**there are derogatory words in this chapter.**
Chapter 3---Meeting of Adversaries
The door to Klink's office opened and Schultz entered, saluting. "Herr Kommandant, Colonel Hogan is here as ordered." He stood aside to allow Hogan to pass before leaving and pulling the door shut behind him.
Hogan saluted the Kommandant. "You asked to see me, Colonel?" Hogan asked innocently. His eyes noticed the man standing in front of the closed window staring out into the compound with his back to him, and hands clasped behind his back. "I'm sorry, Kommandant, I didn't know you had company."
The man turned away from the window and glared at Hogan with a twisted smirk on his face. He wore the flowing black coat of the Gestapo with the armband on one arm emblazoned with the swastika. He was tall, about Hogan's height with dark, dark eyes that to Hogan gave the impression he had nothing but hollow sockets where eyes should be. His thin lips curled back into a sneer on his thin, gaunt face which gave his face the appearance of a skull. His dark hair protruded just below his uniform cap. Hogan felt a cold chill sweep through his body as the two men stared at each other.
"So, Klink, this is the Schweinhund known as Colonel Hogan?" Guthrie said coolly as he approached Hogan and walked slowly around him, looking him up and down as he did. Hogan's eyes never left the Major's. Klink, seated behind his desk, watched quietly, hoping Hogan would watch his mouth.
"Excuse me, Major," said Hogan carefully. "But we don't know each other well enough for you to call me names."
Guthrie stopped in front of the American with a smirk. "I will call you anything I wish so I suggest you be careful." He straightened to his full height. "It is I who wanted to see you, not your Kommandant. I suggest you sit down and answer my questions."
Hogan shrugged then sat down in the chair facing Klink's desk. He saw the Kommandant's eyes pleading with him to be careful. Hogan looked up at Guthrie. "Okay, I'm sitting. Now what do you want, Major?"
"Colonel, I had a conversation with an acquaintance of yours; a Major Hochstetter. He had some very interesting things to say about you," Guthrie sneered leaning against the edge of Klink's desk facing Hogan with crossed arms. "Would you like to know what the Major had to say about you?"
Hogan smirked back. "Not really. The Major and I aren't really close buddies."
"Hogaaaaaaan," Klink murmured warningly. He glanced in the Major's direction before looking again at Hogan.
Guthrie smirked. "I will tell you anyway. He says you are responsible for all the unusual happenings in this area. Would you like to tell me why he thinks that?"
Hogan took a minute before he shrugged again. "I really couldn't tell you, Major, except to say that Major Hochstetter needs either a hobby or a long vacation. I'm a prisoner in the toughest POW camp in all Germany. How could I possibly…" Hogan never got to finish as a loud 'thwack' was heard with the sound of flesh meeting flesh causing Klink to stiffen when Guthrie slapped Hogan across the face viciously.
"I suggest you refrain from comedy, Schweinhund. I would hate to have to kill you before I get what I want from you."
Hogan massaged his jaw telling himself the minute he returned to the barracks to check his teeth and make sure the fillings were still there. This Major had a hard hand Hogan realized still rubbing his jaw. He stared daggers at the Major now.
"Major, there is no need to get rough with Colonel Hogan," Klink stammered weakly. "I mean he…." he stopped talking when the Major turned his hollow-eyed glare in his direction.
"Are you proceeding to tell me how to interrogate a prisoner, Klink? And a Jew on top of it?"
Klink wilted under the stare, swallowing the lump in his throat. Seeing the Kommandant's attempt at having a backbone rapidly disappear, Guthrie smirked. "I didn't think so." He then turned back to Hogan.
"Now, Colonel, I asked you a question as to why Major Hochstetter feels you are responsible for the strange happenings around Stalag 13."
Hogan didn't answer but continued to stare coldly at Guthrie.
Guthrie shrugged. "Well, perhaps you can answer this question then as you don't appear to like the first one. What do you know about Werner von Herwarth and his wife?"
Hogan crossed his legs and folded his arms. "Never heard of the man or his wife. Why? Am I suppose to?"
"Why don't you tell me," Guthrie said.
"I can't tell you about somebody I don't know, Major," Hogan said. He winced as he spoke with his lower jaw aching from being struck. "I've heard of the name von Herwarth, but I've never had the pleasure. And that's the truth."
Guthrie chuckled as he got right in Hogan's face. "You are a liar, Itzig," he said with a malicious grin, then spit on the American. Hogan's eyes flashed dangerously and his face darkened as he wiped the spittle from his face. (1) He knew he shouldn't let this Gestapo officer get to him as he did.
