Chapter 22---Secret Plans and Lies

Hogan stretched out on the lower bunk in his quarters with Kinch seated at Hogan's desk and LeBeau sitting on the desk. Carter entered a few minutes later with the ice pack and handed it to Hogan who held it against his throat. Carter stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets and stared at his commanding officer, worried. He looked as if he wanted to ask a question but was afraid to. Hogan let a smile appear.

"I'm okay, Carter," Hogan croaked.

Carter smiled and then turned quietly and started out the door. He glanced back over his shoulder. "If you need anything, Colonel, just let me know."

"I will. I promise."

Nodding, Carter quietly left Hogan's quarters. LeBeau and Kinch both got to their feet and prepared to leave.

"I will prepare you some broth, mon Colonel," LeBeau said. "You must be hungry."

"Not really. Just tired."

LeBeau was not, however, to be deterred. "I will prepare it anyway. Perhaps later you will want some."

Hogan didn't reply, but let a tired smile appear. He was becoming sleepy. He watched LeBeau exit the room, but stopped Kinch before he could leave. The radioman paused and turned.

"Close the door, Kinch. I need to talk with you for a minute."

"Sure, Colonel," Kinch replied, closing the door. He sat down at Hogan's desk, facing the Colonel. "What can I do for you?"

"Klink called Burkhalter who is on his way." Hogan took a deep breath before continuing. "Will talk…Metzger. We need…monitor Metzger…"

Kinch smiled. "You want me to plant a listening device in Metzger's guest quarters while he's in Klink's office with Burkhalter."

Hogan grinned without replying. That was what Hogan liked most about his second-in-command. He always seemed to somehow know what he was thinking.

Kinch suddenly frowned as a thought came to him. "Colonel, we have a bug already in there from several months ago, but it stopped working for some reason." He saw Hogan was about to speak and he held up his hand stopping him. "I can move the defective listening device to where Metzger can find it while at the same time plant the new device where he won't find it."

"Thanks," Hogan mumbled as sleep rapidly overcame him. Kinch sat for a few minutes watching his commanding officer sleep. How could anybody hurt this man just for fun, Kinch thought to himself. The Colonel is one of the, if not the finest man I've ever known. Anger began to invade his mind. Anger at what Metzger had not only done to Newkirk and to the Colonel; but was doing to the Colonel. Kinch swore to himself that if it were the last thing he ever did, he would make certain Metzger never touched the Colonel again. Then, he quietly got to his feet and started to leave Hogan's quarters; but not before pausing and glancing one last time over his shoulder at the sleeping officer before exiting.

LeBeau was busy stirring the beef broth in the pot on the stove. He did his best to mask the anger he was feeling. It hurt to see the agony Newkirk had been in and was still in after having his hand broken. And then there was what Metzger did to Colonel Hogan. It nearly broke LeBeau's heart watching the Colonel gasping for breath. The Frenchman wanted to punish Metzger; to do something to make him pay for not only hurting Newkirk, but hurting a man LeBeau respected, admired and would lay down his life for. He looked up when Kinch exited the Colonel's quarters.

"How is the Colonel?" he asked.

Kinch let out a deep breath. "He's sleeping right now. And I would like him to sleep throughout the rest of the day and night except when it's time for dinner," he added with a smile. The little Frenchman returned his smile. "I don't have to tell you, LeBeau," Kinch continued. "It scared the hell outta me when the Colonel couldn't breathe."

"I know, mon ami. I hate that filthy Bosche for what he's doing to the Colonel. He must be stopped."

"The Colonel will handle Metzger, Louie. I wouldn't worry. He has it all planned out." Kinch headed towards the hidden tunnel entrance. "The Colonel wants me to bug Metzger's quarters while he's in Klink's office with Burkhalter. He feels this way we'll know what Metzger is doing whenever he talks to somebody. I'll be downstairs getting my stuff together and be right back. Keep an eye on the Colonel."

"Need you even ask, mon ami."

After Kinch had left, LeBeau looked over at Newkirk who was sleeping on Carter's lower bunk because of his hand, and at Carter who was keeping watch at the door. Then, with a sigh, he turned back to the stove and resumed stirring the broth. "I am sorry, mon Colonel," he said in a soft voice so nobody could hear. "But I cannot allow this Bosche to hurt you anymore. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me some day."

