A/N: I was hoping this story would be completed by or before 12/31/2011, but that appears will not be the case. Here's hoping everybody has a Merry Christmas and a Happy, healthy New Year.
Chapter 26
Carter noticed the instant change in Hogan's expression and knew right away something in those photos of Gower's file had caught the Colonel's attention.
"Find something, sir?" he asked.
"Yeah," the Colonel replied without looking at the younger man. "Listen to this. Corporal Hans Gower was stationed at Luftstalag III in the German Providence of Lower Silesia near the town of Sagan. It's a prison camp that houses captured Air Force servicemen. And then he went through basic training."(1)
Carter appeared confused. "I don't get it."
Hogan looked up then, his face grim. "Think back, Carter, to when you first entered the military. Anybody knows you go through basic training first before you're stationed someplace, not the other way around."
"So what do you think it means, Colonel?" Carter asked, concerned.
"I suspect that whoever put this file together either didn't know what they were doing which I somehow doubt. Or they didn't realize they had Gower's military record out of order." Hogan handed the photos back to Carter. "Carter, seeing as you saw Gower and the phony talking and our friend handed him a slip of paper, I believe our friend is passing on information to Gower who then passes it on to van Kueren. When van Kueren came into camp that day and only questioned the phony, it was to pass on the liquid nicotine to him."
"How is Peter, Colonel?" asked a worried Carter.
Hogan smiled. "He's still a bit sick, but he's much better, and Wilson believes he will make a complete recovery." He saw Carter's face brighten at the news.
Hogan leaned against the wall and folded his arms across his chest. "We have to get rid of Gower as well," he said solemnly. "But until I can figure out how, we need somebody to keep an eye on him. And no, Carter, I don't want you to take this on. I'll get one of the other men to do it," he added seeing his young Sergeant about to open his mouth.
"But Colonel, the phony already believes I'm on his side. I could come up with some reason for him to…."
"I said no, Carter," Hogan said in his authoritative voice. "I don't want you trying to get close to Gower or try getting the phony to tell you about his connection with Gower. It's not only too risky, but it's too dangerous as well."
"Yes, sir," Carter said dejectedly, hanging his head.
Hogan's face softened and he touched the young man's shoulder causing Carter to look up. He saw the corners of Hogan's mouth turn upwards. "But I thank you for offering anyway."
Carter allowed a goofy grin to appear. "That's okay. Colonel, was London able to clear things up at all?" Hogan then remembered that Carter didn't know about their latest trouble. He quickly brought the young Sergeant up-to-date and that while Kinch would check up above, Newkirk would check from below. He then revealed the deadline imposed by Burkhalter knowing he couldn't hide it as the others knew and would surely tell Carter. Finished, Hogan waited as he saw Carter's eyes widen and his jaw drop.
"What are you gonna do, Colonel?" he asked, the worry and concern etched on his face and in his voice.
"I don't know yet," Hogan told him. "But I'll come up with something I hope."
"We know you will, sir," Carter said with a smile as he looked into his commanding officer's eyes. "You always do." He paused. "But if you don't this time, we're not gonna let them remove you from camp and risk not having you come back. But it won't come to that because you'll come up with something."
Hogan found himself chuckling at the young man's faith and loyalty, and hoped both would hold true.
Once finished with Carter, Hogan returned to the cooler. Pushing the cement block aside, he crawled through the opening; and while doing so, noticed Newkirk and Wilson waiting. He then moved the block back into place.
"How's he doing, Joe?" Hogan asked standing up and dusting off his jacket. He had seen the Englander lying down on the bunk, and he appeared to be asleep.
Wilson motioned for Hogan to follow him, and both men moved to the cell door so as not to disturb Newkirk. "He's doing all right," the medic replied quietly. "If he rests until you need him, he should be able to do what you want him to do later, sir."
Hogan nodded. "Good. Did anybody miss me while I was gone?"
The medic smirked, then chuckled. "Schultz stopped by and nearly fainted when he didn't see you here. When he asked where you were, I simply told him you had a previous engagement and would be right back. I thought the poor man was gonna faint."
Hogan chuckled. "I bet he did. Can't wait to see his expression when he sees I'm back. Hey Schultz!"
