Ход королевы

           “Makeyourmoveandpunchtheclock”thedirectorwhispered.“Youshouldhavedoneitateleven.”

           Thatannoyedher.Noonehadtoldheraboutthat.ShemovedpawntokingfourandstartedBeltik’sclock.

           ItwastenmoreminutesbeforeBeltikcamein.Beth’sstomachhurtandhereyessmarted.Beltiklookedcasualandrelaxed,wearingabright-redshirtandtancorduroypants.“Sorry,”hesaidinanormalvoice.“Extracupofcoffee.”Theotherplayerslookedoverathimwithirritation.Bethsaidnothing.

           Beltik,stillstanding,loosenedanextrabuttononhisshirtfrontandheldouthishand.“HarryBeltik,”hesaid.“What’syourname?”

           Hemustknowwhathernamewas.“I’mBethHarmon,”shesaid,takinghishandbutavoidinghiseyes.

           Heseatedhimselfbehindtheblackpieces,rubbedhishandstogetherbrisklyandmovedhiskingpawntothethirdsquare.HepunchedBeth’sclocksmartly.

           TheFrenchDefense.Shehadneverplayedit.Shedidn’tlikethelookofit.Thethingtodowasplaypawntoqueenfour.Butwhathappenedifheplayedthesame?Didshetradepawnsorpushoneofthemforward,orbringoutherknight?Shesquintedandshookherhead;itwasdifficulttopicturewhattheboardwouldlooklikeafterthemoves.Shelookedagain,rubbedhereyes,andplayedpawntoqueenfour.Whenshereachedouttopunchtheclockshehesitated.Hadshemadeamistake?Butitwastoolatenow.ShepressedthebuttonhastilyandasitclickeddownBeltikimmediatelypickeduphisqueenpawn,putitonqueenfourandslappeddownthebuttononhisclock.