Chapter 8

"He shot 'im!" Newkirk shouted in disbelief. "The ruddy bastard shot 'im!"

They watched as Dietrich walked over to where Sanger lay and stood over him staring down. A noise caused him to look up to see Kommandant Klink emerging from his office having heard the shot. In shock at the sight which greeted him, Klink looked down at the young man lying on the ground before looking up at his new Sergeant-of-the-Guard.

"Sergeant Dietrich, what's happened here?!" Klink was shaking his fist at the guard. With the bottom of his coat gently blowing in the early morning breeze, he walked down the steps and stood face-to-face with the Sergeant. "Why did you shoot one of my prisoners?"

"He had a weapon on him, Herr Kommandant," the guard said. "He said he had to escape from here and was acting crazy. When he ran towards your office, I ordered him to stop or I would shoot, but he kept going. So I fired."

"I'd better get out there fast," Kinch replied pushing through the crowd in the doorway and hurried out into the compound. He noticed Sergeant Wilson, carrying his medical bag, running towards the injured man as well. Kinch got there first. He moved past Dietrich and glared at him with rage moments before dropping to his knees beside Sanger. Kinch pressed two fingers against the neck of the Corporal and breathed a sigh of relief. Moments later, Wilson was beside him opening his medical bag and pulling out his stethoscope.

"How is he, Kinch?" Wilson asked.

"He's alive, Joe, but barely." Kinch watched as Wilson checked Sanger's vitals. Meanwhile, Kinch glanced up at the German Sergeant and saw an evil smirk on the man's face. To Kinch, Dietrich looked almost displeased that Sanger was still alive. Then their eyes met, and Dietrich stared at Kinch in a way one would who was looking at somebody he considered beneath him. Glancing around, he noticed prisoners from different barracks began appearing in the compound. Wilson looked at Klink. "Kommandant, we have to get Corporal Sanger to the infirmary if he's to have any chance at all."

"Understood, Sergeant Wilson." Turning, the Kommandant looked at the guards standing watch on the porch. "You two! Go to the infirmary and bring a stretcher on the double!"

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant," said one guard as he and his partner both saluted before running in the direction of the infirmary.

Kinch, for the first time, wasn't sure what to do. He had been totally stunned by this incident. So stunned in fact that he couldn't think straight. All he knew for sure was that this man had not only probably shot Colonel Hogan and framed Schultz, but now had shot Corporal Sanger which Kinch suspected was in connection to what Dietrich had done to the young Corporal. Slowly getting to his feet, Kinch stared hard at the German, trying to control his anger. "What did you have to shoot him for?" he hissed. "You didn't have to shoot him."

"I don't owe you any explanation, mongrel," Dietrich remarked with a smirk. He was about to say something else when he noticed the two guards returning with the stretcher. Laying it flat, they opened the stretcher and locked it in the open position. Then with the greatest care, Wilson and Kinch gently picked up Corporal Sanger and laid him face down on the stretcher. Then, holding his medical bag, he and Kinch picked up the stretcher and carried it in the direction of the infirmary. Klink looked at his Sergeant. "Sergeant Dietrich, I am canceling roll call this morning. You will go to the barracks and do a head count. I will be in the infirmary."

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant," Dietrich said, exchanging salutes with Klink. Then, he watched the Kommandant head off in the direction of the infirmary. Now alone, the Sergeant glared in the direction of barracks two as that was where Kinch had come from. A smirk could be seen on his face by the other prisoners. Dietrich holstered his weapon and started walking in the direction of barracks two. How dare one of these dogs talk to me as that animal did, Dietrich told himself. I will make the slime in barracks two suffer for that. That swine will rue the day he spoke to me that way! I will see he pays and I will make their lives hell at the same time!

Klink entered the infirmary and saw Sergeants Wilson and Kinchloe standing over a bed on which Corporal Sanger lay. Kinch looked up and saw Klink; Wilson didn't look around. He was too busy trying to stabilize the injured Corporal.

"Kommandant," Kinch remarked. "There's no news yet, sir. Sergeant Wilson is trying to stabilize the Corporal. He's gonna more than likely have to be moved to a hospital to have that bullet removed."

"I'll have a military ambulance come here at once," Klink said. He turned and headed towards the door.