Klink gasped at the Major's actions and slowly stood up, opening his mouth about to respond to this rude mistreatment of his Senior POW officer, when Guthrie again turned his glare in his direction. Klink slowly sat back down shutting his mouth. With a smirk, the Major turned back to the American.
"Major, you have a serious problem," Hogan said through gritted teeth, fighting to control his rising temper. "You come here and accuse me of things I have nothing to do with and accuse me of knowing someone I've never met. I can tell you one thing though."
"And what is that, Colonel?" Guthrie asked straightening up.
"If you're gonna get right up in someone's face, you might consider freshening your breath first." The last thing Hogan noticed was Klink closing his eyes momentarily after he had spoken and just before another 'thwack' was heard. Hogan felt something warm run down his jaw from the corner of his mouth. Wiping the back of his hand across his mouth, he noticed a blood smear.
"You are trying my patience, Hogan, and people will tell you I am not a patient man. I will be watching you so closely you will see me in your dreams. I will be staying at Stalag 13 for a few days until I find this von Herwarth. And when I have him, I will also have you. You fascinate me in a way nobody has of late. I also want to know how a Jew has an Irish-sounding name. And I guarantee you I will find out. I don't know if you're a Mischling, Hogan, but you're definitely a verdammter Jude. If necessary, I will go through the file of every prisoner in this camp and see just how many more of you I can find. Might be you'll have company in the end." He sneered and waved his hand at Hogan dismissing him. "You can leave." (2)
Hogan slowly got to his feet and walked to the door of Klink's office. Grabbing the doorknob he started to open the door, then stopped. He looked back over his shoulder at the Major. "Since we're threatening each other, I suggest you stay away from my men or you'll regret it. Oh, and one last thing, Major."
" Yes?" Guthrie found Hogan's threat amusing and inconsequential.
"Bleib mir vom Leib!" Hogan growled as he opened the door and exited, slamming the door with a bang.(3)
Guthrie chuckled at the American's well-spoken German. "Klink, I want to see the file on each of your prisoners. It'll make interesting reading I'm sure."
Klink slowly stood up and, walking around his desk, stood in front of the Major. "What are you going to do, Major?" he asked nervously. He really didn't want to think about what Guthrie was going to do anymore than how long he was going to remain in Stalag 13. He just wanted the Gestapo officer gone; the sooner the better.
"I am going to teach your Colonel Hogan that I am not a man to be trifled with."
Hogan, slamming the door of barracks two when he entered, was immediately surrounded by his team.
"Are you all right, Colonel?" asked a scared LeBeau. "We heard him strike you twice."
"Not here," Hogan stated as he made his way toward his quarters with his team right behind him. Once inside his private quarters, Hogan began to pace while his men found places to sit and wait. They all noticed a discoloration forming on the side of their commander's mouth. "Did anything happen after I left Klink's office?" he finally asked while still pacing.
"Just one thing, sir," Kinch said. "Major Guthrie wants to look through the files of all the prisoners. Said he wants to teach you he's not a man to be trifled with. And there's something else, sir."
Hogan stopped pacing long enough to look at Kinch. "Guthrie is a bastard, a danger to this assignment tomorrow night, and a threat to all the prisoners in this camp. We may have to do something about him. Kinch, get on the horn to London and see what they have on him." His eyes narrowed. "You said there was something else. What?"
"You spoke German to him, sir. What I mean is do you think he suspects you speak fluent German?"
Hogan sighed. "That was a mistake on my part. But I think I can cover for that. We're in a POW camp; I can always say I learned some words from listening to the guards talk. He can't prove I didn't."
Kinch nodded figuring the Colonel had a point. "Sir, you really should have Wilson look at your jaw. You're got quite a bruise forming," he added.
Hogan waved him off. "I'm fine, Kinch. Just go contact London and do what I ask."
"Yes, sir." Kinch, with his eyes, indicated to Carter when they left the colonel's quarters for him to go to barracks twelve and get Sergeant Joe Wilson, the camp medic. He saw Carter nod that he understood. Kinch then got up and left the room.
Hogan continued pacing. Right now he was feeling like a caged animal wanting to break out of his confinement and attack his tormentor. He had never felt like this before. Then again, he had never met anyone like Major Guthrie before. Even Hochstetter didn't make him feel this way. To Hogan, Hochstetter, although a capable investigator and not a man to be trifled with either, didn't get to Hogan this way. There was something deadly about this Major that Hogan could feel rock his very core.