Carter was keeping watch at the barracks door. He was hoping to see Burkhalter's staff car come through the front gate soon. Carter had been unusually quiet since Metzger maliciously broke Newkirk's hand. He never discussed his feelings about it with Newkirk nor with any of the others; including the Colonel. Carter could tell the Colonel had enough on his mind with having to deal with Metzger and didn't have time to deal with the feelings of one of his men. Carter noticed Hogan hadn't been sleeping well since Metzger arrived; he was worried all the time; and Carter felt he just couldn't add to the Colonel's problems. He sighed wearily and glanced over at the sleeping Newkirk; his best friend. He then recalled the fear he felt when his commanding officer couldn't breathe after they returned to the barracks. He had never been so terrified in his entire life.

Carter bit his quivering lower lip as a single thought filled his head. He wouldn't let Metzger hurt anyone else; especially not the man he worshiped and admired more than anyone else. I hope you understand, Colonel, what I have to do, and can forgive me, Carter thought to himself. But I just can't let him hurt you. Even if you kick me off the team, I have to do this to protect you and the others. I only hope you can one day forgive me. He turned when Kinch reappeared from below. The radioman struck the hidden mechanism and watched the lower bunk drop over the tunnel entrance. Kinch smiled at the young Sergeant who just looked at him glumly. He was concerned about Carter. The young sergeant was burying his feelings about what had happened to Newkirk and the Colonel. And Kinch knew from past experience that it would lead to trouble when Carter's feelings erupted.

"Any sign of Burkhalter yet, Andrew?" Kinch asked.

"Not yet."

"The Colonel all right, LeBeau?" Kinch asked turning towards the Frenchman.

"He's still in his quarters and everything's been quiet," LeBeau replied. "The broth is almost ready. I'll be taking a bowl into him as soon as it is. Hopefully he'll be hungry. He must keep up his strength."

"Staff car pulling in," Carter suddenly said. Kinch and LeBeau gathered around him to have a look. They saw Schultz hurry forward and open the back passenger door, come to attention and salute as the rotund figure of General Albert Burkhalter squeezed out of the back seat and saluting, got out of the car and made his way up the stairs of the Kommandantur.

Kinch hurriedly gathered what he needed from the table and put them in the pockets of his green jacket. "Let me know the moment you see Metzger head into Klink's office. As soon as he leaves, I'll have to get into the guest quarters and get out quickly. Louie, you and Carter will have to listen in on the coffee pot to what takes place in Klink's office."

"But that might wake up the Colonel," Carter replied.

"It can't be helped," Kinch explained. "We need to know what Burkhalter tells Metzger." Kinch suddenly smiled. "Besides, Louie, listening to the conversation over the coffee pot won't wake him if he's already awake and eating your beef broth, will it?"

"You are right, mon ami," the little Frenchman replied with a grin. "In fact, it should be ready now."

"Metzger's heading to Klink's office," Carter announced.

"Okay, wish me luck," Kinch said as he headed out the door.

LeBeau looked at Carter. "Andrew, go plug in the coffee pot and wake the Colonel. Tell him dinner is ready and I will be bringing it into him."

"Gotcha." Carter quickly headed to Hogan's quarters and opened the door. He gazed at his commanding officer hesitating to wake him. He knew Hogan needed the sleep. But he also knew Hogan would not be happy to miss the conversation between Metzger and Burkhalter. So, he gently shook Hogan by the shoulder.

"Colonel," he said. "You have to wake up."

Hogan mumbled something but didn't wake up. He did, however, shift his position on the bed. Carter shook him more intently.

"Colonel, wake up. It's important, sir." Carter looked up at LeBeau as he entered carrying a bowl of beef broth, it's tantalizing aroma filling the room. Carter turned and proceeded to plug in the coffeepot.

As the aroma of the beef broth assailed his nostrils, Hogan stirred and opened his eyes just a slit. He saw LeBeau and Carter, and opened his eyes wider. He realized just how hungry he was. He slowly sat up. Hogan noticed Carter had plugged in the coffeepot.

"What's going on?" he asked hoarsely.

"Burkhalter's here, sir," Carter said. "And Metzger just entered Klink's office."

