Chapter 38

As Hogan number one, LeBeau, and Newkirk stepped off the porch of the Kommandantur, they were unaware of a pair of eyes watching them head back to the barracks. The eyes belonged to a man who, staying close behind a building, was looking from around the corner and had seen the entire incident involving Gower and the Englander, and felt his anger simmer inside. Then he spotted Hogan and the Frenchman show up and he let loose a string of obscenities under his breath. He just knew Hogan was responsible for having the German Corporal taken to the Kommandant's office by Schultz, and later to see Gower escorted to the cooler.

"Damn you, Hogan!" he muttered under his breath. Realizing he now no longer had an ally in camp and was on his own, Hogan number two knew what he had to do. He had to get into the cooler and speak with Gower about how to retrieve the weapons needed for tomorrow. A smirk appeared on his face. "Enjoy your time while you can, Hogan," he said softly to the open air. "By lights out tomorrow, you'll be dead and I will be in charge of the prisoners and destroy your operation completely."

Schultz was troubled as he walked around the compound dragging his rifle on the ground, and had been since locking Corporal Gower in solitary and assigning Corporal Langenscheidt to stand guard. He couldn't shake what Gower had said to Colonel Hogan before leaving the Kommandant's office. And now he was debating whether he should report what he had heard to the Kommandant, or discuss it with Hogan and find out if there was anything he could do to help. Seeing barracks two, Schultz made up his mind and pushed open the door. He found Hogan and LeBeau seated at the table drinking coffee; Newkirk was nowhere to be seen.

"What's up, Schultz?" Hogan asked looking up into the guard's troubled face. "Strudel won't be ready till later this evening."

Schultz glanced around the room. "Is the phony here?" he asked softly.

"Non" LeBeau replied. "He went out after breakfast and hasn't been seen since." He chuckled. "Maybe he won't come back at all."

"Also, there's no leftovers from lunch either," Hogan added.

Schultz lamely waved his hand at Hogan and sat down at the table facing him. "Please, Colonel Hogan. No jokes."

Hogan sipped his coffee. "Okay, no jokes then. What can we do for you?"

"It's that threat made to you by Corporal Gower. I can't stop thinking about it, and it worries me. I mean, if he's as friendly with the phony as you say, I worry that there is a plan for them to kill you. Something must be done to stop it. Perhaps I should tell Kommandant Klink and have him lock the phony up as well."

Hogan shook his head. "Schultz, do not tell the Kommandant anything about this. Understand? The less people who know, the less chance of their being a slip-up. We have everything under control from our end. And believe me when I say I will not get killed."

"Does that mean you have a plan?"

Hogan shrugged noncommittally. "Not yet, but we will before anything happens."

Schultz shook his head but remained glum. "I still think I should report this threat against you to the Kommandant. He might be able to do something to help."

Now it was time for Hogan to shake his head. "I appreciate the offer, I really do. But again I must decline. Klink can never find out. He'd never be able to maintain his current state of business as usual. Also, I must insist you stay out of it as well. If things should go wrong, I don't want you caught up in things. You have a family to think about."

Schultz's lower lip trembled at Hogan's words. That was one thing he always admired about Hogan; he was always thinking of other people instead of himself. "Please, Colonel Hogan…" Schultz found himself begging the American. "…there must be something I can do to help."

"There is one thing you can do for me and you won't be in any danger whatsoever. Just promise me you won't mention anything to Klink."

A serious look appeared on the guard's face. "I will say nothing! Noth-ing!"

"I believe you," said Hogan. "Okay, all I want you to do is allow the phony to visit with Corporal Gower if he wants to, then report to me afterwards. Inform the guard on duty as well."

"But why do you want the phony to visit a Gestapo agent?"

"I have my reasons and it's important. Can you do this for me?"

"Jawohl, Colonel Hogan. For you, Schultz will do as you ask." He started to his feet. "I will go and inform Corporal Langenscheidt right away." He started toward the door. As he opened it Hogan called out to him causing him to turn his head.

"You're a good man, Schultz," Hogan remarked with a tired smile.

"Danke. And so are you, for a prisoner." The guard exited the barracks closing the door. The second he did, Olsen immediately hurried to the door and cracked it open to maintain watch. Hogan glanced at Garlotti.

"Find Newkirk and bring him back," Hogan ordered. "Bluebird will want to talk to the three of us regarding the finding of the disc and ID card, and it's better if he's here when he comes. After Bluebird leaves with Gower, he can then resume looking for those weapons."

"Yes, sir," Garlotti answered jumping off his upper bunk and sprinting out of the barracks.

"So why do you want Schultz to allow the phony to visit Gower in the cooler?" asked a curious Carter, seated on his bunk.

"Two reasons," said Hogan. "First, hopefully Gower will tell our friend where he hid the weapons thus allowing us to find them first. And two, we need him to believe that we are not onto him whatsoever. I want him to feel completely at ease between now and tomorrow." He looked at his watch. "Bluebird should be here in about two hours to pick up Gower which I know he'll be happy to do. Gentlemen, we've now equaled the playing field. It's now one-on-one."

