Chapter 16
Blessings came across Carter and Hogan number two first. He grabbed Carter's arm and tried to pull him along.
"Hurry! Colonel Hogan's in trouble!" he panted. "They're gonna kill him!"
Carter started forward but then stopped and jerked his arm away from Blessings. "So what do you want me to do about it?" he asked nonchalantly. "He's not really Colonel Hogan anyway. He's just some Nazi spy sent here to take over." Carter then turned and looked at Hogan number two when he put a hand on the young man's arm. The man noticed the fear in Carter's eyes.
"Why does what happens to this spy trouble you so much, Carter?" Hogan number two asked suspiciously.
Carter shrugged, and looked at his feet. "It doesn't, not really." He then looked up. "It's just that, spy or not, he's still a human being." He paused momentarily. "I can't help how I feel, Colonel."
"Then what say we check it out then?" he said calmly. "Might just prove interesting to see the prisoners stand up against a spy." He turned and hurried away with Carter a few steps behind him; but nobody noticed the scared look on Carter's face at what they might find.
It was then Blessings spotted Newkirk and Kinch approaching; he noticed they were watching Carter and the other Colonel closely.
"Colonel Hogan's in trouble! He needs help!" Blessings shouted racing towards them.
Both Kinch and Newkirk looked at each other before they confronted the young prisoner.
"What's wrong, mate?" asked Newkirk. "What's this about the Gov'nor?"
"It's Colonel Hogan. He's in the rec hall and Captain Horner and I suspect there are prisoners in there waiting for him. We think they mean to kill him!" Blessings gasped between breaths.
Kinch shoved Blessings away. "Go find Schultz and tell him what's happening," he said. Then, he and Newkirk dashed in the direction of the rec hall.
Horner, having reached the rec hall, shoved open the door in time to see Brisbane swing the bat downward. With no time to shake his head to clear the cobwebs, the Captain charged, left his feet, and tackled Brisbane before the bat came crashing down on Hogan's head, and both men went down; the bat went flying landing and rolling a few feet away. Hill left Hogan and jumped on Horner's back, trying to pull him off of Brisbane.
Hogan, meanwhile, was still being held by Stoddard, Gifford and Rowland.
"Get the bastard to his feet!" Stoddard shouted at the others.
Ignoring the battle going on nearby, both Gifford and Rowland dragged Hogan to his feet as Stoddard ran to where he left the other length of rope, and with all his might, threw one end of it up and over a rafter, and quickly proceeded to tie the end off around a pipe with the noose gently twisting at the other end. He then grabbed a nearby chair and lined it up under the noose.
With Rowland now holding Hogan from behind and Gifford holding onto Hogan's jacket in the front, Hogan suddenly lifted the lower part of his body upward and using his legs, punched Gifford in the chest with both feet sending the man sprawling and striking the back of his head on the floor where he lay, slightly dazed while at the same time, jerking his head backward and head-butting Rowland's forehead causing the man to grunt in pain and loosen his hold on the Colonel's arms. But as Hogan turned, his face was greeted by Stoddard's fist. The Colonel staggered but remained on his feet. But before he could clear his head, an arm wrapped itself around his neck as another hand grabbed his arm.
"Think you're pretty funny, don't you?" Gifford hissed tightening the arm around Hogan's neck making it a bit difficult to breathe. His eyes were suddenly met by the blazing ones of Rowland who had a thin line of blood running down from his forehead where Hogan had head-butted him. He roughly grabbed Hogan's chin and glared at him. They were soon joined by Stoddard who was again slapping the open palm of one hand with the lead pipe.
Hearing a noise, the men looked around and saw Brisbane crush his fist into the abdomen of Captain Horner swiftly followed by a blow of equal intensity to the Captain's face sending the man backward onto the floor on his side where he lay still. Breathing hard after their battle, Brisbane and Hill rejoined the others.
"What are we gonna do with him?" asked a too eager Hill with a big grin on his face staring at Hogan.
"I'll show you want I'm gonna do," hissed Brisbane. He drew back his fist and delivered a blow into Hogan's abdomen causing the Colonel to want to double over but was unable to as he was being held up. Brisbane then delivered another blow to Hogan's abdomen before following it with two blows to the Colonel's face. Hogan tasted his own blood in his mouth and some of it dribbled down his chin from the corner of his mouth and from the split lower lip. Brisbane then gestured to the others to release Hogan who collapsed to his knees, breathing hard. The officer tilted his head and raised his eyes. They were met by the smirking faces of Rowland and Hill; the Private holding the knife and the Sergeant holding his pipe.
