Chapter 5---In Trouble and Alone

Hogan collapsed onto the chair at his desk. He had to think. His men, having seen the cut on his chin, and the bruises on his wrist, knew something had gone wrong. He also knew they wouldn't let it go until they found out what had happened. About the only three things Hogan knew at this point was one, he must make sure the men never found out what took place at the meeting. Two, that Metzger was back and what he wanted of him. And three, what the punishment would be for Hogan should he fail. He didn't want his men involved in any way. It was his job to protect them at all cost; not theirs to protect him.

With elbows on the table, Hogan pinched the bridge of his nose. What he needed right now was a plan, not the pounding headache that was developing. There was a sudden knocking on his door. He looked up.

"Come in," he replied in a tired voice.

The door opened and Kinch entered. He held a cup of hot coffee in one hand.

"The coffee's ready, Colonel. I thought you might want a cup."

"Thanks, Kinch," Hogan replied accepting the coffee from his second-in-command. He took a sip of the hot brew, ignoring that it burned his throat. He looked up and noticed Kinch still standing in front of him. "Something you want Sergeant?"

Kinch sighed. He knew Hogan well enough that whenever the Colonel referred to his men by their rank, he was either very angry, had his feelings deeply hurt or was troubled by something. And Kinch already knew that nobody had hurt the Colonel's feelings. So he was either very angry or deeply troubled about something. Normally Kinch would leave Hogan alone until he was ready to talk about whatever was on his mind. But something told him this time it was important his commanding officer not hold back.

"Colonel, we know something's not right, and hasn't been since you got back from that meeting with Skyhawk. What happened out there? Did the Krauts interrupt the meeting? Was Skyhawk not who he claimed to be? Talk to me, Colonel."

Hogan took another drink of coffee. He sighed wearily. He spoke without looking at the radioman. "Kinch, there's nothing to talk about because nothing happened. Everything went fine at the meeting. I simply tripped and fell while on my way back to camp, that's all."

"Colonel, those bruises on your wrist; and you probably have them on both wrists. And that cut on your chin say otherwise. Now if it's something personal, I can promise you whatever you tell me will not leave this room."

"Kinch, there is something you can do for me," Hogan looked up at Kinch this time.

"Sure, Colonel. Whatever you need. What do you want me to do?"

"I need to make a phone call tonight to London and I would prefer if you, LeBeau, Carter and Newkirk all stayed out of the tunnel while I'm there. It's personal."

Kinch sighed. He was starting to get worried. His gut was telling him something was definitely wrong. "Sure, Colonel. I can do that, if that's what you really want."

"That's what I really want, Kinch. And please, no more questions."

"Sure, Colonel." Kinch turned, disappointed, and started out the door. But not before Hogan had seen the look on his face.

"Kinch?"

The radioman turned, his hand on the doorknob. "Yeah, Colonel?"

Hogan held up the coffee cup. He gave a faint smile. "Thanks for the coffee."

"You're welcome." Kinch closed the door and stood outside thinking for a long moment before he returned to the table where LeBeau, Carter and Newkirk were still sitting and waiting.

"Well?" asked LeBeau, anxiously. "You were in there quite awhile. Did the Colonel say anything about what happened?"

"Not a thing. He's still sticking to the story of tripping and falling on his way back to camp. However, he did make a strange request," Kinch scratched his chin while lost in thought.

"Well are you gonna keep it to yourself, mate, or let us in on it?" asked Newkirk.

"The Colonel said tonight he needs to make a personal call to London using the radio. And he would prefer that all of us stay out of the tunnels while he's using the radio."

"Something's definitely wrong," LeBeau stated, looking at the others. "And I mean seriously wrong."

"I agree with LeBeau," Newkirk agreed. "The Colonel usually tells us what happens at any meeting he goes to. This time he's stayin' bloody quiet and being so bloody mysterious about everything. Something's not right. Not to mention that cut on his chin and those bruises on his wrists."

"What do you think happened out there?" asked Carter. "Do you think it has something to do with Skyhawk's meeting with the Colonel?"

"If it doesn't...." began Kinch clasping his hands on top of the table. "then there's something else going on here. And whatever it is, it's got Colonel Hogan wound up pretty tight right now."

Just then, the door to Hogan's quarters opened and Hogan, still wearing his black trousers and turtleneck, but having cleaned the black grease off his face, emerged. He passed right by the men seated at the table and headed directly to the double bunk. His men watched him slap the hidden mechanism and wait for the lower bunk to rise and the ladder to lower. He glanced over his shoulder to see his men staring at him, worried looks on their faces.

"Kinch, did you tell the others what I asked you to tell them?" he asked.

"He told us, Gov'nor," Newkirk replied gently. "Nobody'll bother you while you're below."

"Thanks. I shouldn't be long," Hogan remarked as he climbed over the bedframe and onto the ladder. He quickly disappeared from view.

Carter quickly got up and went to the door, cracking it open. He peeked out to make sure there were no unexpected interruptions.

There was a collective sigh from LeBeau, Kinch and Newkirk. The Englander lit a cigarette and took a long drag on it before he spoke.

"I'll tell you mates one thing," he said to no-one in particular. "Whatever's going on I'm bloody scared for the Gov'nor. I just have a feeling this is something he can't handle alone."