Down on the ground, Koppel stood talking to his boss, Herre Poulsen.
Holding a clipboard, Poulsen eyed Henrik. “So this is the man you recommended.”
Henrik’s stomach clenched. He needed anonymity, not recognition.
Koppel gave Henrik a partial smile. “Yes. He’s quiet, but he works hard and the men respect him. He’s your man.”
“Good news, Andersen.” Poulsen beamed at him with crooked teeth. “You’re promoted to crew chief.”
He’d rather hear he was fired. “No. I—Koppel’s the crew chief.”
“Time for you to have your own crew.” Still he beamed.
Henrik’s breath hopped around, and he fought the panicky sensation. This was one of the reasons he’d hidden his intelligence. “I don’t want it.”
Poulsen’s chin drew back. “You’ll have more responsibility, and it pays more. You’ll like that.”
“I don’t want it.”
Koppel cocked his head to the side. “Why not?”
More reasons than he could list. How often had he seen Koppel talking to managers, men who might recognize Henrik from his years in the business offices? Henrik would also have to speak more. And power—he could only drink it in tiny swallows.
He shook his head. “I am not—smart enough.”
“You’re smarter than you think,” Koppel said.
Later he’d tell Koppel the position would interfere with his liaison work. For now, he’d keep repeating himself. “I don’t want it.”
Koppel sighed and shrugged at Poulsen. “Sorry.”
“I am too.” Poulsen sniffed in disdain. “Back to work, Andersen.”
“Tak.” Henrik marched toward the ship up on the ways, supported by a network of wooden beams.
“Anyone else on your crew?” Poulsen asked Koppel.
“No. How about Hansen’s crew?”
“I’ll ask—oh! Baron Ahlefeldt!”
Henrik’s heart jammed into his throat. His father?
He started to glance back, spun away, crouched low, his back to the men, his head down, as if working on the scaffolding. Far never came to the ways. Why now?
“Good day. Poulsen, isn’t it?” Far’s voice slunk into Henrik’s ears, loosing hundreds of memories. “How is everything down here?”
Henrik clutched a rough wooden crossbar. Since when did Far care about men so low in the company hierarchy?
“One of my crew chiefs retired,” Poulsen said. “I need to replace him, but the man we picked turned the job down.”
“Turned down a promotion?” Disbelief shaded Far’s voice. “Why?”
“He’s capable,” Koppel said, “but he underestimates his abilities.”
“Isn’t that the way of things?” Far said. “Too many men underestimate their potential, overestimate it, or...”
Henrik’s shoulders hunched toward his ears, but his mind filled in the missing words.Or fail to fulfill it.
