Chapter 21

Hogan number one was aware of the many sets of eyes on him without even looking as he bounded up the steps of the Kommandantur. He had felt them watching him from the moment he exited the barracks. Now inside the outer office, he saw Hilda look up at him from behind her desk, and thought he saw the corners of her mouth curl upwards at seeing him but he couldn't be certain. He nodded politely to her all the while keeping his face impassive.

"He in?" he asked gesturing towards the closed door of the Kommandant's office.

Hilda glanced at the telephone on her desk and saw the light was on. "Jawohl," she said softly. "But he's speaking with General Burkhalter right now."

"Then he'll welcome the interruption," Hogan said walking past her desk before Hilda could say anything or stop him, and barged into Klink's office without knocking, letting the door close behind him. He issued a sloppy salute to the Kommandant who looked up while on the phone and returned the salute. Hogan then sat down on a chair under the portrait of Hitler which housed one of their hidden microphones, crossed his legs, and waited.

"Yes, General Burkhalter. No, General Burkhalter. I understand, sir. No, sir. Yes, sir. I am making slow progress, sir. Yes, sir. What?" Klink rolled his eyes. "Yes, sir. Heil Hitler." He hung up the phone and stared hard at the American. "What is it, Hogan?"

"How's old tubby today?" Hogan asked with a smirk.

"He's fi…..Hoooogaaaannnn!" Klink slammed his hand down on his desk and glared at his American counterpart. "You will stop referring to General Burkhalter as old tubby!"

Hogan shrugged. "Sorry, sir. How's old skinny doing?"

"For your information, General Burkhalter is growing impatient wanting this matter of which of the two of you is the real Hogan resolved, and is considering having both of you turned over to the Gestapo. But I managed to convince him that I am making progress in determining which of you is real, and he agreed to give me one more week. So Hogan, I'm very busy as you can see, and don't have time for your foolishness. So get out."

"That's a fine greeting for somebody who just got out of the infirmary," Hogan said feigning hurt feelings. "Or did you forget you're partly to blame for this?" He held up his wrapped hand and saw Klink wince as he stared at it. Feeling no joy at seeing the Kommandant's obvious discomfort at seeing his injury, Hogan placed his throbbing hand on his top knee with his other. He told himself to remember to take some aspirin when he returned to the barracks.

Klink slowly got up from behind his desk and walked toward his liquor cabinet, pouring two glasses of Schnapps. Carrying both back to his desk, he handed one to Hogan and then sat on the edge of his desk facing the American. He raised his snifter before taking a drink, and watched Hogan duplicate the move. He saw Klink then hold his snifter in both hands and look down into the dark liquid. "I'm sorry, Hogan," he said not looking up. "I do feel somewhat responsible for the attack on you. Now what can I do for you?" he asked as he got up and walked back behind his desk and sat down. "If it's to have Newkirk released, you're wasting your time, so forget it."

"Have Newkirk released? You have got to be kidding, Kommandant."

Klink's jaw dropped at Hogan's words. He was certain getting the Englander released was the reason for Hogan's visit. To hear it wasn't caught him by surprise. "You mean you're going to let one of your men remain in the cooler for thirty days?"

"Absolutely. I mean this phony may very well be an officer. And I don't condone violence among the men, nor do I condone someone striking a superior officer even if we're not sure he really is one. But until we know for sure, we have to assume he could be one."

"Then what are you doing here?"

"I just want to visit Newkirk and find out why he did what he did, and to let him know I'm not going to bail him out this time. With your permission of course."

"Out of the question!" Klink stated emphatically.

Hogan arched his eyebrows, made a face, then finished his Schnapps. "Suit yourself, Kommandant." He sat the empty snifter on the corner of the Kommandant's desk and started to get up. "I just hope old tub…I mean General Burkhalter doesn't find out what Newkirk did because he's going to want to know what happened. He might even go so far as to think you're losing control of the situation of two Colonel Hogans in camp and who knows…" He started towards the door. "…he might be ordered to turn everything over to the Gestapo and send you to the Russian front for making the Luftwaffe the laughing stock of Germany." Out of the corner of his eye, Hogan could see Klink's face tense up and knew he had him hooked and now just had to reel him in. "Then of course old bubble head might intervene on your behalf and order you not sent to the Russian front."

Klink's face relaxed and a nervous smile appeared. "You really think so, Hogan?"

"Of course, sir. He'll just have you shot instead. But, you know better." Hogan opened the door and started to leave.

"Hogan, wait!" Klink started to his feet and walked around his desk until he and Hogan were face-to-face. The American could see the paleness of Klink's face and knew he had him. "I've changed my mind. You can have ten minutes with the prisoner Newkirk." He looked out into the outer office. "Schultz!"