Carter watched his commander continue to pace. "Sir, don't let this Guthrie get to you. I think that what he wants. To play with your mind and rattle you. You know, like a cat plays with a mouse. Not that you're a mouse, sir, but what I was doing was…."
"I know what you meant, Carter," Hogan replied as he stopped pacing and sat on the edge of his desk, arms folded. "And you're right. He is toying with me while playing his mind games. What worries me is his looking through the other prisoners' files."
"What could he be looking for, Gov'nor?" asked Newkirk with narrowed eyes.
"Easy. He's probably checking to see if there are other Jewish prisoners in this camp besides me." Hogan's eyes fell on LeBeau and saw him stiffen. "Try not to worry, LeBeau. I'll do my best not to let him lay a hand on you."
The Frenchman rubbed his hands up and down his arms. He suddenly felt a chill permeate his small body. He looked up at his commanding officer. "Mon Colonel, I know you will do your best to protect me and the others from this filthy Bosche, but I do not want you to risk your life to do so. I couldn't take it if while protecting me and the other Jewish prisoners something happened to you. I'm begging you, Colonel. Please."
Hogan smiled which caused him to wince. He gently touched his jaw causing him to wince again. "Don't worry about me, LeBeau. Worrying about the men in my command is part of my job description. I'll do what I have to do." He then gave the Frenchman a look which told him the matter was closed.
"What about tomorrow night, sir?" asked Newkirk. "Are we still going out to meet von Herwarth and his missus?"
"We are," Hogan said. "We have to. Until we see what information is contained in that journal that have Guthrie and old scramble brains so worried, and get him and his wife out of Germany, Guthrie will be a problem. I think we're gonna have to watch it around him. But the mission is still on. I'd rather have von Herwarth below in the tunnels with his journal than out there somewhere where Guthrie can catch him." Hogan's eyes fell on his demolitions man who looked puzzled about something but embarrassed at the same time. "What's troubling you, Carter?"
"Well, Colonel, I don't want to upset you again, but Major Guthrie called you something that seemed to get you really upset and I was just curious as to what he meant? I mean, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, sir. I'll understand."
Hogan let out a deep breath. "Verdammter Jew or Itzig?" asked Hogan.
Carter looked embarrassed. "Both I guess, sir."
Hogan sighed. "Verdammter Jew means damn Jew. I'm used to hearing that along with Schweinhund. But Itzig is very offensive and I really would rather not discuss it right now."
"Sure, Colonel. No problem," Carter replied softly. He was sorry he asked seeing Hogan's face.
The door opened and Kinch walked back in; his face impassive. "Colonel. I contacted London and told them what you needed. They said, and I quote, 'Major Guthrie is to be left alone and not to be touched under any circumstances'."
"Are they balmy or what?!" Newkirk stated. "Leave that ruddy animal alone. What the bloody hell for?"
Hogan, ignoring the Englander's outburst, raised his eyebrows in amazement. "Not to be touched and left alone? Are they kidding me? Did you tell them having Guthrie poking around could jeopardize our mission?"
"I told 'em. Their exact words were 'we understand old chap, but the mission must be completed successfully while leaving the Major alone.' Sorry, sir."
Hogan shook his head sadly. "Why are you apologizing, Kinch? You didn't do anything. Damn!" He rubbed his forehead as a massive headache began pounding in his head like a set of kettle drums. What else could go wrong? He checked his watch. "The hell with London. Looks like we're on our own here. Kinch, contact the underground and see if they have anything on this Major Guthrie. I need to know more about him so we know what we're dealing with here. Just because London doesn't want him touched doesn't mean I'm going into this unprepared and be blindsided."
"Yes, sir." Kinch turned and left the room again.
Hogan frowned and massaged his forehead again. "Sometimes I think this job isn't worth it," he muttered just loud enough for his men to hear. They exchanged concerned looks.
"Gov'nor?" asked Newkirk, worried. "You all right, sir?"
"Yeah, Newkirk, I'm fine. Just tired." He raised his head and looked into the faces of three concerned friends. "Don't worry. I suggest you guys get some rest right now. There's nothing we can do until we until we know more about this Guthrie. I'm gonna lie down for awhile."
