Chapter 6-A Carter Surprise
It was a weary Hogan who stood in formation the following morning as Schultz counted each man. As he listened to the German's loud counting, Hogan found his eyes closing and nearly falling asleep on his feet. He promised once they were dismissed, he needed to get some sleep.
His count finished, Schultz turned in time to see Klink step forward and exchange salutes. "All prisoners present and accounted for, Herr Kommandant."
"Excellent, Schultz," said Klink hoping he sounded cheery. He then looked at the prisoners. "Now prisoners, I.…" he paused when his eyes fell on Hogan whose eyes were closed; in fact, the American seemed to sway just a bit. "Colonel Hogan, are we boring you by any chance?"
Hogan shook his head and after opening his eyes, fought to keep them open. He first glanced sideways at Newkirk who was eying him with concern. He then faced Klink.
"Sorry, Kommandant, but I didn't get much sleep again last night. I was with a pretty brunette all night." A devious smirk appeared on his face. There were chuckles from the other prisoners.
Klink stomped his foot. "Hrmph! I don't want to hear about it! After your disgraceful behavior last night, the General and I wanted to have you tossed in the cooler. But for some strange reason, Frau Linkmeyer convinced us not to." He noticed Hogan arch both eyebrows in apparent surprise. "Apparently, she believes your behavior was brought on by probably not getting enough sleep and too much alcohol. Personally, I don't believe it. And as usual you did your best to embarrass me in front of the General."
Hogan shrugged his shoulders. "Really, sir? I thought I was my usual charming self."
"Hogaaaaaannnnn! I don't have time for your foolishness. General Burkhalter wishes to make an inspection of the camp this morning, and he requests you accompany us. And consider his request an order."
"So much for sleep," Hogan told himself. "Yes, sir," he said wearily. "When does the inspection start?"
Klink checked his pocket watch. "The General and Frau Linkmeyer are having breakfast right now. So be ready in about an hour. Oh, and Hogan, Frau Linkmeyer will also be accompanying us so you'd better be on your best behavior. Don't make her regret keeping you out of the cooler."
"Yes, sir," Hogan sighed. "Is there anything else?"
"No. That was all. Dissss-missssed!" Klink saluted before turning and storming back to his office. As the prisoners dispersed, Schultz, along with Kinch, Carter, LeBeau and Newkirk, approached the American officer.
"Colonel Hogan, who was the brunette?" Schultz asked softly.
A twinkle appeared in the Colonel's eyes. "Don't worry, Schultz. You don't know her." He watched the guard shrug before walking away. Now alone with his core unit, he wrapped his arms around himself.
"Colonel, if you don't mind me saying so," Kinch began. "You look like you could use some sleep."
"I'm fine," Hogan sighed. "LeBeau, since I have to join the happy trio for inspection in an hour, how about some breakfast?" The Colonel then turned and walked toward the barracks leaving his team staring after him, puzzled.
"The Colonel isn't fine," LeBeau remarked. "He looks tired. Plus this is the second night in a row he hasn't gotten any sleep. Something is wrong."
Carter, his hands stuffed in his jacket pockets, shrugged his shoulders. "Gee, maybe the Colonel really did have a date with a brunette last night like he said."
Newkirk rolled his eyes as he stared at his best friend in astonishment. "Carter, shut up why don't you?"
"Besides, Andrew," Kinch added, "I was sleeping on the bunk covering the tunnel opening. If the Colonel was leaving camp, he'd have to leave through the tunnel."
"And he would have told us he was going out last night anyway," LeBeau explained. "Non. There is something wrong with the Colonel. Perhaps he is ill."
"But if he was ill, wouldn't he tell us he was?" asked Carter.
Newkirk sighed. "You know the Gov'nor never tells anybody when he doesn't feel well." He rubbed the back of his neck. "We'll just have to keep an eye on 'im."
"I think we should also have Wilson check the Colonel out after he finishes accompanying the Kommandant and the General on their inspection of the camp."
Hogan, Burkhalter, Klink, and Gertrude had been walking around the compound for so long, that Hogan had lost track of the time as Burkhalter closely examined everything. The General had even asked him questions about how the conditions in the camp were, and how was the food. Hogan suspected the inspection was because the Red Cross was coming out to inspect the camp, and the General wanted no problems.
