Chapter 11--Into the Lion's Den

Major Frolichman greeted Captain Heinman when he came into his office in the morning. "Guten morgen, Captain," he said. "By tomorrow evening, we will have our operative back, and Colonel Hogan will be someone else's problem."

Heinman sat down and looked at the Major. Suddenly, the telephone rang. Heinman picked it up. "Guten morgen. This is Captain Heinman. Jawohl, General Proeller. Ja, he is right here. One moment." He handed the receiver to Frolichman. "It is General Proeller of the Gestapo. He says the Fuhrer is quite upset and wants to speak with you."

Frolichman took the phone. Heinman could see the Major's jaw tighten. "Guten morgen. Major Frolichman speaking. Heil Hitler."

Kinch knew he had to convince Frolichman he was the Fuhrer. His Colonel's life depended on it.

"Frolichman, why have I not been told about the prisoner known as Papa Bear? Why did I have to find out from other sources?" asked Kinch.

"My Fuhrer, please let me explain..."

"I don't want to hear any of your lies, Frolichman! I want an answer to my question! Why did you not let me know about this prisoner?"

"My Fuhrer, there was no time to..." Frolichman paled.

"Frolichman, you're lying to me again. I know all about your personal agenda. Did you think I wouldn't find out? I should have you shot for your treasonous actions! You will listen and listen carefully. I am sending General Proeller and Major Von Stossel of the Gestapo to take possession of the prisoner and bring him to me! You will see that the prisoner is alive and ready when they arrive. They should be there within the hour."

Frolichman swallowed hard. "Jawohl, my Fuhrer. He will be ready."

"Good. And one last thing, Frolichman. If anything goes wrong, I will take you instead. Do you understand me?"

"Jawohl, my Fuhrer."

"Auf Wiedersehen."

"Auf Wiedersehen, my Fuhrer. Heil Hitler!" Frolichman hung up his phone. He looked at Heinman. "Someone has betrayed us, Captain. The Fuhrer knew all about our hidden agenda. He is sending a General Proeller and Major Von Stossel of the Gestapo to take possession of Colonel Hogan within the hour." Standing, Frolichman removed his pistol from it's holster. He checked the number of cartridges in the chamber.

"What are you planning on doing, Major?" Heinman asked, watching.

"It's too bad these gentlemen will be coming here for nothing, Captain." Frolichman clicked the chamber shut. He looked at the weapon with a slight smile. "If I cannot trade Colonel Hogan to get our operative back, and I can't run the risk of hiding him here for interrogation purposes, then he serves no further use to us."

"But what about the Furher?" asked Heinman. "What will you tell him?"

"That it was unfortunate Colonel Hogan was shot and killed while trying to escape."

Then Frolichman, followed by Heinman, left the Major's office and headed to the lower level.

Morrison stood outside Abwehr Headquarters and greeted Carter and Lancelot warmly. Carter was wearing the uniform of a Gestapo General, glasses and a moustache. Then, Morrison lead Carter, Lancelot, and the six guards inside and they all headed to the lower level. Newkirk and LeBeau, also dressed in Gestapo uniforms, were waiting in the truck parked outside. Newkirk was behind the wheel.

Hogan was sitting on the bunk with his back and head against the wall. The sound of the cell door opening caught his attention. He saw Heinman and a man wearing the insignia of a Major enter. The door closed behind them. Hogan noticed the pistol in the Major's hand. He paled.

"Colonel Hogan," Heinman remarked. "This is Major Frolichman."

Hogan didn't respond. He was still looking at the gun. He suspected something was very wrong.

"Come to say goodbye, Major?" Hogan smirked, hoping his nervousness wasn't showing. "Too bad we never got a chance to talk."

"It is a pity, Colonel," Frolichman replied sadly. He raised his weapon and pointed it at Hogan. "But the time has come for us to say goodbye to you. Captain, put the handcuffs on Colonel Hogan, please."

Heinman pulled a pair of handcuffs from his pocket. As he reached for Hogan, the Colonel backed away. But he wasn't quick enough as Heinman was able to grip one wrist tightly and clamp one cuff on it. He then yanked Hogan towards him causing the Colonel to stumble and fall against him. Heinman then seized Hogan's other arm and, jerking it roughly behind him, clamped the cuff on it.

"Lean him with his back against the wall."

Heinman roughly shoved Hogan with his back against the wall near the cell door. Hogan swallowed the lump in his throat as he felt his stomach twist itself into knots. He realized he was going to die right here, alone, in a prison cell. He hoped his men would be all right. He could only hope...

Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, Hogan waited for the shot that would end his life.

"Just what do you think you're about to do, Major?!" Carter found himself raising his voice. He and the others were taken aback at the sight they had walked in on. The six guards all had their weapons drawn and pointed at Frolichman and Heinman. One of the guards removed the weapons from the holsters of the Major and Captain.

"Colonel Hogan was trying to escape and we were..." Frolichman began.

"Do you take me for a fool, Major? What it looks like is you were preparing to execute the prisoner despite the Fuhrer's warning to you. He will not be pleased when I tell him of your actions."

Carter and Hogan glanced at each other. A knowing look passed between them. Hogan then looked at Morrison who was glaring at Frolichman. The Major returned Morrison's stare.

"What are you doing here, Teppel?" he asked, angrily. "This is none of your concern."

"I beg to differ, Major Frolichman," Morrison replied sternly. "Unlike you, I am a loyal German officer. I do not disobey the Fuhrer. What you have done is treasonous!"

"I am a patient man, however," Frolichman sneered at Hogan with an expression that chilled the Colonel to the bone. "The Fuhrer will have his fun with Colonel Hogan for now. But eventually, I will get my hands on you again Colonel Hogan. And when I do, nobody will be able to save you. You will be mine!"

Hogan closed his eyes as the back of his head leaned against the wall. Opening them again, he glared at the Major with malice in his eyes. "Could somebody get these handcuffs off me," he said wearily.

Lancelot looked at the Colonel. "You will keep them on until we reach the Fuhrer's location, Colonel Hogan. That way, you will not cause us any trouble."

Hogan shook his head sadly. He looked at Lancelot with a smirk on his face. "I never realized I was so popular with everybody. Now old fruitcake wants my company."

Lancelot, with the most venomous expression on his face, backhanded Hogan across the face. A trickle of blood ran down from the corner of his mouth. Hogan wiped his mouth against his shoulder. He stared at Lancelot.

"You will show respect for the Fuhrer, Colonel Hogan!" Lancelot insisted. "If you don't..." he rested his hand on the butt of his weapon sitting in it's holster. He looked at Carter. "What shall we do with Major Frolichman and Captain Heinman, General?"

Carter drew his own weapon and pointed it at Frolichman. He glanced at Lancelot. "Cuff them both," he ordered. "We will take them to the Fuhrer as well. He will know how to deal with disloyal officers!"

Lancelot and one of the guards each removed a pair of handcuffs from their pockets. Lancelot easily handcuffed Heinman's hands behind him. But when the guard reached for Frolichman, the Major suddenly seized the guard's arm and pulled him towards him and seized his weapon in one fluid motion. He pressed the weapon against the guard's head.

"Anybody make a move and I'll put a bullet in his head," he said. He glared at Hogan. "Colonel Hogan, I want you to come towards me very carefully. Any sudden movements on your part and this man will die."