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“Only saying nice things, I guess”

Antonelli laughed “You’ll be hearing from me soon,” she said, then she lifted her hand in a wave and headed toward Grant’s room

“What the hell was that?” Conklin asked He jabbed the elevator button repeatedly and hard until the doors finally opened We got inside

“Any idea?” my partner asked

“I don’t knohat she was talking about,” I said “And I don’t like the way she said it”

CHAPTER 64

IT WAS AFTER lights-out time at the Loony Bin

Inside the ward, Neddie was in his favorite sleeping position when Mikey said from the next bed, “I can’t sleep”

Neddie was so charged up with recent memories, he couldn’t sleep, either

“Tell me the story,” said Mikey

“You want me to start at the castle?”

“Okay … no,” Mike said “Start at the beginning”

“Scooch over,” said Neddie Lambo

Mike shouted, “Scooch,” and pushed his bed up to Neddie’s and got back under the covers The traffic outside on Hyde Street splashed the walls with soft streaks of light Around Mike and Neddie, the other patients in Ward Six were in various stages of sleep

“Go on,” said Mike “I’m ready, Neddie”