Chapter 24---Aftermath
The remainder of the night was uneventful for everyone except Colonel Hogan, who lay on his lower bunk staring at the bottom of the upper bunk, unable to sleep, the ice pack on his throat. When he and Kinch had returned to the barracks after everything had been set up with White Knight, LeBeau had filled them in on what he had overheard in Metzger's quarters. Hogan and Kinch exchanged concerned looks. In fact, it was Kinch who had reminded Hogan that whatever Metzger was planning might involve Baker as he had been interrupted with Baker in custody previously. Hogan agreed.
But what could Hogan to do about it? He guessed he could have Baker hide in the tunnels until Metzger left in seventy-two hours. But not only would that go down as an escape on Klink's record, but the camp torn apart looking for clues with the likelihood their operation would be discovered. In addition, Klink would either be shot or sent to the Russian front, and Hogan and his men arrested and shot by firing squad. There was also the possibility if Metzger couldn't find Baker, he would select another of Hogan's men to take his place. Hogan could evacuate the entire camp, but that was an extreme measure. However, he put that thought in the back of his mind just in case. Of course he could always kill Metzger tonight instead. But that wouldn't work as it would mean doing it in camp instead of outside as he planned. He couldn't afford to have Metzger die while in camp.
It was while running the different scenarios through his head that Hogan fell into an uneasy sleep.
It was the sound of Schultz's loud, booming voice ordering the prisoners out of the barracks for morning roll call that had awakened Hogan. He hadn't even realized he had fallen asleep. Hurriedly getting out of bed, Hogan quickly shaved and got dressed, barely making it outside on time. He noticed Newkirk was standing in his regular spot in the formation trying to hide his solid cast from curious eyes. Hogan noticed Metzger and Klink walking down the steps of the Kommandantur while Schultz was counting each prisoner. Even from that distance, Hogan could see Metzger glaring at him with that smug venom-laced smirk of his. As they got closer, Hogan let his own smug grin appear.
"Schuuuuultz, repoooooooort!" ordered Klink. Schultz, turning, saluted the Kommandant and the General. "Herr Kommandant, Herr General, all prisoners present and accounted for."
Both officers returned the salute. "Very good, Schultz," Klink replied. He looked up and down the front row of the formation and noticed Newkirk trying to hide the hard cast from sight. He stole a sideways glance at Metzger and then looked at the British Corporal. "Corporal Newkirk, what happened to your hand? I see it's in a cast." Klink had an idea what had happened, but he kept his opinion to himself
Newkirk hesitated and glanced at Hogan who stepped forward. "He broke it playing cards, Kommandant," he said glaring at Metzger the entire time.
Klink looked at Hogan as if he had lost his mind. "Playing cards? Hogan, you expect me to believe a ridiculous story like that?"
"No sir. But it's the best I could come up with on such short notice," Hogan replied innocently.
"Hooooooogaaaaannn," Klink muttered, exasperated.
Hogan glanced over his shoulder at Newkirk who only shrugged. The American again turned back to Klink.
"Sorry, sir, but he over-shuffled the cards." Hogan gave Klink his best puppy-dog look.
Klink thought about it for a moment. "I understand, Colonel," he said looking at Hogan with an understanding look that said what was actually on his mind that he knew Hogan would understand. "Tell your men to be careful from now on."
"I will, sir," Hogan replied. He took a step back to his regular place in line.
"Sergeant Schultz, you may dismiss your men," Klink ordered. He saluted.
"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant," Schultz replied saluting. He turned towards the prisoners. "All prisoners, disss-missed."
Klink turned and started back towards the Kommandantur. Before Metzger followed, he and Hogan exchanged one last glaring look. Metzger seemed amused with Hogan's ridiculous explanation, but let it go because he really couldn't have cared. He had things he had to do. He turned and followed Klink back towards the Kommandantur where he caught up with the Colonel on the steps. He smiled.
"If you will excuse me, Colonel, I must return to my quarters for a few minutes. There is something I forgot to do. I will rejoin you in a few minutes in your office."
"Of course, General Metzger," Klink replied. "I'll be waiting."
Hogan immediately headed inside the barracks with his men following close behind.
"I can't believe old Klink bought that story you told, Colonel," Newkirk said. "It was not one of your best yarns."
"I know," Hogan replied. "But by Klink's reaction, I'd say he knew I was lying and accepted it because Metzger was there. So, he didn't pursue it." Hogan checked his watch. "Time to give White Knight a call on the emergency frequency, Kinch. Tell 'im to call back in five minutes on the regular frequency and ask for me. Time to get this show on the road. Carter, keep an eye on the door."
