- Look closely - He continues - You can still catch me. Ten shots.
Ten?
I grab my horse and move it to F3, hearing Lenon sigh as he leads his horse back to C6, as if on autopilot.
"Idiot," he growls, getting mad at me. I can hear it in his voice, and my pulse quickens as he continues the game, making the moves as if we've been going in circles for years, and he's done with my mistakes and impulsiveness.
He just wants to play and have his inevitable win so he can get back to work now that my head is out of the game. My bishop at C4, your pawn at D6, my other knight at C3. And when he reaches his bishop, I stop breathing watching him go G4, pinning my knight to my queen.
It really worked, and he still couldn't see what he had done. I move my knight to E5, taking his pawn and leaving my queen completely vulnerable to the bishop. He sees the opening, nods and captures it, removes it from the board and moves his bishop in place of my queen.
My heart skips in my throat. He thinks he got me. But it's my turn now, and as soon as I move my bishop to G7, I have his king in check.
He pauses, realizing what just happened and re-examining the painting. His eyes meet mine. As expected, he tries to move his king to E7, but the look of defeat is already in his eyes. I slide my knight to d5.
- Checkmate - I say. He looks down at the painting, frowning as if he's not sure how it happened.
I like chess. Knowing and seeing what I want in front of me. Knowing it won't be easy. Knowing that it takes patience and a series of carefully constructed maneuvers, all plotted in a precise order. Knowing that the longer I have to wait and possibly alter my path, getting what I want is all the more enjoyable.
“Seven blows…” he whispers. Yeah. Not ten. Your eyes meet mine - You hanged your queen.
Lenon almost makes me smile. This little taste that victory leaves in my mouth is the best thing I have ever tasted. Not that I've felt many good things in life.
- The queen is the most powerful piece on the board - I said - Why not use it?
I look outside. That's what Margot thinks every time she looks at Angelic. She's the queen of the game, ready to coordinate everything when her father dies, including those diamonds she doesn't even know exist. She's ready for anything, really, but one night in the Bronx.
I get up, leaving Lenon to collect the game pieces, and walk outside. I like to watch it, not as prey, but as a board. Something I need to find out. Margot's plans would still succeed with Angelic alive, so why hire me? What does this girl have?
She turns her back on me and I approach. The rotten smell finds me once again, the music gets louder and the lights brighter. Of all the people in the world, she's the last one who should be here.
- What are you doing here? I ask, making her jump in fear.
- What the... - a cry almost escapes his lips - Mr. Campbell.
- I asked...