"First, I'm gonna break every bone in your body, Kraut," Rowland hissed. "And then the Private here is gonna carve you up a bit. Then, we're gonna string you up as an example of what we do to spies who think they can just waltz around this camp as if they own it and take advantage of us." That said, Rowland raised the hand holding the pipe.
It was then that Newkirk and Kinch burst into the room and caught sight of Rowland bringing down the pipe in the direction of Hogan's head. With what sounded like an angry roar, Kinch rushed forward and snatched the pipe out of Rowland's hand and tossed it away where it hit the floor with a clank. When Rowland swung at Kinch, the radioman ducked feeling the air pass by when the man's fist swung over his head. Kinch's fist then crashed into the man's face sending Rowland sprawling unconscious onto the floor. Hill then lunged at Kinch with his knife, but the radioman blocked the arm of the hand holding the knife sending the weapon flying. Hill then swung at Kinch with his other arm, but Kinch was too quick, grabbing the younger man's arm, twisting him around, and delivering a blow to his jaw sending him onto the floor where he lay, semi-conscious.
Newkirk, meanwhile, grabbed Stoddard and smashed his fist into the man's abdomen, and then the Englander's fist smashed into the man's jaw sending him falling backwards against the ping-pong table and he slowly slid down onto the floor in sitting position. As both men then turned, they were greeted by Brisbane who swung a fist at Newkirk who managed to duck at the last second and avoid a punch. The Englander grabbed the man's arm as it flew past and tossed the man onto his back with a foot holding him down on the floor and holding the man's arm tightly by the wrist. Newkirk then delivered a blow to Brisbane's jaw knocking the man unconscious. He and Kinch then turned and confronted Gifford who had one arm around Hogan's throat with his elbow touching the Colonel's Adam's apple, his arm gripping the wrist of the arm around the Colonel's throat. He glared at the two men.
"You take one more step and I'll snap his neck like a fuckin' twig," he hissed. Both Kinch and Newkirk froze.
Suddenly Gifford's eyes bulged and he yelped in pain surprising Kinch and Newkirk. The man released his hold on the Colonel who turned and drove the top of his head into Gifford's face with all his might. The man fell over backwards with one hand pressed to his nose, and his other hand covering his privates. In an instant, Kinch and Newkirk were at Hogan's side and gently moved him out of reach of Gifford. Newkirk then untied the Colonel's hands while Kinch removed the gag from his mouth; both men nearly gagged themselves when Hogan gently eased his left arm from behind his body to reveal his bloody hand.
The attackers were now all beginning to stir, and their eyes fell immediately on the duo who had by now helped Hogan to his feet with each of them holding onto one of his arms.
"Put up your hands!" Everybody was startled by Schultz's booming voice and the men still standing found themselves staring down the business end of rifles in the hands of Schultz and Langenscheidt, and three other guards who were standing just behind them with rifles aimed as well. "Put up your hands everybody!" Schultz repeated with authority. Looking around, he pointed at two of the three guards standing behind him. "You get Sergeant Wilson have him bring a stretcher, and you get the Kommandant." Nodding, the two guards hurried away to complete their orders.
"How is Colonel Hogan?" Langenscheidt asked worriedly.
Hogan took a deep breath and winced at the pain. His pain-filled eyes shifted to Kinch first, and then Newkirk. Kinch accidentally brushed against Hogan's left hand and heard the man hiss through gritted teeth.
"He's injured but alive, Corporal," said Kinch. "But it could have been a lot worse."
Sergeant Schneider barged into Klink's office after running as quickly as he could and bounding up the steps. Standing outside the Kommandant's office door and unaware of Hilda's startled look, the guard paused leaning on the door with his hand breathing heavily. After a few minutes passed, and having gotten his breathing somewhat under control, Schneider burst into Klink's office.
"Herr Kommandant, Colonel Hogan number one has been badly injured in the rec hall. Several of the prisoners beat him." He didn't have to say another word as Klink bolted out of his chair and raced out his office with Schneider following. By the time Klink reached the rec hall, he found Sergeant Wilson kneeling beside Hogan who was leaning against a card table with Kinch and Newkirk still at his side. All the attackers were now on their feet and Captain Horner was sitting on the floor nursing a bruised jaw and sore ribs.
"What happened here?" Klink asked, horrified at the sight before him after he pushed past Blessings, Carter and Hogan number two who were standing just inside the rec hall but out of the way. The Kommandant's eyes then fell on Hogan number one. "How is he, Sergeant Wilson?"
"He's alive, fortunately, Kommandant. But I won't know more until I do a more thorough exam. But he's gonna need stitches," Wilson explained as he worked on Hogan.
Nodding, Klink turned his attention back to the men standing. "I asked a question. Now what happened here?"
"The Colonel had an accident," Rowland replied sarcastically.
