Chapter 6: A Volunteer to Help
Colonel Wembley(1) came in as usual the following morning. The lieutenant, who had spoken with Carter earlier, relayed the information he'd received.
"So, Hogan knows," observed Colonel Wembley.
"Right you are," the lieutenant agreed. "Doesn't seem to be upsetting the apple cart, what?"
Wembley was slightly amused. " 'Upsetting the apple cart?' More of your unmilitary like witticism, I suppose."
The lieutenant grinned. "Habit, Old Man. Take after my big brother, that way, you know. "
"At least, you don't mimic him in every way," Wembley declared. "I don't think I could handle that."
"He is a tad unorthodox," the lieutenant agreed. "But he means well. Can't help but worry about him, though. Him being Jerry's prisoner and all."
Wembley tried to be reassuring. "That's understandable, Lieutenant. Considering the situation."
"You think General Boland(2) will be angry about Hogan knowing?" the lieutenant wondered.
"I don't know," replied Wembley. "He didn't make it a direct order that they didn't tell. Just said he preferred that Hogan didn't know. How he takes it probably depends on how his day's going."
"I hope it's going well, then. Hate to see that Carter chap get in trouble over this. Real loyal to Hogan, he is."
Wembley considered it a moment. "They all are. A good crew. This situation can't be easy for any of them.
"You think the list will help, Sir?" the lieutenant asked.
"I hope so. I'll pass it on to those investigating. Maybe it will help them find the reason for the accusations."
The lieutenant took a determined stance. "Sir, if you don't mind and can arrange it, I'd like to help with the investigation. Carter's confidence in Hogan is admirable. Hate to see him disappointed."
A touch of anger flashed across Wembley's face. "All of us want to see Hogan cleared. Those charges are preposterous. We owe a lot to Hogan and his chaps. No matter how difficult the mission we give them, they seem to always come through. There's no way any of them could be a traitor."
The lieutenant seemed enthused. "So, I can work on the investigation, eh? On my own time, of course. Won't neglect my duties here, Sir. You have my word."
Wembley shook his head and grinned at the lieutenant's enthusiasm. "All right. When I pass the list on, I shall tell them your offer. I'll let you know what they say."
"Thanks, Old Man. You won't regret it," declared the lieutenant, before returning to his duties.
- - -
Carter entered Hogan's quarters. "We heard back from London," he said.
"And?" Hogan prompted.
"General Boland wasn't too happy that you knew. They've decided to leave me in charge, as long as we're able to keep you in the barracks, with no tunnel access and limited contact with the Germans. Apparently, he doesn't realize who I am."
Hogan was puzzled. "Realize who you are? Carter, have you had contact with the general before? Somehow gotten on his bad side?"
Carter squirmed a little. "Let's just say, he didn't think I deserved to remain a lieutenant. Demoted me to sergeant. I don't need any more demotions."
"You think he'd do that?"
"He doesn't like me," Carter answered. "I didn't exactly make a good first impression."
"Carter, what exactly did you do?"
"I'd prefer not to discuss it, Sir. It's too embarrassing. And too terrible to think about."
Hogan grinned, momentarily, but let the subject drop. They had more important things to consider right now. But someday, someway, he'd get the whole story out of Carter. He'd find out what Carter was hiding.
"They say anything about the list?" asked Hogan.
"Yeah. They think they can use it to help with their investigation. Said to thank you for creating it."
"Anything to prove the charges unfounded."
"Well, I'd better get started on lunch," said Carter, heading for the door.
"You're cooking today?" Hogan wondered, since Carter was temporarily in charge.
Carter stopped and looked back. "Somebody's got to do it. LeBeau's still in the cooler. And Klink has Newkirk and Kinch painting the guards' barracks. So, it looks like I'm elected. There's just one bad thing about it, though."
"What's that?"
"I have to take LeBeau his lunch. From what Newkirk says, LeBeau's still angry."
