Chapter Six: Caught in the Act

When Kinchloe opened his eyes the first thing he noted was that he was alive. Thankfully, due to the storm, both cars had been moving slowly enough to avoid serious injury. However, his body ached all over but things were going to get much worse if he didn't start moving – now.

But as much as he tried to convince his body to move, he was unable to do anything but sit in shock and concentrate on his breathing. He was shaking badly as he realized just how close to death he had come.

After a too-long and too-short minute, he was finally able to move as he pressed down on the door handle with his hand only to a see face appear in the opening where the driver's side window used to be.

The man was dressed in a Luftwaffe uniform and he let loose a couple of choice words in German before it registered in his mind who Kinchloe was. "You are not German!" the soldier declared as pulled out a gun and pointed directly at his enemy's face.

Slowly raising his hands, Kinchloe know he had no choice but to surrender.

"General Burkhalter!" the man called out. "This man is an American."

"What?" a large man cried as he exited his car and approached Kinchloe.

Burkhalter immediately noticed Kinchloe's dark skin, American uniform, and the German officer's overcoat he was still wearing. "Who are you?" he demanded in English.

"Staff Sergeant James Kinchloe, United States Army Air Forces. Serial number: 16249153"

"What are you doing driving a staff car?"

When he didn't answer, Burkhalter's face began to turn red. "If you do not start talking I could have you shot as a spy."

Kinchloe wanted to answer with a comment about the likelihood of him succeeding as a spy in the middle of Germany but he figured that such a response would guarantee that Burkhalter would order his man to pull the trigger.

Luckily, the general's driver posed a suggestion. "General, perhaps he escaped from one of the stalags in the area?"

It didn't take long for Burkhalter to be convinced of that suggestion as he quickly replied, "And I know exactly which one. That idiot Klink will have some explaining to do."

Then looking back at Kinchloe, the General ordered, "Raus!"

Slowly getting out of the car, Kinchloe stood still as the driver searched him and took Klink's clothing and the bag of foodstuffs from his Red Cross package that he had brought along. During the search, his now dry uniform became soaked within seconds as rain chilled him to the bone.

In an attempt to make the best of an increasingly bad situation, Kinchloe sized up his captors. Burkhalter didn't look like a threat. The fat general would not the one chasing him if he managed to run into the woods and Kinchloe figured that, if he could distract the driver long enough to put some distance between him and that gun, the man would stay with the general.

But before Kinchloe could even consider how to put his plan into action, Burkhalter barked, "Kneel!"

Kinchloe's heart leapt to his throat as obeyed and placed his hands on his head. Was this it? Would his life end as a man shot on the side of the road after failing at life once again?

"Move and you will be shot," the general stated coldly.

Kinchloe didn't even dare let out a sigh of relief. He would not be executed and he wasn't going to give the driver an excuse to shoot him. This brush with death had reminded him just how much he wanted to live.

Keeping his eyes and his gun on the prisoner, the driver asked, "What do we do now, General?"

"We wait. I have no intention of walking into town and sooner or later Klink will realize a prisoner is missing send out his guards who should find us."

The driver did not look convinced. "If you are waiting on Klink, it could take hours, sir."

"I know. Which is why I will wait in what is left of the car. You guard the prisoner."

As Burkhalter sat down in the backseat of his now-ruined staff car, the driver moved to sit in the front seat of Klink's. There he was able to protect himself from the worst of the rain and still keep his gun trained on the prisoner.

Kinchloe was offered no such protection.

Sipping from a cup of coffee, Hogan was enjoying a rare moment of quiet as he sat at the common table watching Clayworth and Anderson go head to head at chess. Clayworth was putting up a much better fight than he himself had the other day and both men were silent as they focused on their next moves. Meanwhile, the rest of the occupants of their hut were occupied with the ping pong tournament in the rec hall which provided them with a much needed break on this rainy day.

However, the quiet was all too quickly ruined by the sound of the barrack's door slamming open and the rest of the occupants of the hut entered the room.

"What happened?" Hogan asked, knowing that it was too early for the tournament to be over.

"Klink ordered us all back to the barracks for no reason," LeBeau complained.

"That ruddy kraut," Newkirk grumbled. "That man has no common decency. He didn't even notice that Jones and Leighton were in the closest, most hard-fought match of the day."

