Chapter 33

The following morning, the prisoners of barracks two, minus Kinch, were lined up for roll call. Immediately after Schultz made his report, Klink scanned the two lines of prisoners.

"Didn't think I'd notice, did you?" he asked staring at Hogan number one as if catching him up to something and waving a forefinger in the man's face. "Where is Sergeant Kinchloe?"

Bouncing on the balls of his feet, and with thumbs hooked in the side pockets of his jacket, Hogan number one exhaled wearily. Afterall, he had had a long night. "Kommandant, Sergeant Kinchloe was taken ill yesterday afternoon sometime, and was moved to the infirmary after lights out."

Klink smirked as he advanced until he stood toe-to-toe with Hogan number one. "Sick eh? I'll just bet he's sick. He's escaped and you're covering for him!"

Hogan shrugged. "I figured you wouldn't believe me. Perhaps you should check with Corporal Langenscheidt."

"And just why should I do that may I ask?"

"Oh, I don't know," Hogan replied with a smirk of his own. "Maybe because he was with us at that time and helped us get Kinch to the infirmary."

As the two continued to go back and forth, Hogan number two watched and listened. He still believed Hogan was up to something, and he would give anything to find out exactly what, but right now he had more important things to do. Besides, he figured Hogan would have all his bases covered anyway; he always did.

Klink turned his attention to his obese Sergeant-of-the-Guard. "Schultz!" he bellowed stomping his foot on the ground like a little boy pouting because he didn't get his way.

Schultz swallowed hard. "Ja…Jawohl, Herr Kommandant?" he stammered.

"Dismiss the men. Then find Corporal Langenscheidt and have him report to me in the infirmary. We'll see just how ill Sergeant Kinchloe is." He glared at Hogan number one. "Hrmph!" He snarled before abruptly turning and stomping away in the direction of the infirmary. Schultz watched him leave before dismissing the prisoners and hurrying off to find the Corporal.

As the men dispersed, LeBeau and Olsen came up beside Hogan.

"What do you think, mon Colonel?" asked LeBeau quietly so as not to be overheard as the trio looked in the direction Klink had gone.

Hogan glanced around and noticed the phony was walking away with an arm around Carter's shoulders. He then again looked in the direction Klink had gone; a slow but amused grin appearing.

"I'm not worried," he said. "He'll see exactly what he's suppose to see." Hogan then wrapped an arm around the little Frenchman's shoulders. "Now, what's for breakfast? I'm starved."

Klink let the door to his inner office slam behind him as he hurriedly removed his outer coat, hung it up on the coat tree, and nearly tossed his cap on his desk. Sitting down behind his desk, he rolled his chair up close, then ran a hand over his balding dome as he thought back to what had transpired an hour ago. Much to his chagrin, Kinch had been in the infirmary sleeping with Sergeant Wilson seated nearby monitoring him. When Klink asked what was wrong, and that Kinch didn't look sick to him, Wilson calmly explained that it was either an ulcer, or possibly something contagious, and he thought best to isolate and monitor him for a few days to determine what was wrong. Hearing the word 'contagious,' Klink immediately took three steps back after having stood beside the bed and studying the sleeping prisoner up close. Then Corporal Langenscheidt appeared and confirmed what Wilson and Hogan had said. Klink, with his fear of catching something, quickly advised Wilson to keep him informed of Kinch's condition and nearly ran out of the infirmary followed by Langenscheidt.

Now, back in his office, Klink massaged his forehead as a headache was beginning. What else can go wrong? he moaned burying his head in his hands.

Hogan number two, his thumbs hooked in the side pockets of his jacket, stared off into space as he walked side-by-side with Carter. The young Sergeant, his hands stuffed in his leather jacket, had been quiet as they walked, and wondered what the man was thinking. He looked at the man and decided to risk starting a conversation.

"Aren't you worried, sir? About this coming Saturday I mean?" he asked.

