Li Jie turned the Patrol Van toward the Police Department entrance and told Harleen, "Get out!"
"Get out? I..."
"Go back to the Police Department, meet up with Anna, then head to the school." Li Jie thought for a few seconds. "Report any problems to Nygma immediately."
"Understood, Sheriff."
Harleen stood on the steps and looked back at him, her blonde hair fluttering in the night breeze. "Be careful out there."
Li Jie nodded and waited a few seconds, watching Harleen walk through the Police Department doors. Anna came out to meet her, and the two disappeared deeper into the lobby.
He closed the door and started the engine again, letting the van glide down the deserted street. The East End had never been this quiet at night. Every shop along the road was closed. Even the convenience stores that normally stayed open around the clock had pulled down their shutters. Only the streetlights remained on, lighting the whole street like a movie set. Police cars sped past, their loudspeakers blaring, "A breakout has occurred at Blackgate Penitentiary. All residents must return home immediately and remain indoors."
When he reached the Canal Bridge between the East End and Blackgate Penitentiary, he saw three police cars parked across the bridge entrance, all their lights on, illuminating the bridge in brilliant white. Several officers in bulletproof vests crouched behind the cars, rifles braced on the hoods. Far beyond the other end of the bridge, he could make out flickering flames and faint shouting, but this side of the canal was as quiet as another world.
Li Jie slowed and rolled down his window. Hearn Hunt spotted him and jogged over to salute. "Sheriff!"
"How's it looking?" Li Jie stayed in the van, resting his hand on the window frame as he leaned