Chapter 6: The Truth Comes Out
After Hogan finished filling Christopher in on the rest of the suspects, they went topside where they were almost knocked down by Carter. "Colonel, Newkirk found a radio hidden in the laundry basket. Kinch said it isn't one of ours and no one knows who it belongs to."
Hogan took the radio from Kinch and was looking at it when LeBeau asked, "Mon Colonel, how are you going to figure out who it belongs to?"
Hogan studied the radio from different angles trying to find some clue as to who the owner was. An idea came to him, "Fingerprints."
"Fingerprints?" everyone asked in unison.
"Of course, fingerprints," Christopher stated. "I use to help my Uncle, who is the county Sheriff, fingerprint suspects. I needed the extra money for seminary. Sir, I volunteer to help any way I can."
Hogan smiled at Christopher's enthusiasm. "Since it appears you already have experience, be my guest."
Christopher started giving orders of the supplies he would need. "LeBeau, I need sheets of paper. It needs to be big enough to put a set of each person's fingerprints on. Kinch, please get me some charcoal that is crushed into a fine powder. Newkirk I need some hair from the barber. The longest you can get. Carter, I need some ink and something smooth to pour the ink on. Knox, find me a magnifying glass. "
Everyone did as asked. When Christopher received the hair, he took some string and tied it together in a bundle. He marked the paper off in sections and labeled it with each person's name.
"After I make a copy of each person's fingerprints, I will hold the prints next to the ones on the radio to see which ones match. I need to know who has handled the radio since it was found?" Christopher asked dusting the radio.
Newkirk spoke up, "I found the radio and took it out of the basket. It's my turn to do laundry ya know."
"Anyone else besides Colonel Hogan, Kinch and Newkirk?" asked Christopher. Everyone else shook their head. Christopher looked at Hogan. "You want to go first, Sir?"
Hogan decided to get it over with, "Might as well."
Christopher took Hogan's hand and pressed his fingers into the ink and then to the paper. He held the paper next to the prints and made a mark by the prints belonging to Hogan.
Next he did the same with Newkirk and Kinch. After Christopher fingerprinted everyone else, he started to compare fingerprints. Half way through, he found a match. "Got it!"
Before Christopher had a chance to say whose fingerprints matched, Newkirk yelled, "Look out!" Newkirk pushed Christopher out of the way of Wright's knife. Newkirk was quick enough to get Christopher out of the way but not himself. The blade sunk deep into Newkirk's shoulder.
The rest of the men jumped on Wright and wrestled him to the ground. Hogan quickly ran to Newkirk to check on him.
Knox bent down next to Hogan "I'll take care of Newkilrk while you, take care of Wright."
Hogan stood up and whistled for everyone to settle down. Once everyone did, Hogan grabbed Wright by the collar and slammed him against the wall as hard as he could. Since there was no doubt as to who the traitor was now, Wright got to experience Hogan's full wrath. "Why? Why did you put all of these lives in danger? What did the Germans offer you to betray your country? Answer me!" Hogan shoved him even harder against the wall.
Hogan stumbled backward when Wright punched him. Wright took advantage of Hogan's dazed state to make his way to the barracks door. It didn't take long for Hogan to recover and go after him. Hogan knew if Wright made it outside, the operation was over and all their lives forfeit. Determination to save the lives of these men filled Hogan. Wright was half way to the door when Hogan leaped over the table to tackle him.
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"Carter, hand me a towel. Christopher, get Wilson," Knox ordered. Once he got the towel, he said, "Newkirk, I want you to tell me about the weirdest time you have ever had with a woman."
Newkirk gave Knox a stunned look. "I am lying 'ere with a knife stuck in my shoulder, bleedin' and you want to know about me and some bird? I don't think…Owww!" Newkirk yelled as Knox pulled out the knife.
Hopper quickly put his hand over Newkirk's mouth to muffle the scream. Now was not the time to draw unwanted attention to the barracks.
"Never mind," Knox said holding the towel on the wound.
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Wright desperately tried to free himself from Hogan's grasp so he could make it too the door. He put everything he had behind the punches. Since Hogan knew he was a traitor, his only hope was the guards. Every time Wright tried to scream or yell for help, Hogan would land a punch to his jaw or gut to stop him.
