“For now.” Her voice shook.
Henrik sighed. His guests had evaded arrest the night before. But the Nazis were known for brutality, efficiency, and mercilessness.
“They can’t stay in hiding forever,” Else whispered. “But where can they go?”
Henrik mashed his lips together. The path to Sweden crossed perilous waters patrolled by German aircraft and boats. And would Sweden accept thousands of refugees? Unlikely.
“Tonight I’m taking a young man across with me.” But he could carry only one passenger at a time, and only the most adventurous.
“I’m glad you still have your boat,” Else said.
“I am too.” Yesterday the Germans had ordered all small vessels except fishing boats moved a thousand feet inland or to guarded harbors for “safekeeping for the winter.”
Nonsense. They hadn’t ordered safekeeping the previous three winters. And the regulation had come the day of the arrests.
Henrik and Thorup had moved the motorboat to the harbor and the rowboat to a lake. But they’d maneuvered the ocean scull through the French doors into the drawing room and covered it with a tarp.
He touched Else’s arm. “I’m going to listen to the news before my run. Coming down?”
“After his mother wakes.” She bounced the little fellow, who chortled.
He leaned as close as he dared with others around. “Love you,” he whispered.
“Love you too.”
Would the time ever come when they wouldn’t have to hide identities or feelings? His lips tight together, Henrik made his way downstairs.
In the study, a dozen men and women gathered around the radio, including Thorup and Laila. Henrik stood behind the group with his arms crossed. The Danish State Radio played, and everyone silenced when the news began.
Before long, the announcer said, “As a result of measures taken by the German authorities, the Jews have been removed from public life and prevented from continuing to poison the atmosphere.”
A woman buried her face in her hands and gulped back a sob.
Henrik’s fingers dug into his biceps. Removed from public life? What a hideous way to describe deportation.
“For it is they,” the announcer said, “who have to a considerable degree been responsible for the deterioration of the situation in Denmark through anti-German incitement and moral and material support for acts of terror and sabotage.”
Outraged gasps peppered the room. For good reason. With Laila as an exception, very few Jews were involved with the resistance. The Nazis would have been quick to blame them and implement harsh laws.
The announcer said, “In response to the inquiries of large sections of the Danish population, release of the interned Danish soldiers will begin.”
An elderly man sprang to his feet. “How dare they? I served in the army. No self-respecting man in King Christian’s service would accept his own freedom in exchange for the arrests of civilians. It’s an insult to the honor of every officer, soldier, and sailor.”
Murmurs of agreement swept the room, and Henrik nodded. The Germans had misjudged the Danish character on many levels.
The radio program changed to music, and a young man turned the dial to the Swedish station, a good source of world news. Henrik understood enough Swedish to get by.
He sensed a presence beside him.
Else smiled at him. “I’m afraid my little friend chose another woman over me.”
He chuckled. If they were alone, he’d make a flirtatious quip.
The news began, and a gentleman translated for the group. First, the announcer described the capture of Naples as the British and Americans swept up the Italian peninsula, and grim smiles formed among the villa guests.
“There have been reports in Sweden,” the announcer said, “stating that measures are being prepared against the Jews in Denmarkof the same kind as those previously implemented in Norway and other occupied countries.”
Holding his breath, Henrik leaned in. From the beginning of the war, Sweden had placated Germany, even allowing German troops to cross Swedish territory en route to Norway. But in August, they’d rescinded those rights. With Germany’s stature falling with each military defeat, would the Swedes now defy their neighbor?
