Metzger enlarged the wound opening to make it easier to find the bullet. After forty-five minutes of carefully searching, Metzger found it. "This must be a miracle bullet. The bullet broke apart, when it went through the sternum. The remarkable thing is, the fragments stayed grouped together as it somehow went between the lungs, missing everything major and came to rest in his vertebrate."
"Is that good? Will you be able to remove them?" Wilson asked.
Metzger nodded as he thought. "It will be tricky. The fragments are lodged next to nerves. One little slip and he could be paralyzed."
"And if we leave them?" Wilson asked nervously.
Metzger shrugged and said, "They could shift and paralyze him later."
Wilson stared at Christopher's face. "If you think you can remove them, do it."
Metzger nodded. "I believe I can. Get the next donor ready."
During the next half hour, Metzger and Wilson worked at retrieving the bullet without causing any more damage. "There's the last piece." Carefully Metzger pulled out the fragment and dropped it in a cup with the others. Immediately they sterilized and bandaged the wounds properly.
After Metzger was through with Christopher, he checked on Hogan. "How is he doing, Corporal?"
Parker pointed to Ducky, and said, "Ducky here says he has a nicked bone and a hairline fracture."
Metzger studied Ducky. "You are a doctor?"
"Veterinarian," Ducky said. After the puzzled look, he clarified, "I am an animal doctor."
"Ahh. Could you tell if the fracture is bad?" asked Metzger.
"Animal wise it isn't. Should be 'ealed in a couple of weeks. I don't see any need for a cast. He will have some pain walking though," Ducky answered.
"Gut! I trust you cleansed the wounds completely?" After a nod, Metzger continued, "I will go then. Both men are to be kept under constant supervision. They are to have plenty of fluids. If Colonel Hogan decides to be his stubborn self and refuses, tell him I will force the liquids into him. His choice. Have Klink call if they get worse. I will tell Klink the same thing.
"Is Christopher going to be okay?" asked Parker.
Metzger shook his head. "The first twenty-four hours are the most crucial. We will have to wait and see."
HH HH HH
Wilson went outside where the men were eagerly awaiting word while Metzger cleaned up. "Christopher is stable, but critical right now. He is still unconscious. Besides the obvious," he paused as Schultz and a couple of guards came near, "broken ribs and a puncture wound. I will keep a close eye on him for the next twenty-four hours to see if there is any change. If there is, I will let you know. As for Colonel Hogan, he has some infection, which we have treated. He is…" How much would he want me to say about his condition? Wilson decided to play it safe. "He is resting and not to be disturbed."
Christopher didn't have any broken ribs, but Wilson figured he would add it to help cover the reason why his mid section was bandaged.
No one moved for a while. Finally Kinch motioned for everyone to scatter. There was nothing more any of them could do but wait and pray. Reluctantly, everyone started their normal routines for the day.
HH HH HH
In the emergency, Klink had forgotten to call roll call. He looked out his office window and saw Wilson addressing the men. Lord, I hope they will be ok. He didn't believe the story Kinch had told him and guessed Hogan, Christopher and Wright were up to some monkey business when something went wrong. Until he had evidence supporting this theory, he would keep it to himself. For now, he would go along with what they told him. The last thing the prisoners need around here was the Gestapo poking around asking a lot of questions.
His eyes went wide as he wondered if Hochstetter was right all this time about Hogan. Could Hogan really be Papa Bear? Klink, thought back to all the blood he had seen in the shower and on Christopher and Hogan's uniforms. Klink realized a cave in could not have caused that much blood loss. Should he investigate more or leave the matter alone?
Klink wandered around his office pondering his new revelation. Not only has Hogan lied in the past to save my life, but also how many times have I lied to save Hogan's? Klink thought back to everything he had seen in camp to help support his theory. Klink studied the guards on patrol around the fence. He saw many openings the prisoners could use to escape, especially at night. I could send all the guards away and take down the barbed wire fence and there would still be no escapes. There can only be one explanation, the prisoners are ordered to stay by Hogan. The only reason for him to give such an order is to keep me as Kommandant. As long as I am Kommandant, Hogan can run his operation without fear of discovery.