"In other words, Klink ruined his betting ring," Bennett joked.

"A man has to make money somehow especially since certain nameless individuals have refused to play poker with me," Newkirk replied with his gaze leaving no doubt that Bennett was the said individual.

Looking around the room, Hogan noticed that they were short a man. "If Klink ordered everyone back to the barrack, where's Sergeant Kinchloe?"

"Who cares?" Clayworth called out as he took Anderson's knight with his queen.

Hogan was surprised to see a couple of heads nod in agreement but before he could press the point a different thought struck him. "Wait, you said Klink closed the rec hall."

"That's what we've been complaining about, mate," Newkirk quipped.

"But I saw his car leave camp," Hogan insisted.

"Maybe he came back?" LeBeau reasoned.

"I didn't see the car return."

"Someone else could have used the car," Anderson reasoned. "I fail to see what this has to do with Kinchloe."

"Maybe he escaped?" LeBeau suggested.

Anderson laughed. "Escape! Please, he's probably in one of the empty barracks with the other coloreds.

"That's a lot coming from a man who has never made it outside the wire," Newkirk countered.

"Settle down," Hogan ordered sternly. "We're all allies here remember." Then after the men quieted down he added, "It's the duty of all of us to escape so we should be helping each other, not turning this into a competition."

Admonished, Newkirk murmured, "Sorry, sir."

Before Anderson could respond with his own apology, the door to the barracks was thrown open and Schultz entered the room bringing a good deal of rain with him to the displeasure of the prisoners standing closest to the door.

The soaking wet sergeant did not look happy as he ordered the men to line up for a surprise inspection.

Immediately, Newkirk was standing beside guard acting like he had just found his long lost best friend. "Hey, Schultzie, what happened? Klink got you patrolling in the rain?"

"Don't even ask," Schultz replied with a sigh. "I am in enough trouble as it is."

Pouring a cup of coffee, LeBeau handed it to the weary solider. "Drink this. It will bring some warmth to those bones."

"Danke." Schultz said as he accepted the mug gladly and took a long drink. "That's better." Then he set the mug down and starting counting the prisoners. "Eins, zwei, drei…"

Newkirk moved quickly to pluck the now empty mug from the guard's hand and hand it over to LeBeau for a refill. "Have some more coffee. Klink is crazy to have an inspection in this weather. We are all staying dry inside and the Kommandant is dry in his quarters and he makes you guards get wet for no reason."

"After all," LeBeau added as he handed Schultz back the mug, "where else would we be?"

At first Hogan was puzzled by the two prisoners' attempts to confuse the guard until the truth hit him. They're covering for Kinchloe.

Hogan took another sip from his cup as he said nonchalantly, "You know, they're right, Schultz. No one's crazy enough to be outside in this storm."

An unhappy Schultz groaned in agreement. "Tell that to the Kommandant."

"Who says he has to know," LeBeau suggested. "Wait with us for a while and then tell the Kommandant all prisoners are accounted for. Klink will never know the difference."

For a second Hogan thought that LeBeau's gamble was going to work but the last comment must have pushed things too far as suspicion flashed in Schultz' eyes and a quick survey around the room caused the guard to put two and two together. "Colonel Hogan, where is Sergeant Kinchloe?"

"Easy, Schultz," Hogan lied. "I'm sure he's in one of the other barracks."

Schultz shot Hogan a look of exasperation before once again braving the storm.

As soon as the door shut, O'Brien asked aloud, "Do you think he went through the wire?"

"Why not?" Newkirk challenged. "It's not that hard."

Olsen snorted as if he was in on some private joke.

Clayworth, however, rolled his eyes. "I highly doubt it."

Sensing that things were in danger of escalating quickly, Hogan again stepped in. "We'll find out soon enough." Then, as if to prove him right, the shrill of the alarm and the barking of the dogs filled the air.

A hint of admiration snuck into Anderson's voice as he declared, "I'll be darned. He escaped."

Brown spat on the ground. "That colored boy is just going to make it harder for the rest of us."

