Bobby Fischer

In Claudia, Fischer found someone to screen his calls and otherwise protect him from the inquiring world. When I phoned her, here's the way the conversation went:

"Hello?" answered the female voice.

"Is Claudia Mokarow there?" I asked.

"Yes, this is she." I told her who I was, that I wanted to speak to Bobby, and asked her to help.

"No, I really can't," she said.

I pressed gently, asking her if Bobby was in town. "No, I'm not able to help you," she said.

"May I come and see you?" I asked. Silence.

More frantic now, my voice rising as I thought of Schaap: "Is he seeing people?" Again, silence. More desperate now, almost a whinny: "Is he in town? Is he anywhere in Southern California?"

"I think I'd better hang up," Claudia said.

Again: "Is he in Southern California?"