Chapter 49---One More Plot to Hatch

Hogan struggled to open his eyes as the sunlight filtered through the windows in his quarters. He slowly began to sit up and then remembered why he couldn't as the pain in his ribs and shoulder caused him to cry out. He fell back on his bed sweat beading on his face.

The door to his quarters suddenly opened, and he noticed Kinch, LeBeau, Carter, and Newkirk standing just inside the doorway, a look of concern on their faces.

"Are you all right, Colonel?" asked Kinch. "We heard you cry out."

"I'm fine," Hogan lied. He knew his men weren't buying it because of his appearance. "What time is it anyway?"

"About an hour before morning roll call, mon Colonel," the Frenchman replied. "Are you certain you feel all right? We can get Sergeant Wilson to come and check you over."

"That's not necessary," Hogan, through gritted teeth, told him. Sucking in as much air as his painful ribs would allow, he forced himself into a sitting position. He held his side as he moved. Immediately, his men were at his side.

"Colonel, you really should lay down and rest," his second-in-command told him. "There's nothing that can't wait for another day or two."

"Kinch, it isn't nice to try and con your commanding officer," the Colonel replied glancing at Kinch from the corner of his eyes. "Somebody give me a hand to my desk."

Kinch stepped forward and draping Hogan's good arm across his shoulders, placed his other hand on his hip and helped him to his feet. Hogan staggered the short distance to his desk and collapsed onto the chair. The Colonel pinched the bridge of his nose. After a minute, he looked at his team.

"You guys did a great job," he said with a slight grin. "I can't tell you how proud I am of all of you, not only with this last assignment, but with everything that's happened since Metzger returned." His eyes fell solely on the Englander. "Newkirk, even though you disobeyed my order to stay behind, I want you to know I think you did a great job in particular. If it hadn't been for you, Skyhawk might have shot me dead right there."

Newkirk's cheeks turned a bit crimson from the praise. "No need to thank me, Gov'nor," he said sincerely. "You being alive is the only thanks I need."

"Oh, Colonel, before he left last night, Wilson told us some very good news you should hear," said LeBeau.

"What would that be?" Hogan asked with a faint smile. He was starting to feel dizzy as the sweat began to run down his face. "I could use some right now."

"He said that Sergeant Baker regained consciousness for a short time, and remembered you and what happened to him. Then he went back to sleep."

A wide smile appeared on the Colonel's face despite the pain he felt. "What are his chances?"

"Wilson said his chances for a full recovery look good," Kinch added. "But that it might be another week until the swelling goes down before he knows if the vision is his one eye is affected."

Despite his tempered enthusiasm about Baker's one eye, Hogan was relieved knowing that the Sergeant was going to survive and make a full recovery. With any luck, the sight in his swollen eye would be okay as well.

Hogan was grateful he was sitting because the room was starting to spin. He held onto the edge of the table for support, as he looked up at his men.

"Okay, we have one more thing to do before this entire mess is over," he said slowly. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes to stop the room from spinning. "We need to connect Metzger and Skyhawk with black market activities and prove to Burkhalter that Metzger was murdered because of his involvement with the black market." Opening his eyes again, he tried focusing on his men but found it difficult. "Once Burkhalter is convinced, he'll make sure Hochstetter accepts it as well."

Hogan suddenly massaged his forehead. Getting a firm grip on the edge of the table, he forced himself to his feet. "I need to lay down for awhile," he said. He took one step and his knees buckled. Kinch caught him before he hit the floor, and helped him to the bed. He spoke without turning.

"Carter, go get Wilson and bring him back here." Kinch noticed the young Sergeant remaining frozen in place, his eyes never leaving Hogan's face. "Carter! Go! Now!" Kinch repeated, more loudly this time.

Kinch's loud voice seemed to snap Carter out of his fog. "Right," he replied as he left the room and the barracks.

"I don't need Wilson," the Colonel complained, knowing his words were falling on deaf ears.

"Humor us, mon Colonel," said a worried LeBeau as he fluffed up the paper-thin pillow and stuck it behind the Colonel's head. Hogan still held his side. He suddenly looked at Kinch.

"Shouldn't you guys be getting ready for roll call?" he asked. "Schultz will be here soon."

Just then the door to Hogan's quarters opened and Carter, followed by Wilson, entered. The medic shook his head while looking at Hogan.

"Some people never learn," he replied innocently. He saw Hogan roll his eyes. "Carter told me what happened. I knew you wouldn't listen, but I would've thought the pain in your side and shoulder would've been enough to keep you still." He sat his bag down on the desk. He glanced at the others. "I think you guys should know I saw Schultz on his way over here."

"Get out of here," Hogan ordered his men. "Joe and I will think of something to hide the gunshot to my shoulder."

