Ход королевы

           Hehadgottenouthisbillfold,andnowheslippedapileofbillsfromit,settheminfrontofanemptyplaceatthetableandsatdown,ignoringBeth.Notknowingwhatherroleinallthiswas,Bethwentintothebedroom,whereshehadseenacoffeepitcherandcups.Shegotacupofcoffeeandwentbackintotheotherroom.Bennyhadastackofchipsinfrontofhimandwasholdingcardsinhishand.Themanonhisleftsaid,“I’llbumpthat,”flatly,andthrewabluechipintothecenterofthetable.Theothersfollowedsuit,withBennylast.

           Shestoodatadistancefromthetablewatching.SherememberedstandinginthebasementwatchingMr.Shaibel,andtheintensityofherinterestinwhathewasdoing,butshefeltnothinglikethatnow.Shedidnotcarehowpokerwasplayed,eventhoughsheknewshewouldbegoodatit.ShewasfuriouswithBenny.Hewentonplayingwithoutlookingather.Hehandledthecardswithdexterityandtossedchipsintothecenterofthetablewithquietaplomb,sometimessayingthingslike“I’llstay”or“Backtoyou.”Finally,whileoneofthemenwasdealing,shetappedBennyontheshoulderandsaidsoftly,“I’mleaving.”Henoddedandsaid,“Okay”andturnedhisattentionbacktohiscards.Goingdownintheelevator,shefeltshecouldhavebeatenhimovertheheadwithatwo-by-four.Thecoolsonofabitch.Itwasquicksexwithher,andthenofftotheboys.Hehadprobablyplanneditthatwayforaweek.Tacticsandstrategy.Shecouldhavekilledhim.