Chapter 10
Hogan was pacing back and forth in the barracks following Klink's refusal to budge from throwing all ten men, including Newkirk and LeBeau, into the cooler. Carter and Kinch, seated at the table, watched their commander as he paced.
"What now, Colonel?" asked Olsen as he approached the table and sat down near the beside the others.
"I don't know," Hogan replied a bit more harshly than he planned. "I didn't expect Klink to refuse my request." He rubbed the back of his neck and continued pacing. "But Klink's had his fun for today. Tomorrow I'll corner him again and get all the men released from the cooler."
"Colonel, why do you think Klink refused your request to only lock up LeBeau and Newkirk?" asked Carter.
Stopping his pacing, Hogan put one foot on the bench and leaned over, both arms resting on his thigh with hands hanging over the sides. "Truthfully, Carter, I think he's enjoying having two Hogans in camp and the possibility that I may not be the real one. He probably wants to see how far he can push me hoping I'll admit I'm not the real Hogan."
Carter snickered. "He's gonna have a long wait if that's what he's waiting for."
"Really," Olsen agreed with a smirk of his own.
"Speaking of which," Hogan began. "Is our friend still napping in my quarters?"
Kinch shrugged his shoulders. "He was when I last saw him," he said. "And I didn't see him outside during the diversion. Want me to check on him?"
"Go ahead," Hogan suggested. "If he's asleep don't wake 'im. Just leave 'im sleep."
"Right," Kinch replied getting to his feet and making his way to the closed door. Quietly opening it, he gazed inside; frowning, he closed it and returned to the table. "Colonel, the room's empty."
Hogan stood up straight now, stunned. "What do you mean, empty? How could it be empty?"
"He's not there, sir. But the window in your quarters is open. He probably slipped out during the diversion," Kinch explained.
Hogan closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose with his other arm wrapped around himself. He secretly wondered where his namesake was and what he was doing.
Hilda looked up again at the American officer with brown hair leaning on the file cabinet against the far wall with his arms crossed across his chest. His brown eyes were focused on her and a seductive smile played on his lips. He winked at the blond who shyly bowed her head and returned to her typing.
"You are an absolute doll," the American said as he stepped closer to Hilda's desk until he stood directly in front of her typewriter; Hilda looked up again as she stopped typing.
"Excuse me?" she asked gazing up into the man's sexy brown eyes. The American leaned over her typewriter with both hands, palm downward on either side of her typewriter with his face close to hers.
"I said you are an absolute doll. What's your name?"
"Hilda."
"Hi, Hilda. My name is…."
"I heard you tell the Kommandant you are Colonel Hogan. Is that true?"
"It is," the other Hogan explained with a cocky grin. "And I'd like to get to know you a lot better." He saw the woman blush.
"But you can't be Colonel Hogan," Hilda said. "What I mean is, there is already a Colonel Hogan here in camp."
The American arched both eyebrows in feigned surprise. "I'm surprised a pretty, exciting, and intelligent woman like you could be so easily fooled by an imposter. I bet all he ever wants from you is information in exchange for a little romance. All I ask is you give me a chance to prove I'm telling the truth and that the other guy is a phony out to trap you."
"And just how will you do that may I ask?" Hilda asked warily.
The other Hogan glanced at Hilda's phone and noticed one of the lights lit. "Klink's on the phone?" he asked curiously.
Hilda glanced over. "Yes. He's speaking with General Burkhalter."
The American gently took Hilda's hand and helped her to her feet. "Let's hope it's a long phone call," he said grinning. He wrapped both arms around the blond's waist and tightly pressed his body against hers as he pressed his lips against hers. At first he felt her body stiffen and try to pull away, but as his kiss deepened, her body loosened and melted against his as she moaned against his lips. Before long, his mouth moved down to her slender throat and he began pressing kisses against it. She tilted her head to give him better access to her throat when she noticed the light which had been previously lit was now out.
"The Kommandant is off the phone, Colonel Hogan," she purred as the man made his way to the other side of her throat.
"Let 'im get his own girl," the other Hogan mumbled between kisses. Finally, needing air, he stepped back and gave the blond a quick peck on the forehead, and brought his mouth close to her ear. "Meet me later in the motor pool after evening roll call, and we'll talk. I'd like to get to know the real you. I want to learn all about you. But right now, I need to see the Kommandant."
