Mothers and fathers strolled down the block with their youngest children in hand, the entire family dressed in their finest clothes. White-haired men and women sat in chairs on the sidewalk, watching the parade of their neighbors and handing out red envelopes to young members of their families. Gangs of older children ran and dodged around groups of adults, pretending to be lion dancers or tossing firecrackers to scare away evil spirits. Few people paid heed to the patrol car slowly driving down the street or the police captain brooding in the backseat. Back in his foot patrol days, Gabe would have known exactly when Chinatown celebrated the New Year, but he’d been gone too long. Now the crowds were a forcible reminder, one that made him briefly consider postponing his visit to Mr. Sung for another day. He dismissed the idea again almost immediately. This couldn’t wait. “Bradford, park somewhere along here.” He tugged his hat down tight. “I’ll walk the last block or two.”