Klink glared at the man and then at the dropped baseball bat and the pipe with disgust. He suddenly gasped when his eyes fell on the rope with its noose and the chair under it. He immediately believed he knew what these men's intent was concerning Hogan number one and it enraged him. "Schultz, take these men away," Klink fumed. "I know these prisoners are all aware of the penalty for fighting. However, because they assaulted a superior officer with the intent to cause serious bodily injury, thirty days in the cooler, with a loss of privileges for an additional thirty days will teach them a lesson. Also, I want you to have one of your men search this rec hall and confiscate all found weapons. And finally, the rec hall will be padlocked and will remain so for thirty days. Also, all prisoners are to be confined to barracks until further notice. Understand?"
"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant. It shall be done," Schultz replied. He ordered Corporal Hesse to begin searching the rec hall and collect all the discarded weapons. "Herr Kommandant, not all these men are guilty."
Klink looked at his Sergeant-of-the-Guard. "What are you saying, Schultz?" he asked, puzzled. Schultz took a step forward.
"Herr Kommandant, Corporal Blessings here came and got me saying that Colonel Hogan was being attacked in the rec hall. When Karl and I got here, Corporal Newkirk, Sergeant Kinchloe, and Captain Horner were trying to protect Colonel Hogan from additional injury. They were only fighting to protect Colonel Hogan."
"And what about Sergeant Carter and Hogan number two?" asked Klink. "Were they involved?"
"Nein, Herr Kommandant. They were not even present in the rec hall at the time," added Schultz.
Klink mulled over Schultz's words. "Very well then. With the exception of Sergeant Kinchloe, Corporal Newkirk, Captain Horner, Sergeant Carter and Colonel Hogan number two, all the other men are to be taken away."
"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant," said Schultz who then looked angrily at the five men, and waved his rifle at them. "Everybody! Let's go. To the cooler. March!" As Schultz knew in which cells strange occurrences took place, he would make sure to put these men in a cell without any tunnel entrance.
The prisoners quietly marched out of the rec hall with Rowland being the last one to leave. He paused as he passed Hogan number one, and spat in his direction, well shy of hitting the man.
"Kinch, can you and Newkirk to get Colonel Hogan to the infirmary?" Wilson asked.
"Will he be all right?" Klink asked again. Hogan number one slightly raised his eyes to meet Klink's; the Kommandant could see the hurt, pain, and betrayal in them. He swallowed hard knowing and wondering exactly how much of it he was to blame for.
"He should be, but he'll definitely need stitches, and may be out of it for a few days. Kommandant, he also won't be able to make roll call for a day or two." Wilson slowly got to his feet and moved out of the way to allow Newkirk and Kinch to assist helping Hogan onto the stretcher. They all knew Hogan normally would refuse and be argumentative about being carried anywhere on a stretcher, but considering the blood loss and other injuries, Hogan felt a bit woozy and nauseous. So, he offered no resistance as he was helped onto the stretcher. As he lay flat, he exhaled deeply and closed his eyes momentarily.
"Very well, Sergeant," Klink said. "But Schultz will check every day to make sure Colonel Hogan number one is present. Keep me updated on his condition," he ordered before turning to head back to his office.
"Yes, sir," Wilson replied. He watched as Newkirk and Kinch carefully picked up the stretcher, and followed Wilson out of the rec hall. A shaky Captain Horner walked behind the stretcher with Corporal Blessings help, but Carter and Hogan number two hung back.
Carter was watching the backs of the men who were taking Hogan to the infirmary, and wanted to join them desperately, but he knew now that he had changed sides, that would not be advisable under any circumstances. But still Carter felt guilty. He turned and watched the guard gathering up the discarded weapons as he found them, then his eyes shifted to the rope and noose hanging from a rafter. It made Carter's stomach turn thinking how close the Colonel had come to what could be called a lynching after he would have been beaten probably within an inch of his life. He took a deep breath in and out. He then noticed out of the corner of his eye that Hogan number two seemed to have an amused smirk on his face, and it made Carter mad. He followed the man outside the rec hall.
"You find it funny that a man was beaten and almost hanged, Colonel?" Carter asked angrily.
Hogan number two shrugged. "No, I don't find it funny at all. In fact, I find it quite disgusting. But we're talking about a Nazi spy, Carter. And spies are subject to face these reactions from prisoners who believe they're being used by the spy. Surely you should know that?" Hogan number two's eyebrows suddenly knitted as his eyes narrowed; he put a hand on Carter's shoulder. "Are you starting to have doubts about me again? Is that why what happened in here troubles you so much? You can tell me the truth," he asked warily.
