The Cabbie brayed laughter.<br/><br/>"Tock ain't that dumb!  If Mother When really wanted them gone, She'd take care of them.  No, I bet she just wants them to test her Ladies a bit.  As for Tock, he knows that if he got mixed up too deep with those little pests, they'd hurt him badly enough to let someone less scrupulous make a move."<br/><br/>His voice sank to a conspiratorial whisper.<br/><br/>"Which means the King of Wax is behind it all!  But you didn't hear that from me."<br/><br/>The cab suddenly screeched to a halt, leaving burned rubber streaks on the street behind for a fair distance.<br/><br/>"The Duchess, as requested."  The Cabbie turned, held out his hand, grinned at Kristen. "Nice doin' business with you.  Ever need a ride again, just whistle!"<br/><br/>The Duchess, from the outside, looked very much like the bar she'd arrived in so many hours (how many?  She couldn't be sure) ago.  But theoretically, her paramedic friend would be inside.  Or would arrive shortly.