So far they had inspected the prisoners' showers, and the infirmary where Burkhalter wanted to know from Sergeant Joe Wilson if he had sufficient supplies in the event a prisoner became ill or injured. Wilson had admitted he was running low on bandages and sulfur powder, and ordered his assistant Sergeant Paul Anderson, to make out a list for the General and to check and see what else they might be low on. While they waited, Hogan noticed Burkhalter and Klink standing off to the side holding a private conversation; or rather, Burkhalter talked and Klink listened. As they did so, Wilson noticed Hogan cover his mouth trying to hide a yawn, and approached him.
"Colonel, are you all right? You look exhausted."
"I'm fine, Joe. Just not getting enough sleep is all." Hogan then glanced at Gertrude who bowed her head hiding an amused grin as she had heard Wilson's question and Hogan's answer. Inhaling and exhaling through her nose, she then lifted her head and pretended to look around, making sure to maintain a neutral expression. But inside, her smile remained and widened.
As soon as Anderson handed his list to the General, Burkhalter handed it to Klink demanding he make certain he obtained the supplies on the list as-soon-as-possible. The next stop was to the prisoners' mess hall and finally several of the prisoners' barracks where Hogan pointed out that the roofs of most of the barracks leaked when it rained, and that the prisoners often felt like they were onboard the Titanic after it struck an iceberg instead of in a wooden hut. Burkhalter, hands clasped behind his back, smirked as he looked at the Kommandant. "Why have these repairs not been made to the roofs, Klink?" he asked.
Nervous, Klink was at a loss for words, so, he looked at Hogan and pointed at the American. "It's Hogan's fault. He never told me anything about any leaks, Herr General. If he had, I swear I would have had the repairs completed already." Hogan arched both eyebrows in surprise because he knew he had told Klink about the leaks repeatedly.
"Of course you would have, Klink," Burkhalter replied sarcastically, not believing him at all. He then faced Hogan. "Well, Hogan? What have you to say in response?"
"The Kommandant seems to have lost his memory, General," Hogan replied glaring at Klink. "I told him about the leaks months ago, and more than once. He's passing the buck."
"I totally agree for once with you, as appalling as it is for me to admit it," said Burkhalter again with a smirk. He saw Klink glaring at the American officer. A Cheshire cat smile appeared. "Klink, I will give you six months to repair the roofs of all the leaking barracks in camp. I will then come back out to check and make sure the work has been done properly. I don't need the Red Cross accusing me of mistreatment of the prisoners. And let me assure you that if that should happen, you will not have rain falling on your head, Klink, but snow flakes. Do I make myself clear?"
Klink shuddered and swallowed hard. "Understood, Herr General. I'll take care of everything."
"Excellent. Now, I wish to inspect the guards' barracks, and we don't need Colonel Hogan to accompany us."
Klink looked at Hogan. "You're dismissed, Hogan. And make certain you're on time for dinner this evening and I expect you at 1800 hours." He then shook his finger at the American. "And you will be on your best behavior this evening or I'll have you tossed in the cooler until the end of the war. Have I made myself clear?"
"Perfectly, sir," Hogan replied sarcastically. "Can I go now?"
"Yes. Diss-missed!" said Klink.
Hogan gave a sloppy salute in return to both Germans, then turned, and headed in the direction of barracks two and his bunk.
When Hogan entered the barracks, he noticed his men seated at the table, their eyes firmly planted on him, looking worried. He sighed wearily.
"All right, what's going on?" he asked.
'We're worried about you, Colonel," Kinch explained. "You admitted that you haven't been sleeping the last two nights, and you look exhausted."
"Kinch is right, sir," Newkirk added. "And everything seemed to start when ole Burkhalter and the Abominable Ice Queen arrived in camp. So we were…." the Englander didn't finish as he saw the change in his commanding officer's face and the anger in his eyes.
"Newkirk, I suggest you cease immediately with the name calling regarding Frau Linkmeyer. I've had dinner with her and the General twice now, and when you get to speak with her, she has a really great sense of humor."
