Chapter 14-Resolution, Realization, and Goodbye
Hogan, easing himself up into a sitting position in bed, kept his arms around Frau Linkmeyer, while keeping the sheet covering her upper body. She kept her head buried in the crook of his neck, her sobs intensifying. Her body continued shaking in his arms.
"What is it you don't know what to do?" he asked. "What can I do to help?"
Gertrude pulled her head away and looked into Hogan's face. "You can't help me, Robert," she muttered with both hands pressed against his chest.
Hogan smiled wiping his fingers across her cheeks. "Not if you don't tell me what the problem is."
Gertrude exhaled deeply. "It is something Albert said to me during breakfast."
Hogan rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Figures. What did he say?"
"He asked if I thought Otto would forgive me should he learn I shared my bed with another man." She felt Hogan's body stiffen at her words, and knew he was worried and why. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you to worry about your own safety. Should Albert find out…"
"He won't," Hogan assured her. He didn't want to admit even to himself, that he was nervous, and would be as long as Burkhalter continued trying to find out the name of the man who had captured his sister's attention. There was always the chance the General would eventually figure it out. Once he did, he would face an automatic firing squad. Unless he could put an end to Burkhalter's nosing around once and for all. He saw Gertrude looking up into his face, worried. "But there is a way to convince your brother to stop trying to find out who you're seeing," he added.
"What is it?"
"Well, the General didn't bring his wife with him on this trip. Why not?"
"Because he intended to break up Klink and his lady friend." Gertrude exhaled deeply. "I could tell by seeing his eyes he wanted Bertha for himself. Albert always flirts with and chases after every younger woman he sees. I can't begin to tell you how many he has entertained in his chalet that his wife, Berta, doesn't have any idea." Hearing this, Hogan's face brightened. "What are you thinking?"
"You just solved your own problem of having your brother nosing around, if you want to use it. But it requires a little blackmail on your part. Are you willing to do that to get your brother off your back?"
"I will not hurt my brother under any circumstances." Hogan could tell that Gertrude was deadly serious. He grinned putting her at ease.
"You won't hurt him, I promise," he said. "But just threatening to do it will stop him. All you must do is threaten to tell his wife of his philandering and I guarantee he will cease trying to find out who you slept with the other night."
"Are you sure?"
Hogan smiled. "I promise." He paused for a few seconds before continuing. "But that only alleviates part of the problem. The other part as to whether Otto will forgive you for sleeping with another man while he was missing-in-action, I cannot help you. All I can tell you is whether or not you tell him will be up to you. But first, you must wait to see how he is once he's back home after the war. Once you determine how he is, you will then need to decide whether or not he could handle knowing the truth. You may find you won't ever be able to tell him. But it must your decision. Believe me when I tell you, after he's been home for a while, you will be able to tell. Just keep in mind that if you can't ever tell him, you'll have to keep our trysts a secret forever. Can you do that?"
Gertrude bit her lower lip. "If I have to, I can. But you are right. I must first determine how Otto is when he comes home and then make my decision." She kissed Hogan on the cheek. "Thank you, Robert. You have helped me with two difficult problems by showing me I have control over both, and the decision is mine and mine alone. I will talk to Albert during breakfast tomorrow and stop his investigation; the other will need to wait until the war ends."
"I'm sorry if it feels like I'm leaving you to handle this last problem on your own."
Gertrude chuckled sliding back down in bed, pulling Hogan on top of her. "You're not." She kissed him on his cheek. "Now that that's been settled, where were we?" she asked enveloping Hogan in her arms and plundering his mouth wrapping her arms around him. Breaking apart to breathe, they made slow, passionate love for the third time that night before falling asleep nearly two hours later in each other's arms.
Several hours later, Hogan opened his eyes and stretched his arms trying not to awaken the woman snuggled up against him with one arm and leg draped over his body. He carefully reached over to the night table and grabbed his watch to check the time. As he struggled to read the time in the faint moonlight filling the room, he frowned.
"It's time for you to leave, isn't it?" a voice stated.
Looking over, Hogan saw Gertrude's eyes looking at him. There was a sadness in them.
"I must return to my barracks in an hour," he said.
Gertrude smiled and kissed his lips. "I will not be able to say this later, so I best say it now. Thank you for making my stay enjoyable for me. I was prepared to be miserable this entire week, but you changed that. Thank you for reminding me of my husband in so many ways."
"You needn't thank me."
