Chapter 35

Hogan number one was taking his evening stroll around the compound with his thumbs hooked in his jacket side pockets with Sergeant Wilson walking beside him. The medic, having seen the Colonel walking around felt it would be best if the man wasn't alone, especially after what happened to him in the rec hall. So he had come up beside the Colonel and asked if he could walk with him, to which Hogan merely shrugged. At the present moment neither man was speaking, but Wilson noticed several prisoners pointing at Hogan and/or making comments to their fellow prisoners near them. He also noticed some men weren't even bothering to salute the Colonel as he passed them by; and it was that lack of respect that troubled Wilson the most. But he also noticed the lack of respect from some prisoners didn't seem to trouble Hogan. In fact, he hadn't even seemed to take notice although the medic suspected he did but turned a blind eye to it.

"Colonel…" Wilson asked quietly. "Can I ask you a question?"

Hogan sighed. "Sure, Joe. What is it?"

"How are you holding up under all this, sir? I mean, you normally have a lot on your mind, but with this you have twice as much stress. I guess what I'm not doing a very good job at is asking, doesn't this bother you? I'm surprised you haven't lost it yet."

Hogan chuckled. "I may yet. But to answer your question, yes, everything about this bothers me. I mean, having lost the respect, confidence and trust of many of the prisoners here who don't know me well if at all, or aren't involved in the operation is one thing. That can be resolved once everything is straightened out and both my namesake and Corporal Gower are gone. But the other things such as keeping Newkirk's temper in check, getting the antenna fixed and the radio working within the next forty-eight hours so we can contact London, checking out Corporal Gower, keeping an eye on my namesake, thwarting his plans to kill me before lights out this Friday, protecting Hilda, protecting Carter who's only pretending to be a traitor, keeping an eye on Klink so I can keep ahead of him, and the Gestapo coming out here this Saturday." He glanced sideways at the medic with a smirk. "Not much to worry about, right?"

Wilson allowed the corners of his mouth to curl upward. "I'll keep a corner bed in the infirmary reserved for you when this is all over, sir. I somehow think you'll need it for about a week." He chuckled. "I'll also keep a bottle of Scotch available for you."

Hogan smiled tiredly as he looked at Wilson. The medic was the only man in camp he could really be open with, discussing his fears with and confide in. He knew he could talk with Kinch as well, but there was something about Wilson that made Hogan go to him when he needed to talk. He figured maybe with the medic he didn't have to be strong and in control so much as he did with Kinch and the others. The men counted on him, and he needed to be strong for them; they couldn't afford to see him break down. But with Wilson, he could show that he is human and does have fears like anybody else. He massaged his forehead with one hand.

"Still, with all that's going on, I still have this gut feeling that I'm overlooking something and can't put my finger on it."

"I'm sure whatever it is will come to you when you've had a chance to think straight."

"That's just it," Hogan remarked. "My gut is telling me that whatever I think I've overlooked, it may be too late to do anything about it." He exhaled deeply. "I just hope it isn't something that'll cause the plan for Friday to end in disaster for everybody because if it does, then we're all gonna be in trouble."

Hogan number two was also strolling around the other end of the camp, not wanting to run into the other Hogan who he had seen walking with Wilson. He had other things occupying his mind and he needed to locate his ally in camp, Corporal Gower. He found the man sitting on a bench outside one of the guard's barracks taking a cigarette break. Looking around first, Hogan number two sat down beside the man. He leaned forward, arms on thighs and clasped hands dangling between his knees. He kept his eyes straight ahead.

"That Englander Newkirk is back just as I predicted," he muttered as if Newkirk's very name left a bad taste in his mouth.

Gower chuckled, leaning back against the barracks wall, puffing on his cigarette. "You knew that was going to happen, so why the long face?"

"I suspect our friend, Sergeant Carter, isn't really on my side as he pretends to be."

This time, Gower looked at the man. "What makes you say that? Didn't you tell me he had come around to your way of thinking? I mean, from what I've seen of him, he looks like a weak, gullible excuse for a soldier."

"Maybe, but there's something that's been bothering me for awhile." He turned his head towards the guard. "For example, if he really is a traitor, then why hasn't anybody attacked him in defense of Hogan, or at least confronted him about it? So far there's been nothing. Nobody's done anything to 'im. And another thing. I noticed the way he looked at Newkirk when he returned to the barracks earlier. You could see in his eyes how much he wanted to greet him and welcome him back."

"You think Hogan's got him pretending to be on your side as some kind of spy?"

"It wouldn't surprise me. But that's all right, Hans." He chuckled. "I'm just gonna keep letting Carter and Hogan both believe Carter's playing me. Besides, think how much sweeter that'll make Carter being forced to kill Hogan in the end."

Gower, taking a final puff on his cigarette, dropped it on the ground and crushed it with his boot. "Oh, just so you know, that fat slob Schultz, has me assigned to patrol outside the wire tonight, so I won't be available should you need me for anything." He slowly got to his feet.

"I smell Hogan's hand in that assignment," Hogan number two responded looking up at Gower.

"I sense it's his way of getting me out of the way so he can have the Englander search my room for those weapons." He smirked. "I wish I could see his face when he finds that package and sees what's really inside."

