Ход королевы
Chapter 4
SheknewitwasBlack’smovebecausetheindicatoronhisclockwasmoving,andjustasshesawthatknighttobishopfivewaswhatwascalledfor,theoldermanreachedoutandmovedhisknighttobishopfive.
Thegood-lookingmanwasleaningagainstthewallnow.Bethwentovertohimandwhispered,“Whoarethey?”
“BeltikandCullen.Beltik’stheStateChampion.”
“Whichiswhich?”Bethsaid.
Thetallmanheldafingertohislips.Thenhesaidsoftly,“Beltik’stheyoungone.”
Thatwasasurprise.TheKentuckyStateChampionlookedtobeabouttheageofFergussen.“Isheagrandmaster?”
“He’sworkingonit.He’sbeenamasterforyears.”
“Oh,”Bethsaid.
“Ittakestime.Youhavetoplaygrandmasters.”
“Howmuchtime?”Bethsaid.Amaninfrontofthembythevelvetropesturnedandstaredatherangrily.Thetallmanshookhishead,pursinghislipsforsilence.Bethturnedbacktotheropesandwatchedthegame.Otherpeoplecameinandtheroombegantofillup.Bethheldherplaceatthefront.
Therewasagreatdealoftensioninthemiddleoftheboard.Bethstudieditforseveralminutestryingtodecidewhatshewoulddoifitwerehermove;butshewasn’tcertain.ItwasCullen’smove.Shewaitedforwhatseemedanawfullylongtime.Hesattherewithhisforeheadsupportedbyclenchedfists,kneestogetherunderthetable,motionless.Beltikleanedbackinhischairandyawned,lookingamusedlyatCullen’sbaldheadinfrontofhim.Bethcouldseethathisteethwerebad,withdarkstainsandseveralemptyspaces,andthathisneckwasn’tproperlyshaved.