"That won't be necessary, Kommandant," Wilson suddenly said sadly. Sighing wearily, he stood up and faced Kinch who's eyes narrowed as he saw the medic's distressed face.

"Joe?" Kinch asked, seeing the pain in Wilson's face.

Klink slowly walked back in the direction of the two men. "What are you saying, Sergeant Wilson?" he asked softly.

"What I'm saying, Kommandant," Wilson turned and faced Klink. "Is that Corporal Sanger is dead. He died a few seconds ago."

Klink looked at the body of the young man lying on the bed. "I'm sorry, Sergeant Wilson. I truly am."

Kinch was angry. "Kommandant, if you're truly sorry you'll get rid of Sergeant Dietrich and give Schultz back his position as Sergeant-of-the-Guard."

"Sergeant Kinchloe, you know I can't do that. Sergeant Schultz is restricted to the guards quarters for the shooting of Colonel Hogan. In fact, considering he shot Colonel Hogan I'm surprised to hear you say you want him back as your guard."

"But Kommandant, Schultz didn't shoot Colonel Hogan," Kinch was now angry enough to throw caution to the wind. "Sergeant Dietrich did and put the blame on Schultz."

Klink looked flabbergasted at Kinch's words. "And just why would Sergeant Dietrich shoot Colonel Hogan?"

"Because the Colonel found out what Dietrich did to Corporal Sanger. And now he's killed Sanger to cover it up. Sanger had no weapon on him."

"We'll just see about that," Klink replied angry that one of his guards was being unjustly accused. While it was true that Sergeant Dietrich was somewhat rougher than his other guards, he couldn't believe such a story. None of his guards had ever attacked any of the prisoners. He had made certain that didn't happen. He searched Sanger's pockets. A smirk suddenly appeared. "Ah ha!" he remarked as he pulled out a lugar from the Corporal's jacket pocket. "And what do you have to say about this?"

"Dietrich planted it on him somehow, Colonel," Kinch continued. "I'm telling you he shot Colonel Hogan in an attempt to kill him because the Colonel was going to complain to you about what he did to the Corporal."

"And just what could Colonel Hogan possibly have to tell me about Sergeant Dietrich?" asked Klink.

Kinch hesitated momentarily and glanced at Wilson. "It's okay, Kinch. I'm sure Sanger won't mind."

"The Colonel was going to tell you that Sergeant Dietrich abused Corporal Sanger with his rifle."

Klink's eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean by abused?" His eyes narrowed as he looked at the Sergeant.

"Do I have to spell it out for you, Kommandant," Kinch said as a statement rather than as a question.

Klink suddenly smirked. "Do you have any proof of this accusation, Sergeant Kinchloe?" he asked.

"I examined him, Kommandant," Wilson interjected. "There were signs he'd been assaulted."

"All you've told me is that Corporal Sanger had been assaulted by someone. You've shown me nothing that says it was Sergeant Dietrich that assaulted the Corporal or shot Colonel Hogan. But I have here in my hand a weapon I found in Corporal Sanger's jacket pocket which verifies that he had a weapon as Sergeant Dietrich explained, and that he was probably going to try and escape as the Sergeant said. Also, Colonel Hogan said nothing to me about anything being wrong. And knowing Hogan as I do, there's no doubt in my mind that if what you're saying is true, he would've told me."

Kinch was exasperated. "Kommandant, you were away from camp for three days. The Colonel was waiting for you to return and tell you. He tried several times to tell the Acting Kommandant, Colonel Decker, but he refused to listen to anything Colonel Hogan had to say about it and dismissed him. So the Colonel decided to wait until you returned the next day. You must've returned not too long before the Colonel was shot."

"I don't believe a word of this," Klink said.

"Kommandant, after Corporal Sanger told him what happened, and after Kommandant Decker wouldn't listen, Colonel Hogan confronted Dietrich and they had a heated argument. Dietrich threatened the Colonel."

"Is there any proof?"

"Sergeant Baker overheard the entire argument. He told me about it yesterday. Kommandant, you've got to listen to me. This man is dangerous to the prisoners. And not only that, you're about to sentence Schultz to certain death if General Burkhalter decides to send him to the Russian front."

