He smiled slightly, then changed the subject, leaving teenage romance behind. Instead, he reflected on Gordon's hopes and affection for Barbara, proper guidance for adolescent development and growth, and a whole series of topics involving men, marriage, family, and responsibility.
Not only did Dick keep his head down and eat without a word, even Bruce gradually fell silent. Only Alfred listened with shining eyes. After dinner, he escorted Li Jie all the way out of the Manor and warmly invited him to visit often.
"Hey-ho, hey-ho! Your boy Jay finally got to eat at a rich man's table."
Still, the meal really hadn't been as satisfying as a pot of dumplings or some barbecue. Eating with all those refined manners was no fun at all. He drove back to the police station and stopped by the Forensics Division. Sure enough, the lights were still on.
"Ed, you haven't clocked out yet?"
"It's only a few steps back to the dorm anyway..."
Nygma looked up to see Li Jie take a sheet of blank paper, scribble a few lines on it, and slide it across the desk.
Do you have somewhere that's safe from eavesdropping?
"I still need to check the East End's utility network maps." Nygma nodded, making casual conversation as he got up and headed toward a small room inside the Forensics Division. Li Jie took off his coat, left it, his holster, and the gifts from the Wayne family in the outer room, then followed him inside.
Once Li Jie entered, Nygma turned back, closed the heavy metal door, and engaged the combination lock.
"Go ahead, Jay. What happened?"
"Is this secure?" Li Jie gestured around the little room, which was only a dozen or so square meters.
"Secure." Nygma nodded. "It blocks all currently known electronic signals,