Chapter 35-A Fatal Incident

Guthrie prepared to squeeze the trigger thus ending Hogan's life when he was suddenly struck from behind causing him to stagger and fall to his knees, the lugar flying from his hand and landing nearby where it was quickly snatched up by the blond who pointed it at the German Major.

Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs, Guthrie looked around only to see a smirking Newkirk waving the open handcuffs at him. Then with a sneer, Guthrie turned back to the American officer who was smiling at him in an annoying way.

"Told you things happen when you make early plans," Hogan chuckled.

"Stand up, pig," said a female voice. Guthrie's eyes then looked in the direction of the voice and saw the blond woman step out from behind von Herwarth. As she came closer, the Major's mouth fell open at seeing the woman was not Christina Guthrie, but someone who did look familiar. He slowly grinned a grin of recognition.

"I remember you now," Guthrie hissed. "How could one forget one so lovely as you, Fraulein Banta." He smirked. "You have so many redeeming qualities which I was able to take advantage of and will again."

Hogan glanced at Aleit whose gun hand trembled with rage as the memories of her treatment at the Major's hands came flooding back. "Don't do it," he said seeing the look on her face. "He's trying to goad you and make you lose it." He had been told what the Major had done to the woman the two times she had been in his custody and it enraged him. But now was not the time to lose it. "Don't let him get to you," he added. "He'll get what's coming to him."

"Get to your feet, pig," Aleit hissed getting a firm grip on the weapon. She glared at the Major as he staggered to his feet, a bit unsteady at first.

"Where is she, swine?" he sneered looking at von Herwarth with a look on his face that caused the man to swallow hard and take a step back, fear on his face. "Where is the whore you took from me?"

Before von Herwarth could say anything, Hogan interjected. "She's where you will never find her, Major. She's safe from you. Her and her baby both."

With a roar of anger, Guthrie launched himself at Hogan and was about to grip him around the throat when he felt an arm wrap itself around his neck cutting off his breath.

"Now you didn't think I'd let you hurt the Gov'nor again now, did you?" He said in a friendly tone. He felt the Major struggle against the arm around his throat causing Newkirk to increase the pressure. "I suggest you behave, Major," said Newkirk smugly. Guthrie ceased his struggling. "That's a good lad."

"That's enough, Newkirk," Hogan stated calmly. "Before you release him, could you find the keys to these charm bracelets for me?"

"Sorry, sir," Newkirk remarked rummaging through the Major's pockets and removing a set of keys. He released his hold on Guthrie who again fell to his knees gasping for breath while Newkirk walked over to his commanding officer and unlocked the handcuffs freeing Hogan.

"You all right, Colonel?" he asked worriedly noticing a trickle of blood from the corner of the officer's mouth. "Your mouth's bleedin, sir."

Hogan wiped the blood away with the back of his hand. "If a bloody mouth is the worse thing I receive tonight than it's a small price to pay," he said. He then looked over his shoulder. "You can all come out now," he announced.

Guthrie's eyes narrowed at the sight of six large men, all armed, emerge from the dense foliage; three others dressed in black with two of them wearing greasepaint, and one of them holding the arm of a handcuffed and gagged Corporal Werner. The Corporal's eyes were ablaze with anger at what he had just witnessed. He momentarily forgot who was present and tried to speak but his words were muffled.

Hogan motioned for the gag to be removed. "I believe you have something you want to add, Corporal?"

"Major! Are you all right? What happened? Was it him?" he spat the last words while glaring at Hogan with a look of pure hatred. "Your kind have been trouble since arriving in Stalag 13. You should have been sent to a labor camp from the beginning. It would have wiped that smug, arrogant smirk off your face, you swine bastard! You and your kind deserve to be wiped off the face of the earth!" Noticing Hogan calmly glance at the underground operatives brought Werner back to reality making him remember where he was. But it no longer mattered.

"Fool!" Guthrie hissed glaring at Werner. "I gave you the opportunity of a lifetime to rise from the rank of Corporal with the Luftwaffe and become something with the Gestapo. All you had to do was keep your mouth shut and keep fooling these swine."

"Christophe?" a pained voice asked. "How could you?"

Werner glanced over his shoulder at Aleit. He sneered at her. "Don't look so stunned my dear," he explained. "I had you eating out of the palm of my hand. It was part of our plan once I discovered you were a member of the underground. It was too good of an opportunity to let pass. I knew and the Major agreed that using you would lead us to Papa Bear."