Newkirk's green eyes narrowed a bit. "Blimey, Gov'nor. Sounds like you're going a bit soft on the old maid."
Hogan's face darkened as he pursed his lips, but then he just shook his head and bit his tongue. How could he really reprimand Newkirk about what he said when he himself called Gertrude the same names when speaking with Klink many times? He just looked at the Englander.
Seeing the dangerous look in Hogan's eyes, Newkirk shut his mouth rather than continue. He just nodded instead. Satisfied he had made his point, Hogan sighed wearily.
"Good. I'm going to take a nap. Unless it's something urgent, you guys handle it." He then turned and headed towards his quarters to a chorus of 'yes sir.' Once his door closed, LeBeau looked at Carter.
"Andre, run and get Wilson. And hurry. Tell him there's something wrong with the Colonel."
Hogan lay on his back on the lower bunk with an arm over his eyes trying to sleep when he heard the knock on his door.
"Enter," he ordered without moving. He heard the door open and close, but still didn't uncover his eyes. "What do you want, Wilson?" he asked.
Sergeant Wilson's eyes widened as both his eyebrows arched. "How did you know it was me, Colonel?" he asked.
"I figured you'd show up when you asked me in the infirmary how I was. I knew then the men had to have talked to you."
Wilson smirked as he stepped to the side of the bunk looking down at Hogan. "I understand you haven't been sleeping for the last two days, sir. And you look positively exhausted to all who see you. So to relieve everybody's concern about you, I would like to…."
"Go away," Hogan interrupted.
"But Colonel…"
"What part of go away didn't you understand, Sergeant…or should I say Private Wilson."
Wilson exhaled. "Colonel, I'm worried about you same as your men."
This time Hogan raised his arm enough for him to look up at the camp medic. "I'm fine. All I need is some sleep and I'll be all right."
"Sir, I'd feel better if I could examine you and see for myself. I know your men will feel relieved knowing there's nothing wrong with you."
Hogan, glaring at Wilson, slowly sat up, swinging his legs over the edge of the mattress.
Kinch, Carter, LeBeau and Newkirk were still seated at the table sipping coffee, their concerned eyes periodically glancing at the closed door to Hogan's quarters, impatiently waiting for word.
"What's taking so bloody long?" asked Newkirk.
"Newkirk, it's only been five minutes," Kinch informed him.
Just then, the door to Hogan's quarters opened, and Wilson seemed to be gently shoved out of the inner room, and the door slammed behind him. The medic had to chuckle at what had just transpired. Noticing the four men at the table eying him with curious stares, he approached the table and sat his bag on it.
"That was a quick exam, Joe," Kinch remarked.
"That's because I never had the chance to perform one," the medic stated, folding his arms. "The Colonel informed me that all he needed was some sleep and he'd be fine; and then he kind of escorted me out of his quarters ordering me to leave him alone." He inhaled and exhaled through his mouth. "To be perfectly honest, I'd say from his reaction just now that he's perfectly fine except for just being tired. I'd say just to keep an eye on him for a few days and if something changes, come and get me."
Dinner couldn't end quickly enough for Hogan as far as he was concerned. He knew his men were becoming curious and that would never do, especially if he was to meet with Gertrude after evening roll call. So, while Gertrude, Burkhalter, and Klink got together after dessert for some brandy and after dinner conversation, Hogan managed to get himself dismissed with the excuse that not sleeping had caused his bad behavior.
As the Colonel started to leave, Burkhalter's voice stopped him. "Tell me, Hogan. For two nights you've been more obnoxious than usual. So perhaps you can explain to us exactly why you are so tired?"
Hogan was prepared with a quick response. "It's simple General. I've been dreaming about this beautiful brunette the last two nights and, well, I don't want the alcohol to go to my head again. So I think I should head back to my barracks so I can get some sleep."
Fortunately, both Klink and the General agreed with Hogan's explanation, and allowed him to leave reminding him that his presence would not be required at dinner until Friday so he had two days to get plenty of rest.
So, as Hogan faced Frau Linkmeyer who was seated on the sofa and with his back to the General and Klink, he bid her goodnight, and then winked to let her know he would be seeing her later.
