Ход королевы
Chapter 2
Deardorfflookedatherforamomentasthoughshewereexpectedtodenyit.WhenBethsaidnothing,shewenton,“Hehasanunusualrequesttomakeofus.Hewouldlikeyoutobetakentothehighschoolon…”ShelookedoveratMr.Ganzagain.
“OnThursday,”Mr.Ganzsaid.
“OnThursday.Intheafternoon.Hemaintainsthatyouareaphenomenalchessplayer.Hewouldlikeyoutoperformforthechessclub.”
Bethsaidnothing.Shewasstillfrightened.
Mr.Ganzclearedhisthroat.“Wehaveadozenmembers,andI’dlikeyoutoplaythem.”
“Well?”Mrs.Deardorffsaid.“Wouldyouliketodothat?Itcanbearrangedasafieldtrip.”ShesmiledgrimlyatMr.Ganz.“Weliketogiveourgirlsachanceforexperienceoutside.”ThatwasthefirsttimeBethhadheardofit;sheknewofnoonewhoeverwentanywhere.
“Yes,”Bethsaid.“I’dliketo.”
“Good,”Mrs.Deardorffsaid.“It’ssettled,then.Mr.GanzandoneofthegirlsfromthehighschoolwillpickyouupafterlunchThursday.”
Mr.Ganzgotuptogo,andBethstartedtofollow,butMrs.Deardorffcalledherback.
“Elizabeth,”shesaidwhentheywerealone,“Mr.Ganzinformsmethatyouhavebeenplayingchesswithourcustodian.”
Bethwasuncertainwhattosay.
“WithMr.Shaibel.”
“Yes,ma’am.”
“Thatisveryirregular,Elizabeth.Haveyougonetothebasement?”
Foramomentsheconsideredlying.ButitwouldbetooeasyforMrs.Deardorfftofindout.“Yes,ma’am,”shesaidagain.
Bethexpectedanger,butMrs.Deardorff’svoicewassurprisinglyrelaxed.