"But…but…the ring…"

Werner smirked and chuckled. "You thought that was for you? Stupid bitch! Why would I want to marry a traitor of the glorious Third Reich? The ring was simply a ploy to lure you further into our trap." He then grinned. "I would never humiliate myself by marrying someone like you."

Hogan's face darkened and his eyed narrowed. "I suggest you shut your mouth, Werner," he snapped. "I suspected you were lying to me when we talked. But I never figured you for a zealot." He then motioned for the gag to be put back on which Kinch readily prepared to do with glee from the look on his face.

Werner glared at the American. "Your kind isn't capable of realizing anything." Whatever else he was going to say became nothing but muffled sounds as Kinch secured the gag back around his mouth.

Hogan shrugged and wrapped his arms around himself. "Corporal, when you lie to somebody while looking them in the face, you really should learn to keep your eyes from betraying you. I knew from looking in your eyes that you were telling me what you believed I wanted to hear in order to get me to believe you. But my gut instinct never lets me down, and I trust my gut." He exhaled. "But never fear, Corporal; you'll be going to London as planned, but you'll be going under heavy guard and will spend the rest of the war in a nice, cozy, prison camp." He smirked seeing Werner's glare of hatred. "But enough of this idle chit chat. We have one insignificant Gestapo Major to get rid of and you will be held responsible for his death." He turned his attention back to Guthrie who had regained his feet.

"Start movin' you ruddy Kraut," Newkirk ordered giving Guthrie a rough shove from behind causing the Major to stumble and fall again. The Major struggled to get to his feet managing to get to one knee with the fingers of one hand on the ground, the other on a bent knee. Then, in one shift movement, Guthrie grabbed the second weapon from his ankle holster knowing he would die in a hail of bullets and had only one shot. He aimed his weapon at von Herwarth, the man who he despised more than Hogan preparing to squeeze the trigger when a single shot was heard and Guthrie, looking momentarily surprised, glanced down at the hole in his chest and the spreading stain around it, before raising his head to see Aleit standing in front of him but at a safe distance.

He chuckled as the weapon fell from his hand, and seconds later, his body fell sideways onto the ground, his eyes unfocused. He lay there as the legs of the blond woman approached him and knelt down looking at the wounded man. Then, with pursed lips, Aleit pressed the muzzle against Guthrie's head and pulled the trigger causing his body to jump before death overtook him, his eyes open and vacant.

"That was for what you did to me when I was your prisoner, pig," she said in a hoarse voice as she slowly stood up. Turning, she handed her weapon to Newkirk and let out a deep breath. "One less Gestapo pig in the world," she said with moist eyes.

"It'll be all right, luv," Newkirk said quietly patting her shoulder while Hogan approached Guthrie and pressed two fingers against his neck. He looked up at Newkirk. "He's dead," he said calmly. Then, Hogan reached inside the Major's jacket and removed the wrapped package. Getting to his feet, he walked over to von Herwarth and gave the package back to him.

"Guard this with your life, von Herwarth," Hogan said quietly. "It needs to get to London directly. You and Aleit will accompany these men. The underground will hide both of you until it's time to escort you to the rendezvous where a sub will pick you both up and head to England. Also, von Herwarth, here's hoping you and Christina have a healthy baby."

"Thank you, Colonel. I will never forget what you and your men did for me and Christina. And again I apologize for being so much trouble." He and Hogan shook hands. Hogan looked at Werner with disgust. "You, on the other hand, will remain cuffed and gagged and under heavy guard." He started to turn, put then paused and looked back. "One last thing, should you try anything, these men have orders to shoot to kill. Kinch, LeBeau, Carter, Newkirk, let's get back to camp. We still have things to do because I'm positive Hochstetter and Burkhalter will be showing up and we have to lead them away from us."

As his men gathered around their commanding officer, Hogan hugged Aleit and kissed the top of her head. "I'm sorry Werner turned out to be such a bastard," he said into her hair. "Try not to let his words affect you even though right now I know they hurt. He doesn't deserve you. Be safe."

"Thank you, Colonel," Aleit replied kissing Hogan's cheek before pulling away and joining the other underground members. Watching as the others and their prisoner left the scene, Hogan and his men turned and headed back to Stalag 13 to complete the rest of the Colonel's plan.