"Guten Abend, Colonel," Gertrude replied with the corners of her mouth curling upward just before she took a sip of her brandy. Hogan then turned and departed, returning to his barracks.
About 2100 hours, a tired Kinch, LeBeau, Carter and Newkirk trudged in. They locked eyes with their commanding officer who was seated at the table drinking a cup of warm, leftover coffee. He chuckled as they sat down at the table.
"You guys are worried about me and you all look worse than me right now," he added.
"Ha. Ha," LeBeau said with a smirk as he laid his head down on his folded arms on the table. He was close to falling asleep right there.
Hogan checked his watch. "Hey, no napping, guys. We've got roll call in about twenty-five minutes. So get changed and be ready. We can all hit the sack afterwards."
"Even you, Gov'nor?"
"Even me, Newkirk. I expect to get a good night's sleep tonight and be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at morning roll call."
Following night roll call, Hogan and his men returned to the barracks and he immediately headed in the direction of his quarters after bidding the men goodnight; he closed the door quietly.
"Hope the Colonel gets a good night's sleep tonight," Carter remarked as he watched Newkirk change from his uniform into his nightshirt.
"Aren't you gonna change out of your uniform, Andrew?" Newkirk asked as he climbed up onto the upper bunk.
Carter, removing his jacket, cap, and shoes, lay down on the lower bunk. "Too tired," he replied closing his eyes as he pulled his thin blanket over his shoulder and up to his chin.
Bidding their friends goodnight, LeBeau and Kinch fell asleep the second their heads hit their pillows. Soon, all grew quiet in the darkened common room.
Hogan quietly sat up on his lower bunk and checked his watch which he could barely read in the dim sliver of moonlight peering through the thin opening between the shutters; it was 2215 hours. Getting to his feet, Hogan silently approached the door of his quarters, quietly cracked it open, and peered into the common room to be certain all his men were sleeping. All he could hear was the gentle snores in the dark. Satisfied, he silently closed the door, not aware that one of the men was still awake and had seen him close the door.
Unable to fall asleep despite being tired, Carter had watched the Colonel's door close and wondered why he had opened it to begin with when he said he was going to sleep. Worried that his commanding officer might not be all right, or might need help, Carter threw back the blanket, and swung his legs over the edge of his bunk. Getting to his feet he crept quietly to the smaller room and gently knocked on the door. Receiving no answer, he gripped the doorknob and turning the knob, quietly opened the door and looked inside. His eyes widened when he noticed the Colonel's room was empty. He then nearly ran back to his bunk, put on one shoe, grabbed his jacket and tossed it over his arm and hopped on one foot as he struggled to put on the other shoe as he entered the room and closed the door looking around wondering where Hogan had gone when he noticed the shutters weren't completely closed.
Opening the shutters, Carter caught a momentary glimpse of Hogan heading in the direction of the guest quarters and wondered why the Colonel would be heading towards that direction. Deciding to follow the Colonel, Carter climbed outside the window and shrugged into his jacket. Then Carter hugged the sides of the buildings keeping to the shadows. He was grateful it was a slightly clear night with a sliver of moonlight. But even with the clear sky and moonlight, he still had trouble keeping Hogan in sight. And for a brief moment he lost sight of him, but found him again when he saw him standing outside a guest cottage, it's porch light turned off, and the only light coming from inside in what he guessed was the living room, with the shade pulled down but still leaving a small gap at the bottom allowing a view inside by anybody who was outside.
From his hiding place, Carter continued to watch Hogan wait until the door opened, enter, and the door close behind him. Now why would General Burkhalter open the door for the Colonel? Carter thought to himself. More importantly, why would the Colonel enter the General's guest quarters while he's awake? Curious as to what the Colonel was up to, Carter decided to get closer, and hopefully be able to see what was going on through the window between the Colonel and Burkhalter. He quickly raced across the way until he was outside the window with the light still on, and knelt down on one knee so he could see through the small gap beneath the window shade. After glancing around to be sure nobody else was present, Carter looked through the window, and what he saw caused his jaw to drop and his eyes to widen in shock. He saw his commanding officer inside but not with General Burkhalter. He saw Hogan and Frau Linkmeyer wrapped in each other's arms, their bodies pressed tightly together, and kissing each other passionately.