"Yes, I do. You made me feel alive after three years of feeling nothing but sadness and loneliness. I felt dead inside. Now, no matter what happens from this moment on, at least I know I can feel again. Thank you for making an old woman feel attractive and desirable again."
Hogan blushed and smiled. "Age is only a state of mind," he stated. "And you're not old nor are you unattractive. Your stamina sometimes wore me out. Not to mention you showed me a few things I never believed were possible. But while we're thanking each other, I must thank you for enabling me to become a better commanding officer to my men. I was slowly becoming wire happy without realizing it, and don't even want to think what I might have done." He looked at his watch again. "I'm afraid I must leave now or I won't get back in time for roll call; and you must pack for your return to Berlin."
Hogan was the last prisoner to exit barracks two that morning and take his place in line zipping up his jacket, seconds before Schultz got to him in his count. He had seen Klink's eyes following him from his spot on the porch of the Kommandantur as he strode to his place in line beside Newkirk.
Schultz gave the American an unhappy stare. "And where were you, Colonel Hogan, that you were late for roll call this morning?"
Hogan shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "I was on a date last night with a gorgeous brunette and lost track of time."
"Well make sure next time you remember!" Schultz demanded. He started to turn away and stopped, eyes narrowing. "Brunette? What brunette? What date?" He turned back to Hogan. "Colonel Hogan, what brunette? There is no brunette here in camp. You were up to monkey business last night."
"I know, Schultz. Met her in town last week. Made a date with her for last night. Name's Gretl Braun. You might remember her sister in fact."(1)
"I do?"
"Yeah. Her sister's name is Eva. Hangs around with some short little guy with a funny-looking mustache."
"Colonel Hogaaaaannnn!" Schultz whined.
"Schuuuullltzzz!" Klink's voice boomed in the early morning air. "Are you going to waste time talking with Colonel Hogan who couldn't be bothered gracing us with his prompt presence this morning ?"
Schultz turned nervously around and saluted the Kommandant who was standing behind him. "Oh no, Herr Kommandant. Colonel Hogan was just telling me about his date last night with the sister of the Fuhrer's girlfriend and…"
"Schuuuuulllllttttz!" Klink shouted stomping his foot. "There was no date last night, Dummkopf! Now are all prisoners here or not?!"
"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant. All prisoners present and accounted for."
"Gut." Klink marched up to Hogan and stood practically toe-to-toe with the American. He shook a fist at his counterpart. "Colonel Hogan, if General Burkhalter and his sister weren't leaving today, I would toss you in the cooler until the end of the war. I'm not interested in why you were late for roll call this morning. Just make sure it doesn't happen again. Do I make myself clear?"
"Absolutely, Kommandant," Hogan faked hurt feelings. "But that's gratitude. I put in a good word for you with Eva and…"
"Hrmph! Schultz, dismiss your men." Klink muttered spinning on his heels and marching back towards the Kommandantur. He didn't witness the smirk on Hogan's face.
"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant," Schultz replied to the receding back of his superior officer.
Burkhalter and his sister were enjoying a leisurely breakfast consisting of eggs, sausage, toast, juice and coffee. Finishing his juice, Burkhalter stared at his sister who nibbled on a piece of toast.
"Gertrude, while we have the time, I wish to ask you a question."
"Of course, Albert. What is it you wish to ask me?" She had a rough idea but would wait and see.
"I want to know who in this camp you have been spending time with, and I want to know now."
"And I told you there was no gentleman. I was alone." Gertrude took a bite of sausage and chewed it.
"I will not put up with your denials anymore! You will tell me who this man is or I will be forced to take drastic measures!" Burkhalter's face reddened.
Gertrude put her fork down and took a drink of coffee. Setting down her cup, she glared at her brother. "Albert, I am going to say this only once so listen carefully. You are my brother and I love you. But if you continue to hound me about a non-existent suitor, I will be forced to tell Berta about your behavior when you leave her at home as well as your entertaining at your chalet." She thought she spotted her brother's body tense as he licked his lips.
"There's no need to bother Berta. Perhaps I was overbearing and unreasonable with my actions, Gertrude," Burkhalter admitted nervously. "I should have paid closer attention to your feelings regarding your wedding anniversary. I guess I did not understand how you really felt."
"So you will stop trying to find out if there was a man sharing my bed while I was here?"
Burkhalter smiled broadly. "What man? Didn't you tell me you picked the flowers, and got the champagne and caviar yourself?"
