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

Lynn stared at the email, his mind racing.

"I told you to do it"—what does that mean? What did Matthew make Alexander do?
"What if things are exposed one day"—what are they hiding?
Suddenly, a terrible thought flashed through Lynn's mind.

What if the real killer wasn't Matthew Green, but Alexander Green?
Matthew has motives and resentment, but he doesn't have mutant abilities. As for Alexander, they haven't yet confirmed whether he's a mutant.

What if Alexander was a mutant with the ability to pass through solid objects? What if Matthew wanted those people dead out of jealousy and resentment, and Alexander, out of love for his brother, helped him fulfill that wish?
This explains why the two brothers disappeared at the same time—Alexander was carrying out the killings, while Matthew Matthew may have committed suicide out of guilt.

"I told you to do it"—Matthew admitted in the email that he ordered Alexander to commit the murder.

“All the sins are mine”—he was trying to exonerate Alexander.

"You won't find me"—the note left at the crime scene was left by Alexander, not Matthew.

Lynn turned to Kevin, his expression serious. “We’ve made a mistake. Matthew Green isn’t the killer—he was just the mastermind. The real killer is his brother, Alexander Green.”

“Alexander?” Kevin said in surprise, “But…”

“Think about it,” Lynn said. “Matthew had the motive, but not the ability. Alexander might have had the ability, and he loved his brother deeply and would do anything for him. Matthew wanted those people dead, and Alexander helped him achieve that.”

"But why would Alexander help his brother kill someone?"

“Because of love,” Lynn said, “or because of some kind of twisted protectiveness. Some people will do anything to protect those they love, including murder.”

He took out his phone and dialed Detective Webber's number. "Webber, I need you to check Alexander Green's medical records immediately to see if he's had an X-ray. Also, list him as the prime suspect and issue a nationwide arrest warrant."

"Are you sure?" Weber's voice came through the receiver.

“I’m sure,” Lynn said, “Matthew Green committed suicide, but he’s not the killer who used his mutant abilities. The real killer is his brother, Alexander. We must find him before he kills again.”

Lynn drove along the quiet streets, the scenery outside the window gradually changing from the residential areas near the university to the commercial buildings of the city center. After the snow, Trenton looked as if it were covered with a layer of white icing, and the light from the streetlights reflected a soft halo on the snow.

His phone rang; it was Inspector Webber.

“Detective Ashford,” Weber’s voice came through the receiver, “we’ve got Alexander Green’s medical records.”

"What was the result?"

“Positive,” Weber said, a hint of tension in his voice. “He had an X-ray taken five years ago, and the result was positive. He is a mutant.”

Lynn's guess was confirmed. "Was his ability recorded?"

“Yes,” Weber said. “According to the records, his ability is classified as ‘matter phase shift’—the ability to temporarily alter the density of matter, making solids permeable. This explains how those victims were embedded in solid matter.”

"When did he awaken this ability?"

"About seven years ago, when he was nineteen, records show that he received short-term ability control training at a mutant support center, but did not continue afterward."

Lynn pondered this information. Alexander Green, twenty-six years old, a mutant with the ability to phase-shift matter. He killed at least three people to protect his brother and was currently on the run.

“Is there anywhere he might be hiding?” he asked.

“We are investigating,” Weber said. “His apartment has been searched, but no clues were found. There was a large withdrawal of $5,000 in cash from his bank account three days ago. There have been no transactions since then.”

“He’s preparing to flee,” Lynn said. “Five thousand dollars in cash should be enough for him to hide for a while.”

“There’s one more thing,” Weber added, “When we were investigating his social relationships, we discovered he had an ex-girlfriend named Samantha White. They broke up two years ago, but according to social media records, they seem to still be in contact.”

Where does she live?

"45 Oak Street, in the Maplewood neighborhood outside Trenton. I've sent someone to her house, but she's not home. The neighbors say she went out yesterday and hasn't returned."

Lynn frowned. "Do you think Alexander might be with her?"

“Possibly,” Weber said. “If he needs a hiding place, finding someone he trusts is a reasonable option.”

“Continue tracking Samantha White,” Lynn said. “Check her cell phone signal, bank transactions, any clues that might reveal her location. Meanwhile, send Alexander Green’s photo and information to all patrol cars and border checkpoints; don’t let him escape New Jersey.”

"clear."

Lynn hung up the phone and turned to Kevin, who was sitting in the passenger seat. “We need to find Samantha White. If Alexander is really with her, she might be the key to finding him.”

“Why would she help a murderer?” Kevin asked. “Even if they were ex-lovers, shouldn’t she know that harboring a fugitive is a crime?”

“Perhaps she doesn’t know what Alexander did,” Lynn said. “Perhaps Alexander lied to her, told her a different story. Or perhaps… she truly loves him and is willing to take the risks for him.”

"Just like Alexander risked his life for his brother?"

“That’s right,” Lynn said. “Love can make people do a lot of crazy things.”

They drove back to the Trenton Police Department; it was almost dawn. The eastern horizon was beginning to lighten, slowly drawing back the curtain of night. Early risers and vehicles began to appear on the streets; the city was awakening from its slumber.

The atmosphere at the police station was tense and hectic. Detective Inspector Webber mobilized all available personnel, setting up a makeshift command center. Whiteboards were plastered with photos of Alexander Green, maps, and various clues; phones rang incessantly, and officers came in and out, constantly bringing new information. "We've tracked Samantha White's cell phone signal," a young officer reported, "The signal appeared two hours ago in a small town north of Trenton—near the border with Princeton. Then the signal disappeared; it may have been switched off or the phone destroyed."