"Right away, Colonel," Kinch replied. He and the others hurriedly left the room, closing the door.

"So what is your idea to hide a gunshot wound to your shoulder?" asked Wilson with a wry grin as he continued his examination.

"As soon as I come up with one, I'll let you know," Hogan replied.

Schultz had just finished his counting when Klink's voice boomed throughout the compound.

"Schuuuuuuuultz! Repooooooooort!"

Turning, Schultz saluted the Kommandant who weakly returned the salute.

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

"Very good, Schultz. And what about Colonel Hogan, Schultz? Have you checked to see if he's where he's supposed to be?"

"I was just about to do that, Herr Kommandant."

The men quickly turned to Kinch who, standing in Hogan's spot in the formation, stepped forward.

"Uh, Kommandant. Sergeant Wilson is with Colonel Hogan right now, sir. The Colonel wasn't feeling too well last night or this morning."

Klink approached Kinch until he was right up in the black Sergeant's face. "And what appears to be wrong with Colonel Hogan, Sergeant?"

"Well, sir, other than the pain from the broken ribs, we don't really know. That's why we had Sergeant Wilson come right away. The Colonel tried to get out of bed this morning and collapsed."

Klink looked at Kinch as if mulling whether or not to believe his story. He wouldn't put it past Hogan to try and pull a fast one.

"He did, eh. Well, we'll just see about that, Sergeant. Schuuuuuuuultz!"

The obese guard stood at attention beside Klink. "Jawohl, Herr Kommandant."

"Follow me, Schultz," Klink ordered as he marched towards and into barracks two. He made a beeline right to Hogan's quarters.

"Kommandant," Kinch said in a slightly loud voice. "You act like you don't believe us."

"It's not that I don't believe you, Sergeant Kinchloe. It's that I know Colonel Hogan. And the fact that you're trying to stop me from going into his quarters tells me I'm right. He really isn't in there is he?" Klink grinned like a Cheshire cat.

"Oh, he's in there, Kommandant," Kinch replied.

"Ummm-hmmm. We'll see." Klink grabbed the doorknob, twisted it, and opened the door. "Ah hah!" he said expecting to find the room empty. Instead, his eyes widened at the sight of Hogan laying down flat on his back in bed, the blanket up to his chin, apparently asleep. Wilson, seated on the edge of the bed, turned sharply and put a finger to his lips indicating quiet. He got to his feet and motioned for the Kommandant to follow him into the common room. He closed the door behind him.

"Kommandant, I just gave Colonel Hogan some morphine," Wilson explained. "He is in a lot of pain. He had just fallen asleep when you came in and I didn't want you to awaken him. He needs all the rest he can get."

Klink appeared a bit shaken at the medic's news. "How is he?" he asked.

"He should recover fully if he gives himself the time to heal. I may have to confine him to the infirmary."

"Sergeant Wilson, you do whatever you have to get Colonel Hogan well. I will have Sergeant Schultz check each day at roll call and Colonel Hogan either better be here or in the infirmary if that's where you put him." That said, he abruptly turned and marched out of the barracks with Schultz behind him trying to keep up. Once the barracks door closed, Carter cracked it open and peered out. After a long moment, he closed it, looked at the others, and nodded.

"Klink just entered his office with Schultz," he said.

Kinch, LeBeau, and Newkirk turned to the medic questioningly.

"Colonel Hogan wants to see all of you. Go on in. He's waiting for you," Wilson said with a smile.

"But you just told Klink…" began LeBeau.

"That I just gave the Colonel a shot of morphine? Not that I didn't try…" he said with a smirk. "But he insisted I wait until he spoke to you fellas first. It was the only way we could cover up the shoulder injury. Also, Kinch, thanks for alerting us by talking loudly outside the door."

"That was smart thinking, mate," Newkirk replied admiringly.

"Blame the Colonel," Wilson replied. "It was his idea."

The men chuckled amongst themselves as they entered Hogan's room. The Colonel was slowly sitting up in bed. Carter hurried forward and adjusted the pillow behind his commanding officer's back to make him comfortable.

"Thanks Carter," Hogan said. "Fellas, have a seat. We have some planning to do." He waited until the men had found places to sit before he continued. He looked first at his second-in-command. "Kinch, contact the underground. I want them to spread rumors about Metzger being extremely active in the black market with an SS Major named Karl Jaeger."

"Will do, Colonel," Kinch replied.

Hogan next looked at Newkirk. "I want you to contact Bluebird at Gestapo headquarters in Hammelburg."

"What will that acomplish, Colonel?" asked Newkirk, confused.

"You're going to inform Bluebird that as an anonymous caller, you sometimes worked with Jaeger and Metzger in the black market, and overheard Jaeger promise to kill Metzger because he discovered he was cheating him concerning the profits which they agreed would be split fifty-fifty."

