Ход королевы
Chapter 11
“HowdoIgettoMoscowifIgo?”
“WhenIwent,theFederationboughtmyticketandachurchgroupputuptherest.”
“Didyouhaveasecond?”
“Barnes.”
“Barnes?”Shestaredathim.
“ItwouldbetoughtobeinRussiaalone.”Hefrowned.“Youshouldn’tdrinkbeerlikethat.You’llbewashedupattwenty-one.”
Shesetdowntheglass.“WhoelsewillbeplayinginMoscow?”
“FourothercountriesandthefourtopRussians.”
ThatwouldmeanLuchenkoandBorgov.PossiblyShapkin.Shedidnotwanttothinkaboutit.Shelookedathimquietlyforaminute.“Benny,Ilikethewayyourhairlooks.”
Hestaredather.“Sureyoudo,”hesaid.“WhataboutRussia?”
Shetookanotherdrinkofbeer.ShedidlikeBenny’shairandhisblueeyes.Shehadneverthoughtofhimsexuallybefore,butshewasthinkingthatwaynow.“FourRussianchessplayers,”shesaid,“isalotofRussianchessplayers.”
“Murderous.”Heraisedhisglassandfinishedoffhisbeer.Hehaddrunkonlytheone.“Beth,”hesaid,“you’retheonlyAmericanIknowwhomightdoit.”
“IwenttopieceswithBorgovinMexicoCity…”
“WhendoyougotoParis?”Bennysaid.
“Infiveweeks.”
“Thengetyourlifeorganizedaroundthatandstudy.Getatrainer.”
“Whataboutyou?”
Hethoughtamoment.“CanyoucometoNewYork?”
“Idon’tknow.”
“Youcansleepinmylivingroom,andleaveforParisfromthere.”
Theideashockedher.“I’vegotahousetotakecareof,inKentucky.”
“Letthefuckinghousefalldown.