Hogan number two was hanging around near the cooler area when he saw Schultz approaching at his usual snail's pace. He shook his head, wondering how the overweight man even got into the military much less passed his physical. He waited until Schultz got closer; he hooked his thumbs in the pockets of his jacket. "What's happening, Schultz?"

The guard eyed Hogan number two suspiciously. "What do you want?"

"Well, I understand that Corporal Gower was tossed into the cooler earlier today and, well, he and I have become kinda chummy since I've been here. So, I uh, was kinda hoping you'd allow me to see him."

"And why should I do that? It would mean my life if I let a prisoner visit a guard in the cooler. Give me one good reason why I should."

"Well…" Hogan number two reached inside his inner jacket pocket and removed two chocolate bars that he had pilfered from Hogan's quarters and held them in front of the guard's face. He watched Schultz's eyes follow the delicious, sweet treats as they moved back and forth in front of his eyes. He reached out a pudgy hand and took them.

"Follow me," Schultz replied and led the way into the cooler area with Hogan number two following. They soon came to the cell where Langenscheidt was standing guard. The young Corporal turned his head upon hearing footsteps.

"Was ist los?" he asked. "The Kommandant didn't say anything about the prisoner having visitors."

Schultz patted the Corporal's shoulder and winked. It is all right." He then studied Hogan number two's face. "You have ten minutes only. And Corporal Langenscheidt will be a few feet away so don't try anything. Verstehen?"

"Yeah. Yeah," Hogan number two replied sarcastically. "Verstehen."

Schultz then gestured for Langenscheidt to follow him a few feet away so the two men had some semblance of privacy. He then leaned forward and whispered into the Corporal's ear.

"Try and listen to what they say. Then we must tell Colonel Hogan."

"Jawohl," Langenscheidt replied in a low voice. He watched Schultz turn and walk away.

About an hour later, Garlotti returned to the barracks with Newkirk in toe. The Englander seemed a bit confused.

"What's up, Gov'nor? Garlotti would only tell me you wanted to see me."

"Yes, I did," Hogan said. "Bluebird should be here soon and you, me and LeBeau need to be here for questioning."

"Gotcha. Oh, before I forget, I ran into Schultz on me way back here. He said to tell you that the phony visited Gower, but Langenscheidt couldn't overhear anything. But he did see Gower slip the phony a folded slip of paper which he read there, then handed back to Gower."

"Must have written the location of where he hid the weapons, Colonel," LeBeau remarked.

Hogan looked up at Newkirk hopefully. "Was either Langenscheidt or Schultz able to retrieve the paper Gower showed our friend?"

Newkirk sadly shook his head. "Sorry, sir. Soon as Langenscheidt escorted our friend away from the cell, he caught sight of the blighter burnin' the paper he'd shown 'im."

"Damn!" Hogan muttered under his breath.

Olsen suddenly looked over his shoulder. "Colonel, Gestapo staff car pulling in." Hogan, LeBeau and Newkirk jumped up and gathered at the door to look and saw a familiar figure emerge from the back seat. They also spotted Schultz hurrying forward as fast as he could and salute the visitor who returned it while looking around, spotting Hogan and the others standing in the doorway. He subtly nodded his head at them before marching up the stairs and into the Kommandantur followed by Schultz.

Klink was busy signing reports when there was a knock on his door. "Come in," he ordered not looking up or stopping what he was doing. He only looked up when the door opened and he saw Schultz walk in saluting. "Yes, Schultz, what is it now? Can't you see I'm busy? Tell whoever it is I can't see them today and to come back…." Before he could finish, however, Captain Fuchs walked in.

"You will make time for the Gestapo, Kommandant," Fuchs said, his cold blue eyes boring a hole into the Kommandant.

Swallowing hard, Klink forced a smile to his face as he got shakily to his feet and held out a hand. "Schultz, why didn't you tell me the Gestapo was waiting to see me? It's a pleasure to see you again, Captain." Fuchs gave Klink a Nazi salute which Klink returned. "I suppose you are here to take the prisoner?" The Kommandant hoped Fuchs would just take Gower and leave.

"There is no rush, Kommandant," Bluebird said coldly. "I'm sure he is not going anywhere. First, I'd like to know who discovered this Corporal Gower was Gestapo?" He looked from Klink, to Schultz, and back to Klink again.

"That would be our Senior POW officer, Colonel Hogan," Klink managed to get the words out. "Corporals Newkirk and LeBeau were with him."

"Colonel, I wish to question these men."

"Captain, surely you can't think…."

Fuchs leaned forward on the desk, bringing his face close to Klink's. "Colonel, what the Gestapo thinks is none of your concern. You will have these three men brought to the cooler where I will question them immediately." He smirked. "Unless you wish me to question you instead?"

Klink shuddered. "Schultz, go to barracks two and bring Colonel Hogan, Corporal LeBeau, and Corporal Newkirk to the cooler for Captain Fuchs to interrogate them."