The rotund guard hurried forward and saluted. "You asked for me, Herr Kommandant?" he asked. Klink hastily returned the salute. "Yes, Schultz. Accompany Colonel Hogan to the cooler. He's allowed ten minutes with the prisoner Newkirk."

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant."

Hogan smiled innocently and gave a sloppy salute. "Thank you, Kommandant."

Klink returned the salute. "Hrmph!" was all he muttered as he watched Hogan close the door behind him and Schultz.

Newkirk was lying down on the hard bunk in the cooler with hands clasped behind his head, one leg bent with his other resting on the bent knee, staring up at the ceiling. He continued waiting patiently for Hogan to come and get him released from the cooler so he could return to the barracks. But he also knew Hogan would be very displeased with his actions which landed him in his current predicament to begin with, and Newkirk knew he would have to work harder to control his temper. He knew the Colonel would be within his rights to leave him in the cooler just to teach him a lesson for letting the phony get to him as he did. But he convinced himself Hogan would simply lecture him before getting him released. Suddenly hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, the Englander sat up swinging his legs off the bed and putting his feet on the floor. He had both hands, palms downward, on the bed one on each side of him and waited.

He grinned at seeing the American standing beside Schultz who was unlocking the cell door and held it open. Entering, Hogan stopped in the doorway and looked over his shoulder at the guard. "Thanks, Schultz. You can come back in twenty minutes."

"Colonel Hogan, the Kommandant's orders are that you are allowed ten minutes with the prisoner. Now I heard him say that and….." Schultz, who had been wagging his finger at Hogan as he spoke, stopped as he saw Hogan reach inside his jacket and pull out a chocolate bar. He waved it back and forth in front of Schultz's eyes which followed the delicious, sweet-tasting treat. "I believe the Kommandant said fifteen minutes," he said.

With a shake of his head, Hogan pulled out a second candy bar and waved them both in front of the guard. "Uh, are you sure it was fifteen minutes, Schultz?" he asked.

Schultz smiled as he grabbed the candy bars in his large hand. "My mistake, Colonel Hogan," he said as he sniffed one candy bar eager to eat his delicious treasures. "He did say twenty minutes. You were right and I was wrong."

Smiling, Hogan patted Schultz's shoulder. "Eat slowly, Schultz. I'll call you when I'm ready." He watched Schultz walk away before he closed the door with a clang and walked over to where Newkirk was seated and stood in front of him with his arms wrapped around himself.

"Blimey, Gov'nor," Newkirk said with a grin. "I thought you'd never get here." He rubbed his hands excitedly together. "How soon can I get outta here and back to me barracks, sir?"

Hogan exhaled through his nose and shook his head. "No can do, Newkirk," he said. "You really screwed up when you belted our friend. If I get you released for assaulting somebody who just might be an officer, it would look like I condone that sort of behavior and you know I don't."

"But the bloke's a blasted phony!" Newkirk jumped to his feet, refusing to believe that he had figured wrong, and that his commanding officer was going to leave him in the cooler. "He's probably not even a bleedin' officer!"

"Doesn't matter," Hogan explained. "If I get you released now, our friend could use the same excuse to get the men who attacked me released. Now while I hate to see any of the men under my command in the cooler, I can't afford to have those six men roaming around the camp possibly turning others to their way of thinking. We could end up with a major rebellion here at Stalag 13 which could result in the Gestapo getting involved, and there goes our entire operation. Now is that what you want?"

Newkirk slowly sat back down, crushed. He had to admit he hadn't thought that far ahead until the Colonel had explained the ramifications of getting him released. He knew immediately the Colonel was right. He sighed wearily. "I'm sorry, Gov'nor. Really I am. I didn't think…guess I really screwed things up, sir."

Hogan's face softened. "Not really. I mean, if it wasn't for your little act, we would never have found out our friend had plastic surgery possibly to conceal his identity."

Newkirk's face brightened a bit. "I guess you're right there, sir. So, what happens now?"

"Well, for now you'll have to remain in here until we can get rid of our friend. As soon as that happens, I can then get you released. But until then…." he let his voice trail off.

"How long do you think that'll be, Gov'nor?"

"We should be able to clear things up when London comes off radio silence tomorrow. With luck, we can clear this mess up then. Think you can hold out another day or two in here?"

Newkirk grinned. "No problem, Colonel. Schultz put me in a cell with a back door. If I get bored I can always pay me mates a visit." He smiled in return when he saw Hogan smile.

