Ход королевы
Chapter 13
”
“WouldtheypayformytickettoRussia?”
“Morethanthat.Ifyouaskthem,they’llsendmeoverwithyou.Separaterooms,consideringtheirviews.”
“Whywouldtheypaysomuchmoney?”
“TheywantustobeattheCommunistsforJesus.They’retheoneswhopaidpartofmywaytwoyearsago.”Hepaused.“AreyoucomingbacktoNewYork?”Hisvoicewascarefullyneutral.
“IneedtostayinKentuckyawhilelonger.I’mworkingoutinagym,andI’veenteredatournamentinCalifornia.”
“Sure,”Bennysaid.“Itsoundsallrighttome.”
ShewroteChristianCrusadethatafternoontosaythatshewasverymuchinterestedintheirofferandwouldliketotakeBenjaminWattswithherasasecond.Sheusedthepale-bluestationery,crossingout“Mrs.AllstonWheatley”atthetopandwritingin“ElizabethHarmon.”Whenshewalkedtothecornertomailtheletter,shedecidedtogoondowntownandbuynewsheetsandpillowcasesforthebedandanewtableclothforthekitchen.
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ThewinterlightinSanFranciscowasremarkable;shehadneverseenanythingquitelikeitbefore.Itgavethebuildingsapreternaturalclarityofline,andwhensheclimbedtothetopofTelegraphHillandlookedback,shecaughtherbreathatthesharpfocusofthehousesandhotelsthatlinedthelongsteepstreetandbelowthemtheperfectblueofthebay.Therewasaflowerstandatthecorner,andsheboughtabunchofmarigolds.Lookingbackatthebay,shesawayoungcoupleablockawayclimbingtowardher.Theywereclearlyoutofbreathandstoppedtorest.