Hogan number two glanced at the younger man. He shrugged his shoulders. "Not really. I know who I am and I know who the phony is. And I'm also sure the Gestapo will see it as well and deal appropriately with the man who's been pulling the wool over everybody's eyes for a long time."

Carter chewed his lower lip at those words and the hidden inference in them. "But suppose the Gestapo doesn't see things the way you do, sir? I mean, they may just figure it's best to shoot both of you and have done with it. You know they can't be trusted."

Hogan number two smirked. "Oh they'll see it my way, believe me. But I wouldn't worry yourself about it, Carter, because one way or the other, things will be resolved. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me at all if you end up helping resolve the issue for your fellow prisoners."

Carter froze in his tracks. "Me, sir?" he asked with wide eyes and open mouth. "How the heck am I gonna do that?" Turning towards him, Hogan number two was about to reply when he noticed Corporal Gower gesturing to him. The Colonel patted Carter's shoulder. "All in good time. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to see what Corporal Gower wants to talk with me about. Why don't you go have some breakfast?" He quickly walked away.

Watching him leave, Carter became worried. "Yes, sir," he said to nobody before hurrying in the direction of barracks two. He was starting to have a bad feeling and needed to discuss it with his commanding officer. Reaching the barracks, Carter burst inside and found the men sitting around; some finishing breakfast, some reading or writing letters, and some just talking. He found LeBeau and Hogan seated at the table drinking coffee and staring at him with surprise on their faces.

"Carter? What's wrong?" asked Hogan. "You look like you've just seen a ghost."

"Colonel, we've got trouble," Carter babbled. "I mean you've got trouble. No wait, I was right the first time, we've got trouble. The phony is up to something and…."

"Relax and slow down," Hogan replied calmly before taking a drink of coffee. "I know all about what our friend is up to. Where is he now?"

Carter couldn't understand how the Colonel could be so calm right now. "He's talking with Corporal Gower. But sir…."

Hogan glanced over his shoulder. "Baker, watch the door and let us know when our friend shows up. Carter, have a seat because there's something I need to tell both you and LeBeau."

"What's wrong, Colonel?" asked a worried Frenchman.

"Listen to this…." Hogan then explained Bluebird's visit, what the phony's true name is, and what the plan was for Friday before lights out.

"Holy cow!" Carter uttered, eyes bulging and mouth open.

"Sacre Chat!" said LeBeau. "That filthy Bosche Hochstetter. We must get rid of this phony batard, mon Colonel. The sooner the better. And I know how to do it." LeBeau drew a finger across his throat indicating what he wanted to do.

"And he expects me to simply shoot you?" asked Carter. "Boy, this guy is really crazy if he thinks I'd do that."

"He's not gonna leave you any choice, Carter," Hogan explained. "If you refuse or don't do as he tells you, somebody in here will be killed."

"But Colonel, I can't shoot you. I'd rather turn a gun on myself than kill you."

"Mon Colonel, we can't just sit here and let this Captain Wylie get away with his plan to kill you."

"I have an idea," Hogan began. "And if everything works out, nobody will get killed. But first, I have to get Newkirk out of the cooler."

Carter and LeBeau exchanged concerned and puzzled looks. "What has Pierre got to do with this?" the Frenchman asked Hogan.

"Plenty," said Hogan finishing his coffee. He got to his feet, approached the potbelly stove and refilled his cup halfway. "We know Gower will hide those weapons until they're needed. So, we need Newkirk to find them so we can substitute the real bullets with blanks."

"I don't get it," Carter remarked looking confused.

LeBeau rolled his eyes and glanced up at the ceiling for a few seconds before facing the young Sergeant. "It is simple. Pierre will find the weapons. We substitute the real bullets with blanks, and let Captain Wylie go through with his plan thinking there are real bullets in the weapons."

"Oh," said Carter with a grin which rapidly disappeared. "That sounds awful risky to me, boy. I mean, Colonel."