Kinch hurried to the double bunk bed and struck the hidden mechanism. The minute the lower bunk rose and the ladder dropped, he disappeared down the ladder.
With an impatient sigh, Hogan poured himself half a cup of coffee and sat down at the table with LeBeau and Newkirk joining him. Carter stood watch at the barracks door.
Hogan looked up when Kinch reappeared, his face answering the question he wanted to ask.
"It's all set, Colonel," Kinch said with a grin. "White Knight will call back in about…" He checked his watch, "…four-and-a-half-minutes from now."
Hogan quickly finished the rest of his coffee and then got to his feet. He slapped the radioman on the back. "Good. Let's go." They both headed towards the exposed tunnel opening with Hogan leading the way. By the time they both reached the radio room, Baker, who had been seated at the radio, looked up.
"Just in time, Colonel," Baker remarked. "White Knight is calling. I was just going to have someone come and get you." He handed Hogan the headset.
"Thanks. You better get upstairs. But stay in the barracks. I don't trust Metzger."
"I was counting on doing just that anyway, Colonel," Baker replied as he headed out of the radio room.
Hogan, sitting down at the table, adjusted the headset on his head. "This is Papa Bear on the line, White Knight. What's the latest on the presents I've been inquiring about?"
"This is White Knight, Papa Bear," announced the voice on the other end in a Swiss voice. "All presents are in route to your area. Should arrive by 2300 hours tomorrow night. Suggest you contact me when presents arrive. White Knight out."
"Thanks a lot for your help, White Knight. Papa Bear out." Hogan removed the headset and tossed it on the table. He smiled at his second-in-command. "Kinch, monitor the radio for a few minutes just in case. I'm going back upstairs, contact Metzger, and inform him his collection is on its way here and arrangements need to be made to transfer possession to him. So, I'll then set up a meeting with him outside of camp for tonight so we can discuss this. That's when I'll kill him.
Metzger slammed the door to his bedroom and locked it from inside. He then approached his bed and, kneeling down, pulled his attaché case from under it. He placed it on the bed and opened it. He removed the pistol that was inside and removed the clip, checking to see if it was fully loaded. It was. He replaced the clip and held the gun for a few moments. "Tomorrow night, Hogan," he said to the air. "You have until tomorrow night to get my collection back." He then replaced the gun in his attaché case, closed it, and replaced it back under the bed. Then, he picked up the receiver. After a few minutes….
"It's me. Anything happen?" A slow smile appeared on his face as he listened. "Is that so? That is excellent news. Now, I need you to do something for me. I need you to wait ten minutes from now, then contact Colonel Klink at Stalag 13 and tell him you're calling from General Burkhalter's office in Berlin and that he is to come there immediately for a meeting. I need Klink out of this camp for several hours. You don't need to know the reason behind it. What will I do about Colonel Hogan?" Metzger chuckled at what he was thinking. "Hogan will probably contact me and let me know the ammunition is in route back to Germany and then want to meet to set up where the exchange will take place. After I get that information, I will no longer need his help and I'll make certain he doesn't see the following morning or any other morning."
There was a sudden knocking on the door. Metzger glanced up. "I'd better go. I believe my pigeon is here. Auf Wiedershen." He hung up and approached the door.
"Who is it?" he asked, cautiously.
"It's Colonel Hogan."
Smirking, Metzger unlocked the door and opened it, allowing Hogan to enter. He closed the door behind the American.
"I assume you have news for me, Hogan?" he asked innocently. "I also trust it is good news?"
"Not for me," Hogan replied with less anger than he felt. But he had to control himself. "Just let me get it out. I don't want to be here any longer than necessary. The air is stale in here."
Metzger grinned. "Now what news do you have for me?"
"I just spoke with my contact in Switzerland. Your collection is on its way to Germany. It should be here by 2300 hours tomorrow night. But I can't have the entire collection delivered into the camp; would raise too many questions. We'll need to meet later tonight." Hogan looked at his watch. "Let's say at 2330 hours tonight at the abandoned ball-bearing plant just outside Hammelburg. We can discuss there how to transfer possession of this collection back to you."
"I will be at the meeting tonight, Hogan." He held open the door to allow the Colonel to leave. As Hogan started to leave, he looked back at Metzger with disgust.
"One last thing, Metzger," Hogan said coldly. "Once you get your collection back, I don't ever want you to contact me for any reason. And I want the information you planned to turn over to London and Skyhawk's identity as you promised."
Metzger continued grinning. "Don't worry, Hogan. After tonight, you will never have to worry about me again." He closed the door behind the Colonel and smirked evilly. "Nor will you worry about anything else, Hogan. Ever."