At roll call the following morning, Klink and Schultz were both surprised seeing Hogan standing in his usual place in the formation. After the men were dismissed, Klink, with Schultz close beside him, approached the Senior POW officer with his men standing nearby.

"Hogan, don't take this the wrong way, but what are you doing here? I distinctly remember telling the prisoners yesterday you were no longer the Senior POW because you would be leaving. What happened? Major Guthrie told me he was removing you from camp."

Hogan wore his most confused look as he shrugged his shoulders. "Beats me, Kommandant. Major Guthrie came to the barracks last night and told me he didn't need my help after all catching von Herwarth because he had found him. But then he said something really strange, sir."

"What was that?"

"Well, he said one of your guards, Corporal Werner I think it was, had been supplying him with enough information on you to have you sent on your way to the snowflake capital of the world by the end of today. If I were you, sir, I'd speak with Corporal Werner and find out what he told Guthrie so you can be ready should the Gestapo show up." He inwardly smiled seeing Klink shudder hearing the word 'Gestapo'. He suddenly looked concerned. "Kommandant, since I'm still here, does this mean I'm still the Senior POW officer?"

Klink's mind wasn't focused and he had barely heard what Hogan said. "What? Oh, yes, yes. You're again the Senior POW officer. That'll be all, Hogan," Klink replied before turning towards his obese Sergeant-of-the-Guard. "Schultz, I want you to find Corporal Werner and have him report to me in my office immediately."

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant," Schultz said with a salute. Hogan, his men, and Schultz watched Klink abruptly turn and march back to the Kommandantur. Watching his receding back, Schultz leaned close to Hogan. "Colonel Hogan, what really happened to Major Guthrie?"

Hogan smirked. "Do you really want to know, Schultz?" he asked with the familiar twinkle in his brown eyes.

"Not really. I don't want to know anything. It's better that way."

"I agree, Schultz."

The heavy guard started to walk away, paused, and turned back toward the American. "But he won't be coming back, will he?" he asked worriedly.

Hogan tilted his head as he mulled over the question. Finally, after a few seconds, he smiled at Schultz. "I think it's safe to say there's no chance of that happening and leave it at that."

The guard appeared to accept that knowing it would not be in his best to inquire further. "Good," was all he said before turning his large bulk around and waddling away.

The Colonel wrapped his arms around himself and grinned watching Schultz walk away. Then without looking, he addressed his team. "Two pigeons down and two to go," he replied. He looked at the Englander. "Newkirk, you and Carter know what to do and which letter to use after you forge Werner's signature on it. Destroy the other one."

"Yes, sir. C'mon, Andrew," Newkirk replied as he and Carter scurried away.

"Kinch, after Newkirk and Carter get back to the barracks, I want you to get on the switchboard and place two calls. One to Major Hochstetter informing him of Guthrie's death and Corporal Werner's involvement. Then to Burkhalter with the same story."

"Will do, Colonel," Kinch replied with hands stuffed in his pockets. "Colonel, think Hochstetter and Burkhalter will buy it?"

Hogan chuckled. "Hochstetter…no. But Burkhalter will and will see that Hochstetter does." He sighed. "Let's get inside. LeBeau, what's for breakfast? I'm starving." He wrapped his arm around the Frenchman's shoulders as the three of them headed into the barracks.

It was three hours after lunch while Hogan and his men were seated outside enjoying the warm afternoon sun when a Gestapo staff car came barreling through the front gates pulling to a stop in front of the Kommandantur. Crossing his legs, Hogan's eyes were focused on the short tornado dressed in a flowing black coat with an armband emblazoned with the swastika, emerged from the back seat. It was Hochstetter. He glared for a moment in Hogan's direction before storming up the steps and into the building.

Hogan checked his watch calmly. "Burkhalter should be here within the hour." He got to his feet. "Coffee break, gentlemen." The men followed him inside the barracks and into his private quarters where he plugged in the coffee pot to listen in. They heard a door slamming shut.

"Major Hochstetter, what a pleasure it is…."

"Shut up, Klink. I'm not in the mood for any of your boot licking. Save that for General Burkhalter."

"Yes, sir. How can I be of service to our illustrious Gestapo today?"

"Klink, earlier today I received a phone call from somebody who refused to give his name . He told me something very interesting."

