Chapter 4: Repercussions

Carter, Newkirk and Kinch returned to the common room and sat down at the table.

"I'm glad the Colonel finally knows," Carter declared.

"But London won't be," warned Kinch.

"They didn't order me not to tell. They only said they preferred he didn't know."

"Which I'm sure they'll consider practically the same thing. When they find out, you'll probably catch it."

"And LeBeau won't be too happy," said Newkirk. "Not after he was sentenced to thirty days in the cooler so we could meet London's conditions."

Carter looked hurt. "Well, I couldn't let the Colonel go on thinking the worst about LeBeau. Besides, I never was crazy about having to deceive the Colonel like we did. We're here. The guys in London aren't."

"I don't see London buying that excuse," Newkirk observed.

"Don't tell me you guys wanted to go on deceiving the Colonel!"

Newkirk shook his head. "No, Andrew, we didn't. But we're not the ones London put in charge. We're not the ones who received their instructions. You'll be the one held responsible."

Carter was adamant. "You think I wanted to be in charge. Under other conditions, maybe. Under these, it's no picnic, believe me. I'd rather be doing anything else."

Carter stood, walked over to the door to Hogan's quarters and knocked. After hearing Hogan say "Yes," Carter opened the door and started in.

"I need to talk with you," Carter stated.

Hogan was about to dismiss Carter with a comment about his being in charge. The look on Carter's face changed Hogan's mind.

"Sit down," Hogan offered. After Carter was seated, Hogan asked, "Now, Carter, what's on your mind?"

"I didn't ask to be in charge," Carter replied. "It was London's idea. I've been trying to do my best, but I'm failing big time. Now, everyone's mad at me--or going to be."

"Wait a minute, Carter. Who's angry with you?"

"You are because we had to deceive you. London's going--"

Hogan interrupted Carter. "Hold on. Like I said earlier, I'm more angry with London than I am you guys. I understand. The situation they've put you in is an extremely difficult one. Believe me, I'd have a hard time handling an assignment like this one."

"London's not going to be happy when they find out I told."

"Then, don't volunteer that information," Hogan suggested. "If they ask, tell them you didn't have any choice. That I was figuring it out. I was, you know. Maybe not everything, but I was suspicious of LeBeau's behavior. London doesn't have to know how much I guessed."

"And LeBeau? Newkirk was right. LeBeau's going to be pretty angry having to spend time in the cooler for nothing."

"LeBeau will get over it. Just give him some time. Carter, considering the circumstances, you're doing a good job. Just take the time to plan carefully and consider any input the others might have. You'll do fine. Okay?"

"Okay," Carter agreed. Carter started for the door, then looked back. "Colonel, no matter what London says, none of us ever thought you were a traitor."

"Thanks," Hogan responded, as Carter left.

- - -

Hogan sat at the table in his quarters thinking about what he had learned. Three people had accused him of treason. But why? Misconception or revenge were two possibilities that sprang to mind.

It was easy to see where others might misunderstand what they were doing. Prisoners of war were expected to attempt escape. Especially from a camp whose staff was as gullible as this one.

As for revenge, he'd made a lot of personal enemies during the time he'd led the operation. It would be hard for him to determine which of them might be behind this.

Therefore, he would have to depend on the people in London to conduct a thorough investigation. That's where the charges were made. If London's investigators did their job right, he should be cleared. The charges were unfounded, after all.

He didn't like to consider the possibility of their failing. A charge of treason was a serious one, with grave consequences. The waiting would be the hardest part, for him and his men.

Hogan hated the thought of sitting by, doing nothing to clear this up. This far from his accusers, however, there seemed little else he could do.

Then, Hogan had an idea. It might help London's thoroughness. He grabbed a sheet of paper and began listing the names of everyone he thought might seek revenge. When he was done, he'd have Kinch radio the list to London.

- - -

LeBeau was sitting on the bunk in the cooler. A block in the wall was shoved aside and Newkirk crawled into the room, bringing a tray of food.

"About time somebody came," complained LeBeau.

"We've been busy," Newkirk explained.

LeBeau eyed the plate of food. "What's this supposed to be?"

"Lunch."

After another look at the food, LeBeau continued to complain. "That's the worst thing about being in the cooler. When you guys are in here, you get something I've prepared. I'm in here, I'm condemned to prison rations or something you guys butchered. What is it?"

Newkirk looked offended. "Welsh rabbit."

"Well, it doesn't look like rabbit to me. Where's the meat?"

"There isn't any. You toast the bread. Then, you put the sauce over it."

LeBeau glared at Newkirk. "You're the one to blame for this?"

Newkirk was a little indignant. "The rest of us had the same thing. I didn't hear any other complaints. Carter finished his. So did the Colonel and Kinch--well, half of theirs, at least. Look, Louis, if you don't want it, I'll just take it back."

"No. No matter how bad it is, it's probably better than the prison rations." LeBeau took a bite, then decided, "Not much, but I'll suffer."

While LeBeau ate his second bite, Newkirk asked, "You doing okay?"

"Yeah. How's the Colonel doing? He still doesn't suspect anything, does he?" Newkirk's silence provoked LeBeau. "Don't tell me he knows!"

"All right, I won't tell you."

LeBeau's eyes seemed to shoot daggers at Newkirk. "He does know! Which means, I've got to rot in this cell for nothing. How'd he find out?"

"The Gov'nor's no fool."

"But he wouldn't have figured it all out on his own," insisted LeBeau. "Who told?" Receiving no answer, LeBeau tried again. "Who?"

"All right, it was Carter," Newkirk reluctantly admitted.

LeBeau was angry. "You were right. The Colonel is no fool. The moron who's now in charge is."

Hoping to calm LeBeau, Newkirk explained, "The Colonel saw you walking normally on an ankle you claimed you'd injured. That, plus the pill incident and the supposed door accident made him suspicious. He ordered us to stay away from you."

"He's not in charge right now. His orders wouldn't stand."

Newkirk stared intensely at LeBeau. "Louis, Carter was defending you," Newkirk declared, emphasizing every word. "And he was tired of deceiving the Colonel. Think about it."

LeBeau finished eating his meal in silence. Once LeBeau was done, Newkirk picked up the tray. "I'll be back tonight," he promised. "Just think about what I said. Okay?"

After a moment's hesitation, LeBeau finally nodded in agreement and Newkirk returned to the tunnel.