"Andre is right, Colonel. Although it is a good plan, it is risky. What if something should go wrong? You could end up dead. Non. I say we do away with this Captain Wylie and eliminate the threat completely."

"Nobody's committing murder in this camp. You both know how I feel about that. Besides, if Wylie suddenly disappears, we'd still have Gower to deal with and he could bring Hochstetter and the Gestapo down on all of us. No, we do it this way."

"So what is our first move, Colonel?" asked LeBeau.

Hogan chuckled. "The first move, LeBeau, will be Captain Wylie's. My guess? I'm willing to bet he will alert Klink to the fact that I am going to request that Newkirk be released from the cooler and that it would be in his best interest to go along with my request."

"How can you be sure, Colonel?" asked Carter.

"Because it's what I would do," said the Colonel.

Hogan number two strolled beside Gower trying to look casual and kept his eyes on the activity in the compound. "So you have the weapons?" he asked not looking at the Corporal.

"Jawohl. But I hid them where nobody would suspect. They are safe so don't worry."

"I'm not worried. I trust you to have them well hidden until the time is right. And I'm glad because I suspect our Colonel Hogan is up to something."

Gower glanced at the man. "Any idea what it might be?"

"Not a clue. But I suspect it had something to do with what took place after you left." He then explained about Kinch's illness and moving him to the infirmary. "I know it's not much, but anything that involves Hogan is suspicious, especially now."

"Want me to check into it for you?" asked Gower. "I can find out if this Sergeant Kinchloe is really sick or not."

Hogan number two paused and thought for a few seconds before he looked at the Corporal. "Don't bother. I'm positive Hogan has covered all his bases and there will be no proof of anything suspicious. Hogan's a very thorough and cunning man."

"That he is," Gower said with a smirk. "But all the thoroughness and cunning won't save him come Friday."

Hogan number two smirked in return then chuckled. "You are so right my friend." They resumed their walk. "Something troubling you?" he asked seeing his expression.

Gower sighed. "Jawohl. It is this sudden illness of Sergeant Kinchloe. Any idea what Hogan's reasons might be for having him moved to the infirmary?"

"If I had to venture a guess, I'd say it has something to do with the operation we suspect he runs from this camp. Something that requires the Sergeant to be out of the barracks for a few days. Why do you ask?"

Gower exhaled deeply. "I'm just wondering if Hogan knows more about you than we thought. Perhaps he's discovered you're really Captain Wylie?"

Hogan number two pursed his lips and shook his head. "I sincerely doubt it. I've neither said, done, or left any clues as to my true identity. Also, that was why Hogan's buddy from the 504th, Lieutenant Bingham, was transferred from here to Stalag 18 a year ago while everything was being set up. No amount of plastic surgery would have fooled him, so he had to go. No, Hans. Hogan doesn't know anything despite having suspicions. That's all he has. But I will make sure he knows who I am before he takes his final breath. But there is one thing I do know."

"What's that?"

"If I was the real Hogan, and I suspected something was up, I would have Klink release that hotheaded Newkirk from the cooler so he can look around."

Gower arched an eyebrow. "You think that's what he'll do?"

Hogan number two smiled deviously. "It's what I know he'll do. By the way, just where did you hide those weapons if I may ask?"

Gower leaned to the side and brought his mouth close to the man's ear and whispered the location where he had hidden the weapons. As he listened, Hogan number two's smirk widened into a full-blown smile.

"That's brilliant! Nobody would ever suspect that's where they are hidden. Not even that thief Newkirk. And what about the duplicate package?"

Gower chuckled. "That is in my room as you suggested."

"Excellent," Hogan number two replied. "I wish I could see not only Newkirk's face but Hogan's when they find that duplicate package." He chuckled then patted Gower on the shoulder before starting in a different direction.

"Where are you going now?" asked the Corporal.

