Ход королевы
Chapter 6
Thewaitresswhohandedheramenuwasdressedinablackminiskirtandfishnethose,butshehadthefaceofageometryteacher.Towneswashandsome,smiling,dressedinadarksweaterwithastripedshirtopenatthethroat.ShechosetheMariposaSpecial:hotcakes,scrambledeggsandchilipepperswiththeBottomlessCupofcoffee.
“IcoulddohalfapageonyoufortheSundaypaper,”Towneswassaying.
Thehotcakesandeggscame,andBethatethemanddranktwocupsofcoffee.
“I’vegotacamerainmyroom,”Townessaid.Hehesitated.“I’vegotchessboards,too.Doyouwanttoplay?”
Sheshrugged.“Okay.Let’sgoup.”
“Terrific!”Hissmilewasdazzling.
Thedrapeswereopen,withaviewofaparkinglot.Thebedwashugeandunmade.Itseemedtofilltheroom.Therewerethreechessboardssetup:oneonatablebythewindow,oneonthebureau,andthethirdinthebathroomnexttothebasin.Heposedherbythewindowandshotarolloffilmwhileshesatattheboardandmovedthepieces.Itwasdifficultnottolookathimashewalkedaround.Whenhecameclosetoherandheldalittlelightmeternearherface,shefoundherselfcatchingherbreathatthesensationofwarmthfromhisbody.Herheartwasbeatingfast,andwhenshereachedouttomovearookshesawthatherfingersweretrembling.
Heclickedoffthelastshotandbeganrewindingthefilm.“Oneofthoseshoulddoit,”hesaid.Hesetthecameraonthenightstandbythebed.“Let’splaychess.”
Shelookedathim.“Idon’tknowwhatyourfirstnameis.”
“EveryonecallsmeTownes,”hesaid.
