Li Jie drove the Patrol Van slowly along the damp streets of the East End. Wilson leaned against the passenger-side window, gazing listlessly at the passing scenery.
"Hey, look at those potted plants at the flower shop. Should we get a couple for Ed in the Forensics Division?"
"Forget it," Li Jie replied without turning his head. "I'm afraid he'll figure out how to make them talk one day, then get into an argument with them... huh? What's that crowd up ahead doing?"
The van rounded a corner, and the sight by the roadside made both men frown. Four or five people in cheap-looking white robes stood beside a stack of large cardboard boxes, handing out flyers to a tightly packed crowd.
Their faces wore exuberant, fake smiles. The one at the front held up a sign with crooked lettering:
"You are not lost. You simply haven't come home yet."
"Blood binds us together. A new beginning, free of the sins of the past."
"More weird religions?" Wilson scoffed. "America's probably got seven or eight hundred of these things already."
Li Jie pulled over, opened his door, and walked toward them. The crowd instinctively parted to let him through. At the sight of his police uniform, the white-robed figures visibly faltered, their practiced smiles growing strained.
"Folks," Li Jie said, his voice quiet but carrying the superiority and pressure of official authority, "you're welcome to preach, but don't cause trouble in my precinct. I don't care what you believe in. But if I catch anyone harassing residents, holding illegal gatherings, or..." His gaze swept over their faded robes. "Organizing some kind of collective donation of personal assets..."
"We wouldn't, officer."
The lead believer pointed to another sign propped up on the ground beside him. "We're here to do charity and