American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

Chapter 236 Heart of Flame
Kate stepped forward and asked tentatively, "Are there any clues left behind?"

Lin En said solemnly, "There are only a few fragments, but they are enough for us to continue tracing the source of their funds."

Kate handed over her phone: "I took a picture of them destroying the documents. Maybe it can help you."

Lynn took the phone, her eyes softening slightly. "Thank you, Kate. You helped us this time. But next time—don't take any risks on your own."

Kate smiled slightly. "I'll try to pay attention. But you know I won't stop."

Lin En looked at her, was silent for a moment, and whispered, "You are more stubborn than I thought. But I hope you will always remember that the price of revealing the truth may be higher than you think."

Kate nodded and watched Lynn leave, knowing clearly that she had stepped into an abyss from which there was no turning back.

Lynn sat down at the long desk in his office, piled high with documents—crime scene photos, lab reports, suspect profiles, and the video footage Kate had provided. Despite successfully apprehending Flameheart, the case was far from over. The map and partially burned documents he had found in the warehouse lingered in his mind.

The technician walked in and placed a new analysis report on the table. "Inspector, based on our in-depth analysis of the map, we have discovered a worrying situation."

Lin En raised his head, his eyes stern: "Speak."

The technician pointed to several city coordinates marked on the map. "These markers aren't just in Manhattan. We compared the marked dates and locations and found that similar fires and vandalism have occurred in Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles in the past three months. This isn't just a single case, but a cross-city chain of destruction."

Lin En frowned and said in a low voice, "Tell me about these events in detail."

The technician flipped open a report: "In Chicago, a fire targeted an energy station, disrupting the local power supply. In Boston, a chemical plant exploded, releasing large amounts of toxic gas. And in Los Angeles, a fire destroyed a government archive. Each case appears isolated, but similar energy residues were found at all the scenes—high temperatures and traces of sulfur. These traces suggest that these destructions may be related to the abilities of mutants."

Lin En's eyes sharpened. "This means we're not dealing with individual actions, but an organized, planned network of serial sabotage."

"That's right, Inspector," the technician added, "and 'Flame Heart' is most likely just one of their executors. The mastermind behind this organization is still hidden in the dark."

Lynn gathered his team and held a discussion in the war room, with the cities and the dates of the incidents clearly marked on the map.

"This isn't a random action," Lynn said, pointing to the map. "The targets in each city are extremely precise: energy, chemical, government agencies—the selection of these locations shows a clear strategic intent. They're not creating chaos, but methodically weakening the core functions of the city."

Carter flipped through the documents and asked, "What is their ultimate goal? What purpose does this destruction serve?"

Lynn pondered for a moment. "If we look at these actions as a whole, their purpose may be to create nationwide panic, undermine public trust in the government, and expand their influence through this fear. The Dawn organization is clearly more than just a radical mutant group; they are challenging the entire social order."

"So, where's their next step?" another agent asked.

"That's exactly what we need to find out," Lynn replied. "Technical team, continue tracking the flow of funds from Cohen Industries and identify their other branches. We need to know if these sabotage operations are supported by Cohen Industries."

Meanwhile, Kate was also busy. Using her intelligence network, she dug deeper into the details behind Heart of Fire. Through an anonymous informant, she learned that the Dawn organization's strategy was to operate through a decentralized network, assigning different executors to complete missions in different cities.

Kate called Lynn and said, "Lynn, I've discovered some new intelligence about the Dawn organization. Their sabotage operations are carried out by multiple independent groups with little direct connection between them. This means that even if one person is captured, the entire organization cannot be shaken."

Lynn said solemnly on the other end of the phone, "This is consistent with the intelligence we have. Kate, if you find any specific clues, let me know immediately. Every clue right now may determine whether we can prevent the next attack."

"Actually, I've already found a name," Kate replied. "Among the top brass of the Dawn organization, there's someone codenamed 'Silent Rose.' He's believed to be one of the core figures behind these serial sabotage operations."

