Chapter 39---Hogan's Plan

Hogan awoke and noticed the sun had just started to rise and shine through the closed windows of his quarters. He noticed Kinch seated in the chair at his desk, his head resting on his arms, asleep. Hogan smiled and shook his head. He struggled to sit up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, and put his feet on the floor. The pain in his side, though still present, was now at least manageable.

"Kinch," he said.

"Ummm, the radioman mumbled before opening his eyes and sitting up. He rubbed his eyes and then slowly sat up. Kinch thought he had heard someone say his name. He looked at the closed door before looking in the direction of his commanding officer and noticed Hogan watching him.

"I hope I didn't wake you, Colonel," Kinch said.

"You didn't. In fact, I just woke up myself a few minutes ago and saw you sleeping at my desk."

Kinch rubbed his face with both hands attempting to wake up. He glanced at his watch.

"Carter is suppose to relieve me in about an hour. Why don't you try and get some more rest, Colonel. You don't have to appear at roll call so there's no need for you to be up at this time. How do you feel?"

"Better than yesterday," Hogan had to admit. He looked at his arm. "I assume that's because Wilson's been here after I was asleep."

"Yes, sir. He'd been here at least two more times and gave you two more injections of morphine while you were sleeping. That's probably why you don't hurt so much right now. But the pain will come back once the effect of the morphine wears off."

"I know," Hogan stretched his arms and then slowly got to his feet." He checked his watch noticing roll call would be taking place in an hour.

"Kinch, we have a lot of work to do and only forty-eight hours in which to do it. So, before roll call, I want to explain my plan to deal with Skyhawk. Let's go, Kinch. I hope there's some coffee available?"

"So do I," Kinch replied with a smile.

The two men exited the Colonel's quarters and entered the common room. All the men of barracks two were in various stages of getting dressed and being ready for roll call without Schultz banging on the door. Then they both saw LeBeau at the stove. The little Frenchman looked up and frowned when he saw his commanding officer.

"What are you doing out of bed, mon Colonel," he protested. "You do not have to appear at roll call so you should be resting."

"Take it easy, LeBeau," Hogan said with mock anger. "I'm not going to roll call. I just came out to get some coffee."

Before LeBeau could respond, Carter and Newkirk approached.

"Colonel, you should be resting," Newkirk said. "You shouldn't be moving about. We can do whatever you need us to do."

"He's right boy. I mean sir," Carter added. "I'll sit with you for awhile."

Hogan looked at Kinch who grinned and held up his hands to Hogan as if saying 'you're on your own here.' Rolling his eyes in exasperation, Hogan finally looked his three other men. He couldn't be angry with any of them because he knew they cared about him and how much they cared. And that they would do whatever they had to, including lay down their lives to protect him. He sighed as LeBeau handed him and Kinch a cup of hot coffee each.

"Men…" Hogan looked at the four of them. "I appreciate what you've all done and are continuing to do for me. But I'm feeling better. Now, before Schultz shows up to announce roll call, I want to explain how we're gonna deal with Skyhawk."

Kinch, Carter, LeBeau, and Newkirk followed their commanding officer to the table where they all sat down.

"Okay, this is what I have in mind," Hogan began once he saw he had their attention. "What we're gonna need is several dozen boxes and crates of different sizes which would look like they hold pieces of art. Newkirk, you and LeBeau will be in charge of finding those boxes and crates."

"You got it, Colonel," Newkirk replied.

Hogan then shifted his eyes to his young Sergeant. "Carter, I need five or six explosive packs with timers that can be set for up to twelve hours. Can you do it?"

Carter shrugged his shoulders. "No problem, boy," Carter replied with a smile. He saw Hogan's eyes, and the smile vanished. "I mean Colonel."

Hogan then looked at his radioman. "Kinch, I need you to contact General Butler for me. I need to update him as to what's happening."

"Sure thing, Colonel."

"And after I speak with Skyhawk, I want you to help LeBeau and Newkirk gather the boxes and crates."

"No problem," Kinch added.

"Mon Colonel," said LeBeau, a bit of confusion on his face. "Exactly what do you have planned?"

"We are going to store those boxes and crates in the abandoned mine where Metzger originally stored his art collection when we took it from him," Hogan explained. "Five or six of those boxes are going to be packed with explosives. I plan on accompanying Skyhawk to that mine as he wants and with those timers already set, I'm hoping when he prepares to open one of those crates or boxes, it'll be too late for him to do anything before they explode causing the mine to collapse killing him and burying him inside."