"You know what I think, Sergeant Kinchloe?" Klink said with just a hint of sarcasm in his voice which Kinch and Wilson both abhorred. "I see a prisoner who is trying to slander a German guard and has no proof except hearsay evidence from another prisoner. There is no proof of anything. And just because Sergeant Dietrich is not a dummkopf like Schultz, you are trying to ruin his good name. In fact, it's about time the prisoners had a Sergeant-of-the-Guard who is not a dummkopf anyway. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a phone call to make to General Burkhalter." Klink then abruptly turned and stormed out of the infirmary.

"Damn him!" Kinch exploded in rage. "He refuses to listen to anything we have to say." He sighed. "But he's right about one thing, though."

"What's that?" asked Wilson.

"We have no evidence. Corporal Sanger was the injured party, and your medical evidence only proves Sanger was assaulted. It doesn't prove it was Dietrich. All we have is Baker's word which, while good enough for me, apparently isn't good enough for Klink." He folded his arms. "Too bad the Colonel isn't here. He could convince Klink."

"Kinch, what about the Colonel? As he's being kept sedated, that makes him vulnerable. What's to stop Dietrich from going into town to the hospital and silencing the Colonel to shut him up. He's already killed Sanger."

"Colonel Hogan will be okay. I arranged for the underground to have three members dressed as Gestapo to stand guard outside the Colonel's hospital room. I have to contact Michael Prust and let him know what's going on, and to have him personally select the people he wants to help care for the Colonel. This will limit the number of people who have access to him."

Good," the medic replied, exhaling with relief.

"The problem right now," Kinch explained solemnly, "Is what to do with Dietrich. We either need proof of what he did, or we need to get him to admit it. Hopefully, whichever it is will be in time to save Schultz." He checked his watch. "I'd better get back to the barracks. I've got to contact Dr. Prust." He took a final look at Sanger's body as Wilson pulled a sheet up over the Corporal's head. Blood immediately stained the center of the body's back. Wilson handed Kinch the Corporal's dog tags. "I'm sorry I couldn't save him, Kinch."

"It's okay, Joe. You did the best you could. We'll see to the funeral arrangements." Closing his hand over the dog tags, Kinch grimly walked out of the infirmary and was heading in the direction of barracks two. He stopped when he saw someone racing toward him. As the man got closer, Kinch recognized him as Sergeant Derrick, a good friend of Corporal Sanger.

"Barry, what are you doing outside the barracks?" Kinch asked, concerned.

"I had to know, Kinch. How's Corporal Sanger. We saw what Dietrich did. Is he gonna be okay?"

Kinch put a hand on the Sergeant's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Barry. He's dead. He died a short time ago without regaining consciousness."

Kinch saw Derrick begin clenching and unclenching his fists as his arms hung at his sides. A dangerous look came over his face. "That filthy murderous bastard! I'll kill 'im!" Kinch quickly grabbed him by the arm.

"Stop it!" he shouted. "I know you're upset. We're all upset. But going after a German guard and possibly starting a riot in camp is not a bright idea."

"It might not be a bright idea, but it'll make me feel damn good!" Derrick tried jerking his arm away but Kinch had a firm grip on him. "Filthy bastard! Sanger was just a kid, Kinch. A kid. And he shot 'im in the back!"

"I know. But you've got to get a grip. The last thing Colonel Hogan would want is a riot taking place with guards shooting at the prisoners and possibly killing some of 'em. How do you think he'd feel if that happened?"

"But Colonel Hogan isn't here, is he?" Derrick said with a sneer. "And we know why, don't we? He was shot by a fat Sergeant, that's why!"

"Derrick, listen to me! There's more going on here than I can say right now. But believe me when I say that Dietrich will pay for everything. I promise you. Besides, have I ever lied to you?" Derrick's silence told Kinch he knew he was right. "Barry, we have to keep our cool and keep things under control here for Colonel Hogan until he gets back. It would kill him when he comes back to find out prisoners died while he was gone. And you know I'm telling the truth."

Kinch could sense Derrick was calming down. He nodded and sighed. "Okay, Kinch. I'll leave the bastard alone. But you'd better do something about him and soon. By the way, I saw him heading for barracks two after you left. Klink canceled roll call and had Dietrich do a head count instead."

"Okay. Thanks." Kinch released his arm and ran the rest of the way back to barracks two. Derrick watched him leave. A smirk appeared as he watched Kinch's receding back.

"Sorry, Kinch," he said in a low voice. "But that bastard has to pay for what he did. And I'm gonna see that he does."