Ход королевы
Chapter 13
It’sgoingtotakethreethousandmoretodoit.Atleastthat.”
“Idon’thaveit,”Bennysaid.
“Whatdoyoumean?You’vegotmoney.”
“Idon’thaveit.”Therewasalongsilence.“YoucancalltheFederation.OrtheStateDepartment.”
“TheFederationdoesn’tlikeme,”Bethsaid.“TheythinkIhaven’tdoneasmuchforchessasIcouldhave.”
“YoushouldhavegoneonTonightandPhilDonahue.”
“Goddamnit,Benny,”Bethsaid.“Comeoffit.”
“You’recrazy,”Bennysaid.“Whatdoyoucarewhatthosedummiesbelieve?Whatareyoutryingtoprove?”
“Benny.Idon’twanttogotoRussiaalone.”
Benny’svoicesuddenlybecameloud.“Youasshole,”heshouted.“Youcrazyfuckingasshole!”
“Benny…”
“Firstyoudon’tcomebacktoNewYorkandthenyoupullthiscrap.Youcanfuckingwellgoalone.”
“MaybeIshouldn’thavedoneit.”Shewasbeginningtofeelachillinside.“MaybeIdidn’thavetogivethembackthecheck.”
“‘Maybe’isaloser’sword.”Benny’svoicewaslikeice.
“Benny,I’msorry.”
“I’mhangingup,”Bennysaid.“YouwereapainintheasswhenIfirstmetyou,andyou’reapainintheassrightnow.Idon’twanttotalktoyouanymore.”Thephoneinherhandwentclick.Sheputitbackinthecradle.Shehadblownit.ShehadlostBenny.
ShecalledtheFederationandhadtowaitonholdfortenminutesbeforethedirectorcameontheline.HewaspleasantwithherandsympatheticandwishedherwellinMoscowbutsaidtherewasnomoneytobehad.
