Chapter 40

The men followed their commanding officer out of his quarters and into the common room. They were still begging Hogan to at least go to Klink and spin one of his famous yarns and have the phony locked up.

"Colonel, you can't just do nothing," Kinch pleaded. "This bastard intends to see you dead by lights out tonight."

"I know, Kinch," Hogan replied snatching his coffee cup off the table and grabbing the coffee pot off the stove only to find it to be empty. Frustrated, he nearly slammed the pot back down. LeBeau quickly took the pot and rushed to the sink to fill it with water.

"Let me have at 'im, sir," Newkirk pleaded. "I can approach him with me pencil sharpener from behind and he'll never see it comin'."

"Or I can poison his food so his death will look natural," chimed in LeBeau with a small smile as he sat the coffee pot on the stove.

"And just how do you expect me to explain a dead prisoner with a knife wound to Klink, Newkirk?" Hogan asked angrily looking at his British Corporal. "Or what do I say when an autopsy is done and they find traces of poison, LeBeau? No. There will be no committing murder in this camp and that's an order." He really needed some coffee and badly. He couldn't think without his coffee. He avoided slamming his empty mug on the table and sighed.

"Mon Colonel, we must do something," LeBeau continued as he tied his apron around his waist. "He probably knows Corporal Gower has been taken away, and that may cause him to move up his time frame to kill you. And what about poor Andre? Think what having to shoot you will do to him? It will destroy him."

Hogan turned his anger on the Frenchman. "Don't you think I know all this?" His eyes flashed darkly. "I will come up with something…I hope." Seeing the worry and fear in the eyes of his men, his face softened. He knew they were afraid for him and were determined to protect him. "Look, guys, I appreciate your concern and your wanting to help. I do. But this is between me and our friend." Hogan smiled and wrapped his arms around himself. "Look, I know how all of you feel, but we've been in tougher situations than this and have found a way out. And we can do it this time. Just have a little faith."

"So what do we do, Gov'nor?" asked the Englander stuffing his hands in the back pockets of his royal blue pants.

Hogan exhaled. "There's two possibilities. One, our friend either hasn't retrieved the weapons yet from wherever Gower hid them; or two, he's already recovered the weapons and has them hidden until the right time. If I had to venture a guess, I would say he's already recovered them and has them concealed."

"How do you know he's already found the weapons?" asked Kinch.

"Easy. He came into my quarters well after lights out last night and thought I was asleep as I had my back to him. He didn't have a date with Hilda because she doesn't trust him any more, and Gower isn't here, so where else could he have gone other than to retrieve the weapons after Gower informed him where they were."

"Then he could very well have them on 'im," Newkirk stated.

Hogan closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He secretly wondered if he should rethink allowing Newkirk to use his pencil sharpener, even if it would result in an investigation that could end with all of them facing a firing squad.

Hogan number two continued walking in the compound with Carter. But to the young Sergeant, there was something that told him something was off with the older man this time. Something that gave him pause. He looked at the man beside him.

"Is everything all right, sir?" he asked worriedly. "I mean, something seems kinda, I don't know, kinda off."

Hogan number two stared back at him with a dangerous look in his eyes that caused a chill to run down Carter's spine. He was more positive than ever that something was amiss. He stiffened as the older man draped what seemed to be a friendly arm around his shoulders, his hand cupping his shoulder.

"I just have a lot on my mind," Hogan number two replied squeezing Carter's shoulder. "See, what I have on my mind is what to do with a person who is trying to pull the wool over my eyes by playing me for a fool."

Carter swallowed nervously but decided to play dumb. "That's awful, sir. Do you know who that might be?" he looked over at the man as he spoke.

"Umm hmm." He looked back at Carter as his grip on his shoulder tightened and became almost painful. "You, Andrew. You're the one who has been playing me. I just let you think you were getting away with it because it suited my purposes. But now the time has come to put an end to Hogan's little game."

Frightened but trying to hide it, Carter thought fast and chuckled. "I don't know what you're talking about, sir. I totally believe you're who you say you are. You're the real Colonel Hogan."

Hogan number two's voice became cold. "I don't believe you. But that doesn't matter. See, I know Hogan put you up to it. He's still trying to ruin my life."

"The Colonel is a good man. He'd never hurt anybody."

