Ход королевы
Chapter 10
ThateveningBennyWattsjoinedheratthecafeteriatablewhileshewaseatingherdessert.“Beth,”hesaid,“it’sgoingtobeyouorme.”
Shelookedupfromherricepudding.“Areyoutryingtopsychmeout?”
Helaughed.“No.Icanbeatyouwithoutthat.”
Shewentoneatingandsaidnothing.
“Look,”hesaid,“I’msorryaboutyesterday.Iwasn’ttryingtohustleyou.”
Shetookasipofcoffee.“Youweren’t?”
“Ijustwantedsomeaction.”
“Andmoney,”Bethsaid.Althoughthatwasn’tthepoint.
“You’rethebestplayerhere,”hesaid.“I’vebeenreadingyourgames.YouattacklikeAlekhine.”
“Youheldmeoffwellenoughyesterday.”
“Thatdoesn’tcount.Iknowspeedchessbetterthanyou.IplayalotofitinNewYork.”
“YoubeatmeinLasVegas.”
“Thatwasalongtimeago.Youweretoowrappedupindoublingmypawns.Icouldn’tgetawaywiththatagain.”
Shefinishedhercoffeeinsilencewhileheatehisdinneranddrankhismilk.Whenhehadfinished,shesaid,“Doyougoovergamesinyourheadwhenyou’realone?Imean,playallthewaythroughthem?”
Hesmiled.“Doesn’teverybody?”
***
ShepermittedherselftowatchtelevisionintheloungeoftheStudentUnionBuildingthatevening.Bennywasn’tthere,althoughafewoftheotherplayerswere.Shewentbacktoherroomafterward,feelinglonely.ItwasherfirsttournamentsinceMrs.Wheatleydied,andshemissedhernow.Shetooktheendgamebookfromthecollectiononthedeskandbeganstudying.Bennywasallright.Ithadbeenniceofhimtotalktoherthatway.