Klink glanced around his office as if seeing it for the first time. He thought his office was probably bugged and all the top-secret meetings, which had taken place in it. That would explain how Hogan always knew what was going on in here and when to barge in. Where could the bugs be? All sorts of possibilities ran through Klink's mind. Things he was blind to became clear. Everything fell into place. What better place to hide such a large operation? He would need equipment. Where could he have hidden it? Gestapo has searched the entire camp many times and found nothing. Nothing but what Hogan wanted us to see.
Klink got angry with Hogan for making a fool out of him. I ought to have him transferred for this. "I vow to do what I can to help get you out of office. Including helping Papa Bear." Klink's vow came to his mind. Transferring Hogan would not be helping Papa Bear.
Klink glanced across the compound toward the Infirmary. One man clung to life and the other was injured, probably more than he let on. When Wilson was finished, he saw Kinch scatter the prisoners. Metzger finally came out. Klink hurriedly sat behind his desk. He didn't want anyone to know he was concerned for the two injured men.
A short time later, there was a knock on Klink's door. "Come in."
Metzger entered. "Heil Hitler, Herr Oberst," he greeted tiredly.
Klink quickly said his greeting and inquired about Hogan's and Christopher's condition. Metzger shook his head and let out a long breath. "Christopher is bad. He has broken ribs from when some of the support timbers punctured his torso. Right now he is in stable but critical condition. I would advise he be kept under constant supervision for the next twenty-four hours. If there are any changes I am to be notified immediately. Colonel Hogan has a hairline fracture in his leg, but nothing serious. He will have some pain walking, but nothing to keep him from roll call or normal duties. He is to rest his leg as much as possible. His shoulder was pinned under a support beam. He pulled some tendons pretty good getting it free. He is advised to use it as little as possible until the tendons have healed properly. He should make a full recovery."
Klink nodded his head in understanding. He went over to the window to hide his relief. Outside he watched the guards trying to herd the prisoners away who returned to the front of the Infirmary. Anytime the prisoners gathered in large groups, the guards were nervous. "I will call you. Thank you for coming to taking care of them."
Metzger stood and headed for the door. "I will call back later to see how they're doing. Good day, Colonel. Heil Hitler."
"Heil Hitler," Klink responded absentmindedly. After Metzger left, Klink called for Schultz who rushed in the door.
"Ja, Herr Kommandant?" Klink could tell by the look on Schultz's face he was just as worried about Christopher and Hogan as the others. Klink didn't like one of his guards being as friendly with the prisoners as he was, but Schultz couldn't help it. He was never meant to be a soldier Schultz was meant to run a toy factory and make children happy.
Klink had heard the quick version of the story from Kinch and now he wanted to hear the whole story. Could he have been wrong about his suspicions about Hogan or was Metzger in on hiding the truth? How big was Hogan's operation? Klink knew Kinch was Hogan's second-in-command and in his absence he would be in charge of the prisoners. He wanted to see if Kinch would tell him the same story or if he would tell him the truth. "Bring Sergeant Kinchloe here. I want to know what happened."
It amazed Klink, from what he heard about how Americans viewed black people; Hogan would place a Negro as his second-in-command. As Klink watched Kinch take control in Hogan's absence in the past, he understood why. Kinch was a natural-born leader. He would listen to the prisoners who had problems and tried to work them out. Klink had even seen him talk Hogan out of his anger after a visit from the Gestapo. Everyone here, no matter their beliefs, respected Kinch and did as he asked.
He wondered why everyone couldn't start looking at what a person was like on the inside instead of judging them by the outside or the uniform they wear. Klink looked down at his own uniform. If I was wearing an ally uniform, would things be different between Hogan and me? Would he finally treat me with true respect? If everyone would start doing this, the world would be a better place with maybe no need for war.