"But why the abandoned mine, Colonel?" asked Newkirk.

"For one, we very well can't have this take place in camp now can we?" asked Hogan with raised eyebrows.

"Just thought I'd ask is all, Colonel," the Englander remarked, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"But Colonel," Kinch began. Hogan turned to his second-in-command. "Isn't that a bit risky for you to be accompanying Skyhawk to that mine? I mean, he might take you as a hostage inside the mine while he checks out those boxes and crates."

Hogan shrugged his shoulders. "That's a chance I'm going to have to take," he said somberly.

His men looked at each other, troubled expressions on their faces. Finally, after a long moment, LeBeau looked at Hogan.

"But mon Colonel, I for one don't like the possibility of this Skyhawk taking you inside the mine just before Carter's bombs go off. You might not get out in time."

Hogan sighed. "I don't plan on dying," he explained. But to himself, he thought, if my death ensures that Skyhawk dies as well, I will die knowing that my men and the operation are safe.

"But Colonel…" Carter started, but Hogan held up his hand stopping him.

"I'm not changing my mind, so I don't want to hear any arguments."

Just then, the door to the barracks opened and Schultz walked in. "Everybody out for roll call! Raus! Let's go! Roooooooooll caaaaaaaaaall!" The rotund guard then spotted Hogan. "All except you, Colonel Hogan. You have been excused from roll call by Kommandant Klink."

Hogan wore a slightly hurt expression. "Schultz, you don't want me at roll call?"

Schultz appeared taken aback by the Colonel's question and his apparent hurt expression.

"But, but, but Colonel Hogan, it is not me that says you cannot appear at roll call. It is the Kommandant."

"But you're the one that delivered the message and that hurts." Hogan said trying to keep his smile hidden.

"I'm sorry, Colonel Hogan. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

Hogan continued drinking his coffee. He winked at his men who struggled to control themselves.

"But Colonel Hogan…" Schultz said. He then looked at the others. "I didn't mean it. It wasn't my decision you not appear at roll call. It really wasn't."

"I wouldn't worry about it, Schultzie," Newkirk replied with a grin.

"Newkirk's right, Schultzie," LeBeau added. "Colonel Hogan doesn't hold grudges. You know that."

Schultz thought about it for awhile. Then he smiled, a twinkle appearing in his eyes. "Jolly joker," he said. "You're pulling my leg, aren't you?" He saw Hogan look at him with a smile.

"You found me out, Schultz," Hogan admitted.

The guard approached the men at the table, a sudden look of concern on his face. "Colonel Hogan, I am married. I have five children. And I know when one of them is not feeling well. Colonel Hogan, you should be lying down in your quarters resting. Why are you sitting at the table?"

"I'm just having a cup of coffee, Schultz," Hogan admitted. "I can't very well drink coffee if I'm lying down now can I?"

Schultz considered it. "Okay. But when you finish your coffee I want you to lie down and rest."

Hogan looked into Schultz's eyes and saw a deep concern in them. He knew the guard was very concerned about his health and well-being and had been since Metzger had tried to strangle him. But what he saw in his eyes at this precise moment told the American the depth of that concern.

"Don't worry so much, Schultz," he said gently. "I will. Right after breakfast. I promise."

"Gut! Now, the rest of you outside! Roll caaaaaaall! Raus!" Schultz motioned with his hand towards the open door.

The other men in the barracks quickly made their way outside into the early morning sunshine and stood in formation in two lines. Schultz began counting each man. He had just finished when a voice boomed through the compound.

"Schuuuuuuuultz! Repooooooooort!" Klink's voice could be heard as the he marched down the steps of the Kommandantur and towards his fat Sergeant.

Schultz spun around and saluted; Klink returned the salute.

"Herr Kommandant, all prisoners present and accounted for," he announced.

"Very good, Schultz." Klink looked at Kinch. "Sergeant Kinchloe, how is Colonel Hogan this morning? I understand from Sergeant Wilson he had to give him several shots of a painkiller during the night."

"Yes sir," Kinch responded. "He appears to be feeling better this morning. But we'll make sure he takes it easy."