Lin En's eyes turned cold. "We haven't heard of this name before. Where did you get it from?"

Kate smiled. "Reporters have their own ways. But you might need to act quickly. According to my information, he's likely to show up in New York in the next few days."

Lin En didn't ask any more questions, but just said: "Send me the news, and I will arrange for people to track it down. Kate, you have to be careful, these people will not show mercy to you."

"Don't worry, I'll pay attention." Kate's face was full of determination after she hung up the phone.

A few hours later, the technical team received new intelligence. They discovered that a branch of Cohen Industries had recently transferred a large amount of funds to a logistics company in New York, which was located in an abandoned industrial park in the Bronx.

"This may be the base where they plan their next operation," Carter analyzed.

Lin En nodded: "Notify the task force to take action tonight. We must destroy the core of this organization before they take action."

As night fell, Lin En led the task force to surround the logistics company's warehouse. Through thermal scanning, they found more than a dozen people moving around inside, as well as a large amount of goods and equipment.

Lin En gave orders through the headset: "Everyone, get in position and be ready for a surprise attack at any time."

Inside the warehouse, several members of the "Dawn" group were busy moving some equipment that looked like explosives, apparently unaware of the danger outside.

"Action." Lynn gave the order, and the task force quickly broke in, and the scene fell into chaos in an instant.

"FBI! Don't move!" the agents shouted and quickly subdued several members who tried to resist.

However, just as Lin En was cleaning the warehouse, a dark figure suddenly leaped down from above. He reacted quickly, raising his hand to block the opponent's attack. The opponent's movements were swift and sharp, clearly the result of professional training.

"You are Inspector Lynn." The man sneered, "Have you heard of me? 'Silent Rose'."

Lin En was shocked: "Are you the mastermind behind this?"

"Just a branch planner." Silent Rose sneered and threw a small device into the center of the warehouse.

Lynn reacted quickly, leaping at the device and kicking it away, but Silent Rose had already taken the opportunity to escape outside the warehouse. Lynn quickly gave chase, but the other party's movements were incredibly agile, and they quickly disappeared into the night. After the operation, Lynn looked at the confiscated equipment and documents, his brow furrowed.

"These devices were obviously intended to cause more widespread damage," Carter said. "But Silent Rose escaped. We can't get any more information from him."

Lin En nodded, his voice low, "Their plan isn't over yet. The appearance of the Silent Rose proves that we're getting closer to the core. But it also means that their next move could be even more deadly."

"What do you think their ultimate goal is?" Carter asked.

Lynn looked at the map, his eyes burning. "It's not just New York. This is a nationwide subversive operation. They want to plunge the entire society into panic. We must stop them."

As night fell, Kate dragged her exhausted body back to her apartment. As she pushed open the door, she felt something strange. The room was eerily quiet, as if the air had frozen. Cautiously, she stopped, quickly pulled out her phone, and dialed Lynn's number.

The phone rang twice before being picked up, and Lynn's deep voice came: "Kate?"

Kate lowered her voice and said carefully, "Lynn, I think someone has been in my apartment. Something's wrong."

Lin En on the other end of the phone was instantly alert: "Don't move, I'll be there soon. Find a safe place to hide."

Kate nodded, muted her phone, tucked it into her pocket, and quietly retreated to the stairwell outside. Her heart was pounding, and she could almost hear the sound of blood rushing in her ears. A few minutes later, hurried footsteps could be heard downstairs. Kate poked her head out and saw Lynn, dressed in casual clothes but clearly carrying a gun at his waist, rushing up the stairs.

"Here," Kate whispered.

Lin En looked up and saw her, then quickly stepped forward and pulled her behind him: "Stay here and don't move."

He drew his gun and pushed open Kate's apartment door, moving quickly and carefully. The apartment was in a mess, and it was obvious that someone had been rummaging through Kate's documents and personal belongings. Lynn glanced around and noticed that the window was slightly open and there was a line of faint footprints on the floor.

