That would be Kinch. If you want the visual, Carter's the one."

"Good. We're gonna need Kinch to impersonate the Furher on the phone when he speaks with Frolichman and convinces him to turn Hogan over to the Gestapo and brought to him." He then looked at Lancelot. Lancelot, we're gonna need another four of your men in Gestapo uniforms to make a total of six and we'll need you as well as Major Von Stossel. Can you do it?"

"Whatever you need, Morrison," Lancelot replied. "This is for Colonel Hogan."

"This all sounds fine," Kinch interrupted, confused. "But exactly what are we doing?"

"Frolichman's weak spot is he has his own agenda which is this trade for his operative. He doesn't want anybody to know about him having his own agenda. Now, what do you men suppose would happen if the Furher was to discover that one of his Majors had a prize possession like the most dangerous man in Germany and instead of presenting his prize to him, was using him for his own purposes?" Morrison broke out in a slight grin.

Kinch broke into a smile at what he was thinking. "I believe Hitler would flip his mustache at the news."

"You better believe he would," Morrison replied.

Newkirk, LeBeau and Carter became excited. Morrison looked at them next. "Carter, I'm gonna need you to be to Major Von Stossel's superior, General Hans Proeller. You will accompany Lancelot and the others when they enter Abwehr Headquarters to get Hogan. We'll also need a truck that can't be connected to Stalag 13. The Stalag 13 truck will remain here. Newkirk, you and LeBeau will also be in Gestapo uniforms, and will stay with the truck and be ready to leave after we get Hogan. Once we get Hogan out, we all come back here, transfer Hogan to the Stalag 13 truck, then you men will be taken back to Stalag 13 with the Gestapo. Klink will simply think the Gestapo's finished questioning you. Everybody understand what they have to do?" Morrison looked at each man.

LeBeau had a question. "What are we going to do about this Major and his aide?"

"They'll have to be disposed of," Morrison said, frowning. "My sources tell me both he and Heinman know about your entire operation."

Letting out a collective dejected sigh, Hogan's men shook their heads in dismay.

"That's why Hogan was grabbed to begin with," Morrison continued. "Frolichman visited Stalag 13 about one year ago and met Hogan. Then, several months later when you men were helping me in Berlin with Robin Hood, he saw him again. He returned to Stalag 13 immediately and saw Hogan there again. That's when he figured out something was up. So, he sent an operative into Stalag13 to investigate. This operative told him about Hogan, your operation, the tunnels, the radio, everything. Frolichman figured anyone would could move about as freely as Hogan did, must be of immense value. Frolichman then killed the operative to keep him from telling anybody else."

LeBeau whistled. "Nice guy," he commented.

"That's why they both have to be eliminated. That and the fact, Frolichman wouldn't hesitate to kill Hogan should this trade fall through."

"What about you?" asked Newkirk. "Where will you be?"

"I will bring you men into Abwehr Headquarters and to Major Frolichman. From that point on, I have to stay out of it. If Frolichman begins to suspect me, my cover could be blown." He paused. "But I'll be there in case of a problem which I don't foresee."

"Gotcha," Newkirk replied, puffing on his cigarette. "Just thought I'd ask."

"Have you been able to see the Colonel?" asked LeBeau. "Is he all right?"

"Not yet," Morrison replied. "I'm going to try and get to see him later today. Also, I want to talk with Doctor Erlichman and see what he's been giving Hogan and if there could be problems."

Carter smiled faintly. "Morrison, if you do get a chance to speak with Colonel Hogan, could you tell him, for us, that's help's on the way and we're comin' to bring him back home."

Morrison smiled broadly. "I'll do that if I do get to speak with him. I promise." He slowly got to his feet. "I have to get back to headquarters and see if I can make contact with Erlichman and get to see Hogan. Lancelot, I need you to take Newkirk, Carter and LeBeau back to Stalag 13 but not through the main gates. Get them close enough to their emergency tunnel entrance so they sneak into camp without being seen and get whatever they need to pull this off. Wait for them. Then, bring them back here. Meanwhile, I want one of your guards here to contact the underground and get four more men to pretend to be Gestapo guards." He checked his watch. "We'll meet back here in about four hours. If I'm not here, just wait for me."

As Morrison headed for the door, Kinch spoke up. "How soon will we make our move?" he asked.

Morrison, hand the doorknob, looked at Kinch. "We move in forty-eight hours," he explained. "Just remember, we only get one chance at this. If it doesn't work…."

LeBeau interrupted him. "It'll work," he said. "For Colonel Hogan's sake, we'll make it work."

Morrison didn't reply as he walked out of the door, leaving the others to carry out their orders.

Back at Abwehr Headquarters, Morrison headed directly to Doctor Erlichman's office. He hoped the doctor was still in his office. We have one shot at this, Hogan, he thought. One shot. If we should fail…. No, Morrison refused to believe his plan wouldn't work.Especially with Hogan's men involved. With their Colonel's life hanging in the balance, Morrison knew they wouldn't let the plan fail. The consequences were too great.

Standing outside the doctor's office, Morrison noticed the light was on in the doctor's office. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Morrison opened the door. Entering, he noticed the doctor sitting behind his desk writing in what appeared to be a folder. Could he have been making notes on Hogan? Morrison wondered momentarily. Erlichman looked up and, recognizing Morrison, smiled warmly at the Major.

"Major Teppel, how good to see you," the doctor replied, greeting his visitor. He put down his pen. "Please come in."

Morrison closed the door and approached the doctor. They shook hands. "I hope I'm not interrupting your work, Doctor Erlichman?" he said. "I know how busy you are."

"Never too busy for you. Please, have a seat and tell me how I can be of assistance to you."

Sitting in a chair in front of Erlichman's desk, Morrison focused his attention on the doctor. Well, here goes, he told himself. "Doctor, I must speak with you regarding an urgent matter."

Erlichman raised an eyebrow. "It sounds serious, Major."

"It is. You could say it's a matter of life or death for someone."

The doctor shuddered. He clasped his hands in front of him on his desk. "What is this about?" he asked nervously.

"I want you to tell me about the prisoner in cell 21."

Now it was time for Erlichman to be stunned. He could only stare at Morrison. "What prisoner, Major Teppel? What are you talking about?"

"Don't play games with me, doctor. I don't have the time for it nor the patience. I know about the prisoner in cell 21 and so do you. I know you've been keeping him sedated since he arrived, and I know you have been doing so under the orders of Major Frolichman. I also believe you were either responsible for, or played a part in faking this man's death so he could be brought here. Now, do we talk or not?"

Erlichman, sighing wearily, leaned back in his chair. In one way, he was relieved someone knew. He never wanted any part of this mess, but his fear of Frolichman made him participate. But he was also concerned about the prisoner in cell 21. He was ill from the drug and needed help. The help that Frolichman didn't seem to care whether he got or not. But maybe Teppel could help.

He licked his dry lips. "First let me say, Major Teppel, that I never wanted any part of this. I am a doctor….a healer of the sick and injured. My oath did not include keeping Colonel Hogan drugged and unconscious for no reason other than for the convenience of Major Frolichman."