Klink didn't reply, but did nod his head. He looked at Schultz. "Schultz, dismiss your men. Afterwards, I wish to discuss something with Colonel Hogan." He saluted.

Schultz saluted back. "Jawohl, Herr Kommandant." Klink watched Schultz dismiss the prisoners, then he and the guard followed the men into the barracks. They both saw Hogan seated at the table drinking coffee. Hogan looked up at the Kommandant with surprise.

"What can I do for you, Kommandant?" Hogan asked. "It's too early for visiting hours."

Klink approached the table. "Colonel Hogan, what are you doing out of bed? You're suppose to be resting. That's what Sergeant Wilson told me."

Hogan glanced at Schultz and then back up at Klink. "Kommandant, I promised Sergeant Schultz when he asked the same thing that I only came out here to have some coffee and then after roll call some breakfast. After breakfast, I will be returning to my quarters. Satisfied?"

"No." Klink sighed wearily. "Colonel Hogan I have made a decision and I just wanted to inform you about it."

"What's on your mind, Kommandant?" Hogan asked.

"I have decided that until you have been medically cleared by Sergeant Wilson, Sergeant Kinchloe will be the temporary Acting Senior POW."

Hogan glanced over his shoulder at Kinch and then back at Klink.

"You have a problem with that Colonel Hogan?" asked Klink.

Hogan shrugged. "No. Kinch is more than capable of filling in. I just wanted to make sure you didn't have a problem with it."

"Me?" asked Klink, puzzled. "Why would I have a problem with Sergeant Kinchloe filling in for you?"

"Well, I thought you might want to fill in for me."

"Hogaaaaaaaaan!" Klink protested. "Sergeant Kinchloe takes over for you effective immediately." He saluted Hogan, turned and stormed out of the barracks with Schultz behind him. Kinch closed the door behind them. Then, Newkirk, Carter, and Kinch joined Hogan at the table while LeBeau busily went about preparing breakfast. Hogan checked his watch.

"Skyhawk's gonna be calling again in about five hours," he said, finishing his coffee. "Kinch, I want to speak with General Butler before that. So after breakfast, go below and radio the General."

"Will do, Colonel," Kinch replied.

Skyhawk leaned back in his chair in his office with a smile on his face as he studied the photo of Hogan meeting with him. The envelope with the matching negative was on his desk. He glanced at his watch. Soon, he would be contacting Hogan again about the art collection. But Skyhawk didn't trust Hogan for a moment. He knew enough about the man and combined with what he had learned from the late General Metzger, he didn't trust Hogan at all.

He figured Hogan would have a trap set for him; probably even try to kill him, and he could not allow that. Skyhawk told himself he would get Metzger's collection and Hogan as well. And it wouldn't be as simple as turning him over to Major Hochstetter or having London believe the Colonel was a traitor. By now, Skyhawk believed Hogan had probably contacted his superiors in London about the doctored photo. And Hochstetter, well, Hochstetter while he would enjoy having proof at last of Hogan's espionage and sabotage exploits, he couldn't exactly reveal to the Gestapo Major how he came into possession of this evidence or why he was meeting with Hogan.

No, Colonel Hogan, I will not do either of these things that Metzger had threatened you with. No, I have something much more pleasurable in store for you. Skyhawk, picking up the envelope, slid the photo back inside the envelope and stuck the envelope in his inner jacket pocket. No, Colonel, I will take you as a hostage, and then when I leave Germany with the art collection, I will be taking you with me. I will keep you as a prisoner until I reach Austria. There I will turn you over to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp(1) before I head to Argentina. You will never be heard from again, and the Gestapo will punish your men for your so-called escape.

Skyhawk chuckled at the thought of Hogan being locked up permanently in a concentration camp in a far away location with no hope of rescue. This way, he figured he would not only have one million dollars to live off of, but knowing Hogan would no longer be a threat to the Fatherland.

(1) Mauthausen Concentration Camp was established August 8, 1938 and was 20 kilometers from Linz, Austria as a forced labor camp, and was known as a Stage 3 camp. Stage 3 was the fiercest category and for prisoners it meant extermination by work. The prisoners were used as cheap slave labor in the nearby Wiener Graben stone quarry. The prisoners were worked to death. People of different nationalities were sent there beause of their political activities, criminal records, religious beliefs, homosexuality, race, or because they were POWs. The camp was liberated May 5, 1945.