The wheeze and sigh of its fire alarm is just beginning when we reach the Tamzene. In the dim light, I can barely make out Charlie Lee running ahead of us. I hear him whooping and shouting in celebration. Behind us the lights of Crofton are disappearing into small yellow squares.Charlie Lee climbs aboard first, shouting, “Start her up, Kang ol’ buddy! Give her some gas!”“Don’t do it! Don’t let him on board!” Esmerelda yells, but it’s too late—the engine hums to life just as she, Arthur, and I reach the hull. As we climb aboard, Kang speeds away.Esmerelda pushes past Charlie Lee and into the cabin. She glares, wicked pissed, at the Birmingham Kid from behind Kang.“Throw his ass overboard,” she growls.Kang frowns and glances at Arthur, who nods and signs something at Kang.Charlie Lee leans against the edge of the boat, gasping for air. The run made his cheeks red, and spread across them is that same psycho smile he was wearing just before the Steak Shack went up in flames.
