Chapter 8: Just a Little Accident
Shortly after roll call, Carter headed for Klink's office. He found Corporal Langenscheidt sitting at Hilda's desk out front. "I'd like to see Colonel Klink, please," Carter stated.
"I'll let him know you're here," said Langenscheidt, picking up the phone and contacting Klink. After a moment, Langenscheidt added, "You may go right in."
"Good morning, Sergeant Carter. Please sit down," invited Klink, indicating the chair across from his desk. Carter sat down. Klink smiled and pleasantly continued, "Now, Carter, what can I do for you today?"
"I didn't come to ask for anything. I came to offer my services."
Klink was puzzled. "Services? What kind of services?"
"I heard Hilda was going to be gone this week. I thought I'd volunteer to fill in as acting secretary."
"Corporal Langenscheidt is serving as my aide."
"Can he type?" asked Carter.
"I don't think so."
Carter smiled. "Well, I can. They taught us at business school. I got a B+."
"You know, it's tempting, but I can't let you handle sensitive material," protested Klink.
"And just how many top secret records do you keep in a POW camp?" Carter countered. "Don't tell me it's a secret how many sacks of potatoes are ordered for the mess hall. Or which day our Red Cross packages are expected. Or when Shultz is taking his next furlough."
Klink thought about it a moment. "You're right. Most of it is just routine records and reports. Maybe we could use your help. That would free Langenscheidt to return to his duties. If there is something you shouldn't see, I'll have someone else take care of it. When can you begin?"
"Immediately," Carter eagerly offered.
"All right. Send Langenscheidt in and wait at Hilda's desk. I'll get with you later about today's assignments."
"Thank you, Sir. You won't regret this." Carter stood up and left the room, ready to carry out his first assignment.
- - -
Carter was sitting at Hilda's desk, typing. Corporal Langenscheidt had returned to duty. Not long after that, Klink had brought out some handwritten reports to be typed up. A quick scan of the papers showed they were the routine stuff they'd spoken of earlier. The most interesting item was a foiled escape by a prisoner from Barracks 16, but things like that happened all the time. Carter was typing the second report when Hogan walked in.
Hogan's face registered his surprise. "Carter! What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Observing, Sir," was Carter's short reply.
Hogan leaned closer so he wouldn't be overheard and warned, "You be careful. They still execute spies."
"I know, Sir. And I will…be careful, I mean. Officially, I'm here as Klink's acting secretary. I'm filling in while Hilda's gone for the week."
"You're getting pretty good at manipulating Klink, aren't you?"
Carter smiled. "I had a good teacher."
Hogan recognized the intended compliment and smiled back. "Thank you. So, have you 'observed' anything yet?"
Carter glanced at the papers on the desk. "Only that there was an unsuccessful escape from Barracks 16 last week but I'm guessing you knew about that."
Hogan nodded. "Yeah. Klink had me there as witness when he sentenced the guy to thirty days in the cooler. I let it stand. That guy had been informed of our no escape policy."
"Shall I let Klink know you're here, Sir?"
"No. I'll surprise him. He expects it, you know."
Carter watched as Hogan opened the door to Klink's office and started to walk in. He heard Klink say, "Hogan, I'm extremely busy, right now."
"It won't take long," he heard Hogan insist, just before the door closed.
Carter chuckled softly and returned to his typing.
- - -
General Burkhalter arrived just before noon. When he entered the outer office, Carter said, "Commandant Klink is expecting you, Sir. He said to send you right in."
"Danke," acknowledged Burkhalter as he opened the door and walked into Klink's office.
Hogan's team had seen Burkhalter arrive. They went to Hogan's quarters to listen in on their coffee pot receiver.
"Klink, what are you doing with a prisoner as your secretary?" they heard Burkhalter ask.
"He volunteered," Klink replied. "Hilda requested the week off and he's filling in."
"And I suppose it never occurred to you that he is the enemy. That he is on the Allies side."
"Of course, it occurred to me," they heard Klink insist. "Most of the work is merely routine concerning the day-to-day operation of this camp. Rest assured, if I receive any sensitive material, I'll have someone else handle it."
"See that you do, Klink. That man is one of Hogan's men. I don't trust him."
Klink was amused. "Oh, oh, oh. That's where you're wrong, General. That man WAS one of Hogan's men. He requested a transfer. Since then, he's been a model prisoner. You'll see."
"All right, he can remain. But if there's any problems, I'll hold you responsible."
"Yes, Sir," Klink agreed.
Klink and Burkhalter started talking about Luftwaffe business. After about five minutes, a loud explosion could be heard throughout the camp.