He pointed to the window and signaled Kate: "They may not have gone far. Stay here, I'll go after them."

Kate took his arm and whispered, "Be careful."

Lynn nodded, quickly jumped out of the window, and followed the iron ladder outside the building. Kate stood there, her heart filled with worry and complicated emotions.

The night wind outside the building was biting, and Lin En's eyes searched in the darkness. Suddenly, he saw a dark figure flash across the roof. Lin En quickly caught up, nimbly climbed up the iron ladder, and pointed his gun at the dark figure: "Stop!"

The shadow heard his voice and leaped to another building, but Lin was faster. He fired a shot, hitting the opponent's leg accurately. The shadow fell to the roof and groaned in pain.

Lin En quickly stepped forward, pinned the man down, and handcuffed him. The man was a thin man with a mask on his face. His eyes were filled with anger and fear, but he said nothing.

"Who sent you? Shuguang?" Lin En asked coldly.

The man gritted his teeth and refused to answer. Lin En pushed him to the ground and said, "You'd better cooperate, or I have plenty of ways to make you speak."

The man remained silent, but from the look in his eyes, Lin En had confirmed his suspicions. He sneered, dragged the man downstairs, threw him into the car parked downstairs, and notified the support team.

When I returned to Kate's apartment, she was standing at the door, her face pale. Seeing Lin En coming back, she quickly stepped forward and grabbed his arm: "Did you catch him?"

"I caught him, but he won't talk." Lin En looked at her with a hint of worry in his eyes. "Are you okay?"

Kate nodded, but her eyes were clearly filled with fear: "Fortunately, thanks to you for arriving in time."

Lin En took her hand and led her back to the apartment. He checked around to make sure there were no other dangers before he breathed a sigh of relief. He stood in the middle of the messy room and said sternly, "Kate, this is no longer an ordinary threat. The Dawn people have their eyes on you. They know what you are pursuing."

Kate bit her lip, her tone full of reluctance: "So what? I can't give up just because I'm scared."

Lin En's expression became more complicated, and he whispered, "I know your courage, but they won't show mercy this time. I don't want to see anything happen to you."

Kate heard the concern in his words, looked up at Lin, and softened her tone: "Lin, I will be careful. But you also know that I can't stop."

Lin En was silent for a moment, and finally sighed: "Okay, but from now on, I will arrange for someone to protect you. You can no longer act alone."

"Wouldn't it be better if you protected me yourself?" Kate smiled slightly, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

Lin En looked at her, a helpless smile on his face: “You know this will make me busier, but okay, I promise you.”

The two stood in the chaotic room, the dangerous atmosphere around them seemed to be diluted by the warmth of this moment. Kate whispered, "Thank you, Lynn. Not just today, but every time you show up in time."

Lin En shook her head: "Protecting you is not just my duty."

Kate was stunned for a moment, a hint of tenderness flashed in her eyes, but she didn't say anything else, just nodded.

Lynn entered the mutant community of Manhattan's East Side, one of New York City's most secluded corners, known as the "Gray Zone." Narrow streets were crammed with dilapidated buildings, their walls covered in smeared graffiti, much of it depicting the struggles of mutants. Some images symbolized freedom and power, but more often anger and despair. A suffocating silence hung in the air, as if everyone was wary of outsiders.

Lin En walked quietly through the streets, scanning his surroundings. He knew this was where the "Heart of Fire" might have appeared, but it was also a place hostile to the police and the outside world. With every step, he could feel the cold stares of the residents. A few mutants stood at the alley entrance, smoking. They stared at Lin En with unfriendly eyes, exchanged a few words in low voices, and then turned and left.

Lin En walked into a bar. Under the dim light, several people were sitting at a small table in the corner, talking in low voices. He walked to the bar and whispered to the bartender, "I want a beer and some information about 'Heart of Fire'."

The bartender looked up at him with a sneer on his face. "You've come to the wrong place, outsider. No one here wants to talk to you about 'Heart of Fire'."

(End of this chapter)