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We looked

"If you can’t do what you’re about to do in front of me, you better not do it" The sentence see was clear

The ainst that, Brian," Mallinger said "If there was, I’d have to arrest half the people in town"

Just like that, the tension in the cafe gave way to words, sood at her job

"Are you taking his side?" The ed His hands were in front of his body, palnals of sub the peace," Mallinger said "It’s what they pay me for"

"Yeah, well, just remember interier said "I’ I’ll have your support and the support of all the rest of you, too"--she gestured at the mechanic’s audience--"when the city council votes next er turned away from the crowd and looked at me

"Come here," she said

She sat me down in a booth and leaned in close

"Chief, huh?" I said

"Take that stupid grin off your face"

I stopped s Don’t look at the h Brian’s an immense jerk, he lives in this town and you don’t Nod your head"

I nodded

"Things are volatile enough around here I got soot punks hassling citizens over the color of their skin Yesterday I got a call to break up a knife fight at the e boning knives Turned out they were fighting over a woman, but one was Hispanic and the other hite, so now it’s a racial issue I don’t need this on top of it I don’t need riots in the Rainbow Cafe Nod your head"

I nodded

"Do you have business in Victoria?"

"Yes"

"Then why don’t you get up, pay your tab, and get to it Nod your head"

I nodded