"I did."
"Then I don't understand myself why I was making such a big thing out of that."
Gertrude smiled while picking at the food on her plate. "It's all right, Albert," she said softly. "I forgive you."
A nervous Burkhalter picked up his fork and began to eat his breakfast.
Hogan picked at the food on his plate. Seated at the table with his men, the others periodically glanced at their commanding officer as they ate in silence with occasional glances at each other.
"Colonel, you okay?" asked Kinch.
"Yeah, Kinch, I'm fine," Hogan replied not looking at his second-in-command. Kinch and the Frenchman exchanged looks.
"Is something wrong with the breakfast, mon Colonel?" LeBeau asked quietly. "I can always fix you something else."
"You don't need to do that, LeBeau. The food is delicious. I guess other than being tired I just don't have much of an appetite at the moment." Setting down his fork, Hogan picked up his coffee cup and took a drink of the hot brew.
"Didn't you get all the information you wanted from Burkhalter's sister, Gov'nor?"
"Oh, I got what I wanted and needed," Hogan replied letting his eyes shift to the Englander. "I guess having Burkhalter nearly catching me is still fresh in my mind. I mean, he knows his sister had somebody in her quarters and is determined to find out whom. I came up with an idea to end his investigation, but I can't be sure it'll work until I hear from Frau Linkmeyer."
"What's Frau Linkmeyer gotta do with it?" asked Kinch.
Hogan sighed. "Plenty. She's the one who has to convince Burkhalter there wasn't anybody in her quarters." He tilted his head. "If she can't, he'll continue to nose around and it could just be a matter of time before he considers a prisoner as improbable a thought as that may be to 'im."
"Prisoner, Colonel?" asked a puzzled Carter.
"By prisoner, Colonel, you mean yourself, don't you?" Kinch inquired, worried.
Not responding, Hogan drank more coffee, a grim expression on his face. He knew it was unlikely that Burkhalter would ever find out he was the one sleeping with Gertrude. But there was always the remote possibility the longer he continued to investigate, the greater the chance he might. And if Burkhalter didn't find out before he left Stalag 13, Hogan would worry every time Burkhalter arrived in camp, and that would impede his effectiveness as commanding officer of the prisoners.
Hogan didn't like leaving something this important in the hands of somebody else. Flashes of being found in bed with Gertrude by Burkhalter walking in on them, pulling his weapon, and firing, left him feeling sick. But all he could do right now is wait, and if there was one thing Hogan hated more than anything, it was waiting.
Klink and Schultz stood on the porch of the Kommandantur later that morning watching Burkhalter's staff car pull to a stop in front of them. Klink looked at his Sergeant-of-the-Guard. "Schultz, load the General's and Frau Linkmeyer's luggage into the trunk right away. The General wants to be on his way immediately."
Schultz saluted. "Jawohl, Herr Kommandant." He then gestured to another nearby guard to help. While they loaded the luggage, Burkhalter and his sister approached. Klink stiffened as he saluted.
"Guten Morgen, Herr General. Frau Linkmeyer," Klink stammered.
Burkhalter removed his hand from his sister's back. "Klink. You have my list regarding what needs to be repaired here in Stalag 13?"
"Yes, Herr General."
"And I trust when I return in several months those repairs will have been completed?"
"You can trust me to have everything done as ordered, sir."
Burkhalter smirked. "If I did I wouldn't be asking."
"Herr Kommandant, the luggage has all been loaded in the trunk," Schultz interrupted, saluting.
"Did I ask you, Schultz?" Klink stammered returning the salute. "Now go, go."
"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant." Schultz and the guard both left the group. As Schultz left, Klink spotted Hogan approaching from across the compound.
"Hogan, out! Out!" Klink ordered nervously. "I'm busy with General Burkhalter and his sister."
Ignoring Klink, Hogan looked at Burkhalter innocently stuffing his hands in the back pockets of his trousers. "Leaving us so soon, General?"
Burkhalter, clasping his hands behind his back, smirked at the American. "I'm surprised you're complaining, Hogan. I would have thought you and your men would be glad not to have to wait on Klink hand and foot anymore. But may I say LeBeau outdid himself during our stay here, even though I am aware it cost two extra slices of white bread per man and one hour of electricity in exchange."