Hilda smiled and let out a deep breath from the most deeply passionate kiss she had ever had; but she still wasn't exactly sure how it measured up yet against the man she had known as Hogan. He too, was a fabulous kisser. "I'll tell the Kommandant you're here," she said huskily.
The officer smirked as he walked over to Klink's door and grabbed the doorknob. He looked back at the blond. "Don't bother. I'll just let myself in." He winked at her as he grabbed the doorknob.
Klink sat at his desk mulling over the punishment he had doled out on Hogan's men and the comment he had made to the American in front of them. He knew normally he would have given perhaps one week and taken away their privileges for an additional week, but he had wanted to see how far he could push the American and whether or not he might reveal something accidentally. It was no surprise however, when Hogan acted like, well, Hogan. At least the Hogan that he knew. Then he decided to push some more by making that comment, and seeing the hurt in Hogan's eyes, immediately regretted making the remark. But Klink was feeling the heat of discovering which officer was the real Hogan; pressure from General Burkhalter, and worried about the Gestapo swooping in at anytime and taking charge of the situation. In fact, he considered releasing Hogan's men as soon as the officer invaded his office the following morning as a way of apologizing to the man. But the sound of a door opening brought him back to the current moment.
Looking up and expecting to see the Hogan he knew, he frowned at seeing the new prisoner coming into his office instead.
"What are you doing here? I am extremely busy and don't have time for any of your foolishness," a bit harsher than he planned.
The American wrapped his arms around himself as casually as if he'd been doing it all his life. "No foolishness, Kommandant. I'm here to convince you to release the men in the cooler."
"Forget it!" Klink said returning to his paperwork.
"C'mon, Kommandant," the American said. "Where's that generous, compassionate side you're so well know for? Or are you changing sides now and pretending to be the enemy?"
Klink's head shot up. "Hooooogaaaaaaan!" he said out of habit. "Or whoever you are. The men will stay in the cooler. Now I have work to do, so get out!"
The American shrugged as he started towards the door. "Suit yourself, Kommandant. I only hope it doesn't cost you your command." He opened the door.
"Wait a minute," Klink suddenly said standing up and walking around his desk. "What do you mean you hope it won't cost me my command? You've heard something?"
The American closed the door and faced Klink. "Not really, sir. It's just that you're playing right into this other Hogan's hands."
He saw Klink stiffen. "What do you mean?" he asked nervously.
"Well, let's look at it this way. What better way is there to get control of Stalag 13 than by getting the prisoners to turn against the Kommandant by having them cause a disturbance and by you locking up all the ones involved in said disturbance."
Klink's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "You mean….?"
"Exactly," the other Hogan said with a grin. "You arrest all the guilty prisoners causing the other prisoners to turn against you and seek retaliation for it. Then the Gestapo just might get involved and off to the Winter Wonderland you go. But, if you release them from the cooler and restore their privileges as well, it'll show that other Colonel that you're not falling for his game and it'll put you in good standing with the prisoners as well."
Klink rubbed his chin as he thought about what he had been told. "Yeeeeessss, I see what you're saying. If I do nothing than the other Hogan will know I'm not as susceptible to his schemes as he thought."
The American smiled. "Exactly, Kommandant. Boy, you are sharp as a tack, sir."
"I know," Klink replied smugly. Then a thought occurred to him and he looked at the American. "But what about the other Hogan? Surely I should do something about him."
"I wouldn't, sir. Just let him keep trying to fool you and before long, you'll have him right where you want him. Just be patient."
"Excellent idea." Klink walked to the window and opened it. "Schuuuuulllltttzzz!"
A few minutes later, the door opened. "Herr Kommandant?"
"Schultz, I decided to release the prisoners from the cooler and restore their privileges at once. See to it immediately."
"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant. It shall be done." Schultz studied the American who looked back at him with a smug expression. The guard couldn't put his finger on things, but something was troubling him about this American and sensed he would be trouble. He closed the door behind him and went to carry out his orders.
Meanwhile, Klink, smiling, slapped his hands together as he rubbed them excitedly while walking around his desk before sitting down.
"You are dismissed, Hogan," he said pleasantly.