"You're sure nobody will find the actual package and that it's safe?"

"Positive. Not even that thieving Englander would think to look there, so don't worry. When the time comes, I will tell you how to retrieve them. But before I return to my post, I have a question as to how you plan on using Newkirk against Hogan? I've been thinking about that since you mentioned it earlier."

"It's simple really. What do you suppose Klink would do if he believed Newkirk obtained the weapons that were used by Sergeant Carter to kill Hogan?"

Gower's eyes narrowed. "He would have both men shot by firing squad."

"Exactly. And since I will be getting rid of Newkirk anyway it'll be no great loss there. Hogan will be dead. And Carter…" he shrugged innocently. "…Carter will merely be collateral damage. And as far as Klink is concerned, I'll just spin a tale that Hogan was the real phony, he was found out, and Newkirk stole weapons with which to kill him and Carter actually shot him when Hogan tried to kill him."

Gower merely shook his head in amazement as he checked his watch. "I'd best be going." He walked away with Hogan number two watching his receding back. He just kept reminding himself that after today there were only three more days before Hogan would fall, and that thought brought a smile to his face.

As Hogan number one and Wilson were walking in the direction of barracks two, Hogan suddenly paused as Baker came running towards him, handing him a folded sheet of blue paper. "I was monitoring the switchboard, Colonel, and Klink received this call from Gestapo headquarters in Hammelburg. I thought you'd want to see it right away."

Looking innocently around to make certain neither Gower nor the phony were around, he unfolded the paper and quickly read the message. A frown appeared.

"You sure about this, Baker?" asked Hogan.

"Yes, sir," was the young man's reply.

"Thanks. And just to be safe, keep monitoring the switchboard in case Klink gets any more calls. And have Newkirk come outside and to bring a pair of pliers and wire cutters with him."

Baker looked confused. "Pliers and wire cutters, sir?"

"You heard me. Now go. We don't have a lot of time to waste."

"Yes, sir," Baker replied sensing the urgency before hurrying off to accomplish his tasks.

"Bad news, Colonel?" asked Wilson watching Hogan fold the paper and stuff it inside his inner jacket pocket.

"Klink received a phone call from Gestapo headquarters in Hammelburg. They're sending a tow truck out here within the hour to remove that disabled radio detector truck." Just then, Hogan's eyes, scanning the compound, widened as he looked around. The truck in question was nowhere to be seen. "Where the hell's the truck?" he asked worriedly.

Wilson looked around as well. "I don't see it anywhere, sir. But from what I understand the truck is disabled, so I don't see what the problem is."

Hogan's eyes met those of his medic. "Because once that truck is examined closely by their mechanics and they find a potato stuck in the exhaust, they're going to know it was done here. We'll have Gestapo swarming all over this camp who just might find our operation, and we'll find ourselves in front of a firing squad." Hogan ran both hands down his face.

"You wanted to see me, Colonel?" asked a familiar voice. Hogan turned to see his British Corporal rapidly approaching. "Baker made it sound bloody urgent."

Turning, Hogan faced his Corporal resting both hands on his shoulders. "Do you have the tools I asked for?"

Newkirk patted his pockets. "Yes, sir, right here in me pockets. Gov'nor, what's going on? You're starting to worry me."

"I need the answer to one question first. Do you know what happened to the radio detector truck that was parked in the compound?"

"It's probably still sittin' in the motor pool where they moved it like Garlotti told me so it wouldn't be in the way. But since it's a Gestapo truck, they won't let us anywhere near it, and it's under heavy guard. Why?" Hogan quickly repeated the contents of the message he had received, why they needed access to that truck, and what had to be done before it left camp. "Who's the guard on duty?"

"Schultz, sir," answered Newkirk with a grin.

Hogan sighed in relief then smirked. "You're right. That is heavy guard. C'mon." He walked away leaving Wilson behind with Newkirk a few steps behind him as they made a beeline for the motor pool. As they reached their destination, Hogan gestured to Newkirk to keep low and pointed to the exhaust pipe.

"How's it going, Schultz?" asked Hogan approaching the guard who had been snoring loudly while sitting in the back seat of a jeep facing the detector truck. Startled, Schultz immediately pointed his rifle at the American.

"Halt!" Schultz said in a feigned gruff voice before he fully realized it was Hogan and lowered his weapon. "Oh, it's you, Colonel Hogan. "I thought maybe it was the Kommandant."

Leaning against the truck, Hogan wrapped his arms around himself. "Don't worry. I won't tell anybody if…."

Schultz, closing his eyes, groaned. "If…Ach du lieber."

Hogan, from the corner of his eye, spotted Newkirk silently opening the driver's side door of the truck and keeping down as he pulled down the wiring under the dashboard.

Opening his eyes, Schultz noticed the top of the Englander's head and his eyes widened and his mouth formed an 'O'. "Colonel Hogan, what is Newkirk doing in there? This truck is off limits to everyone. The Gestapo is sending a tow truck here to remove it." He shook a finger at the officer. "You are up to monkey business. Oh I must report this to the Kommandant. It would mean my life if he finds out." He paused when Hogan reached inside his jacket and removed two chocolate bars and waved them back and forth. "What monkey business, Schultz? The truck is disabled so what good would it do us?"