Moments later, the obese guard waddled to the cell and stood wide-eyed with his jaw dropped. "Colonel Hogan…how did…where did…never mind. I do not wish to know anything."
Hogan smiled. "I didn't think you'd want to know but, if you really do, I won't object to telling you."
"I would rather you didn't," Schultz announced. He unlocked the door to allow Wilson and Hogan to leave before closing and re-locking the door as the two men walked away. The medic noticed the Colonel rub the back of his neck and heard him exhale deeply through his mouth.
"Something wrong, sir?" Wilson asked.
The Colonel glanced at the medic and grinned tiredly. "Just have a lot on my mind, Joe, that's all." The two men walked back into the compound. "I'll be fine after our friend is gone and things return to normal around here."
Wilson suspected Hogan wasn't telling him everything, but he knew his commanding officer well enough not to push him as he would only clam up more. It would be best to let him tell him when and if he was ready on his own time. "I understand, sir. Just remember, if you need to talk, I'm available to you."
"Thanks, Joe." Hogan watched the medic veer off and head in the direction of his own barracks. Hogan then continued to his own barracks, taking a moment to glance in the direction of the disabled radio detector truck and allowed himself a faint smile. Right now it was the only thing that gave him something to smile about.
Hogan number two was sitting outside barracks number two on the bench watching the men in the compound and spotted Hogan number one and the medic leaving the cooler area with the medic heading in the direction of his barracks. The American Colonel was approaching barracks two. When Hogan number one was close enough, the two men glared at each other in silence for a few seconds before either one said anything. Hogan number two leaned back against the wall with arms folded across his chest and legs outstretched, crossed at the ankles. He grinned sarcastically at his counterpart.
"So, how's your English nut case, Colonel?" he asked with a smirk.
Hogan number one pursed his lips as he managed to maintain his temper knowing what the phony was trying to do. It wouldn't do for him to lose his temper. He exhaled deeply.
"First of all, Newkirk is not a nut case. And second, despite what you did, he's recovering nicely and will live, no thanks to you." Hogan number one grabbed the doorknob of the door and started to open it, but stopped when Hogan number two called out to him. "What?" he hissed, his eyes boring into the other man.
Hogan number two chuckled. "Just thought I should tell you not to wait up for me. I have a date with Hilda tonight after lights out. Gonna use one of the cars in the motor pool. Been ignoring the poor girl lately. Besides, a nice soft woman is just what I need right now. And who knows? Tonight I just might be able to move things to the next level with her."
Hogan number one ground his lower jaw so hard he thought his teeth would break; but inwardly, he was somewhat delighted. At least the phony would be out of their way when Kinch went to check on the antenna from the roof of the Kommandantur and would never know Kinch was even missing. But he was also worried about Hilda. What if this excuse for a person tried forcing himself on her? Even though she didn't trust him right now, Hogan would make sure she was protected by having one of his men keep watch while the phony was with her. And Hogan promised himself if the phony hurt her in any way he would beat him to a pulp personally and repercussions be damned. Then, with a shake of his head, he entered the barracks and let the door slam shut, much to the amusement of Hogan number two who remained seated outside.
The minute Hogan had re-entered the barracks, he was greeted by LeBeau handing him a cup of hot coffee which he gratefully accepted. He closed his eyes and savored the taste of the hot liquid as it slid down his throat. He opened his eyes to see the diminutive Frenchman looking up at him expectantly. He knew what LeBeau was waiting to hear about as was Kinch who was seated at the table eying him, waiting.
"Newkirk's doing much better according to Wilson and should recover fully," he said. "And he'll check the antenna from the tunnel while Kinch checks from the roof. Turns out our friend has a date with Hilda tonight which fits in perfectly with our plans. Kinch, five minutes after he leaves, I want you to head out. LeBeau, as soon as Kinch leaves, I want you to go to the cooler and let Newkirk know it's time."
"Oui, Colonel."
Hogan then looked around and let his eyes land on Olsen, seated on his upper bunk with legs hanging over the edge. "Olsen, I need you to do me a favor." He approached the bunk and looked up.
