“The tough egg from Detroit taking orders from a small-time cop!” I jeered, digging Bat in the ribs.
Flaggerty slowed down and stopped.
We had arrived at a lonely stretch of beach. The lights of Paradise Palms were fading in the light of the dawn. It still looked a nice spot, but to me, it looked a long way away.
“Come on out,” Flaggerty said. He sounded worried.
We got out.
Bat’s face was purple in the yellow light.
“I’m going to show him,” he snarled to Flaggerty. “I’m faster than he is, and I’ll make the
punk admit it!”
“You’ll do what I tell you!” Flaggerty bawled.
“Tell him to jump into a lake,” I said to Bat. “He thinks you’re a sissy.”