Wright managed to grab a nearby stool to hit Hogan with. When Wright yanked the stool, it didn't move. He looked to see why it was stuck. Wright saw Kinch standing beside it with his foot on top of it. Kinch shook his head in a disapproving manner.
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Hogan was on such an adrenaline high; Wright's punches barely fazed him. Hogan's logical thought and reasoning was taken over by his instinct for survival. Not as much for own survival, but for his men's. He was resolute to not let them down.
Hogan saw Wrights attention divert as he looked at Kinch. Hogan seized the opportunity to turn the fight to his favor for good and finish it. Hogan rolled on top of Wright. With every punch Hogan delievered, he said the name of one of the escapees who was killed because of Wright's betrayal.
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The men took turns staring at Newkirk and the two men fighting on the floor. Some had put the puzzle pieces together about the betrayal. Others were too numb from shock over their peaceful barracks turned upside down. Watching one of their own stabbed by someone they trusted shook their faith in what they came to believe about their camp.
The men had become too complacent with the calmness of life at Stalag 13. No one ever expected to be duped by the Nazis like this. Wright had lived with them for many months. He acted like anyone else there. How was anyone to know the truth about Wright?
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When Kinch noticed Wright wasn't fighting back anymore, he pulled Hogan off of him. Hogan surveyed the scene as if he didn't know what had happened. He looked at his bloodied hands, then to Wright's face. Hogan stood in shock as he realized he did something he warned others about; he gave into his anger and let it control him.
Hogan started to reach for Wright, but was stopped by Kinch. "It's all right," Hogan said as he waved him off. Hogan grabbed Wright by the collar and lifted him up. He stared at Wright in the eyes for a moment before shoving him to Kinch. "I will deal with him later. Get him out of my sight."
"Gladly," Kinch took Wright into the tunnels, where he made him very uncomfortable.
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"From now on Knox, wait until I get here before you remove any objects from a person's body. What if the knife was the only thing keeping him from bleeding to death? What would you have done then?" Wilson scolded.
"Sorry, Wilson. I was just trying to make him more comfortable," Knox apologized.
Hogan knelt beside Newkirk. "Is he going to be okay, Wilson?"
Newkirk tried to sit up but was pushed pack down by Wilson. "I'm fine, Sir. Just a scratch"
Hogan nodded for Knox to hold Newkirk down until Wilson finished. "I wasn't asking you. Wilson?"
"He is going to need some stitches. He is lucky though, if the blade was about two inches higher it would have hit his artery," Wilson said as he gave a scolding glance at Knox. "I need a needle, thread and some alcohol."
"I'll get the needle and thread," said Carter.
"All we have is whisky left over from New Year's." LeBeau said looking through their stash. "The wine isn't ready yet."
"That will be fine. Bring it here with a basin and clean towels," Wilson ordered. Looking at Hogan, he said, "This will be easier on the table, where there is better light."
Hogan and Knox carefully helped Newkirk over to the table. "Take it easy and do everything Wilson tells you," Hogan said.
Newkirk looked at Hogan with a smile. "Like you do, Sir?"
The comment caused Hogan to remember all the times he gave Wilson a hard time. "Do as I say, not as I do. That's an order."
LeBeau handed Wilson the whisky. "Here Newkirk, drink this until Carter gets here with the needle and thread." After a few minutes Carter came up from the tunnels with the requested items.
"Knox, pour some of the whisky over the needle, thread and my hands," Wilson said holding the items over the basin. Knox took the bottle from Newkirk and did as asked. "Good. Hopper and Givens, hold Newkirk's shoulders and arms down. Tappscott, Washington and Elliott, hold his legs. Baker, give me the pencil over there."
When he received the pencil, he put it in Newkirk's mouth. "Newkirk, bite down on this. Knox, Pour a little bit of the whisky into the wound to sterilize it." Newkirk's eyes widdened and started to shake his head and writhe in protest.
Hogan grabbed the pencil before Newkirk could spit it out. He held it in Newkirk's mouth as he tried to hold his head still. When Knox poured a little bit of liquor in the wound, Newkirk let out a muffled scream and tried to twist his body free from the pain. Tears started streaming down the sides of his face as his screams turned into whimpers. Hogan tried to talk Newkirk through the pain by telling him what happened on his latest date with Helga.