HH HH HH
Kinch was sitting on his bunk with his head bowed and his hands clasped in front of him. He never looked up or noticed Schultz until he tapped him on the shoulder. Kinch looked up questioningly with fear in his eyes. He was afraid Schultz was there to tell him Hogan was worse off then anyone realized.
"Kommandant Klink would like to see you in his office," Schultz said.
This didn't help calm Kinch's fear. Did one of them die? Was it to tell him he was now the permanent liaison between the prisoners and the Kommandant or to find out what happened?
Kinch nodded and took a deep breath as he stood. "Schultz…is it about…is Christopher or Colonel Hogan…" He could hardly find the words to ask.
Schultz knew what he was going to ask and shook his head. He stared at Kinch like an empathetic father to a child. "Nein, Kinch. I have not heard about any change in their conditions."
Kinch figured since it wasn't to announce one of them died, it must be to find out what happened. On the way to the Kommandantur, Kinch rehearsed the story he was going to tell Klink. He wanted to make sure he had answers for any questions Klink might come up with.
Kinch stood outside of Klink's door and stared at it. He didn't particularly enjoy standing in front of Klink, and wondered how Hogan did it. He took a deep breath and knocked.
HH HH HH
"Come in," Klink said.
Kinch came to attention in front of Klink. "You wanted to see me, Sir?"
"Yes, Sergeant, have a seat." After Kinch sat down, Klink continued, "I want to know the truth of what happened last night or this morning."
"Well Sir, Colonel Hogan had suspected Sergeant Wright was planning something but wasn't sure what. Yesterday, Sergeant Wright came in with mud on his shoes. There was no mud anywhere in the compound. Early this morning, Colonel Hogan heard Sergeant Wright leave. When Colonel Hogan left to follow him, Sergeant Christopher joined him. Colonel Hogan tried ordering him to stay. It was risky enough for one person to follow Sergeant Wright. Colonel Hogan didn't want to risk Sergeant Christopher getting caught. Sergeant Christopher insisted on going. Sir, neither one of them wanted the barracks to be punished because of a renegade prisoner. They snuck out trying to stop him.
"Private Thomas came in the barracks after the explosion, telling us he heard a horrible noise coming from the shower. We snuck over to investigate. We found the tunnel entrance. We were able to dig Colonel Hogan and Sergeant Christopher out, but the ground was too unstable to dig Sergeant Wright out. The more we tried to dig him out, the more the sides and roof collapsed."
"Sergeant, how do you know what had transpired between Colonel Hogan and Sergeant Christopher?" Klink asked.
Kinch adjusted in his seat. "I was sleeping with my arm hanging off the bed. Christopher brushed up against it when he walked past me and woke me up."
Klink stood up, leaning over his desk."Do you expect me to believe prisoners running around camp in the middle of the night with no guards seeing any of this? Why did they not hear the same noise Private Thomas did?"
Kinch shrugged. "It was after the big explosion. Most of the guards' concentration was in that direction."
Klink sat down in his seat. "Have the prisoners' decided about the removal of Sergeant Wright's body?"
"Sir, we would like permission to tear up the showers and bring in a backhoe to dig up Sergeant Wright's body. He deserves a proper burial."
Klink stared at Kinch in shock. "Absolutely not. How could you suggest such a thing? You want the backhoe to escape is all. Do you know how much money it will cost to dig up and replace the showers? Did you ever consider the possibility of accidentally destroying the body with the backhoe?"
"No, Sir. We didn't think about that. Sir, he should be placed in the prisoner cemetery for a proper burial. We cannot dig him out with shovels without the possibility of someone else getting hurt." Kinch pushed.
"You will have to take chances with the shovels. I warn you. The men will be under guard the entire time to make sure there is no escape tunnel being dug." Klink waved his finger at Kinch.
"Sir, I'd rather leave him buried, than risk loosing another man. It is bad enough we have Sergeant Christopher fighting for his life and Colonel Hogan is severely injured trying to stop Sergeant Wright. Not to mention, a few of the prisoners who have superficial wounds trying to dig Sergeant Wright out," Kinch stated nervously.
