(Don't get hung up on the timeline or anything. I've already started talking nonsense.)
Sirens converged from every direction, turning the entire street into a giant echo chamber.
Li Jie listened to the overlapping reports crackling over his walkie-talkie, fastened his bulletproof vest, and stepped out of the Patrol Van with his gun.
"What's the situation?" Li Jie asked Bushnell as he ran over.
"Two hours ago, the security company received an alarm from a financial firm in the building, reporting that several unidentified individuals had broken in through the Underground Garage. Fifteen minutes later, the first patrol arrived and was pinned down outside by gunfire. Another twenty minutes after that, they received the first call."
Bushnell flipped open his notebook, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"The caller called himself... Clown. The hostages are on the twenty-second floor."
"Clown... Haven't seen that guy in a long time."
Li Jie looked up, his gaze climbing the office building's facade floor by floor. Sunlight reflected off the glass curtain wall in a blinding white glare. He couldn't make out what was happening inside. But he knew Clown had to be behind one of those windows, smiling as he watched the scene below.
"What about the hostages?"
"At least twenty-five. Partners at the financial firm, senior analysts, private investment managers, client representatives from an insurance company... Basically, they're all tenants in this office building."
"Tch..." Li Jie frowned. "If there's nobody else, why don't we just head back and let those assholes die?"
"Huh?"
Bushnell's eyes went wide. "Sir, that... That wouldn't really be appropriate..."
"Hey, just a little joke." Li Jie waved him off, looking faintly disappointed. "Everyone hold position and stay alert!"
Better not send anyone else in and needlessly add to the casualties. It was only Clown. He'd killed him twice