Hogan looked over at Brown, saw the hatred the man's eyes and realized that the attitudes of several men in this barracks were going to be a problem. A part of him knew that this way of thinking was common in his country but he had never really been exposed to it before. He had been raised in the North and all of the people in his neighborhood and schools were white. He joined a segregated military which meant that all the men he had commanded were also white. Sergeant Kinchloe was the first colored person he had any prolonged contact with and, to be honest, Hogan knew almost nothing about the man. He seemed to be like any other soldier just one that was shy, quiet and liked to keep to himself.

But was Kinchloe's shyness his natural state or one that he had adopted in order to deal with men like Brown?

Hogan honestly didn't know and now he might never know. But, in that moment, he decided that he hoped Kinchloe made it.

Every bone in his body ached as Kinchloe was wet, cold and tired. The sun had set and there still was seen no sign of anyone. It seemed as if the storm was keeping the populace indoors and that his absence had not been noted at camp. He didn't know whether to be happy that his follow prisoners were covering for him or upset that no one paid enough attention to realize that he was missing. Either way, roll call would happen soon and Klink would have to realize that he had escaped.

Or was that asking too much of Klink?

Kinchloe had long since lost track of how long he had been kneeling in the mud when headlights finally appeared on the road. His guard wasted no time in getting the attention of approaching vehicle.

The cavalry – well Schultz – had arrived.

"Oh, General, you found the prisoner!" Schultz cried as he jumped down from the driver's seat of his truck.

"No thanks to you, dummkopf!" Burkhalter yelled as he stormed angrily towards his rescue. "Is it your Stalag's policy to let prisoners drive off with military property?"

Schultz's eyes widened as he noticed the wrecked cars. He stammered an apology, "No, Herr General. I'm sorry, Herr General. Can I offer you a ride, Herr General?

Burkhalter didn't deem a response necessary as he climbed into the passenger seat. The general's driver gestured for Schultz to handle the prisoner before claiming the driver's seat for himself.

Kinchloe was just grateful that this ordeal was at an end as Schultz waddled over and helped him rise unsteadily to his feet; the hours of kneeling in the cold mud had stiffened his joints.

Once Schultz and the American were settled in the back, the truck started moving. Tired and weary, Kinchloe found that the swaying of the vehicle was causing him to want to curl up in a ball and go to sleep. However, sleep was not possible as Schultz wanted to talk.

"Kinchloe, you have gotten me into so much trouble," the sergeant-of-the-guard whispered. "First the Kommandant yelled at me for making dinner early. Then the Kommandant yelled at me for letting a prisoner escape. When we get back to camp and the Kommandant finds out you crashed his car, he is going to yell at me again. And into a general's car too!"

"Schultz, I'm a prisoner. I'm supposed to try and escape."

Schultz sighed. "I know but couldn't you at least have picked a day with no rain?"

Hindsight was twenty-twenty but, at that moment, Kinchloe couldn't have agreed more.

"Colonel, Schultz is back!"

Hogan swung off his bunk and walked over to the window and looked out. Bennett was right, a camp truck pulled into camp. There were two unfamiliar faces in the front seat but there was no mistaking Schultz helping the recaptured prisoner out of the back.

Without hesitating, Hogan walked out into the rain and over towards the truck. A guard looked like he was considering blocking his path but, before he could move, Hogan was standing beside the sergeant of the guard. "So, Schultz, you found Kinchloe. Guess I was wrong about him being in another barracks. You know it's so hard to keep track of everyone these days."

Schultz groaned. "This is no time for jokes. I am in big trouble. Kinchloe is in big trouble. Klink is in big trouble. And when Klink is in big trouble, I'm in even bigger trouble."

Not quite sure that he followed all of that, Hogan looked over at Kinchloe. "What happened?" he whispered.

"I crashed Klink's staff car into the general's," the staff sergeant replied in a deadpan voice.

Questions immediately danced through Hogan's mind. Like how had Kinchloe gotten his hands on the car's keys and how had he driven out of camp without anyone noticing but he figured the rest of the story would come out soon enough as Schultz directed them towards Klink's office.

The look on Klink's face when he saw Schultz lead Kinchloe and Hogan into the room was one of pure delight. However, Hogan soon took greater delight in seeing Klink's emotions switch to shock when he noticed the general joining them.

Hurrying over to greet this important guest, Klink gushed, "General Burkhalter! What a pleasant surprise to see you!"