"Your Colonel Hogan is an arrogant, smug bastard and will pay for what he's done to me. Then I will take over this camp. So don't tell me he didn't put you up to spying on me by making me think you were on my side."

"You're wrong. The Colonel had nothing to do with it. I did it all on my own. It was my idea."

Hogan number two laughed. "You're not even a good liar, Carter. See, I know Hogan put you up to it. And you want to know how I know? Because you don't have the brains to come up with an idea if your life depended on it." He squeezed the younger man's shoulder until Carter whimpered in pain. He was now scared, and believed Hogan number two was losing his mind. "I suggest you act like everything's fine. Because if you alert anybody in the compound, you'll regret it, believe me."

Swallowing the building lump in his throat, Carter looked out at the men in the compound. "What do you want from me?" he asked.

"It's quite simple really. Something that has to be done not only for yourself, but for the safety of all the men in this camp. I want you to shoot and kill Colonel Hogan." Carter suddenly stopped walking and stared at the man with bulging eyes and mouth hanging open.

"You want me to…to kill…to kill…"

"That's right. I want you to shoot and kill him. I'll supply the means."

"No!" Carter said in a loud voice. "I won't do it! And you can't make me! And I won't let you hurt the Colonel either!" The young Sergeant tried to pull away but felt the other man' grip painfully tighten more around his shoulders. Hogan number two brought his face close to Carter's ear.

"I know you have been playing me, Sergeant," he said in a low voice. "And that you have been since the beginning. Didn't think I'd notice, did you?" He chuckled seeing Carter swallowing hard. "You are going to do what I tell you to do when I tell you to do it. Understood?"

Carter again tried unsuccessfully to pull away and frantically looked around hoping to catch somebody's attention. "I won't do it and you can't make me. Do you understand?" Hogan number two chuckled at who he considered a weak individual's attempt to be brave.

"Oh you'll do it, all right," the phony said. "And you have no say in the matter. See, I've taken precautions. Should you refuse, or try to warn Hogan, or have somebody warn him, I have somebody in the wings who will not only kill him, but as many of your friends in the barracks as he can before the guards show up. That person is living in barracks two by-the-way." He noticed Carter's lower lip trembling. "Or, I can get your English friend alone and put a bullet in his head. Your choice."

Carter was now frantic. Was there really somebody in the barracks ready to kill the Colonel and several of his friends at a moments notice? Or was Hogan number two simply bluffing? And more importantly, could Carter afford to take the risk? And what of the threat to Newkirk? He couldn't let this maniac kill his best friend. And could he save Newkirk at the expense of the others?

"And one final detail, Sergeant. Should you think about harming yourself or me as a way of getting out of killing Hogan, let me inform you that your commander and friends will die regardless. I will be sticking very close to you until Hogan is dead just to make sure you don't try anything. Just keep in mind I have no qualms of killing you to accomplish what I want."

Carter exhaled deeply through his mouth. "When…when do you…want this done?" he stammered.

"I haven't decided yet. But it will be today I assure you. Now, let's return to the barracks and have breakfast, shall we?"

"I've suddenly lost my appetite," Carter murmured. He heard the phony chuckle. Then, releasing his grip on Carter, Hogan number two patted the younger man on the back before pushing him in front of him and in the direction of the barracks.

As the two men walked towards the barracks, Carter wracked his brains trying to figure out whom, if anybody, in the hut was working with the phony. As they entered the barracks, Carter's eyes darted around at the men.

He immediately dismissed Olsen and Baker, as well as Garlotti, Kinch, LeBeau and Newkirk. They were loyal through and through. So were Saunders, Edwards, Reynolds, Murray, Carlyle, and Simmons. Jensen however, was a possibility as Carter noticed the young Corporal exchange looks with Hogan number two briefly. Also, Jensen was a fairly new assignee to the barracks, having only been a prisoner for about six months, and was doing what the man considered an unimportant job for the operation and had repeatedly griped about wanting to do more important things beside helping sew uniforms. Carter's eyes then fell on Hogan number one who had one foot on a bench and leaned forward on his thigh, a cup of hot coffee in one hand. Carter shifted his eyes in the direction of the phony without turning his head.

