Ход королевы
Chapter 9
ShecouldpicturehimasshehadseenhimatMethuen,wishingheweresomewhereelse,everythingabouthimsayingthathewantedtomakenoconnections,wantedalwaystobesomewhereelse.
“She’sdead,Mr.Wheatley.Shediedthismorning.”
Therewassilenceattheotherendoftheline.Finallyshesaid,“Mr.Wheatley…”
“Can’tyouhandlethisforme?”hesaid.“Ican’tbegoingofftoMexico.”
“They’regoingtodoanautopsytomorrow,andI’vegottogetnewplanetickets.Imean,getanewplaneticketformyself…”Hervoicehadsuddenlygoneweakandaimless.Shepickedupthecoffeecupandtookadrinkfromit.“Idon’tknowwheretoburyher.”
Mr.Wheatley’svoicecamebackwithsurprisingcrispness.“CallDurginBrothers,inLexington.There’safamilyplotinhermaidenname.Benson.”
“Whataboutthehouse?”
“Look”—thevoicewasloudernow—“Idon’twantanypartofthis.I’vegotproblemsenoughhereinDenver.GetheruptoKentuckyandburyherandthehouseisyours.Justmakethemortgagepayments.Doyouneedmoney?”
“Idon’tknow.Idon’tknowwhatitwillcost.”
“Iheardyouweredoingallright.Thechildprodigything.Can’tyouchargeitorsomething?”
“Icantalktothehotelmanager.”
“Good.Youdothat.I’mstrappedforcashrightnow,butyoucanhavethehouseandtheequity.CalltheSecondNationalBankandaskforMr.Erlich.That’sE-r-l-i-c-h.TellhimIwantyoutohavethehouse.Heknowshowtoreachme.”
Therewassilenceagain.