After a moment, Newkirk calmed down. Wilson nodded for everyone to let go. He turned to Knox, "Now give the bottle back to Newkirk. Newkirk, I want you to drink as much as you want. This will be over with shortly."
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As Hogan sat on the table, he thought about how he acted earlier. He felt ashamed for his actions. Never had he let his emotions control him like that. He wondered if he would be able to control his actions in the future. Hogan feared what would happen if the Gestapo pushed the wrong button with him and he retaliated. Hogan pictured himself standing in Klink's office with Hochstetter.
"Hogan, where were you last night when the bridge exploded?"
"The same place I always am when you ask that question Major, right here," Hogan answered.
"I can confirm his whereabouts. I personally inspected the barracks myself last night," Klink added.
"I am sure you can, but who can confirm yours," Hochstetter growled.
"Major, has it ever occurred to you to look somewhere else? While you are wasting your time with me, the real saboteur is getting away," Hogan stated.
"Why are you so eager for me to look elsewhere? Maybe, I should talk with your men and see what kind of story they tell me?" Hochstetter smiled evilly at Hogan and headed for the door.
"No! You keep your hands off of them!" Hogan yelled as he grabbed Hochstetter's arm and spun him around. Before Hogan realized what he was doing, he drew back his fist and punched Hochstetter.
One of Hochstetter's men hit Hogan in the back with the butt of his rifle, sending him to the floor. Hochstetter's grin grew as he rubbed his jaw. "Colonel, you have just earned yourself a trip to Gestapo Headquarters. Klink there is nothing you can say to stop me."
Hogan stopped his thoughts. He didn't want to imagine the horrors Hochstetter would inflict upon him for the sake of pure enjoyment.
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Hogan's actions had scared everyone. No one ever expected Hogan to give in to his emotions. Those who were not helping Wilson went to their bunk without saying a word.
"There, all done. Now Newkirk, I want you to take it easy with your arm. You are not to go on any missions until it is healed." Wilson ordered as he cleaned his hands.
"I'll think about it," Newkirk answered. Wilson stared at him letting him know the answer he gave was the wrong answer. Newkirk understood the look. He rolled his eyes and said, "Yea, I'll take it easy."
"I'll make sure he does, Wilson. Thanks," came Hogan's tired voice.
Wilson stood in front of Hogan staring at his hands. "Colonel, can I see your hands please."
Hogan looked at Wilson and shook his head. "I'm okay."
Wilson studied Hogan's hands more closely. "LeBeau, can you get me some snow please and wrap it in two towels."
A short time latter LeBeau showed up with two towels containing snow. Wilson took one of the towels and started to wrap it around Hogan's hand. Hogan jerked his hand away. "I said I am fine!" and went into his room.
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Even though Wilson had come close to giving up on treating Hogan many times, he wasn't going to give up now. Wilson took a beep breath before following Hogan into his quarters and shut the door.
"I don't remember inviting you in Sergeant," Hogan said looking out the window.
"All I want to do is put these towels on your hands. They are badly swollen," Wilson said. With some hesitation he stepped closer to Hogan.
Hogan looked down and realized for the first time how swollen his hands were. Because his adrenalin was still high, he hadn't yet felt the pain from the fight. Wilson's hesitation to approach Hogan was not missed. Look what you have done Rob, your men are now scared of you.
Hogan took a deep breath as he turned to face Wilson. "I'm sorry Joe." Hogan sat down on his bed with his hands held out.
Wilson carefully wrapped the towels around them. "Take it easy for a little while. Please, try to get some rest."
"Thanks Joe." Hogan said as Wilson left his room.
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While Hogan lay on his bed, he stared at the bunk above him contemplating how his actions had changed things. He didn't want to lead men who feared him. This mission taught Hogan a lot about himself. Now he wondered what to do with this knowledge.
The clouds broke outside allowing the moonlight to shine in through Hogan's window. The sudden brightness caught Hogan's attention. He noticed the moonlight illuminated a Bible sitting on his desk. I don't remember getting my Bible out of my footlocker. Out of curiosity, Hogan went to his desk. The Bible was opened to Proverbs 3. Something inside of him told him to read verses 5 and 6. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path.
Immediately Hogan knew what he needed to do. With all that had happened in the past few months, he had pushed God out of the picture. Hogan knelt beside his bed and wept as he prayed.