Wright let go of Duran. His stoic gaze turned into a frown as his eyes narrowed. “Is this true, Duran?”
“What if it is? I hate that sound. It was givin’ me a headache. I asked him to stop.”
“You demanded it, don’t you mean?” said Ollie Johnson.
“No matter. He wouldn’t stop, and you all just encouraged him to continue.”
Nick glanced at Tom, who stood beside Ollie. The scrawny kid’s face was red in anger and maybe embarrassment at being the center of attention.
The captain shook his head. “Duran, I don’t tolerate such behavior on my ship. I’m putting you off at the next town.”
Duran seemed to consider this a moment, then shook his head. “I didn’t mean to lose my temper, Captain. I’m askin’ for another chance. I have a powerful headache, and it made me lose my reason for a moment.”
This turn of events surprised Nick. Duran didn’t seem the type to beg anyone for a second chance.
Captain Wright looked to Tom. “What do you say, Tom? Do you think Duran should get a second chance?”
Tom glanced from left to right. “I guess so.”
“He’s caused more than his share of trouble,” Ollie added.
The captain shook his head. “I didn’t ask for your opinion, Johnson. This is Tom’s call.”
Duran looked at the boy. “I’ll give you money to buy another harmonica.”
“Well, Tom?” the captain asked.
“Let him stay. I guess I’d want the same consideration if I made a mistake.”
“Weren’t a mistake,” Russ muttered under his breath.
“Good,” the captain declared. “It’s settled, then. There will be no more fighting. We have a deadline to get this coal to Duluth, but I won’t hesitate to do what needs to be done. Even if it means stopping. Is that understood?”
“Aye, Captain!” the men said in unison, with the exception of Duran. He seemed in agreement, but he watched everyone around him with the eyes of a hungry tiger. Nick didn’t trust him at all. He always seemed to be up to something.
“Duran, I want you to apologize to Tom,” the captain added.
Nick held his breath. Duran wasn’t the type to apologize to anyone. All of the men turned to Duran, awaiting what he would do. To everyone’s surprise, Duran didn’t try to get out of it.
“Sorry there, Tom. Like I said, I had a headache, and sometimes that makes me lose control.”
The words were sincere enough, but Nick didn’t believe them. There was a look in Duran’s eyes that suggested next time it would be the boy going overboard instead of the harmonica. Nick vowed then and there to keep a close watch on the big man.
“Nick, come have a cup of coffee with me,” the captain said once the matter was concluded.
They walked in silence to the deckhouse. Captain Wrightnoted Sam at the helm and gave him a nod. They made their way to the galley, where Elise was busy rolling out pie dough.
She beamed at her father. “Hello, Papa.” She stopped long enough to give him a big kiss on the cheek. “How’s my favorite man?”
“Not too bad. We had to break up a fight.”
“A fight? On theMary Elise?”
Nick could tell by her tone that this was a most unusual event. Her father grabbed a mug and gave one to Nick. “Aye. The new man threw young Tom’s harmonica overboard. Russ didn’t care for that, and the fight was on.”
“Well, I guess so,” Elise declared. “I wouldn’t have tolerated that either. How dare Mr. Duran do such a thing? How heartless.”
“He said he had a bad headache,” her father replied. “It was a mistake and he apologized, although how sincerely remains to be seen. He said he’d buy Tom a new harmonica.”