Hogan number one sighed and hung his head as he shook it. He could tell from Carter's eyes that the young Sergeant was in trouble. His guess was that somehow the phony found out Carter had been playing him. He raised his head and glanced at Newkirk. "Newkirk, how many times must I tell you to hang a string of garlic over the door as long as that phony is here."

Newkirk returned Hogan's stare with an apologetic one of his own. "I'm sorry, Colonel. I forgot."

LeBeau glared at the phony. "The air in here has suddenly turned very stale." Removing his apron, he slammed it down on the table, walked away, and leaned against the post of a nearby double bunk. The phony chuckled. Carter slowly sat down at the opposite end of the table away from the others, while Hogan number two poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down across from Carter.

Taking a drink of coffee, the phony glanced at Kinch, seemingly surprised to see him. "I see you're back, Sergeant Kinchloe. I must admit though I'm somewhat surprised to see you."

"Oh?" asked an uninterested Kinch. "And why's that?"

Hogan number two shrugged his shoulders. "No reason. I would've just hated to lose you before I take over and have a chance to get rid of you myself."

"As much as I enjoy listening to you," Hogan number one said sarcastically to Hogan number two. "Don't you have a hole somewhere you could fall in? Something deep enough that would lead to another country perhaps?" He put his foot on the floor and straightened up.

Hogan number two slowly got to his feet, chuckling; but Carter noticed a deep reddening of his face. "Y'know, Hogan, I've put up with you for awhile now, and I've become sick of it and you. The time has come to put an end to your reign here at Stalag 13." That said, he quickly yanked both Lugars from inside his jacket and pointed one at the back of Carter's head, the other in LeBeau's direction. All the men froze where they were.

"Don't move, frog," he hissed at LeBeau who was slowly trying to edge away from the phony.

Carter swallowed hard, feeling the business end of the weapon pressed hard against his head. He looked apologetically at his commanding officer.

"I'm sorry, Colonel," he said. "He knew."

"It's okay, Carter," Hogan number one replied. "We knew there was a possibility it wouldn't last." His hard eyes glared at the phony. "Look, this is between you and me," he began. "Nobody else needs to get hurt. Just let Carter and LeBeau go, and do whatever you want to me."

"Come here, Frenchman," Hogan number two demanded ignoring the Colonel's words. LeBeau looked at Carter, then Hogan number one, and then at the phony. "I said come here or I will put a hole through your friend's head." To emphasize his threat, the sound of a safety being released could be heard. He placed the other gun on the table in front of Carter who could only stare at it.

"Non," LeBeau pleaded. "Do not hurt Andre. I will do as you ask." LeBeau then slowly approached the phony who suddenly grabbed his arm and yanked him forward, pulling him in front of him as a human shield. He wrapped an arm around LeBeau's throat holding him in place, his Lugar pressing against his temple. He then looked at Carter.

"Get up Sergeant Carter," he ordered. He waited as Carter slowly got to his feet and faced the older man. "Take the gun," Hogan number two ordered nodding towards the gun on the table.

Carter shook his head. "No! I won't shoot Colonel Hogan and you can't make me! And I won't let you hurt anybody else either!"

Hogan number two smirked. "Would you rather I put a bullet in the little frog's head?" He pressed the gun harder against LeBeau's temple causing a grimace to appear on the Frenchman's face.

"Stop. Don't hurt Louie," Carter pleaded. The young Sergeant thought briefly about trying to yank LeBeau away from Hogan number two, but quickly dismissed the thought as he feared his friend would be hurt of worse before he could succeed. Tentatively, he turned slightly and picked up the Lugar.

"Very good, Sergeant. And let me warn you again, should you think of trying to shoot me instead, your friend here will be dead before I hit the floor. Now, you are going to turn around, point that weapon at Colonel Hogan, and pull the trigger."

Carter was frozen in place. He didn't know what to do. He looked over his shoulder again at his Colonel, and noticed both Kinch and Newkirk gather closer around Hogan in order to try to protect him.

"You cannot shoot the Colonel," LeBeau said causing Carter to look back to him. "I am expendable, the Colonel is not. The men need him." He grimaced again as the pressure increased around his throat.

"Shut up, frog!" Hogan number two hissed. He glared at Carter. "Do as you're told or he's dead! I won't tell you again!"

