They stood, each assessing his strategy. Burke shifted slightly and the bought-badge must have seen a chance. The flashlight whipped around, its beam cutting a wild arc. Burke's maneuver had been a feint. He stepped away from the incoming blow, spinning inside the cop’s reach. His right arm flashed up, the extended blade bisecting his opponent’s arm. Flashlight and hand separated as they continued to arc past Burke. He twisted and passed his blade through the cop’s neck. The bought-badge’s head tilted back, but the flashlight shattered and plunged the alley back into night before the blood fountained.