"Yes, sir." The American gave Klink a sloppy salute before exiting the Kommandant's inner officer. He then let his eyes fall on Hilda again as she looked up at him and smiled coyly. Taking one of her hands in his, he pressed his lips to it gently. "Remember. Motor pool. After evening roll call."
"I'll be there," she said as he released her hand, and watched him leave the building before returning to her typing. She was now confused. If this man she recently met was really Colonel Hogan, then who was the man she had known as Colonel Hogan? When she really thought about it, the man living in barracks two for the last few years had never gone further than a few kisses, candy, coffee, perfume, and nylons in exchange for information. He had never bothered even asking her about herself; nor taken the time to find out anything about her. She was just a means to an end with him. But what if what this man she didn't know was telling the truth and she had been giving information to someone who was only out to gather information before exposing her to the Gestapo or whoever as a traitor? Afterall, she had given Hogan just as much information as she had on him. And if that was the case, what was the spy waiting for? Perhaps, she thought, she wasn't really high enough for a spy to even worry about, and he was after somebody higher up. She figured she would first see what this man calling himself Hogan wanted from her before she made up her mind as to which man was the real one.
In the barracks, Hogan was pouring himself a cup of coffee when the barracks door opened, and Newkirk and LeBeau walked in, and were roundly greeted by the other prisoners.
"How did you guys get here?" asked a confused Hogan setting the coffee pot back on the stove. "I hope you didn't escape or overpower poor Schultz."
"It was nothing like that, mon Colonel," LeBeau explained as he and Newkirk sat down at the table. "Schultzie told us the other Colonel Hogan convinced Klink to release all the prisoners and restore their privileges."
Hogan, who been drinking his coffee, nearly choked on the hot liquid and started coughing. Kinch immediately got to his feet and began slapping the Colonel on his back until Hogan indicated he was all right.
"He did what?" Hogan asked in stunned surprise already knowing.
"That bleedin' namesake of yours got the prisoners released," Newkirk said still not quite believing it.
"Gee Colonel," Carter said with a lopsided smile. "Now you don't have to ask Klink tomorrow about getting the prisoners released and their privileges restored." The young Sergeant saw Hogan and Kinch give him dirty looks before he bowed his head and looked at his hands.
"Colonel, why do you think this guy would get the prisoners released and their privileges restored?" asked Kinch, puzzled.
"Simple," Hogan replied with a shake of his head. "He's trying to score brownie points with the prisoners especially with Newkirk and LeBeau."
Just then, the barracks door opened, and in walked the man in question. He paused and noticed the eyes of Hogan, his team, and other prisoners focused on him. He smirked at Newkirk and LeBeau.
"Glad to see the Kommandant released you both as he promised," he said cheerily. "Did he restore your privileges as well?"
LeBeau eyed the man suspiciously. "Oui. Schultz told us our privileges were restored when he opened the cell doors." He paused for a minute. "But why did you do it?" he asked with narrowed eyes staring at the man. He was still suspicious, but still he had done a good deed. He wasn't exactly sure how he felt about that yet.
The American shrugged. "Simple. The real Colonel Hogan would not want any of his men to stay in the cooler especially if he could get them out."
Hogan glared at his namesake. "I would have gotten them released tomorrow," he said coolly. "I didn't need your help."
The other Hogan chuckled. "Perhaps. But it seems you didn't do too good a job of it when they were first arrested, did you, Colonel?" He exhaled deeply. "Maybe Klink refused because he finally realized you are nothing more than someone who's been sent here to spy on him and this entire camp and refuses to play your games anymore."
Hogan's face turned a deep shade of crimson and his dark eyes blazed. "I'd watch my mouth," he hissed. "You're walking on thin ice as it is."
"And gettin' me, Louie, and the others released from the cooler won't score any points with us, mate," Newkirk pointed out calmly.
"I'm not looking to score points as you say, Newkirk," the other Hogan answered. "I just want to see that the men here are treated fairly and properly. And as your commanding officer I will."
"As their…?" Hogan choked on the remaining words and left the rest of the sentence unsaid. "In case you've forgotten, I'm still here and intend to remain here."