Hogan next shifted his eyes to Carter. "Carter, where did you park the truck we used?"

"In the woods, sir. But don't worry. Nobody will find it."

"Good. I want you to come up with a detonation device with a timer which will be set for fifteen minutes. I'll tell you when and where to park the truck."

You got it boy. I mean Colonel," Carter replied apologetically.

"What about me, mon Colonel?" asked LeBeau. "What do you want me to do?"

"LeBeau, I want you to fix me something to eat. I'm starved."

Frowning, the little Frenchman got to his feet muttering something in French that Hogan was glad he probably didn't understand. He grinned.

There was a light knocking on the door. Hogan gave permission to enter.

The door opened and Olsen peeked in. "Sorry to bother you, Colonel. Thought you'd like to know General Burkhalter just arrived in camp."

"Thanks, Olsen," Hogan replied. The Sergeant smiled, nodded and closed the door behind him. The Colonel looked at Kinch. "Plug in the coffee pot, Kinch. One of my favorite comedy acts is about to perform in the center ring."

Kinch plugged in the coffee pot in time to hear Burkhalter enter the Kommandant's office.

Klink jumped to his feet, snapped to attention and saluted. "General Burkhalter. What a pleasure it is to see you, sir."

The General returned the salute. "Wish I could say the same thing, Klink. But I can't so I won't," Burkhalter replied as he seated his large bulk in the chair facing Klink's desk. Klink slowly sat down behind his desk. Burkhalter removed his cap and placed it on the desk.

"You're here rather early, Herr General," Klink said.

"I was in the area when you called my office. They got in touch with me by radio. So, Klink, I understand you arrested Major Hochstetter last night."

"Yes, sir, I did," Klink replied. "And I'm sorry I didn't contact you last night, but I didn't want to awaken you."

"That was very considerate of you, Klink," Burkhalter responded with a smirk. "I trust the Major spent a comfortable night?"

"We gave him a private room with an extra blanket in case it got chilly."

Hogan's eyebrows shot up. "Klink's developed a sense of humor," he said with a grin. "I'll have to be more careful from now on."

Burkhalter couldn't resist smiling. "At least he can't complain about mistreatment," he laughed. "Where is he now, Klink?"

"He's still in solitary, Herr General. I thought I should keep him there until you arrived."

"Very good idea, Klink. Now Klink, I want you to start at the beginning and tell me everything that led up to you arresting our very good friend, Major Wolfgang Hochstetter. After that, I will have a phone call to make before I see the Major."

Hogan and his men listened as Klink repeated the entire incident to Burkhalter from the time he received an anonymous telephone call in the middle of the night, until he returned to camp to find Hochstetter standing in the middle of the compound searching for Hogan while Hogan was in the infirmary the entire time having his broken ribs re-bandaged. When Klink had finished, he waited for the General to respond.

"Sounds to me, Klink, like Major Hochstetter set you up in order to get you out of camp for awhile to enable him to get into camp and arrest Hogan and get out before you got back. By the way, just why did you turn around and come back after leaving Stalag 13?"

"I had reached checkpoint number 3 and the guard there told me Sergeant Schultz had called him asking him to have me return to camp because of an emergency. So I did."

"And that's when you found the Major in the compound?"

"Yes, sir. If I didn't know better, sir, it looked as if he was surprised to see me."

Burkhalter couldn't resist a chuckle. "I'm sure he was. Now, Klink, I have a phone call to make before we go pay Major Hochstetter a visit."

"Unplug the coffee pot, Kinch," Hogan said. "My guess is Burkhalter will be contacting his buddy Himmler who will lay down the law with Hochstetter's boss, Freitag. But now, I want you fellas to do what I told you to do."

With a chorus of 'yes sirs,' all the men left the Colonel's quarters nearly bumping into LeBeau who carried a plate of leftover beef stroganoff and a wine glass. It's aroma assailed the Colonel's nose before LeBeau even entered the room. He handed Hogan the plate and utensils. He put the wine glass on the footlocker.

"I would have brought you a glass of wine, but you've had an injection of morphine and I didn't know whether I should, so I brought you a wine glass filled with water. Sorry, mon Colonel." He turned the chair around and sat down facing the Colonel.

"It's okay, LeBeau," Hogan told him with a grin. "I'll just pretend its white wine instead." Hogan took a mouthful of the stroganoff. "It's delicious, LeBeau."

"Merci, Colonel." It made LeBeau feel good to see the Colonel enjoying his cooking.

"Something wrong, LeBeau?" Hogan asked, sipping some of his water.

LeBeau shrugged. "Is it almost over, Colonel? I guess what I'm trying to say is…."

Hogan suspected what the Frenchman was trying to ask. He sighed as he looked at him. "Yes, LeBeau. If this last part is successful, then I can definitely say it's over."