"Oh no, sir," Carter replied. "I don't have any doubts at all. Not a single one. It's just that people taking the law into their own hands always bothered me. As a kid growing up in Bullfrog, North Dakota, I once in a while saw that kind of thing and it bothered me then. I understand that to you and the other prisoners he's nothing but a German spy, but he's still a human being."
Hogan number two smiled affectionately at the young Sergeant. He gripped Carter's shoulder. "I understand completely. And believe me when I say that the sooner I've taken over the prisoners, and gotten rid of this spy, the sooner things will calm down around here and return to normal. But you have to understand that not all prisoners are going to feel as you do. Some of them will feel angry, enraged, and betrayed with the thought that someone they trusted turned out to be against them the entire time. Some of them will want to take the law, as you put it, into their own hands. It's unfortunate, but not surprising when you're dealing with human emotions. And this may come as a surprise to you, but I doubt it's gonna be the last time a prisoner tries something."
Carter's eyes widened like saucers and his jaw dropped. "You mean….?"
Hogan number two sighed wearily as he turned Carter towards him and placed both hands on his shoulders. "All I'm saying is that I suspect some of these prisoners might try something else, so don't be surprised when and if it happens."
Captain Horner, other than a bruised and swollen jaw and sore ribs, had been found to have suffered no serious injuries. Wilson had his assistant, Sergeant Paul Anderson, wrap the Captain's ribs for protection although none were cracked or broken. He also made sure the Captain took two aspirin before leaving the infirmary and gave him two more aspirin to take with him with the promise to rest and take things easy for a couple of days, and if the aspirin weren't strong enough to see him. After accepting the thanks from Hogan's team and being assured the Captain was okay, Wilson then allowed Corporal Blessings to help the Captain back to his barracks and made sure he rested. Now alone, Wilson joined Kinch, LeBeau, and Newkirk who were standing by Hogan's bedside.
"He'll be all right," he said sensing the first question by Kinch. "He's resting now, and I sedated him so he could sleep. I had to stitch the back of his hand as the cut was deep, applied some sulfa powder in case of infection, and gave him some pain meds. But there didn't appear to be any muscle or ligament damage so he should retain full use of it. But he may have a scar. The bruises on his face will fade in time and the cuts will heal. All-in-all, he was very lucky you guys arrived when you did."
LeBeau stared at Hogan's injured hand which, though wrapped protectively in gauze after being stitched, was already spotted with bits of blood. He closed his eyes to shut out the sight for a few seconds before sitting down on the bed beside Hogan's. Opening them again, he allowed his eyes to fall on the Colonel's bruised face. Some of the bruises were already turning colors, some deeper than others.
"You okay, Louie?" asked Newkirk watching the little Frenchman.
LeBeau sighed but didn't take his eyes off Hogan's face. "Oui. I am all right. It is the Colonel we should worry about."
"He'll be okay, LeBeau," Wilson assured him.
"Oui, I know. But this never should have happened to him." LeBeau's voice was harsh.
"I agree with you there, mate," Newkirk agreed. "I hope the Gov'nor leaves those bloody bastards in the cooler for the full thirty days for what they did to 'im. They don't deserve no bleedin' sympathy if you ask me."
"Looks like we'll have to watch the Colonel's back until this entire mess is resolved and we get rid of this guy," Kinch said wearily. "But as we're confined to barracks, we'll have to make sure whichever guard escorts him from the barracks, escorts him back as well. Next time he might not be so lucky." The others readily agreed.
Wilson's eyes arched as he suddenly realized something he hadn't noticed until now. "Where's Carter?" he asked. "I thought he'd be here with the Colonel." He noticed the expressions change on the faces of the other three and sensed something was wrong.
"Forget Andre," LeBeau hissed as if the name left a bad taste in his mouth.
"Why?" asked Wilson, confused. "I saw him in the rec hall. What's going on?"
Kinch let out a deep breath and looked at the medic. "Carter's turned against the Colonel, Joe," he explained quietly. He held up a hand when he saw the medic was about to ask a question. "It's a long story, but needless to say is that Carter now believes the other prisoner is the real Colonel Hogan and is now on his side."
"That's incredible," mouthed Wilson with a shake of his head.
"Regardless," Newkirk added. "Considering the circumstances, we would appreciate it if you would keep Carter away. In other words, we don't want him anywhere near Colonel Hogan while he's in here. Can't be trusted."
"Will that be a problem, Joe?" asked Kinch.
Wilson shook his head. "No, it won't be a problem. I just have to make certain I let Paul know as well. It's just hard to believe is all."
"Yeah, well, it was for us too," added Kinch sadly.
The room grew silent after that. But Kinch, Newkirk and LeBeau, despite their worries and concerns could at least smile with the realization that their commanding officer was going to be fine.