The other Hogan sighed wearily. To him, this was becoming tiresome, but he sensed he was beginning to get under the other man's skin a bit, and it pleased him. "For now, Colonel. But I assure you that is a condition that will be remedied. Your Kommandant is already beginning to see things from my perspective, and before long so will others." He turned his focus to Carter with his last statement, and his gaze on the younger Sergeant didn't go unnoticed by Hogan or the others.
"Why are you all looking at me?" Carter asked quizzically with wide eyes. "What'd I do?"
"Don't worry about it, Andrew," Newkirk assured him with a pat on his shoulder. He suspected the man was going to concentrate on trying to turn Carter against Hogan first, and knew the others suspected it also. He stared hard at the American officer. "Look, friend. Leave me mate, Andrew, alone. You're wasting your breath if you think you're gonna turn me best friend against the Gov'nor."
The American arched his eyebrows. "I don't have to try and turn anybody, Newkirk. Besides, Sergeant Carter is an intelligent young man quite capable of making his own decisions. He just needs a bit of guidance is all."
"Guidance from who?" Newkirk hissed jumping to his feet and confronting the American officer. "You?"
Hogan immediately placed a hand across the Englander's chest hoping to keep him away from the American. "Newkirk," he murmured. "Calm down. And consider it an order." He relaxed a bit as the British Corporal slowly sat back down despite his green eyes focused on the other officer still.
The other Hogan chuckled at the exchange and could inwardly sense the tension among the men and Hogan and it pleased him greatly. He smiled.
"What's so funny?" asked Hogan warily.
"Nothing at all, I assure you. But if you gentlemen will excuse me, I'm afraid I must really get some rest now. I have a date tonight and I need to be awake."
While Hogan kept his eyes on the man, the others exchanged looks with each other.
"Date?" asked a suspicious Kinch. "A date with who?"
The other Hogan smiled deviously. "A date with a Goddess."
Hogan blanched. "You have a date with Hilda?" he asked suspiciously.
The other Hogan smirked. "Beautiful girl. I can't wait to get her alone tonight. I'm sure she'll prove to be so much more on our date."
"You keep away from her!" Hogan hissed angrily.
His namesake smirked. "Jealous, Colonel? Let me assure you, I will not sully her good name and will be a perfect gentleman. Now you really must excuse me, because I really need to get some rest." He then turned and walked into Hogan's quarters and shut the door behind him.
"Colonel, you don't think Hilda will tell him anything, do you?" asked LeBeau looking at Hogan worriedly.
Hogan put his coffee cup down on the table and headed towards the barracks door. "I'll be right back," he said. "I've got to talk with Hilda." His men watched him as he exited the barracks. Carter laughed a silly laugh.
"And just what's so bleedin' funny, Andrew?" Newkirk asked staring at his best friend.
"I think Colonel Hogan's jealous," Carter explained giddily.
"He's not jealous," Kinch said looking at Carter. "He's just concerned this phony might somehow get Hilda to reveal things she shouldn't."
"And if that happens, we could all end up in front of a firing squad," added LeBeau, also looking at the younger Sergeant, somewhat annoyed.
"Still find it funny, mate?" asked Newkirk.
"I guess it's not so funny after-all when you put it like that," Carter admitted, somewhat embarrassed now.
"You guess right," Newkirk said. "Y'know, I just had a thought." He rubbed his chin as he thought. "This bloke seems focused on you all of a sudden," he continued looking at Carter. "Should we be worried about anything?"
"Worried? About what?" asked Carter, genuinely confused at what was being inferred.
"Worried about this guy perhaps convincing you that the Colonel isn't really the Colonel," LeBeau pointed out.
Carter gaped at his friends. "C'mon," he said in amazement. "I'm not stupid enough to fall for anything he says."
"Maybe," Kinch said. "But he's acting like it's just a matter of time with you."
"Boy, I really don't believe you guys," Carter replied with a disappointed expression on his face. "How could you even think I'd turn traitor?"
Kinch smiled tenderly at the younger Sergeant. "We don't believe you would, Andrew," he said. "It's just that he's focused on you for some reason, and we're worried is all. I mean, he might convince you without you even being aware he's doing it."
"Well, this guy will have to get up pretty early in the morning to fool me," Carter said.
Newkirk rolled his eyes and shook his head. "God help us," was all he said.