Ход королевы

           IfBorgov’ssealedmovewasknighttobishopfive.Ifhehadmovedhisqueen,theresponsesweredifferent.Ifhewastryingtomakeheranalysisawaste,hemighthaveplayedthekingbishop.Five-thirty.Fourandahalfhoursuntilgametime.Borgovwouldhavehismovesreadynowandagameplanarrivedatbyconsultation;hewouldbesleepinglikearock.Fromoutsidethewindowcameasuddennoiselikeadistantalarm,andshejumped.ItwasjustsomeRussianfiredrillorsomething,butherhandsshookforamoment.

           Shehadkashaandeggsforbreakfastandsatdownbehindtheboardagain.Itwassevenforty-five.Butevenwiththreecupsoftea,shesomehowcouldnotpenetrateit.Shetrieddoggedlytogethermindtoopen,toletherimaginationworkforherthewayitsooftenworkedoverachessboard,butnothingcame.ShecouldseenothingbutherresponsestoBorgov’sfuturethreats.Itwaspassive,andsheknewitwaspassive.IthadbeatenherinMexicoCityanditcouldbeatheragain.Shegotuptoopenthedraperies,andassheturnedbacktotheboard,thetelephonerang.

           Shestaredatit.Duringherweekinthisroom,ithadnotrungonce.NotevenMr.Boothhadcalledher.Nowitwasringinginshortbursts,veryloudly.Shewentoverandpickeditup.Awoman’svoicesaidsomethinginRussian.Shecouldn’tmakeoutawordofit.

           “ThisisBethHarmon,”shesaid.

           ThevoicesaidsomethingelseinRussian.Therewasaclickinginthereceiver,andamalevoicecamethroughasclearlyasifitwerecallingfromthenextroom:“Ifhemovestheknight,hithimwiththekingrookpawn.