Chapter 5: A Diversion If They Need It
The campfire was burning brightly behind Klink's barracks. The prisoners from Barracks 6, Klink, Shultz and several of the guards were gathered close by, eating. "This apple pie is delicious," Shultz told Evans. "You must give me the recipe so I can give it to my wife."
Carter looked over the gathering. Everyone present seemed to be having a good time. Obviously, the campfire was a great idea. He glanced around the rest of the camp. The yard was almost vacant now. Once darkness had approached, the prisoners from the other barracks had all gone indoors.
A wistful expression flickered across Carter's face as his eyes came to rest on Barracks 2. He stood there thoughtfully for a moment, then pulled out a small slip of paper and wrote something on it.
When he had finished, Carter approached Nelson and said something quietly. The two of them walked over to the table they had set up for the food. Nelson got a tray which he and Carter filled with several hotdogs, hamburgers, potatoes and one of the uncut apple pies. Carter slipped the piece of paper under the hamburgers.
Carter walked over to Klink. "I thought I'd have Nelson take some stuff over for Colonel Hogan, if that's all right," Carter declared.
"Good idea," agreed Klink.
With the Kommandant's permission, Nelson started off in the direction of Barracks 2.
- - -
Hogan's men, including Carter's replacement, Durand, were seated around the table waiting till it was time for their mission. There was a knock at the door. LeBeau went to answer it. When he saw Nelson there, he stood in the doorway, uncertain.
"The Chief said to bring this over for you," Nelson stated, indicating the tray.
"Come in," invited Hogan, and LeBeau moved aside for Nelson to pass. Nelson came in and set the tray on the table. "Thank you," Hogan acknowledged. "And give our thanks to Carter."
"Yes, Sir," promised Nelson as he was leaving.
The men eagerly reached for their unexpected treat. When Newkirk picked up a hamburger, Hogan noticed the folded piece of paper underneath. He picked it up, unfolded it and read the writing that was on it. Hogan relaxed a little and smiled.
"What is it, Sir?" asked Newkirk. Hogan handed Newkirk the paper and Newkirk read it aloud for the others to hear. " 'A diversion if you need it.' So that's why they changed the day."
"Looks like it," Hogan said. "Carter's up to something. I know it. He's leaving too many signs. Going by his note, though, it doesn't appear that interfering with our mission is a part of it."
"He took out part of the tunnel system, Sir," Newkirk reminded him.
Hogan didn't seem too concerned. "Fifteen feet at the most. The only thing we lost was our connection to Barracks 6. Evidently, they didn't want any more surprise visits."
"We going to redig?"
Hogan shook his head. "Waste of time. They'd only cause another cave-in., Besides, he's practically next door. We may be able to learn something by simple observation. I've also checked the records we have on the men in his barracks, especially the four he's been most involved with."
"And?" Newkirk prompted.
"First, there's Alexander Miller. He was the former Barracks Leader. Owns a big cattle ranch in Texas. Then, there's Philip Nelson. He's the one that brought the food over. Nelson's a veterinarian from Colorado. Jack Evans is probably the one who baked the apple pie. His parents own a small restaurant in Chicago. He was majoring in electrical engineering at Chicago University until he was drafted during the fourth semester. And the fourth guy, Sean Montgomery, is a Canadian Mountie from the Yukon."
LeBeau, Kinch and Durand had been listening to the conversation. Suddenly, LeBeau declared with conviction, "I never thought Carter would betray us."
"Nor did I," Kinch seconded.
"I had a few wee doubts when he started getting chummy with the Krauts," admitted Newkirk. "But my instincts say Andrew would never betray us."
All eyes were on Hogan now. "Knowing Carter, I never really doubted his loyalty," stated Hogan. "But I couldn't take chances--then, or now. Our business is a dangerous one. We've been wrong before."
"But not now," Newkirk insisted.
Hogan nodded in agreement. "Not now." Then, in a decisive voice, added, "But I am in command. It is my duty to be certain. Your lives and the success of the operation are my responsibility."
Newkirk's eyes revealed his pain. "We hurt Carter, didn't we?"
"A lot," added LeBeau, just as somber.
"Yeah," was Hogan's simple response to Newkirk's question
"We didn't mean to," said Newkirk solemnly. "We were only joking. We've all been on the receiving end."
"But not as much as Carter," explained Hogan. "After Carter's outburst, I thought about it, a lot. We do tend to rag Carter far more than we do anyone else. Probably because there's times he can be so impulsive or clumsy. But sometimes words can injure more than any weapon."
"Do you think Carter will come back if we ask him?" Newkirk anxiously asked.
"I thought you and LeBeau were glad he was gone."
"We were angry. He should never have went over your head to Klink like he did, Gov'nor."
"I was angry, too," confessed Hogan. "And when I think about it, some of that anger returns. I can see why Carter did it. He came to me first and all he got for his trouble was his request denied and more ribbing. If Carter does come back, it will have to be his decision. But we can't rush it. Emotions are too volatile right now--much like some of Carter's chemicals. We need to allow Carter time away for a while and give all of us time to heal. I wouldn't want this to escalate into something we'd never recover from."
Newkirk frowned. "How long?"
"Maybe a couple weeks. Possibly a little longer. We'll have to evaluate it day by day."
"Yes, Sir," acknowledged Newkirk. Kinch and LeBeau nodded in silent agreement.
Then, Hogan glanced at Durand and said, "Durand."
"Oui, mon Colonel," Durand answered.
"No matter what Carter decides, you will remain in both the barracks and the operation," Hogan promised.
- - -
Everyone at the campfire had finished eating. Miller got his guitar and ran his fingers across the strings. All present gathered closer to listen. Out of consideration for their German guests, Carter and Miller were careful not to select any patriotic songs. They chose folk songs instead. First, Miller played and sang "Yellow Rose of Texas." Then, at Carter's request, Miller played "Red Wing," and he and Carter sang the lyrics. The song tells about an Indian maiden who lost her brave in battle.
"That song is so sad," stated Shultz.
Once that song was finished, the prisoners who knew the words sang "Red River Valley" and "My Darling Clementine." As a finale, they had chosen "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain." Carter coaxed the Germans into participating as he called the line for each verse. Everyone present joined in.
"That was fun," declared Corporal Langenscheidt when they were through.
Carter smiled. "There's something else you do at campfires," he said. "Tell stories." Carter began by sharing a Sioux legend with the group. Then, the others that wished had their turn.
It was late into the night when they finished. "This was a nice evening," Klink admitted to Carter as Miller and Montgomery extinguished the fire. The rest of the prisoners quickly cleaned up. Even the guards pitched in to help them. Soon, everyone was headed for their respective barracks.
Carter glanced across the camp to the area where their tree stump exit would be. By now, he knew, the others would be gone for their mission. He could only hope it was a success.
- - -
Authors note:
I originally planned to have Carter transferred to Barracks 7 as I knew they had a tunnel there. That way, the tunnel system would be accessible to Carter. I figured that would place him several barracks away. Then, on one of the programs available on the internet, they showed one where Hogan pulled down a map displaying part of the camp and their tunnel system. Barracks 7 would have been blocked by Barracks 6 making it impossible for Klink to see them file out for roll call. As the only barracks on the map besides Barrack 2 that had both tunnel access and was visible from Klink's porch, Barracks 6 was the barracks Carter had to be transferred to. As I had Hogan mention, Carter is practically next door. Here's what the map showed: Of course, Barracks 2, is directly across from Klink's Barracks. The water tower is on one side of Barracks 2. Barracks 3 is just behind Barracks 2. Barracks 6 is located to the side of Barracks 3 and directly behind the water tower.