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant," Schultz saluted. He quickly exited the office wanting to get as far away from the Gestapo Captain as possible. As he hurried to carry out his assigned task, he began to worry as to why the Gestapo officer wanted to see Colonel Hogan, LeBeau, and Newkirk, and suspected it could only mean trouble for the trio.

Hogan pulled the plug from the coffee pot and looked at LeBeau and Newkirk with a grin. "It's show time, gentlemen." He then led the way out of his quarters back into the common room.

"Schultz is coming, Colonel," Olsen reported.

Hogan glanced at his watch. "Right on time." No sooner had he lowered his arm that the barracks door opened and Schultz waddled inside.

"Colonel Hogan, you, the Englander, and the little cockroach are to be brought to the cooler for questioning by the Gestapo right away."

Hogan arched an eyebrow. "What for? We haven't done anything. What's this about?"

"I know nothing. Noth-ing."

"Condition normal," Newkirk chimed in.

"Enough with the wisecracks. Now let's go. March!" Schultz ordered holding open the door, and gestured with an arm for the trio to head outside. The men followed the Sergeant-of-the-Guard to the cooler area and soon found themselves locked inside a cell which Schultz knew had a back door to it. Before he walked away, he looked pleadingly at the trio. "Please, boys, don't go anywhere before the Gestapo comes. It would mean my life if you're gone before you're questioned."

Hogan, who was seated on the hard bunk, looked at Schultz with an amused grin. "We'll think about it."

But before Schultz could walk away, the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard; nervously, Schultz came to attention and saluted swallowing hard. Standing in front of the cell, Bluebird gazed at the three men inside. He then turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder. "You can unlock the door and then leave us, Sergeant. I wish to interrogate these men alone."

"But…but…Herr Captain…" Schultz started then stopped seeing the dangerous, steel blue eyes glaring at him. "Jawohl, Herr Captain." He quickly unlocked the door and held it open. "Just call for me when you are ready to leave." He closed and locked the cell door after the Captain entered the cell, then walked away.

Bluebird waited until he heard the footsteps fade before he turned and smiled at his three friends. Stepping forward, he shook hands with Hogan.

"I'm glad to see you're still with us, Rob," he said. "I was becoming worried."

"Not as worried as we are," LeBeau added. Seeing the Captain's confused look, the Frenchman updated him on their so far unsuccessful search for the weapons. They saw Fuchs' shoulders sag a bit.

"I don't envy you, Rob. Just be careful. All of you. If there's any way I can help…"

"You're helping by taking Gower with you," Hogan interrupted. "At least that cuts Captain Wylie off from having any ally in camp. Just out of curiosity, what will you do with him?"

"What I must. Neither of us knows what he may have learned while assigned here."

"You think he might have reported whatever he found out to ole Hochstetter?" asked a nervous Newkirk sticking his hands in his pants pockets.

Fuchs shook his head. "Nein. If he had, you'd all be in a Gestapo holding cell by now. Hochstetter wouldn't have waited. But he must be dealt with." He then opened the briefcase he had been carrying and removed two sheets of paper. "We also need to deal with Captain van Kueren and I have a plan. But I need Newkirk's forging expertise to pull it off."

"Sure. What do you need Newkirk to do?" asked Hogan noticing one of the sheets of paper was a letter written and signed by Gower, the other was blank.

"I need him to write a brief message to van Kueren signed by Gower, requesting a meeting outside of camp tonight where I will be waiting for him. I will dictate what it is to say. Anymore than that you do not need to know, except to say that it will appear to have been a difference of opinion between Gower and van Kueren and will have no connection with Stalag 13 or Papa Bear." Removing a pen from his inside jacket pocket, Fuchs handed it to Newkirk who sat beside his commanding officer on the bunk, pulling the small table close.

"I'm ready when you are, mate. What do you want me to write?"

After dictating the message and watching Newkirk sign Gower's name, Bluebird looked at the two papers and admitted he couldn't tell which was real and which wasn't. He put them in his briefcase, returned the pen to his pocket, and snapped the briefcase shut. He shook hands with Hogan again before walking toward the barred door.

"Sergeant!" he shouted once he put his Gestapo face back on.

A huffing and puffing Schultz hurried forward and unlocked the door. He held it open allowing Fuchs to exit.

"You can release the prisoners, Sergeant," Fuchs ordered. "The swine know nothing."

"Jawohl," Schultz smiled broadly as the Captain passed him.

"And Sergeant, once you've released the prisoners, I want you to have Corporal Gower handcuffed, shackles on his ankles, and ready for me to transport."

"Jawohl," Schultz saluted as Hogan, LeBeau and Newkirk trudged out of the cell and past the two Germans, with Hogan feigning a look of disgust at Fuchs as he passed him. The others glared at him as well.

LeBeau was heard mumbling something in French under his breath about 'dirty Bosche'. Fuchs simply smirked.

An hour later, Hogan and his men watched Bluebird's staff car, with Gower seated in the back seat, drive through the front gates on it's way out of Stalag 13.

Also watching was an angry Hogan number two. He noticed the amused grin on the faces of Hogan number one, Newkirk, and LeBeau, and swore under his breath all would pay.