Ход королевы
Chapter 8
Shecouldheartheclickoftheclockbuttonfromhalfwayacrosstheroomandmadeabeelinebacktothetable.Shedidnottakeherseatbutstoodlookingattheposition.Hehadputhisrookonthequeenbishopfile,asshehadthoughthemight.Shewasreadyforthatandpushedherpawnagain,turnedandwalkedbackacrosstheroom.Therewasatabletherewithawaterpitcherandafewpapercups.Shepouredherselfacup,surprisedtoseethatherhandtrembledasshedidso.Bythetimeshegotbacktotheboard,Girevhadmovedagain.Shemovedimmediately,notbringingtherooktodefendbutabandoningthepawnandinsteadadvancingherking.Shepickedthepieceuplightlywithherfingertipsthewayshehadseenthatpiratical-lookingmaninCincinnatidoyearsbeforeanddroppeditonthequeenfoursquare,turnedandwalkedawayagain.
Shekeptitupthatway,notsittingdownatall.Withinthreequartersofanhourshehadhim.Itwasreallysimple—almosttooeasy.Itwasonlyamatteroftradingrooksattherighttime.Thetradepulledhiskingbackasquareontherecapture,justenoughtoletherpawngetbyandqueen.ButGirevdidnotwaitforthat;heresignedimmediatelyaftertherookcheckandthetradewhichfollowed.Hesteppedtowardherasiftosaysomething,butseeingherface,stopped.Foramomentshesoftened,rememberingthechildshehadbeenonlyafewyearsbeforeandhowitdevastatedhertoloseachessgame.
Sheheldoutherhand,andwhenheshookitsheforcedasmileandsaid,“I’veneverbeentoadrive-ineither.”
Heshookhishead.