Hogan tried to sound encouraging. "He'll get over it in time. Trust me."
"In time…yeah," agreed Carter, sounding only half convinced, as he turned and left the room.
- - -
Since each of them would be having lunch at different times, Carter decided to make something quick and simple. He made grilled cheese sandwiches for him and Hogan. After he prepared them, he went back to Hogan's quarters and the two ate lunch together. Then, he went back to the common room and cooked a sandwich for LeBeau.
Carter carried the plate down into the tunnel. He walked through the tunnels till he reached the ladder leading to the cooler. After climbing the ladder, Carter paused a moment before opening the entrance. Finally, with a quick sigh, he pushed the block aside and climbed through. "I brought you some lunch," he told LeBeau.
LeBeau glared at Carter. "I don't need any of your poison," he snarled.
Carter's gaze drifted to the floor, his pain clearly reflected on his face. "Fine. I'll have Newkirk bring you something else later. Look, I'm sorry, LeBeau. I had to tell. I couldn't go on deceiving the Colonel. I couldn't let him think the worst."
LeBeau's anger could not be calmed. "So, I end up in the cooler for nothing. For nothing, Carter. If you were so set on it, you should have told him one or two hours earlier. Then, I wouldn't be stuck here."
"I didn't plan for it to happen. It just did."
"No. You don't plan for anything," scoffed LeBeau. "And London put you in charge."
Carter looked even more distressed. "I didn't ask to be in charge. I didn't ask for any of this. If I had my way, I'd crawl into bed and wake up and find out this is all a bad dream." Turning and heading for the entrance, Carter said, "There's no point in arguing. Newkirk can come down later."
Something Newkirk had said flashed through LeBeau's mind. "Louis, Carter was defending you," LeBeau recalled Newkirk saying.
LeBeau became a little calmer. "Carter, wait," he insisted. Carter stopped and looked back. LeBeau continued, "Newkirk says you were defending me when you told."
"London was already investigating the Colonel. I couldn't have him thinking ill of you, on top of that," Carter explained.
LeBeau considered it a moment, then slowly nodded. "I understand, mon ami. Will you forgive me?"
"If you will forgive me," Carter agreed.
"Done. Now, what's for lunch?"
Carter offered the plate. "Grilled cheese sandwich. It's one of the things I have no problem making."
LeBeau took a bite. "Not bad," he observed. "Better than the stuff Newkirk's been bringing. Certainly better than the mess hall stuff they've been sending over."
"Thanks," acknowledged Carter, with a weak smile. "I'm glad things are okay between us."
"Me, too," seconded LeBeau.
Then, while LeBeau finished his lunch, Carter explained about the list they'd sent London.
- - -
The rest of that day was uneventful. So, was the following day until after dark. Just before nine o'clock, Kinch came up from the tunnels. "Message from London," he said, handing Carter a sheet of paper.
Carter read the paper. "Let's go into the Colonel's quarters," he told Newkirk and Kinch. Carter knocked on the door, and they entered when invited.
"What's up?" Hogan asked, as the trio entered.
"Message from London," Carter replied. "Three Allied planes have been shot down near here. At least some of the men were seen parachuting out. They want us to try to reach them before the Germans do."
"We've done that before," Hogan stated.
"They were over a densely forested area. They may be hard to locate."
"And it will just as difficult for a German patrol. Who do you plan on taking?"
Carter turned his glance quickly at Newkirk and Kinch, then looked back at Hogan. "London will expect one of us to keep you under surveillance," he declared.
"I'll stay," Kinch volunteered.
"All right. Newkirk, you're with me. Then, I think I'll ask Olsen and Baker to come along."
"Good choices," Hogan agreed.
"We'd better get stared right away," suggested Carter. "If we want any chance of getting there first."
Hogan nodded. "Just be careful out there. I want all of you to return safely."
"We will, Sir," Carter promised, as he and Newkirk headed for the door.
1 Monkey Business
2 The Big Dish