Chapter 25
Klink's eyes narrowed as he studied Kinch's face. "What do you mean there's a way to get rid of Sergeant Dietrich once and for all, Sergeant Kinchloe?"
As quickly as he could, Kinch went over his plan to have Dietrich confess to everything and clear Schultz. He slightly altered Hogan's role in the plan by explaining that his discharge from the hospital was timely in that they might be able to use Hogan as bait to lure Dietrich and get him to talk freely.
Klink appeared horrified. "You want to use Colonel Hogan as bait to catch Sergeant Dietrich? Isn't that dangerous for Hogan? And how can you be certain he'll do it?"
"Kommandant, the one thing we all know is that Colonel Hogan cares about more than anything about the men under his command. If he believes they are in danger, he'll do whatever he has to in order to protect them."
Klink nodded in agreement. "You're right, he would. What would I have to do and is there any chance Sergeant Dietrich will find out?"
With a smile, Kinch then proceeded to explain what they needed Klink to do and when. When he was done, Klink slowly got to his feet.
"I don't know if I can do this, Sergeant. I mean, if Sergeant Dietrich should ever find out…"
Kinch let out a deep breath. "Kommandant, you have a choice. Either help us pull this off, of remain under Dietrich's thumb until he decides he doesn't need you around anymore. When that time comes, I guarantee you'll be joining Schultz at the Russian front…providing he doesn't decide to kill you instead."
Hearing that, Klink stared at the radioman with a defeated look on his face.
The guards opened the front gates in the early afternoon allowing the military ambulance to drive into the compound and directly to the infirmary. It took several minutes for the driver to back up the ambulance and for him and his assistant who rode in the back with the patient to slide the stretcher out and carefully carry it inside the infirmary with Wilson holding open the door.
"Put him in the bed beside the other patient," the medic requested. He followed the attendants as they carried Hogan to the bed on the left of Newkirk who was awake and watching closely. They carefully placed the Colonel on the bed and one of the attendants handed Wilson Prust's written instructions before leaving. Wilson pulled the blanket up over the American. "Welcome back, Colonel," he said with a smile which caused him to wince.
"Glad to be back, Joe," Hogan said. "You all right? I heard about what happened to you."
"I'm okay, sir," the medic replied with a sigh. "Just still have a bit of a headache. But not as bad as before."
Hogan then looked with concern at Newkirk who was smiling at him. "Newkirk, how about you? Will you be all right?"
"I'll be right as rain before you know it, sir. But it was you we were all worried about, Gov'nor. I mean, after you were shot, we thought we were gonna lose you right there in the barracks."
Hogan heard the sincerity in Newkirk's voice and it touched him. He took a minute to gather himself before looking at Wilson again. "Joe, will Newkirk have any permanent damage, especially with his wrist?"
"I don't think so. It'll take awhile but he should be fine."
Hogan nodded. "Okay. Did Kinch explain to both of you what's to be done?"
"Yes, sir," the medic replied. "But I have to tell you, sir, that I don't like it; using you as bait in order to catch that psycho."
Hogan let out a deep breath. "Believe me, if there was another way I wouldn't be doing this. But it's the only way. And I'm willing to risk my life to protect my men."
Throughout the day there was an endless stream of visitors to the infirmary; LeBeau sat with Hogan for awhile and promised the day the Colonel returned to the barracks, he would cook him a special dinner to welcome him home and would prepare a second dinner when Newkirk returned. Carter visited after the Frenchman and talked about how scared he was when Hogan had been shot and again when Newkirk had been beaten. Olsen stopped by to tell the Colonel about how the head nurse in the hospital had tried to kill him with a syringe filled with bleach and how they had stopped her and sent her on her way to England. Newkirk was horrified hearing this as he had no idea any of this had occurred.
"I heard you were a mean Gestapo Major," Hogan said with a grin.
Olsen shrugged. "I did what I had to do, sir. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
"You're a good man, Sergeant," Hogan replied admiringly.
Later, Kinch came by carrying a vase of flowers and a small canvas bag. Grabbing a stool, he placed it at the head between the two beds. He then sat the vase on the stool. After he adjusted it a bit so it didn't block the men's view of each other, Kinch then sat down on Hogan's bed, the bag in his lap.
"Nice flowers, Kinch," Hogan remarked. "Seems like I saw some just like them in Klink's garden."
"You did," Kinch said with a chuckle. "Only thing is these are special flowers."
"I see," Hogan said looking at the flowers. "I trust what makes them so special is important?"
"Most definitely, sir," replied Kinch. "Well, I'd best get going. There's a lot to do before this plan goes in motion."
Newkirk took as much of a deep breath as his broken and cracked ribs would allow. "Kinch, does Dietrich know the Gov'nor's back yet?"