“At the border of Princeton,” Lynn looked at the map on the wall, “what’s there?”

“It’s mostly farmland and a few scattered houses,” Weber said. “Sparsely populated, perfect for hiding.”

"Is there a more specific location?"

“We’re narrowing down the search area,” the officer said. “Based on cell tower data, the last known location of the phone should be near an area called ‘Willow Creek Farm.’”

“Willow Creek Farm,” Lynn repeated, “check the ownership records for that place and see who owns it.”

A few minutes later, the answer came out.

“The owner of Willow Creek Farm was a man named Richard White,” the officer said. “According to records, he was Samantha White’s father. The farm was abandoned five years ago and has been unattended since Richard White’s death.”

“Samantha’s family farm,” Lynn said, “is an abandoned, remote place, perfect for hiding people.”

He turned to Webber. “I need a tactical team, at least six men. Also, be prepared with equipment to deal with mutants—stun guns, special handcuffs, anything that can restrict his abilities.”

“I’ll arrange it right away,” Weber nodded, “but I must warn you, Alexander Green’s ability is dangerous. He can pass through solid objects, meaning ordinary walls and obstacles are useless against him. How can we trap him?”

Lynn thought for a moment. “His ability is matter phase shifting—making solids permeable. But this ability must have limitations. According to records, he's only received short-term training, meaning he might not be able to maintain a phase-shifted state for long. If we can continuously apply pressure and tire him out, his ability might fail.”

“There’s another possibility,” Kevin interjected, “Perhaps his ability only works on his own body, and not on other objects. This means that if we can restrict his movement in some way, like by electrocuting him, he won’t be able to use his ability to escape.”

“Good idea,” Lynn said. “Prepare enough stun guns. Also, equip everyone with communications equipment to stay in touch. I don’t want to lose anyone in the operation.”

Half an hour later, a team of eight assembled in front of the police station. Besides Lynn and Kevin, there was Inspector Webber and five specially trained officers. Each wore a bulletproof vest and carried weapons and communication equipment.

“Listen up,” Lynn said, standing at the front of the group. “Our target is Alexander Green, a mutant with the ability to phase-shift matter. He has already killed at least three people and is likely to continue killing. Our mission is to capture him alive, but lethal force may be used if he poses a threat to anyone’s life.”

"Does his ability have any weaknesses?" an officer asked.

“We’re not sure,” Lynn admitted, “but based on speculation, his ability might have a duration limit, and it might not be usable while he’s been electrocuted or unconscious. Therefore, prioritize using electric shock weapons and try to prevent him from using his ability to escape.”

“There’s one more thing,” he added, “There might be another civilian on the farm—Samantha White. She could be a hostage, or she could be volunteering to help Alexander. In any case, try not to harm her.”

"clear."

They set off in three cars, heading north along the highway. It was fully light, but the sun was obscured by thick clouds, giving the sky a somber gray hue. The scenery along the road changed from the city to the suburbs, then to open farmland and sparse woods.

"Do you think Alexander will surrender?" Kevin asked, sitting next to Lynn and looking out the window.

“Unlikely,” Lynn said. “He’s already killed three people; he knows what awaits him. Besides, according to Matthew’s suicide note and diary, Alexander had a deep affection for his brother. Now that Matthew is dead, Alexander might blame those who ‘drove’ Matthew to his death—including us.”

"You mean he might retaliate?"

“Possibly,” Lynn said. “A man who has lost everything is the most dangerous. He has nothing left to lose, which makes him even more insane and unpredictable.”

Kevin was silent for a moment, then said, "Agent Lynn, may I ask you a question?"

"Ask away."

"You've done this job for so many years, chasing down so many dangerous criminals. Aren't you afraid?"

Lynn thought for a moment, then said, "Fear is normal. Anyone who says they aren't afraid in the face of danger is either lying or a fool. The key isn't to eliminate fear, but to learn to remain calm and rational in the face of fear."

"How did you do that?"

“Training, experience, and…faith,” Lynn said. “Believe that what you’re doing is right, believe that your comrades will support you, believe that justice will ultimately prevail over evil. These beliefs won’t make fear disappear, but they will give you the courage to face it.”

Kevin nodded, seemingly lost in thought.

They left the highway and drove onto a narrow country road. On either side of the road were bare fields and the occasional farmhouse, everything covered in snow, making the whole world seem silent and desolate.

“Willow Creek Farm is just ahead,” Weber’s voice came through the walkie-talkie. “We’ll park a kilometer away and approach on foot.”

The convoy stopped beside an abandoned barn. Lynn got out of the car, feeling the cold wind sting his face. The air smelled of earth and withered grass, and the distant woods rustled in the wind.

“Split into three groups,” he whispered. “The first group approaches the farmhouse from the front, the second group goes around to the back, and the third group guards the surrounding exits. Maintain radio silence and wait for my orders.”

The group split up and moved stealthily along the snow-covered fields. Lynn, leading Kevin and two officers, formed the first group and moved toward the front of the farmhouse.

The main building of Willow Creek Farm is a two-story wooden structure with peeling paint on the exterior walls, revealing gray wooden planks underneath. The roof is covered with a thick layer of snow, and no smoke is coming from the chimney. Next to it is a collapsed barn and several rusty agricultural machines; the whole place exudes an air of long-abandoned desolation.

But Lynn noticed some unusual signs.

There were footprints in the snow in front of the door—fresh footprints, not yet blown away by the wind. There were traces of light on the window, though the light was now off, the frost patterns on the glass indicated that there had once been a heat source inside. (End of Chapter)