Ход королевы
Chapter 13
Blockerstaredather.
“Look,”Bethsaid,“Ihavenointentionofsayingthingslikethis.”
Mrs.Blockerleanedforwardandtookthestatement.“ChristianCrusadehasalreadyinvestedagooddealofmoney…”TherewasaglintinhereyethatBethhadseenbefore.
Bethstoodup.“I’llgiveitback.”Shewalkedtothedeskandfoundhercheckbook.Foramomentshefeltlikeaprigandafool.ItwasmoneyforherairfareandBenny’sandforthewomanfromtheFederationasanescort.Itwouldpayherhotelbillandincidentalexpensesonthetrip.Butatthebottomofthechecktheyhadsentheramonthago,intheplacewhereyounormallywrote“rent”or“lightbill”tosaywhatthemoneywasfor,someone—probablyMrs.Blocker—hadwritten“ForChristianService.”BethmadeoutacheckforfourthousanddollarstoChristianCrusade,andinthespaceatthebottomshewrote“Fullrefund.”
MissDodge’svoicewassurprisinglygentle.“Ihopeyouknowwhatyou’redoing,dear.”Shelookedgenuinelyconcerned.
“Ihopesotoo,”Bethsaid.HerplaneforMoscowleftinfiveweeks.
***
ShegotBennyonthephoneatthefirsttry.“You’recrazy,”hesaidwhenshetoldhim.
“Anyway,Ididit,”Bethsaid.“It’stoolatetoundoit.”
“Aretheticketspaidfor?”
“No,”Bethsaid.“Nothing’spaidfor.”
“YouhavetopayIntouristforthehotelinadvance.”
“Iknowthat.”BethdidnotlikeBenny’stone.“I’vegottwothousandinmybankaccount.Itwouldbemore,butI’vebeenkeepingupthishouse.