"Klink!" Burkhalter hollered. "Sit down, shut up and listen!"

Eyes wide, Klink immediately sat back down in his chair.

"You are a prison camp kommandant. You have one job: to keep your prisoners from escaping."

"Yes, General Burkhalter. But as you see the escaped prisoner is here. Which means that no one has ever successfully escaped from Stalag Thirteen."

"Did I give you permission to talk?" Burkhalter was livid and Hogan couldn't believe that Klink didn't realize the trouble in was in.

"No, sir, I mean shutting up, sir."

"I was on my way to Dusseldorf for an important meeting when your prisoner, driving your car, wearing your overcoat crashed into my car."

All the color drained from Klink's face as the reality of this situation finally hit him.

It was probably the wrong time to butt in, but if Hogan didn't do something to defuse things, Klink was going to be out of a job. While Hogan didn't have any fondness for Klink, he had already realized that if he wanted to escape, it would be a lot easier with Klink in charge. "You have to admit, Sergeant Kinchloe's escape has to get points for originality."

Schultz's jaw dropped at Hogan's boldness while Klink immediately addressed the American officer. "Colonel Hogan, this matter doesn't concern you. Return to your barracks at once."

"According to Geneva Convention, as senior POW officer, I have the right to be present at any interrogation of my men." Hogan was tired of watching from the sidelines, trying to get a feel for the situation. This was his camp and these were his men. It was past time for him to take charge.

Klink opened his mouth as if to dispute Hogan's claim and then quickly closed it as he remembered that he didn't know the law well enough to dispute it. Hogan grinned; he could work with this.

Burkhalter was at his wits end. "Enough. Klink, the actions of this prisoner are your responsibility."

"Nobody asked me," Hogan said, "but in my opinion Klink's record stands for itself. Six months as Kommandant, not a single successful escape. If Klink hadn't ordered a surprise barracks inspection and discovered a prisoner missing where would you be? I know where: still out in the rain. You could have caught a cold. Thank goodness the kommandant sent Sergeant Schultz - who's got a nose like German Shepherd – to find him.

"I do?" asked a confused Schultz.

Hogan sighed dramatically. "It's enough to make a man give up all hopes of ever escaping."

Klink had puffed up like a peacock during Hogan's speech and topped it off by declaring, "I promise you, General, there will never be a successful escape from Stalag Thirteen."

Burkhalter seemed swayed by Hogan's case – at least temporarily. "You'd better be right, Klink, because if you are wrong you will find yourself with a one way ticket to the Russian Front!"

Then Burkhalter turned and faced the cause of all this trouble. "Now, my patience has been used up so I'm going to get straight to the point. I want the names of the guards who helped you escape."

Hogan looked carefully at Kinchloe who seemed in no hurry to answer the general's question. Instead, the POW was looking at his feet.

"Who did you bribe in order to drive that car out of camp?" Burkhalter pressed.

"I didn't bribe any guards, sir," Kinchloe replied quickly.

"Impossible," Burkhalter said. "Give the name of the traitor and we will reduce your punishment."

"We have ways of making you talk," an eager Klink added.

"Klink! Leave the threats to the professionals."

"Kinchloe doesn't have to tell you anything other than name, rank and serial number," Hogan reminded the krauts, unhelpfully he was sure.

"I do not have time for this. Klink, finding the guilty guards is your responsibility. You will lend me the use of a camp vehicle."

There was no mistaking the order in that tone of voice.

"Of course, General." The Kommandant quickly picked up the phone and ordered his guards to bring a car for General Burkhalter and his man.

Once the general was out of the office, Klink looked like he needed a drink. Deciding that he would continue the interrogation later, he ordered, "Kinchloe, you are sentenced to thirty days in the cooler. Schultz, get these prisoners out of here."

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant."

Then without a further word the prisoners were led out of the office, leaving Hogan to wonder if he had really just acted to save an enemy soldier. And not just any enemy! He just saved the career of the man who kept him imprisoned here. It galled a little, even though he had saved Klink for his own future benefit. Besides, it wasn't like this would become a habit. For the next time Klink would be in trouble, Hogan hoped to be halfway to England and nothing would save the kraut then.

Soon, Hogan promised himself. His time would come soon.