"Then what is Newkirk doing inside the truck?"

"He's checking the mileage," Hogan replied, reaching inside his jacket again, and pulling out a third candy bar. He grinned as Schultz smiled while grabbing the sweet treats in his huge hand. "I see noth-ing. Noth-ing."

"That's a good boy," Hogan replied patting the guard on one shoulder as Schultz returned to the back seat of the jeep to enjoy his treats. Moments later, Newkirk silently opened the passenger-side front door and slid out, closing it behind him. He stood behind Hogan who slightly turned his head and spoke quietly. "Well?"

Newkirk patted his pockets. "All done, sir," he said with a smile. "The potato has been removed and the wires look like the dogs chewed 'em through shorting out the truck."

Turning, Hogan smiled and started back to the barracks. "Let's go," he ordered. As they headed back to barracks two, they spotted the tow truck just coming through the front gate.

"Blimey," Newkirk remarked with a shake of his head. "That was cuttin' it a bit close, Gov'nor."

"Couldn't be helped I'm afraid."

As they neared the barracks, they both noticed Hogan number two leaning against the wall beside the door, legs crossed and arms wrapped around himself. He smirked when his eyes fell on Newkirk.

"Taking your English mongrel out for a walk, I see," he chuckled. He noticed Newkirk's face turning crimson and his green eyes harden. "But shouldn't he be on a leash or something?"

"Why you bloody…" Newkirk hissed lunging forward but quickly stopped by Hogan number one's arm blocking him.

"Newkirk…" Hogan number one warned the Englander in his authoritative voice. The Englander backed down but was still tense. "Ignore him. He's just trying to provoke you again."

"Yes, sir," Newkirk replied hanging his head. All he wanted to do right now was wrap his hands around the phony's throat and throttle the life out of him; but he had promised his CO he would curb his temper. But the phony was making it difficult for him to live up to that promise. This guy knew exactly which of his buttons to push. He stuffed his hands into his blue pants pockets.

Hogan number two smirked. "I see you're getting him trained. Didn't think it was possible considering the low I.Q. of somebody from the East End of London." He straightened and took a few steps before stopping in front of the windows,

Hogan number one felt the Corporal's body stiffen. "Newkirk, go inside the barracks. I'll be in soon," he said his eyes never leaving the phony's face.

"It's all right, Gov'nor. I can handle it." This time Hogan looked over his shoulder at Newkirk.

"I said go inside the barracks. That's an order, Corporal." Hogan's brown eyes indicated his order was not negotiable.

"Yes, sir." Newkirk edged around Hogan, gave the phony a look of disdain, then entered the barracks leaving the two officers alone.

Hogan number one wrapped his arms around himself, his face a dark crimson and eyes flashing dangerously. "If you have something to say to me I suggest you say it," he hissed. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the barracks door was cracked open slightly. "I don't give a damn what you say about me, but I'm tired of you badmouthing my men and making snide comments about them in my presence."

Hogan number two smirked. "And I'm tired of a brown-nosing officer who got where he was by being on his knees and…." He never got to finish his sentence for at that moment the window flew open and the contents of a bucket of water came flying out and drenched Hogan number two's back and cap. The man turned around dripping wet to see an innocent looking LeBeau looking at him.

"Oops," he said still smiling sweetly. "Pardonnez-moi. I did not see you standing there."

"You little frog! You did that on purpose!" Hogan number two hissed, water dripping from his jacket and cap. Hogan number one covered his mouth with a hand, hiding a smirk that had appeared knowing LeBeau had done it on purpose.

LeBeau merely shrugged his shoulders before closing the window. Sounds of muffled laughter could be heard from inside.

Hogan number one shook his head as he opened the barracks door and glanced back at the phony. "You'd better dry off before you come inside." He saw the phony glare at him with hate and jaw grinding. Shrugging, Hogan number one went inside the barracks, closing the door. He looked around the room before his eyes fell on the diminutive Frenchman sitting at the table with Newkirk. He wrapped his arms around himself and stared hard at the man.

"LeBeau, I'm shocked at your behavior. What were you thinking?"

"Sorry, mon Colonel, " LeBeau replied sheepishly. "I didn't see him standing there." He failed at concealing an amused grin which Hogan noticed.

"It's not funny," said Hogan worriedly. "I'm sure our friend will now focus his attention on you for what you did." He saw LeBeau merely shrug his shoulders at the mention of becoming a target of the phony.

Newkirk first looked at his friend, then looked up timidly. "Don't blame Louie, Colonel. It was my fault. I heard what that bloody blighter said about you and, well, since LeBeau had a bucket of water sitting around, I told him to do it. I'm sorry, sir. If you're gonna punish anybody it should be me."

"I ought to punish the both of you for what you did," Hogan said in his best command voice. But then his face softened and the twinkle appeared in his eyes. "But I thank both of you. That has to be the best laugh I've had since before our friend arrived here."

"It was our pleasure, Colonel," LeBeau answered with a grin.