"Before I tell you, just let me ask that you forget about Sergeant Kinchloe for now. He's no threat to us. And to answer your question, I'm going to see our beloved Kommandant and convince him that when Hogan comes to him asking that Newkirk be released, that it would be in his best interest to do it."

Gower looked puzzled. "Are you sure you want the Englander released? You yourself said he's a hothead and a troublemaker."

"I know. But I believe we can use Newkirk against Hogan when the time is right."

"I don't understand."

"You will in time. Just trust me." Hogan number two turned and hurried in the direction of the Kommandantur leaving a puzzled Gower watching him.

"Colonel," Baker said looking over his shoulder at the trio. "The phony just went into Klink's office."

Smiling, Hogan and the others got to their feet. "Baker, let us know when he's coming back here. Gentlemen, I believe it's coffee break time." He led the way to his quarters with LeBeau, Carter, and Olsen following. While the Frenchman closed the door, Hogan quickly plugged in the coffeepot and the three men listened to what was taking place in Klink's office.

If Klink wondered earlier if things would get worse, he didn't have long to wait. As he sat behind his desk pinching the bridge of his nose with closed eyes, there was a gentle knocking on his door. He quickly sat up straight, grabbed his pen and some reports, and started going over them in an attempt to look busy. "Come in," he ordered.

The office door opened and Klink looked up to see Hilda standing in the doorway. "Herr Kommandant?"

"Yes, what is it? Can't you see I'm busy with all this paperwork?" Klink explained.

Glancing behind her, Hilda smirked at the prisoner who was staring at the armed guard who stood close behind him, a scowl on his face. She turned her attention back to the Kommandant. "I'm sorry, Herr Kommandant. But Colonel Hogan number two wishes to see you."

Klink felt his headache intensify. "Very well, send him in," he said with a sigh. He watched Hilda stand aside and allow the American to pass her and enter the room. She then left the room and closed the door leaving the two men alone. Klink folded his hands on top of the papers on his desk. "What do you want?" he asked, exasperated. "I'm very busy so make it quick."

Hogan number two stood in front of the Kommandant's desk with arms wrapped around himself, and a smirk on his face. "Kommandant, I just came here to warn you."

"Warn me? Warn me about what?" Klink was completely confused.

"Warn you that the other Hogan is planning on coming to see you about releasing Corporal Newkirk from the cooler."

Klink's jaw dropped and his eyes widened. "What?"

"It's true, sir. I overheard him telling the men he was going to get you to release Corporal Newkirk today."

Klink, slamming his palms flat on his desk, got to his feet. "Well just let him try. I'll show him who's in charge around here."

"If you want my opinion, Colonel, I suggest when he asks you, that you grant his request and release Newkirk."

Klink looked at Hogan number two with stunned surprise. "Release the Englander? Why should I do that?"

"Because, Kommandant, it'll put him at ease and let him think you believe he's the real Hogan. I believe once he believes you accept him being the real Hogan, you'll have him right where you want him."

"But the Gestapo is coming out Saturday to remove both of you. Why shouldn't I just let them find out which of you is the real Hogan?"

Hogan number two rolled his eyes. "Sir, if the Gestapo decides this they'll find some way to prove you were behind the cover-up and have your head on a plate. Now, wouldn't it be better for you to find out which of us is the real one yourself? This way you can show the Gestapo that nobody can fool the Iron Colonel."

"Yeeeessss…" Klink muttered as he sat back down behind his desk. "This will prove once and for all to the Gestapo that I am in charge here and know what is going on at all times."

"Exactly, sir," said Hogan number two with a smirk. "And I'm willing to bet also that by Friday, you'll have this entire problem resolved in your favor. And who knows? You might even make General because of this."

Klink found himself smiling at the thought. "You really think so?"

"How could you not, sir?" Hogan number two explained. He knew he had Klink exactly where he wanted him. He then smiled slowly. "And I'll be glad to help in any way I can."