Kinch sighed wearily. "We made sure the word was spread around the camp. Everybody knows the Colonel's back; even Schultz." He looked up and saw Wilson approaching and slowly got up. Kinch held out the small bag. "Joe, you know what to do with the contents of this."
"Yeah. I know where to put it and when," Wilson said taking the bag from Kinch.
Dietrich had been in a foul mood since he saw the military ambulance enter the front gates. He knew nobody was ill or injured in camp, so that could only mean one thing; Colonel Hogan was back in the infirmary. And he didn't like it one bit. He suspected Hogan's men were somehow behind the disappearance of his estranged wife. He had been planning on trying again at the hospital only to discover that Alice had been arrested by the Gestapo. He couldn't find out all the details about her arrest without arousing suspicion, and he couldn't contact the Gestapo for the same reason; but he was sure Hogan was behind it somehow.
There had to be a way to silence the American who was now within his grasp and so close. He had to find a way to get rid of him because Hogan was the only one who could expose everything he had done and could ruin him. And that was something he could not allow, not with General Burkhalter coming tomorrow for an inspection. Somehow, someway, he would silence the American before he could talk with the General.
The following morning's roll call was thankfully quick with Klink informing the prisoners that General Burkhalter would be arriving within the hour to inspect Stalag 13, and he expected the barracks to be in tiptop shape and the prisoners on their best behavior or else. He then ended by telling the prisoners that Colonel Hogan had been brought back to camp by ambulance yesterday and was doing well. And that anybody who wanted to visit him would be allowed but if everybody tried to go at once, he would bar everybody from visiting, and to see Sergeant Kinchloe to schedule visiting times.
Just as Klink was about to dismiss the prisoners Corporal Langenscheidt came running up to the Kommandant.
"Herr Kommandant!" shouted Langenscheidt as he saluted the Colonel.
"Langenscheidt, what are you doing here?" asked Klink. "You're suppose to be guarding Schultz."
"Corporal Brunner is watching him. Herr Kommandant, I just came from checking on Colonel Hogan and he asked if General Burkhalter has arrived should I tell him?"
"General Burkhalter will be arriving within the hour. And what does Hogan want to know for?"
"I do not know, Herr Kommandant. All he would tell me is that after the General finishes his inspection, he requests that he come to the infirmary so he can talk with him." The Corporal's eyes momentarily shifted to Dietrich and back to the Kommandant as he waited for an answer. "He said to tell you he has proof as to why Corporal Sanger was killed and why he himself was shot, and will only give the information to the General."
"Langenscheidt, you will tell Colonel Hogan any information he has he can pass on to me and I will then pass on to the General."
"Herr Kommandant, Colonel Hogan suspected you would say that. So he has advised me to tell you if you refuse to let him speak with the General, he will find a way to disrupt the General's inspection and create so much trouble…"
"All right, all right, all right," Klink said, exasperated. "Tell Colonel Hogan after the General's finished with his inspection I will have him come to the infirmary so he can speak to him. Besides, the General will probably want to speak with him anyway. And Langenscheidt, after you do that, return to your post."
"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant."
"Herr Kommandant," Dietrich spoke up nervously hoping to buy himself some time. Klink looked at him.
"What is it, Sergeant Dietrich?"
"Herr Kommandant, are you going to allow a prisoner to dictate to a German officer what he wants when you are in charge of this camp?"
Klink sighed, his resolve not as strong as before. "Sergeant Dietrich, General Burkhalter is expecting to resolve this issue with Schultz today one way or the other. If Colonel Hogan has information and proof that will do that, then I will let him speak with the General. Dismissed, Langenscheidt."
"Jawohl." The Corporal quickly saluted and hurried away.
Kommandant?" asked Kinch suddenly.
"Yes, Sergeant Kinchloe?"
"Sir, we'll have a listing of times and who wants to visit the Colonel as soon as possible. But what about the guards posted outside the infirmary, sir? You gave them orders not to let anybody in without permission from you."
"The guards outside the infirmary have been informed that there will be visitors to the infirmary and unless otherwise advised, they are to allow those visitors. Now if there are no more questions, prisoners dismissed."
Just then, a German staff car was seen entering through the front gates. Klink turned and, followed by Dietrich, walked away quickly in the direction of the staff car. Dietrich saluted as he opened the rear passenger side door and out squeezed the bulky frame of General Burkhalter. Klink nervously smiled and saluted.
"Welcome to Stalag 13, General Burkhalter. It is a pleasure to…"
"Klink, shut up. My boots don't need anymore licking. I told you ten days ago I would be coming back for the annual inspection and to resolve this matter regarding Sergeant Schultz." He clasped his hands behind his back. "I understand, Klink, that Colonel Hogan was discharged from the hospital and returned to camp yesterday."
