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terrified,” I said under my breath. “Those Rubbers are just wild.”
    ACB stifled a giggle.
    “What did he do?” Ty asked.
    “He had a lot of outstanding parking tickets.”
    I could see that Ty was trying not to laugh, too. “Any of the Rubbers have a grudge against Nick?” he asked Sal.
    “Yeah. Me. ’Cuz he was with my woman,” Sal snapped, then calmed. “Actually . . . that’s not true. Nick is . . . was . . . a good guy. Though now that I think about it, Toxic Waste did have some beef with Nick.”
    “What kind of beef?”
    “Nick made a play for Toxic’s position. He wanted to take his place as head of the Rubbers because Toxic lost a Michelin star. Apparently, Nick didn’t think he was worthy to run a club of chefs. But Toxic blamed Nick for making him lose that star. It’s a long story.” Sal shook his head. “Oh. And Nick stole Toxic’s girlfriend. That didn’t sit well with Toxic. He’s very loyal and protective of all his women, you know.”
    “What a guy,” Ty said. “So, Sal, talk to Antoinette Chloe. What about Nick’s arrangements?”
    “Well, first, Ty, I’d appreciate if you’d find out who stuck a blade into his neck,” Nick said.
    “I will. And if you can think of anything I should know, tell your counselor, and he’ll put you through to me. Personal calls are limited, but legal calls aren’t.”
    Sal looked sadly at ACB. “Sweetheart, why don’t you get another double plot? I’ll pick up thetab—just call my lawyer and he’ll give you money. It was supposed to go for my appeal, but let’s face it: I’m never getting out of this hole.” He turned to Ty and chuckled. “Ty and the district attorney, along with yours and Trixie’s testimonies, did too good of a job putting me in here. So, do that, babe. Get another double for yourself. A beautiful woman like you will find a guy worthy of you. That way, Nicky and I will rest together, and you can rest with your new man. How’s that?”
    There were tears in Sal’s eyes. That little speech was hard for him to say.
    “All right, I’ll make arrangements through Hal Manning, then. Of course, I’ll put a write-up in the
Lure
. I’m sure Joan Paris will help me. I’ll have one night of calling hours and a little service at Hal’s Happy Repose Funeral parlor and another service at the Restful Souls Cemetery.”
    “That’s nice of you, Antoinette Chloe,” Sal said.
    “I loved Nick. A lot. He was a good to me after you were sent away, and we had a lot of fun with the Rubbers. I needed that.”
    Several sharp knocks interrupted the ACB and Sal truce. The Two Stooges. Sal stood immediately.
    ACB stood, too, and waited until they entered the room. “Can I hug my ex-husband before you take him away? For old times’ sake?”
    They were going to deny her request, but Ty held up his hands. “I’ll vouch for Antoinette Chloe. She’s clean. Besides, you’re going to search the prisoner anyway before you take him back to his cell, right?”
    The shorter guard nodded. “Yeah. Go ahead and hug, but make it quick.”
    I had tears in my eyes as the two of them hugged. They were both in prison jumpsuits and both of them were in their own lonely prisons. Sal deserved what he got, don’t get me wrong, but ACB’s life had fallen apart—twice. Yet both times, she picked herself up, dusted her muumuu off, put on fresh makeup, and made another hat.
    I admired her, and I hoped she knew that.
    She broke away from Sal, kissed him on the cheek, and turned to Ty. “Let’s get out of here. I have a bunch of beauty queens to take care of.”
    Ty sighed. “It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.”
    *   *   *
    I was glad when the gate opened, then closed as we were outside the walls of Auburn. Thankfully, the medieval-looking prison with its guard towers, turrets, and razor wire were behind us.
    The ride back was uneventful. Once again, ACB was mostly silent and just stared out the window. I could hear her