The young Sergeant turned around and now faced Hogan, Newkirk and Kinch. "Colonel, I…I don't…I can't…"

With a worried look, Hogan shoved both Kinch and Newkirk away not wanting either of them to get hurt or worse. He saw both men about to argue and held up a hand silencing them with a look which said the subject was not up for discussion. He then faced Carter one-on-one.

Carter's hands shook as he released the safety and pointed the Lugar at his commanding officer. "Colonel, I….." he couldn't finish; his eyes bright with moisture. Glancing over, Carter saw Hogan number two tighten his arm around LeBeau's throat and press his own Lugar tighter against the Frenchman's temple. He was sure LeBeau would have a nice bruise on his temple if he somehow survived this. Carter looked back at Hogan number one. How he felt about the officer evident in his eyes.

"It's okay, Carter," Hogan number one said. "I don't blame you. I know he's making you do this."

"But Colonel…if I kill you, then I have to live with the guilt. If I don't…I have to live with the guilt of watching LeBeau die. I don't know what to do."

"Carter, don't do it," Kinch pleaded.

"Don't do it, Andrew," Newkirk added. "You can't shoot the Gov'nor." He gestured with his jaw at the phony. "We can take 'im. There's more of us than him anyway."

Carter looked at the little Frenchman. "LeBeau, I…I…I can't…let you die…"

"You cannot kill the Colonel, Andre. Don't do it. Please, I beg of you."

Carter turned back to Hogan number one and looked into the older man's eyes. He saw compassion and understanding in them. "I…I'm sorry…." and squeezed the trigger five times, flinching as each bullet tore into Hogan's upper torso. Hogan, with a look of what could best be described as surprise, staggered and fell against the table, red stains spreading from where the bullets struck. Newkirk and Kinch each grabbed one arm and gently eased him down onto the floor on his back. Gasps from the other men in the barracks could be heard. Then dead silence fell over the room as reality set in.

LeBeau, despite the arm around his throat, gasped in shock as Hogan fell. "Mon Colonel!" he screamed, struggling against the arm around his throat. "Mon Dieu! Andre, what have you done? Non! Mon Colonel!"

"Hang on, Colonel," Kinch begged his commander. He looked up at Carter who stood there in what appeared a catatonic state, a single tear running down his cheek from the corner of his eyes. "You miserable little…." he hissed. "How could you?"

Hogan's breathing was becoming ragged. "Ki…Kinch…." he fought to get the words out. His hand weakly sought out Kinch's and was quickly gripped by the radioman who unashamedly let his tears roll down his cheeks. "I'm here, Colonel. Just hang on. You've got to hold on."

"Kinch is right, sir," Newkirk, struggling to control his emotions while gripping Hogan's other hand. "You're gonna be all right, Gov'nor," he lied. You just don't go givin' up. You just keep hangin' on." Newkirk glanced round at Carter. "I ought to ring your bleedin' neck for this!" Suddenly a wheezing sound was heard causing Kinch and Newkirk to look at their commander. Hogan's eyes closed and his head fell sideways. Everybody now knew Colonel Robert Hogan was dead.

"Non!" was all LeBeau could utter, tears running down his face and dripping from his chin. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. He let loose a string of obscenities directed at Hogan number two and Carter.

"No!" Kinch screamed, shaking the Colonel's shoulder and getting no response.

"Kinch?" Newkirk asked, frightened. He watched the radioman lean over, his cheek close to Hogan's face. Then, he pressed two fingers against Hogan's throat. And after what seemed like forever, Kinch squeezed his eyes shut and bowed his head, letting his tears fall.

"No," Newkirk's voice was strained. "He can't be dead. Not the Gov'nor." Newkirk gently gripped Hogan's shoulders and shook him. "C'mon, Colonel. You gotta come back to us, sir. We…we can't…can't make it without you. Please, sir." As the realization sank in finally, Newkirk gently released Hogan's shoulders and bowed his head. Raising his head finally, he glared at Carter, moist green eyes blazing; grief written on his face.

"You did this! You! You murdered the Gov'nor! And all because of your loyalty to that, that ruddy bastard! And I swear if it's the last bloody thing I ever do, I'm gonna make sure when Klink puts you in front of a firing squad, he lets me have a rifle so I can shoot you meself."