Hogan, now awake, swung his legs over the edge of the bed and put his feet on the floor. He ordered LeBeau to put the bowl on his footlocker and let its contents cool for awhile. "Where's Kinch…and Newkirk?" he managed to get out.

"Kinch just left to plant the bug in Metzger's quarters, and Newkirk is asleep, mon Colonel. Do you want me to wake him?"

"No. Let him sleep."

Metzger entered Klink's office and came immediately to attention, saluting Burkhalter who returned his salute while remaining seated in the chair against the wall under the picture of the Fuhrer.

"General Burkhalter," Metzger said graciously with a warm smile. "It's very good to see you, sir."

"Unfortunately, General, I cannot say the same about you," Burkhalter responded with a grim expression. "Klink tells me you have been abusing several of his prisoners. Especially Colonel Hogan."

"I must apologize for my loss of temper, General," Metzger replied hoping he sounded contrite. "It was completely my fault. But in my defense I must admit that Colonel Hogan irritated me with his wisecracks and smart mouth, and I lost my temper. And for that I apologize, General. I assure you it will not happen again."

Burkhalter chuckled. "I personally know how he can grate on a person's nerves. But why are you so interested in Hogan anyway?"

"I suspect Colonel Hogan has some knowledge of who stole the ammunition last year, General."

Burkhalter shook his round face with an amused expression. "You sound just like a certain Gestapo Major who thinks Hogan is responsible for everything that goes wrong in this war for Germany. Do you have any proof to back up your accusations, General?"

"No, sir. Only suspicions," Metzger admitted innocently.

"Then I will tell you the same thing I told Major Hochstetter. Suspicions alone are not enough to torture Hogan no matter how annoying he may be. As of this moment you will cease torturing any more prisoners in this camp, especially Hogan. Do I make myself clear, General?"

"Yes, sir. I understand."

"You will also wrap up this investigation in seventy-two hours and return to Berlin. Understood?"

Metzger raised both eyebrows as he looked at Burkhalter. "Three days, General? I don't know…."

"You'd better know, Metzger," Burkhalter replied loudly, leaning forward in his chair. "I don't care what your investigation shows after three days. You are to return to Berlin and it is not subject to negotiation. Should you fail to do so, I will have you arrested and brought back in chains. Understood?!"

"Understood, General."

"Gut! You are dismissed!"

"Jawohl, Herr General," Metzger replied saluting Burkhalter who returned the salute. He gave Klink a look before quietly exiting the office. He continued sulking as he exited the Kommandantur. But then a slight smirk appeared. In the end, he'd get even with all of them. But first, he had an interrogation to conduct, even if it had to wait until Burkhalter left and returned to Berlin.

Burkhalter waited until Metzger had left before staring at the Kommandant. "Klink, I want you to make sure Metzger is never alone with any of your prisoners again, especially Hogan. If he abuses any other prisoners, I want to know about it immediately. Understood?"

"Understood, Herr General. But what do I do with him in the meanwhile should he violate your orders after you leave?" asked Klink, worried.

"Should Metzger abuse any other prisoners, and that includes Hogan, you have my permission to place him under house arrest and then call me in Berlin. I will come here and personally address the problem. Do you think you can do that Klink?"

A nervous smile appeared on Klink's face. "I can handle it, Herr General. Don't worry about a thing."

"If I didn't worry I wouldn't have brought it up," Burkhalter replied with a sigh. He checked his watch. "I have to leave. I have a meeting to attend." Burkhalter got up and put his cap on his head. Klink also got to his feet. "Remember what I said, Klink. Metzger is not to be left alone with any of the prisoners."

"Understood, Herr General," Klink saluted the general who returned it as he walked out the door.

Hogan unplugged the coffeepot and wrapped his arms around himself. He and the others all turned at the sound of the door opening. Kinch entered and gave Hogan a 'thumbs up' sign.

Kinch smiled. "I just finished up when I saw Metzger approaching. As he entered the door I went out the bedroom window. He didn't see or hear a thing."

"What about the old listening device?" asked Hogan.

"I attached it to the base of the lamp on the nightstand. He can't miss it. The new bug is where he'll never find it."

Hogan allowed a wry grin to appear. "Good job, Kinch." Just then, Hogan smelled the aroma of the beef broth and heard his stomach rumble. He sat down on the lower bunk. "LeBeau, this broth smells delicious and I'm starved.