"Just check before you pay us a visit," Hogan replied. "The last thing we need is for the phony to spot you in the barracks and go running to Klink. We can't give him any indication there's a secret way for a prisoner to leave the cooler without the guards knowing." Both men turned when they heard footsteps to see Schultz standing in the doorway. The obese guard checked his watch.

"Time's up," he said grimly.

"Coming, Schultz," Hogan replied before turning back to his British Corporal. "I have to leave now. Is there anything you need while you're here?"

Newkirk scratched his chin. "Well, sir, I could use a pack of smokes. I mean, I smoked me last one yesterday and could really use a cigarette 'bout now. You wouldn't happen to have any on you, would you?"

"Sorry. But I have half a pack in my footlocker. I'll have LeBeau bring them when he brings you some dinner later."

"Much appreciated, sir." He glanced in Schultz's direction and saw the guard becoming edgy. "I think you better leave now, Colonel. Schultz looks like he's about to go into bloody labor over there."

Hogan smirked. "That's an image I can do without," he said, chuckling. "I'll check on you later. Try and hang in there."

"I will, sir. And you be careful with that bloody bastard still around. When I get out of here I want to find you still in command and in one piece." Hogan didn't reply even though he could see the look of affection and worry in Newkirk's green eyes. He smiled before turning and leaving the cell, hearing the clang of the door being shut behind him by Schultz.

Trying to keep pace with the American officer, Schultz, huffing and puffing, finally caught up with Hogan as the officer approached the wire fence surrounding the entrance to the cell area. "Colonel Hogan, please wait!" he puffed.

With a sigh, Hogan turned to face the larger man. He really wasn't in the mood for small talk right now, but he knew he would be patient and listen to what Schultz had to say. "What is it, Schultz?" Hogan asked tiredly. He waited until Schultz had caught his breath.

"Colonel Hogan, is there anything I can do for either you or Newkirk?"

Hogan shrugged. "Not really," he said. "Newkirk understands my reasons for not getting him released. But I have to handle this myself and it's better if you're not involved." A small smile appeared. "But thanks anyway."

Schultz frowned. "For what it's worth, I know you are the real Colonel Hogan, even if the Big Shot isn't sure." He paused for a few seconds. "Are you sure there is nothing I can do?"

Hogan could see in the guard's eyes how he felt and smiled. "If you really want to do something for me, Schultz…keep an eye on Newkirk for me. I don't trust this phony not to try and take advantage of him being in the cooler."

Schultz smiled. "You have my word. I will keep an eye on the Englander for you, Colonel Hogan. But is there anything I do for you personally?"

Hogan patted the guard's shoulder. "Just do what I asked of you and you will be." He then turned and walked in the direction of the barracks with Schultz's eyes watching him until he was out of sight. Schultz swore to himself he would covertly keep an eye on Colonel Hogan also as best he could without the Colonel being aware of it.

Hogan was nearing the barracks when he spotted Carter peeking out from the side of the barracks gesturing to him. Looking around warily, Hogan made sure nobody was paying any attention. Seeing nobody was, he quickened his pace until he stood before the young Sergeant. "What are you doing here, Carter?" he asked, periodically looking over his shoulder to make sure it was safe.

"I just had to see you, Colonel," Carter said with both hands stuffed inside his pockets.

"I'm here now. What is it?" He knew Carter was taking a huge risk himself by meeting with him out in the open, so whatever was on his mind must be important enough to risk it.

As quickly as he could, Carter nervously repeated what Hogan number two had told him he was going to do. Carter saw Hogan raise his eyebrows.

"Did he say anything about what he planned to do with Kinch, Baker, and any others he had transferred out of camp?" Hogan asked seriously, his anger growing by the minute.

"No, sir. And I didn't want to risk asking. He scared the hell outta me when he said that. Colonel, what are we going to do? This guy's dangerous. And sir, he really hates you. I could tell." Hogan could see fear in Carter's eyes as he looked at his commanding officer. Smiling, Hogan placed a hand on the young man's shoulder.

"I'll be all right," he assured the Sergeant. "Does he have any suspicion you're conning him?"

"No, sir," Carter replied. "At least I don't think he does anyway."

"Okay," Hogan said. "Just keep in mind that if at anytime you feel he's onto you, come to the barracks right away."

Carter nodded his head. "I will." He then looked sadly at the Colonel. "Sir, how much longer do I have to pretend to be a traitor? I mean, it's hard to have all of my friends believing I betrayed all of you. You can't believe some of the things I hear them saying to me."

Hogan smiled understandingly. "I think I can. Hopefully we can resolve this issue tomorrow. Once it's over, I'll make sure everybody knows that you were only pretending to betray us. And also, I'm sorry for the things I had to say to you in the infirmary. But Anderson was in the back room and I had no idea when he might show up."