Klink reluctantly placed the last of the files of his prisoners on the table in front of the Gestapo Major. He hated this with every fiber of his being. This man was already disrupting Stalag 13 and he had only recently arrived. He was still angry over the Major's treatment of Hogan. But the Major was Gestapo, and he was just as afraid of Hochstetter. But there was something sinister about this Major Guthrie that chilled Klink to the bone. Right now, I would rather face Major Hochstetter than this Major Guthrie. There's something so evil about him. Klink recalled how Fraulein Hilda looked when the Major leered at her when Klink opened his inner office door to inform her the Major would be looking through the files and not to remove them of re-file them. He recalled seeing his young secretary shudder from the way the Major looked at her, almost as if he saw her as something other than a human being and both it and he frightened her.
Hogan was stretched out on the lower bunk with one arm covering his eyes when there was a knock on his door. "Come in," he said not bothering to move. However, he did uncover his eyes just enough at the sound of the door opening, and saw Sergeant Joe Wilson walking in carrying his medical bag, closing the door.
"Headache bad, Colonel?" he asked eying his commander.
"I've felt better, Joe," Hogan assured him. "But there's no need for you to be here." Hogan covered his eyes again.
"I'll be the judge of that, sir. Your men are worried about you. They didn't tell me all of it but enough to get a picture of what happened between you and this Major Guthrie." Wilson had moved to Hogan's bedside, placing his bag on the desk. "C'mon, Colonel, let's have a look."
Sighing wearily, Hogan uncovered his eyes and leaned on one elbow to allow Wilson to examine his bruised jaw. The medic shook his head seeing Hogan wince as conducted his examination. "You're lucky your jaw's not broken, Colonel. And you don't seem to have a concussion," he said. "You'll have some discoloration and pain for awhile, sir, but that'll go away in time." Wilson then rummaged around in his bag and took out a bottle of aspirin. Opening it, he shook out two aspirin into his palm and handed them to Hogan. "I'll get you some water so you can take those, sir."
"Never mind the water." Hogan swallowed the aspirin without the water and laid his head back down. He again draped an arm across his eyes. Sighing, Wilson sat the aspirin bottle on the footlocker.
"I'm leaving the aspirin bottle on your footlocker, sir, and I'll have one of the men bring you some water. I want you to take two aspirin every four hours for pain. I'll be back later to see how you're doing."
"Fine," Hogan muttered. "Now get out." The command was not said with malice or in anger, but from someone who was, according to Wilson, in discomfort and tired.
"You're welcome," Wilson said with a slight smile gathering his bag and leaving the small room, pulling the door shut behind him. He found three pairs of concerned eyes looking at him from the table. He walked over to join them. "The Colonel will be okay. I gave him some aspirin for his headache and his jaw's not broken. He should be fine. In fact, he'll probably fall asleep. Carter, please take a pitcher of water and a glass into the Colonel's room and leave it on his footlocker. I left him a bottle of aspirin and told him to take two every four hours. I'll be back later to check on him."
"Thanks, Joe," Newkirk said. "We'll make sure nobody disturbs the Gov'nor."
Wilson smiled knowing how protective these men were of Hogan, and would look after him making sure he got some rest. He walked out of the barracks while Carter got up and filled a pitcher with cold water, then got a glass before quietly heading into the Colonel's quarters. Only a few seconds later he re-emerged, closed the door quietly, and sat back down at the table.
"The Colonel's asleep," he announced. "I could hear him snoring softly. I took the blanket off the top bunk and covered him with it. He didn't even move."
Just then, the rattle of the double bunk in the corner was heard as the lower bunk rose and the ladder dropped. Kinch's head popped into view seconds later. Olsen immediately went to the door and, cracking it open, kept watch as Kinch struck the hidden mechanism and waited for the ladder to rise and the lower bunk to drop over the tunnel entrance. He sat down at the table.
"How's the Colonel?" he asked. "Wilson been here yet?"
"He just left. The Colonel's sleeping right now," LeBeau told him. He then proceeded to repeat what Wilson had told them.
"Did you get any information from the underground, Kinch?" Newkirk asked, lighting a cigarette.
Kinch sighed. "Yeah, I did. That's what took me so long." He didn't look happy.
"Well, you gonna keep the ruddy information to yourself or what?"
"What's wrong, mon ami?" asked LeBeau. "Is it bad news?"
"It isn't good, Louie," Kinch replied. "And the Colonel's not gonna like it one bit."
(1) Itzig means Jew. It is a very offensive term but is historical. Information supplied by Lizzie0307.
(2)Verdammter Jew means damn Jew. Information supplied by Lizzie0307.
(3) "Bleib mir vom Leib" means in English "Stay away from me!" Information supplied by Lizzie0307.