"That is true, sir. In fact, he has asked…"
"Excellent," Burkhalter said with a grin interrupting Klink. "After I finish my inspection I will speak with him. And then I will see what, if any, new evidence has been gathered by the others."
Watching them Kinch let out a deep breath as Carter, Olsen, Baker and LeBeau gathered around him. "And now it begins," he said softly. "And let's pray that it works because if it doesn't, we're all in serious trouble." He crossed his arms. "LeBeau, hurry to the infirmary and tell Wilson, the Colonel, and Newkirk to get ready because Burkhalter's here."
"Oui, right away." The little Frenchman raced away. Kinch calmly approached the group of Germans.
"General Burkhalter," Kinch saluted; Burkhalter returned his salute.
"Sergeant Kinchloe isn't it?" asked Burkhalter.
"Yes, sir."
"I trust you have what I asked you to have when I was here last time?"
"Actually, sir, Colonel Hogan can supply everything you need to know and answer any questions you may have. He is our proof."
"And I will talk with him after the inspection, Sergeant." Burkhalter glanced at Klink. "Klink, shall we begin the inspection?"
"Yes, Herr General," said Klink as he and Dietrich started to follow. Burkhalter suddenly stopped.
"Klink, you have guards posted outside the infirmary until we resolve this matter?"
"Yes, sir."
Burkhalter turned and then looked at Dietrich. "Sergeant Dietrich, there is no need for you to accompany us on this inspection. I'm sure you can find something else to do until I speak with Colonel Hogan."
"Jawohl, Herr General. I'm sure I can find something until then."
"Then I suggest you go do it. Klink, let us begin the inspection. I want to leave here sometime today."
"But General…." Kinch protested. Burkhalter held up a hand interrupting him. His face was a tinge of red.
"Sergeant, in case you don't remember, a man is presumed innocent until proven guilty. I have given my orders and they will be obeyed. I suggest you watch yourself before I order you taken to the cooler. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Kinch replied sullenly. He was fuming as he and Dietrich watched Klink and Burkhalter walk away. Dietrich smirked at Kinch. He couldn't believe his good fortune. He noticed the American Sergeant's anger. "You'd better keep away from the Colonel," Kinch warned.
"And you'd better enjoy what few hours you and your ilk have," Dietrich warned as he abruptly turned and stormed away. He didn't see Kinch smile grimly. This had better work.
Wilson had been keeping watch at the window inside the infirmary and took a deep breath when he saw Dietrich approaching. He hurried to his two patients, stopping at his desk and grabbing the canvas bag.
"Is it show time, Joe?" asked a worried Newkirk.
Wilson removed the tape recorder from the bag and kneeling down, slid it under the bed. He didn't answer.
"I guess it's show time, Newkirk," Hogan replied.
"I'll be hiding nearby so I can be available in the event either of you need medical help. Newkirk, because of your injuries, no matter what you hear or see, don't move. You have to pretend you've been sedated and are asleep but keep your ears open. Kinch has taken every precaution. Now, I'd better turn on this tape recorder and get out of here." Reaching under Newkirk's bed, Wilson turned on the tape recorder and got up. He checked the flowers in the vase. "Good luck," he said and hurried away in the direction of his desk where he crawled under it and pulled his chair as close to the desk as he could. He would wait and listen as well. The he heard the door open and froze.
Hogan looked over at the sound of the door opening and let out a deep breath seeing a smirking Dietrich approaching until he stood between the two beds containing an awake Hogan and an apparently sleeping Newkirk. He glanced at the Englander before turning his attention back to Hogan who looked at him with utter hatred.
"Seems your Englander is sound asleep," Dietrich said calmly.
"Sedation will do that to you," Hogan replied tersely. "What do you want, Dietrich? If it's to ask my forgiveness for what you did to me, Schultz, Newkirk, Carter, Kinch, and especially Corporal Sanger, forget it. I'm not in a forgiving mood."
"Oh I'm not here to ask you for any forgiveness. I'm here to make sure you aren't able to tell General Burkhalter about me." Dietrich then calmly walked across the floor to the other side of the room and picked up a pillow from an empty bed and came back to stand next to Hogan's bed with his back to Newkirk. He gently squeezed the pillow with both hands. "I haven't a lot of time, Colonel," he sneered.
Hogan swallowed nervously while his face remained impassive. He had to get him to talk somehow. He was sure even without looking at him, that Newkirk was watching through barely open eyes.
"General Burkhalter is conducting his inspection of the camp with that excuse of a Kommandant," Dietrich continued smugly. "And afterward he wants to speak with you. I can't allow that, Colonel. So, whatever you know will just have to die with you." He moved closer to Hogan's bed gripping the pillow tighter.