Ход королевы
Chapter 9
Thenshesaid,asstronglyasshecould,“Don’tyouwanttoknowwhatshediedof?”
“Whatwasit?”
“Hepatitis,Ithink.They’llknowtomorrow.”
“Oh,”Mr.Wheatleysaid.“Shewassickalot.”
***
Themanagerandthedoctortookcareofeverything—eventherefundonMrs.Wheatley’splaneticket.Bethhadtosignsomeofficialpapers,hadtoabsolvethehotelofresponsibilityandfilloutgovernmentforms.Onehadthetitle“U.S.Customs—TransferofRemains.”ThemanagergotDurginBrothersinLexington.TheassistantmanagerdroveBethtotheairportthefollowingday,withthehearsediscreetlytrailingthemthroughthestreetsofMexicoCityandalongthehighway.Shesawthemetalcoffinonlyonce,lookingoutthewindowfromtheTWAwaitingroom.Thehearsehaddrivenuptothe707atthegateandsomemenwereunloadingitinbrilliantsunlight.Theysetitonaforklift,andshecouldhearthedimwhineoftheenginethroughtheglassasitwasraisedtothelevelofthecargohold.Foramomentittrembledinthesunshineandshehadasuddenhorrificvisionofitfallingofftheliftandcrashingtothetarmac,spillingouttheembalmedmiddle-agedcorpseofMrs.Wheatleyonthehotgrayasphalt.Butthatdidnothappen.Thecasketwaspulledhandilyintothecargohold.
OnboardBethdeclinedadrinkfromthestewardess.Whenshehadgonebackdowntheaisle,Bethopenedherpurseandtookoutoneofhernewbottlesofgreenpills.Shehadspentthreehoursthedaybefore,aftersigningthepapers,goingfromfarmaciatofarmacia,buyingthelimitofonehundredpillsineach.
