Ход королевы
Chapter 13
Bethreachedovertothebottle,shookoutagreenpillandswallowedit.Finallythevoicecame,shockinglycrisp,fromthereceiver.“HelenDeardorffspeaking.”
Foramomentshecouldn’tspeakandwantedtohangup,butshesuckedinherbreathandsaid,“Mrs.Deardorff,thisisBethHarmon.”
“Really?”Thevoicesoundedsurprised.
“Yes.”
“Well.”DuringthepausethatfolloweditoccurredtoBeththatMrs.Deardorffmighthavenothingtosay.ShemightfinditasdifficulttalkingtoBethasBethdidtalkingtoher.“Well,”Mrs.Deardorffsaid,“we’vebeenreadingaboutyou.”
“How’sMr.Shaibel?”Bethasked.
“Mr.Shaibelisstillwithus.Isthatwhatyoucalledabout?”
“IcalledaboutJoleneDeWitt.Ineedtogetintouchwithher.”
“I’msorry,”Mrs.Deardorffsaid.“Methuencannotgiveouttheaddressesorphonenumbersofitscharges.”
“Mrs.Deardorff,”Bethsaid,hervoicesuddenlybreakingthroughintofeeling,“Mrs.Deardorff,dothisforme.IhavetotalktoJolene.”
“Therearelaws—”
“Mrs.Deardorff,”Bethsaid,“please.”
Mrs.Deardorff’svoicetookonadifferenttone.“Allright,Elizabeth.DeWittlivesinLexington.Here’sherphonenumber.”
***
“JesusfuckingChrist!”Jolenesaidonthephone.“JesusfuckingChrist!”
“Howareyou,Jolene?”Bethfeltlikecrying,butshekeptthequaveroutofhervoice.
“OhmyGod,child,”Jolenesaid,laughing.“Itissogoodtohearyourvoice.Areyoustillugly?”
“Areyoustillblack?”
“Iamoneblacklady,”Jolenesaid.“Andyou’velostyourugly.