Klink pondered Kinch's argument. "He is buried already. Have the men fill in the hole. I will allow a ceremony to be held around the showers and a plaque placed on the shower wall."
"Sir, that is callous of you. How would you feel if it was one of your men lying under the shower?" Kinch protested.
"You have two choices, Sergeant. Dig him out with shovels or leave him." Klink glared at Kinch, daring him to continue arguing.
Kinch paused before answering. Half-heartedly he answered, "We'll leave him buried."
Klink almost forgot his wasn't talking to Hogan. Anytime Hogan wanted Klink to agree to something, he always proposed the impossible first. Klink debated whether or not Wright's body was really under the shower. This whole conversation sounds like one of Hogan's, or should I say Papa Bear's, schemes. Klink figured the safest thing for him to do would be to play along. There was no telling what Hogan or his men might do to protect this secret.
Klink pointed his finger at Kinch and said, "I did warn what would happen if anyone tried to escape. After the tunnel is filled in and ceremony complete, I want all prisoners in Barracks 2 confined. All privileges will be suspended until further notice. I will allow one person at a time to help Wilson keep watch over Colonel Hogan and Christopher. Until Colonel Hogan is capable of resuming SPO duties, you shall fill in for him. Dismissed."
"Sir, I'd rather wait and have Colonel Hogan perform the ceremony," Kinch stated.
Klink waved his hand. "It is your decision. After the tunnel is filled in, the men will start their punishment."
"Sir, in lieu of what has happened, I request the confinement to barracks be dropped," Kinch stated.
"I will not budge on this matter." Klink slammed his fist on his desk, causing Kinch to flinch slightly. "Prisoners will learn I mean what I say. I am not completely sold on your story concerning what happened this morning. Unless you want me to investigate more by demanding to see Sergeant Wright's body, I would advise you to accept the punishment I have stated. Do you have any other complaints, Sergeant?" Klink asked as he folded his hands and leaned on his desk.
"No, Sir. I will let the men of Barracks 2 know they are to fill in the tunnel and confined until further notice." Kinch stood at attention, snapped off a salute and left.
HH HH HH
Kinch walked into the barracks with a sorrowful look. The men gathered around him afraid of the news they would hear.
Kinch took a deep breath before addressing the men. "Men, so far there is no change in Colonel Hogan or Christopher's conditions. I told Klink the story Colonel Hogan had mentioned. Klink bought it. Unfortunately, I was not able to talk him out of confining Barracks 2 or taking away our privileges. Before you ask, I don't know how long. We need to get over and fill in the tunnel."
"'E can't do that to us. 'Ow we suppose to check on the gov'nor and Christopher?" Newkirk protested. The others agreed and shared the protest.
Kinch held up his hand to stop the protesting. "We can have one at a time in the Infirmary helping Wilson keep an eye on them. I tried to protest the ruling, but he said he would demand to see Wright's body."
"What are we suppose to do while we are confined?" LeBeau asked.
"If we're here long enough, we might dig a real tunnel out of here," Newkirk added.
"We already have a tunnel out of here," LeBeau said.
"The other one would give me something to do." Newkirk headed for the door.
"Where do you think you are going?" Kinch asked, already knowing the answer.
"To fill in the bleedin' tunnel. Where else?" Newkirk said with a little irritation.
Kinch shook his head. "No, you're not. You are headed for the Infirmary to take first watch. Wilson said no using your arm. Colonel Hogan said he would make sure of that. I am enforcing it."
Newkirk glared at Kinch. "Yes, Sir," and slammed the door as he left.
LeBeau patted Kinch on the back. "Don't let it bother you, mon ami. He is only releasing steam. Nothing personal."
Kinch stared at the closed door reflecting on his own emotions. "I know, Louis. I can't blame him either."
"We could get the barracks spotless for when they return." Carter said. The response of the men was various articles of clothing thrown at him.
"Maybe if we are good, Klink will let us off for good behavior," Kinch said. "Or we could hope the war will end soon.