"Sure thing, Colonel," Olsen replied, paying attention. "What do you need?"
"Our friend is going to use the motor pool again on his date with Hilda. I need you to spy on them just to make sure he doesn't try anything where she could get hurt. Then report back to me."
"Yes, sir," Olsen replied understanding. "Uh, Colonel. Can I ask a question?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"What are your orders if he does try something where Hilda could be in danger?"
Hogan took another drink of coffee before again looking up at Olsen. "If he tries anything, do whatever you have to in order to keep her safe short of killing the bastard."
"Yes, sir."
With that problem addressed, Hogan sat down at the table beside Kinch, and LeBeau joined them. "So what did Carter have to say, mon Colonel?"
"It's Gower," Hogan replied glancing back and forth between the two men. Neither Kinch or LeBeau inquired as to what tipped Hogan off about the guard, only what they were going to do about him.
"I say we should do to him what is done to all spies," said the Frenchman drawing a finger across his throat from ear-to-ear.
"We are not killing anybody!" Hogan emphasized. "So get that idea out of your head right now! Besides, you know how I feel about killing people in camp. It draws too much unwanted attention which we don't need."
"Sorry, mon Colonel," LeBeau murmured hanging his head, ashamed for his thought.
"So just what do we do, Colonel?" asked Kinch, watching Hogan take another drink of coffee. LeBeau looked up as well.
Hogan looked between his men. "I believe I can convince Klink to order Gower out of camp on the basis of being a spy for the Gestapo. But we have to make it appear we had nothing to do with this discovery."
"So how do we handle him, Colonel? asked LeBeau.
"Easy," Hogan replied as an idea started coming to him. "We let Schultz expose him. We just supply the proof he needs to do it."
Still seated on the bench outside barracks two, Hogan number two spotted Andrew Carter calmly walking across the compound in the direction of barracks two, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets. As he drew closer, Hogan number two stood up and placed a hand on the younger man's chest, stopping him.
"Where have you been?" he asked suspiciously. "I've been looking for you nearly all day."
Carter knew he had to think quickly. "Sorry. I was in the infirmary most of the day," he said. "I've had an upset stomach since last night and went to see Sergeant Wilson today. But he wasn't there so I saw Sergeant Anderson instead. He gave me something to settle my stomach and suggested I lie down for awhile and rest and see if I felt better when I woke up. I did and here I am back in the barracks." He paused for a moment. "I'm sorry if I worried you, Colonel. I mean, considering I don't have too many friends around here lately, I thought it better if I just didn't tell anybody where I was going."
Hogan number two lowered his hand, but continued staring at Carter. "As long as you're feeling all right now," he said with a grin. "I'd hate to have one of my men ill. Makes me wonder if that phony didn't do something to you that made you ill."
Carter bit his tongue to control his temper at the mere suggestion that his commanding officer would hurt one of his own men, but knew he couldn't tell this guy what he really wanted to say as his own life was on the line as long as he was playing the role of traitor. And Carter suspected if he defended the Colonel too much, this guy might become suspicious of him and that would defeat the whole plan. "That wasn't the case, sir. Sergeant Anderson said it was just an upset stomach brought on by too much stress and tension, and that I had to learn to relax." Carter was glad he had stopped by the infirmary and updated Anderson as to what he would tell the phony Hogan to cover for him being in the tunnels. Also, he was laughing inside at the thought that if the phony did actually check out his story, he would probably faint discovering that Sergeant Paul Anderson was black. But the young Sergeant kept a straight face.
"You're sure this other Colonel Hogan didn't do anything to you, Carter?"
"Yes, sir, I'm positive. Besides, Sergeant Anderson wouldn't lie about that. You can ask him yourself."
Hogan number two exhaled and nodded his head before allowing Carter to pass by and go inside the barracks. He decided he would verify Carter's story with the medic, and then have Gower get him two fully loaded weapons. He would step up his plan to dispose of Hogan no later than this coming Friday.
(1)In the American military one goes through basic training first and then are stationed somewhere, and I'm assuming it works the same way in the German military. Also, Luftstalag III in the German Providence of Lower Silesia near town of Sagan, is now in Zagan in Poland.