Carter smiled faintly. "That's okay, Colonel. I know you didn't mean any of it." He saw Hogan look over his shoulder again. "Is there anything else I can do?"

"Carter, m'boy, I'm glad you asked that question," said Hogan with a tired smirk. "Because there is something I need you and Olsen to do for us." He then went on to explain his plan to Carter and what the diversion was that he needed, and that Carter and Olsen were the only ones who could do it.

A wide grin broke out on the young man's face. "Sure thing, boy," he said excitedly. "I mean, Colonel."

Then, with a last look over his shoulder, Hogan patted Carter on the back, turned, and walked away, heading around to the front of the barracks while Carter turned and walked in the opposite direction.

LeBeau had just sat plates of food in front of Kinch and Olsen when Hogan re-entered the barracks. Immediately the men noticed his upset expression.

"You all right, mon Colonel?"

"I'm okay, LeBeau," Hogan said as he grabbed a coffee cup from the table and poured himself a cup of hot coffee. He appeared to be deep in thought.

"Was Newkirk upset when you told him you were not getting him released, Colonel?" asked Kinch, worried.

Hogan sighed. "At first. But after I explained my reasons he understood and agreed with them."

"Dinner's ready, mon Colonel," said the little Frenchman. "I hope you are hungry. I prepared your favorite. Chicken cordon bleu."

Sighing, Hogan exhaled deeply eying the French Corporal grimly. "I'm not hungry, LeBeau. I'm just gonna have some coffee." Hogan then saw the sad look on LeBeau's face realizing the trouble the Frenchman had gone through preparing his commanding officer's favorite dish. A small lazy smile crossed his face. "On second thought, LeBeau, I think I will have something. I always love your cooking, and besides, it does smell delicious."

LeBeau's face brightened considerably. "Oui, Colonel, right away." He happily set about preparing a plate for the Colonel who sat down between Kinch and Olsen and sipped his coffee. A few short minutes later, LeBeau placed a plate in front of his commanding officer before turning and preparing another plate. "This one is for Pierre," he said with his back turned. "I will take it to him as soon as I am done, Colonel."

Hogan, while listening to LeBeau, and having not yet touched his food, quickly got to his feet, disappearing into his quarters only to reappear a few minutes later with a pack of cigarettes. He handed them to the Frenchman who stood waiting holding a tray on which sat a covered plate and a cup of coffee. "I promised Newkirk he could have the rest of my cigarettes seeing as he ran out of his last night and he's about to climb the walls. Make sure he gets them." He placed the pack on the tray. "Our friend is in my quarters seemingly asleep, but then again…." He sighed. "Regardless, I don't recommend you use the entrance here. You'll have to slip outside and try not to let the guards catch you."

"I understand, Colonel," LeBeau replied with a smile. "I will be careful." He then left the barracks, closing the door quietly. Hogan stood staring at the closed door for a minute before returning to the table and sitting down. Picking up his fork, he started eating his food and quickly realized just how hungry he really was. Kinch and Olsen watched the Colonel eat and were pleased to see him eat most of what was on his plate before putting down his fork and pushing the remainder of his food away from him. He flexed his injured hand and silently cursed himself for not grabbing the aspirin bottle as well before he left his quarters. It was then he noticed Kinch grinning at him.

"What's so funny?" Hogan asked shaking his aching hand.

Kinch, reaching into his jacket pocket, removed a bottle of aspirin and after opening the bottle, shook two tablets into his open hand and gave them to Hogan. "I got them from Wilson and didn't trust leaving them in your quarters with our friend still here," he said. "I didn't want to take the chance he might tamper with them somehow."

With a faint smile, Hogan swallowed the aspirin and followed it with a drink of coffee. "Thanks," he said. He then took the bottle from Kinch and stuck it inside his inner jacket pocket. "I'll keep it in my jacket for safe keeping," he added. His face then became serious. "Did LeBeau get that potato I asked him to get?"

Kinch nodded. "We have it, Colonel," Kinch said as he shoved a forkful of food into his mouth. "LeBeau has it in his footlocker."

"But?" asked Hogan with an arched eyebrow. He knew his radioman very well and could sense the questioning look in his eyes. "What's troubling you, Kinch?"

Kinch sighed. "I just don't know about this diversion, Colonel. I mean, it sounds a bit risky to me. Can we even be sure it's gonna work?"

"It'll work," Hogan assured him.'

"How can you be so sure, sir?" asked Olsen, puzzled.

Hogan smirked. "Because we have a secret weapon that won't be expected to create our diversion."

"You mean….?" began Kinch with raised eyebrows.

"Exactly," Hogan replied. "We have Carter."