Hogan's eyes shifted to the Kommandant feigning hurt feelings while Klink swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Kommandant, I thought that was our secret," Hogan complained. Klink stared at him and was about to respond, but Burkhalter answered before he could. "I can read you like an open book, Hogan. I know you never do something for nothing. It wasn't too difficult to find out what Klink offered in exchange for the services of your men during my stay."
Hogan shrugged. "Well, as long as you don't have any problem with the Kommandant's generosity…"
"I never said I didn't have a problem with it. I said it wasn't too difficult to find out. Don't put words in my mouth!"
"Sorry, General," Hogan lowered his head pretending to look cowed, but his eyes lifted upward subtly and focused on Gertrude's face. She smiled subtly.
"Come, come, Albert," she hooked her arms around one of her brother's. "Does it really matter at this point how Klink obtained Colonel Hogan's cooperation? I mean, is it any more important than interrogating the Kommandant about which of his men you thought gave me those flowers, champagne, and caviar Thursday?"
Burkhalter studied his sister's face while Klink looked puzzled.
"You picked those flowers from my garden, Frau Linkmeyer?" Klink asked quietly. "And took the champagne and caviar as well?" He had been so sure Hogan had something to do with it; he still wasn't sure he didn't. But he also knew Frau Linkmeyer would not lie to protect Hogan. Also, to refute her admission would be like calling the sister of a General a liar and earn him a sure one-way pass to the Russian front.
"But of course, Kommandant. I wanted something to celebrate my wedding anniversary after what happened earlier Thursday evening. I hope you didn't mind?"
"Mind?" Klink laughed nervously. "Why should I mind? If you hadn't told me I was ready to blame Colonel Hogan for it."
Hogan feigned being indignant. "Me? Why me?"
"Hogan?!" questioned Burkhalter. "Klink, I'm starting to worry about your sanity. Why would Hogan give my sister flowers, champagne and caviar?"
Klink chuckled. "He wouldn't, Herr General. It was my mistake. If your sister says she took them, that's perfectly fine with me. I hope she enjoyed them."
Burkhalter shook his head. "Stop groveling, Klink. It's embarrassing."
"Yes, Herr General."
"By the way. After speaking with Gertrude, I realize none of your men were seeing my sister behind my back. So I am no longer interested in finding out who she was seeing because there never was anybody."
"I understand, sir."
Neither Klink or Burkhalter saw Hogan's head lift and him glance at Frau Linkmeyer, a look of relief on his face. Klink reached out and opened the back car door for the General. Burkhalter climbed inside then moved his large bulk over to allow his sister to get in beside him. Klink then shut the door. Walking towards the front of the car, he leaned over looking in at the driver. "Drive on," he ordered. As the car pulled away, Klink stood up watching the car heading toward the front gate. He didn't notice Hogan come up beside him with arms wrapped around himself, his eyes following the car as well.
When the staff car neared the front gate, Burkhalter turned toward his sister. "I am due back at Stalag 13 in a few months, Gertrude. I can arrange for you to join me and we can stay for a few days. What do you say?"
A calm look came over Gertrude's face as memories of the last few nights replayed themselves. Looking out the back window of the car, her eyes fell on Hogan and lingered there for a long moment until the car passed through the front gate. She turned back to her brother and smiled, patting his arm.
"That won't be necessary," she told him. She leaned back in her seat to enjoy the ride back to Berlin.
Klink stood beside Hogan watching the guards closing the front gates, then turned towards Hogan.
"Hogan, now that General Burkhalter has left, say goodbye to the two extra slices of white bread and the one extra hour of electricity."
"Already said goodbye, sir."
"And you're lucky Frau Linkmeyer admitted to picking those flowers from my garden as well as taking the champagne and caviar. But I still think you're behind it somehow."
Hogan smirked. "Tell you what, Kommandant. Later today when the General reaches Berlin, why don't you call him and tell him you think his sister lied about the flowers, caviar and champagne to protect me, a prisoner, and demand an investigation be started."
Klink, balling his fists, raised them both in Hogan's face. "Forget it!" and stormed away in a huff.
"That's what I thought," Hogan murmured softly to no-one.
Knowing he had defused the situation with Klink, and had brought any investigation by Burkhalter to an immediate halt, Hogan continued staring at the closed front gates with a slow smile appearing.
Otto is one lucky guy, Hogan thought as he continued to look in the direction of the gates.
(1)Gretl Braun was the sister of Eva Braun who married Hitler. Gretl married Hermann Fegelein, the SS liaison officer on Hitler's staff.
THE END