Chapter 12

           Mrs.WheatleyhadalwayscarriedBeth’sadoptionpapersandbirthcertificatewithherwhentheytraveled,andBethhadcontinuedthepractice,thoughuptonowtheyhadneverbeenneeded.DuringherfirstweekinNewYork,BennytookhertoRockefellerCenter,andsheusedtheminapplyingforherpassport.Mexicohadrequiredonlyatouristcard,andMrs.Wheatleyhadtakencareofthat.Thelittlebookletwiththegreencoverandhertight-lippedpictureinsidecametwoweekslater.Eventhoughshewasn’tsureofgoing,shehadsenttheParisacceptanceinafewdaysbeforeleavingKentuckyforOhio.

           Whenthetimecame,BennydrovehertoKennedyAirportanddroppedheroffattheAirFranceterminal.“He’snotimpossible,”Bennysaid.“Youcanbeathim.”

           “We’llsee,”shesaid.“Thanksforthehelp.”Shehadgottenhersuitcaseoutofthecarandwasstandingbythedriver’swindow.Theywereinano-parkingzone,andhecouldnotleavethecartoseeheroff.

           “Seeyounextweek,”Bennysaid.

           Foramomentshewantedtoleanintheopenwindowandkisshim,butsherestrainedherself.“Seeyouthen.”Shepickeduphersuitcaseandwentintotheterminal.

           ***

           Thistimeshewasexpectingtofeelthedarkhostilitythatevenseeinghimacrossaroomcouldmakeherfeel,butbeingpreparedforitdidnotstopherfromasharpintakeofbreath.Hewasstandingwithhisbacktoher,talkingtoreporters.Shelookedawaynervously,asshehadlookedawaythefirsttimeatthezooinMexicoCity.Hewasjustanothermaninadarksuit,anotherRussianwhoplayedchess,shetoldherself.