"I'm afraid I don't understand, Major."

"Klink, Major Tice Guthrie's body was discovered outside an abandoned ball-bearing plant not far from this camp?"

"What? Are you sure, Major?"

"He was shot twice including one to the head, execution-style. Now, where was Colonel Hogan last night, Klink?"

"He was here for evening roll call, Major, and he was here for morning roll call. He…"

"BAH! I will question Hogan. I know he had something to do with this, and he will hang for murdering a Gestapo officer. You will have him brought to this office immediately."

"But…but Major…."

"I said immediately, Klink, or I will take you instead!"

"Schuuuuulllltz!"

There was the sound of a door opening and closing.

"You called for me, Herr Kommandant?"

"Yes, Schultz. Major Hochstetter wants to question Colonel Hogan. You will bring him to this office right away."

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant." Again the sound of a door opening. "ACHTUNG!"

"General Burkhalter, what a pleasure it is to see you. You should have called to tell me you were coming, sir."

"Klink, if I wanted you to know I was coming I would have called. I came here because of a strange phone call I received this morning."

"You too?"

"Somebody claimed that one of your guards, a Corporal Werner I believe, shot and killed a Gestapo officer named Guthrie. What do you know about this, Klink?"

"Me? I don't know anything about it. Schultz, what do you know about this?"

"Nothing, Herr Kommandant. I know noth-ing. Noth-ing."

"Why does that not surprise me."

"Herr Kommandant, I went looking for Corporal Werner as you requested after roll call this morning. Nobody saw him all day yesterday. According to my records, he was assigned to patrol the woods outside Stalag 13. He did not return. I went to search the guards' quarters to see if maybe I missed him coming back."

"And?"

"He wasn't there, Herr Kommandant. But I did find this sticking out from under his pillow."

Schultz handed Klink a single sheet of paper. The Kommandant's eyes widened as he read it's contents.

"Donnerwetter!"

"What is it, Klink?"

"It's a sort of confession from Corporal Werner, Herr General. He says he is deserting because he killed Major Guthrie and knows he will hang for it if he's caught. He said he had to do it because the Major forced him to spy on me and the prisoners and pass along information to Major Hochstetter and he didn't want to do it. But then the Major threatened his fiancée so he shot him. He also says according to the Major, there was no journal but it gave him the perfect cover to hunt for von Herwarth and kill him for stealing his wife."

"Bah! This is all lies and is Hogan's doing. I know it. Sergeant, you will bring Hogan to this office for intense interrogation at once!"

"Jawohl, Herr Major."

"Belay that order, Sergeant."

"Jawohl, Herr General."

"General, I know Hogan is behind this. Only this time he has gone too far and will hang."

"Major, I think you have been working too hard of late. This fixation on Colonel Hogan is becoming unhealthy. If Klink and I can see the obvious why can't you?"

"Obvious, Herr General?"

"Yes, Klink. It's obvious to me what happened. "Major Guthrie came to Stalag 13 with his own agenda and that was to find the man who ran off with his wife. He then overstepped his authority by threatening one of your guards into helping him. When the Major threatened the Corporal's girlfriend, Corporal Werner decided to kill him, and desert taking his girlfriend with him."

"I'm telling you, General. That is what Hogan wants us to believe. But I will get the information from him if I have to beat it out of him! Von Herwarth had a journal that…"

"Major, have you ever seen this so called journal?"

"No, General, but…"

"We only have your word there is one. Add that information to what this letter says only proves that Major Guthrie used a supposed journal as a ploy to justify him coming here and torturing Hogan and his men. Now, as far as I am concerned this matter is closed and there is no reason for any interrogation. Is that clear, Major?"

"But General…if you would just…"

"I said the case is closed. However, if you persist with this, I can always call my dear friend and inform him one of his men has been working too hard and is in need of either some time off or reassignment to less stressful employment."

"That will not be necessary, General. Auf Wiedersehen. Heil Hitler." There was another slamming of the door. Hogan unplugged the coffee pot and heaved a sigh of relief. It was finally over and they had survived. He looked around when he felt a hand on his shoulder; he saw Newkirk smiling at him.

"Just like I told you, Gov'nor. Piece of cake."

Hogan smiled; only this time it was one of relief and not forced.

A/N: There is only one chapter left. Then, there will be a short companion piece to this story.