Chapter 9 -- Hogan is Given Hope

Morrison nodded. "So you know who he is, then?" he asked.

Erlichman nodded. "I was present the first time Captain Heinman mentioned his name."

"How is he?"

"He is very ill. The drug I've been using is experimental. It was invented by the Gestapo. I don't know how Major Frolichman obtained it. The side effects are nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, and body aches. Colonel Hogan has been suffering with these almost non-stop since he's had three injections of this drug. One dose and the person sleeps for about 12-14 hours. This drug gives the appearance of death to anyone who doesn't pay close attention. However, I managed to persuade Major Frolichman to stop the injections for now because they were making the Colonel very ill and I couldn't guarantee what would happen if he continued receiving them." The doctor checked his watch. "In fact, the last injection should have worn off by now."

Morrison glanced over his shoulder at the closed door. "Are there any long-lasting or permanent effects from this experimental drug?"

"I don't think so. As long as he doesn't continue to receive any more injections, that is. The side effects should wear off after a few days."

Morrison's eyes narrowed. "You said this drug gives the appearance of death."

Erlichman nodded. "Ja. That's right. From what I understand, the Gestapo invented it as a means of using it on the Allies. However, from what I've seen it doesn't work. You have to continually inject a person with it. They were hoping one dose would do the job. But it doesn't."

Morrison thought about what the doctor had said. Before he could ask another question though, Erlichman continued. "It was this same drug that Captain Heinman gave to Colonel Hogan the night he met with him. I believe that is why everybody thought Colonel Hogan had died."

"How did Heinman give it to him?"

"The night the Captain was to meet with Colonel Hogan, he came to me wanting a means of giving this drug to the Colonel without him knowing it. That meant without using a needle. I suggested a sort of patch he could wear in the palm of his own hand that had been treated with the drug, and would be passed onto another person through persperation. Of course Heinman wore protection in his hand under the patch so that he would not be affected by the drug himself."

Morrison shook his head. "So when Hogan shook his hand, for instance, the drug would be passed to him through his own perspiration."

"Exactly," the doctor replied.

Morrison took a deep breath. "Doctor, let me ask you an ethical question, if I may. Did you falsify a death certificate for Colonel Hogan and send it to Stalag 13?"

Erlichman hung his head. "Ja." He looked up at Morrison. "How did you know?"

"That's not important. Can you tell me how it was done?"

The doctor let out a deep breath. "After the drug had been administered to Colonel Hogan, it wouldn't take long for it to take effect. He would have died during the night. When the call came from Stalag 13 about him, the call was transferred to Major Frolichman. He arranged for a military ambulance to bring Colonel Hogan here, to Abwehr Hedquarters, where he could be locked up before the drug wore off. He then had me prepare a phony death certificate stating that Colonel Hogan died from heart failure."

"Doctor, I'm going to ask you to do me a tremendous favor."

"What do you want me to do, Major Teppel?"

"I need you to pass a message to Colonel Hogan for me."

"I can't do that, Major!" Erlichman got up from his desk and stared out of his window, his back to Morrison. "You're asking me to go behind Major Frolichman's back. Do you have any idea what he would do to me if I'm caught?" he turned around and saw Morrison standing toe-to-toe with him.

"You give me the indication that you care what happens to Colonel Hogan, doctor. Or was I wrong about that?"

"No. You weren't wrong. I do care what happens to him. But…."

"Then help me help him. That's all you have to do. Give him a message from me. I'll take care of everything else."

The doctor looked at Morrison sadly. "I cannot, Major….I….I'm too afraid of Major Frolichman!"

Morrison grabbed the doctor by both arms and shook him roughly. "Do you realize Colonel Hogan's as good as dead if you don't help me stop Frolichman? Once this trade goes through, the people who Frolichman's dealing with will either make a vegetable out of Hogan or they'll kill him in the process. Or if the trade fails to happen, Frolichman will kill him. Is that what you want to happen?"

"No, of course not. But….you're asking me to betray Major Frolichman. I value my life, Major Teppel. I'm sorry, but I can't help you."

Morrison released the doctor. He looked at him sadly. "Then I'll have to do it myself. All I ask of you is to keep this conversation between us, and not to tell Major Frolichman anything. Can you at least do that?"

Erlichman nodded slowly. "Ja. That I can do, Major."

Morrison turned and headed to the closed door. As he reached for the doorknob….

"Major Teppel…."

Morrison looked around. "Yes, doctor?"

"Just one question, Major. What is Colonel Hogan to you? I mean, he is an American after all."

Morrison smiled faintly. "Let's just say, doctor, that Colonel Hogan's a man of some importance to a lot of people and just leave it at that, shall we?" That said, Morrison left the doctor's office and closed the door behind him leaving Erlichman alone with his thoughts and fears.

Morrison, having left Erlichman's office, headed to the lower level where the prison cells were. He had to see Hogan and make him aware of their attempt to rescue him in forty-eight hours. He had been hoping Erlichman would deliver the message, but it was obvious the man was terrified of Frolichman. As he turned the corner, Morrison was relieved to see the same prison guard stationed outside the cell. The guard, looking up, saw Morrison approaching. He swallowed nervously as he removed his keys from his belt and unlocked the cell door. He held it open for Morrison to pass. Morrison smiled.

"I'm glad to see you're on your toes tonight, Corporal," he said. "Very good."

"Danke, Major Teppel," was all the Corporal could muster. He closed the door behind Morrison.

Hogan was seated on the cot with both legs bent at the knees, his feet on the bed and arms wrapped around his legs. He was trying to come up with some plan to escape this prison without success. He suddenly looked up when he heard the cell door being unlocked. A shiver ran through him as he suspected that Captain Heinman and Doctor Erlichman were coming for him with another injection. Whatever the drug was it was making him ill. Hogan was determined this time to keep from receiving another injection even if it meant Heinman would kill him instead.

His heart skipped a beat when he saw Morrison enter.

Morrison waited until the cell door closed behind him before he spoke. First, he motioned for Hogan to join him in the corner of the cell away from the door.

"Morrison," Hogan let out a deep breath. "You don't know how glad I am to see you."

Morrison smiled. "At least you're standing this time. The last time I was here you were out cold. How do you feel?"

Hogan rubbed the back of his neck. "I ache all over. But the dizziness and nauseousness aren't so bad at the moment."

"Doctor Erlichman told me they're stopping the injections for now because it's making you ill. The side effects should clear up in a few days providing you don't receive any more of the drug."

"You were here before?" Hogan managed a slight grin. "I thought I had imagined the whole thing. Do you have any idea how to get me out of this joint?"

"That's why I came. Your men, the underground and I have a plan to get you out of here. But you just have to hang on for another forty-eight hours."

Hogan let out a deep breath. "I don't even know if I've got forty-eight hours. What's the plan?"

"I can't tell you. All I can say is for you to play along with whatever you see and hear in forty-eight hours. Carter and some others will be here by then." He glanced at the cell door. "Before I forget, Carter said to make sure I tell you that help's on the way, and they're going to bring you home."

Hogan found himself with a tired smile on his face. "Tell them I said thank you."

"You can tell them yourself after this is over." He glanced at the cell door again. "I'd better go. I don't want to be here too long."

"Thanks, Morrison."

All Morrison could do was smile. He squeezed Hogan's shoulder. Then, he called for the guard to let him out.

Alone again, Hogan returned to his sitting position on the bunk. Pulling his legs up, he wrapped his arms around his legs and sighed wearily.

Nothing to do now but wait and pray he'd still be here in forty-eight hours.