"What was that?" they heard Burkhalter cry.
"Kinch, put the coffee pot away," ordered Hogan, as the rest of them headed for the door.
When the men from Barracks 2 arrived outside, they could see men pouring from the other barracks, as well. Looking around, they could see smoke rising to the sky just east of Hammelburg.
"What do you think it is, Gov'nor?" asked Newkirk.
"I think that's about where the new research lab is located," replied Hogan. "I'll see what Klink knows."
Hogan headed towards the place where Klink and Burkhalter were standing just outside Klink's barracks. Before he reached them, they turned around and went inside. Hogan followed them in. Burkhalter and Klink had already entered Klink's office and closed the door.
Carter was still seated at Hilda's desk. "I'm sorry, but you can't go in," he told Hogan. "Klink left orders that they're not to be disturbed."
"I'd like to find out what's going on," Hogan insisted. "Find out if it was the new lab."
"I overheard Burkhalter tell Klink something about him going to call them. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, Sir. Probably just a little accident"
Hogan knew that the others had probably returned to his quarters by this time and were listening in on Klink's office. They were probably monitoring the phone conversations, too. He figured they would learn more that way than he would if he just barged in. Therefore, he conceded, "All right, I'll stop back later."
Hogan left and Carter returned to his work.
- - -
Late that afternoon, Hogan, LeBeau and Newkirk were standing outside Barracks 2, deeply engrossed in conversation. They watched as Major Hochstetter's car pulled into camp and stopped in front of Klink's barracks. "The Gestapo, now," stated LeBeau.
"Things sure are lively, today," Newkirk observed.
"Let's go in and see what we can find out," suggested Hogan, and the three of them went inside to eavesdrop.
- - -
Hochstetter marched into Klink's office and stopped at Hilda's desk. "I demand to see Colonel Klink," Hochstetter ordered.
Carter rose from his chair and stood at attention, saying, "He's in conference with General Burkhalter, Major, but you can go on in."
Hochstetter was stunned. "You're not going to try to stop me? Or talk me out of it?" he wondered.
Still standing at attention, Carter declared, "You're the Gestapo. You have that privilege."
One could tell Hochstetter was pleased with the remark. "Finally. Someone shows proper respect." Then, he eyed Carter a little more closely. "You're one of the prisoners. From Hogan's barracks. Right?"
"Not anymore. I was transferred to Barracks 6.
Hochstetter was suspicious. "Transferred? Why?"
"Well, what would you do if people treated you like you were stupid and kept telling you to shut up?" Carter responded, deliberately leaving out the part about how they'd questioned his loyalty. Major Hochstetter didn't need to know just how loyal he was.
Major Hochstetter grinned and snarled, "I'd shoot them."
"I don't like to shoot people. Not if I can avoid it," remarked Carter. "Besides, I can't imagine the guards handing me a gun." With the exception of Shultz,Carter thought.
"I should hope not. At ease. You may resume your duties." Hochstetter turned sharply and went into Klink's office.
Hogan and his crew were listening from Hogan's quarters when Hochstetter entered the room.
"Hochstetter, what are you doing here?" Burkhalter asked.
"Investigating last week's sabotage at the weapons factory," they heard Hochstetter reply. "I would have been here earlier today, but I was delayed by the explosion at the new lab."
"Do they suspect sabotage there, too?"
"Nein. Their inspectors were in before I arrived. They found no evidence of sabotage. I had my people investigate every detail and we found no sign of sabotage."
"But the explosion?" Burkhalter persisted.
"Was an accident," Hochstetter sourly responded. "All their newfangled equipment. Seems some dummkopf at the factory wired them wrong. Some of them overheated and caught fire. Most fires were contained. But one near the janitor closet caused extensive damage. The flammable chemicals in the closet caught fire and burned out of control for some time. The explosion was caused by another unit which was located near a Bunsen burner. Seems the burner had a slow leak that hadn't been detected yet and now there's a huge crater where that room once was."
LeBeau noticed a strange look appear on Hogan's face. "What is it, Colonel?" he asked.
"Maybe nothing. And possibly, something," replied Hogan cryptically, and let it stand at that. He wasn't ready to share his suspicions with his men just yet. Hochstetter had declared the explosion an accident. Earlier that day, a certain Sergeant had assured him that it was probably 'just a little accident.' He also recalled that one of Carter's new friends had been studying electrical engineering. And, come to think of it, Carter was one of the few people who hadn't rushed outside at the sound of the explosion. It certainly bore some investigation.