American comic book: I, with my abundant martial virtue, love to do good to others.

Chapter 236 Heart of Flame

Kate stepped forward and tentatively asked, "Were any clues left behind?"

Lynn said in a deep voice, "There are only a few fragments, but it's enough for us to continue tracing the source of their funds."

Kate handed over her phone: "I took pictures of them destroying the documents; maybe it will help you."

Lynn took the phone, her gaze softening slightly. "Thank you, Kate. You helped us this time. But next time—don't risk yourselves again."

Kate smiled slightly: "I'll try my best to be careful. But you know I won't stop."

Lynn looked at her, remained silent for a moment, and said softly, "You're more stubborn than I thought. But I hope you always remember that the price of revealing the truth may be higher than you imagine."

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

Lynn sat down at the long table in his office, surrounded by piles of documents—crime scene photos, lab reports, suspect information, and video recordings provided by Kate. Despite successfully capturing "Heart of Flame,"

But the case was far from over. The map found in the warehouse and the partially burned documents kept haunting him.

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

3

Lynn raised his head, his gaze cold and stern: "Speak."

The technician pointed to several city coordinates marked on the map: "These markings aren't just in Manhattan. We compared the marked dates and locations and found that similar fires and acts of vandalism have occurred in Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles over the past three months. This isn't just an isolated incident, but a chain of vandalism across cities."

Lynn frowned and said in a low voice, "Tell me the details of these events."

The technician opened a report: "A fire at an energy station in Chicago disrupted the local power supply; the Boston incident was a chemical plant explosion that released large amounts of toxic gases; and a fire in Los Angeles destroyed a government archive. Each case seems isolated, but similar traces of energy—high temperatures and sulfur—were found at all the sites, suggesting that these acts of destruction may be related to mutant abilities."

Lynn's gaze sharpened: "This means we're not facing an individual act, but an organized, planned network of sabotage."

“That’s right, Inspector,” the technician added. “And ‘Heart of Flame’ is likely just one of their executors. The mastermind behind this organization remains hidden in the shadows.”

Lynn gathered his team in the operations room for a discussion. The map clearly marked the cities and the times when the cases occurred.

“This isn’t a random operation,” Lynn said, pointing to the map. “The targets for each city are extremely precise: energy, chemicals, government agencies—the choice of these locations reveals a clear strategic intent. They’re not creating chaos, but systematically undermining the city’s core functions.”

Carter reviewed the documents and asked, "What is their ultimate goal? What purpose does this sabotage serve?"

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

"So, where will they go next?" another agent asked.

"That's exactly what we need to figure out," Lynn replied. "Technical team, continue tracking Cohen Industries' financial flows and identify their other branches. We need to know if these acts of sabotage are being supported by Cohen Industries."

Meanwhile, Kate wasn't idle either. She used her intelligence network to delve deeper into the clues behind "Heart of Flame." Guided by an anonymous informant, she learned that the "Dawn" organization's operational strategy involved a decentralized network, assigning different executors to different cities to complete missions.

Kate dialed Lynn's number: "Lynn, I've found some new intelligence about the 'Dawn' organization. Their sabotage operations are carried out by multiple independent teams with almost no direct contact between them. This way, even if they capture one person, they can't shake the entire organization."

Lynn said in a deep voice on the other end of the phone, "This matches our intelligence. Kate, if you find any specific clues, tell me immediately. Every clue now could determine whether we can stop the next attack."

"Actually, I've already found a name," Kate replied. "There's a high-ranking member of the 'Dawn' organization codenamed 'Silent Rose.' He's considered one of the key figures behind these series of sabotage operations."

Lynn's gaze turned cold: "We've never heard of this name before. Where did you get it from?"

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

Lynn didn't ask any further questions, only saying, "Send me the message, and I'll arrange for people to investigate. Kate, be careful; these people won't show you any mercy."

"Don't worry, I'll be careful." Kate said with determination after hanging up the phone.

A few hours later, the technical team provided new intelligence. They discovered that a large sum of money had recently flowed from a branch of Cohen Industries to a logistics company in New York, located in an abandoned industrial park in the Bronx.

"This could be their base for planning their next operation," Carter analyzed.

Lynn nodded: "Notify the task force to move tonight. We must destroy the core of this organization before they act."

As night fell, Lynn led his task force to surround the logistics company's warehouse. Through thermal scanning, they discovered more than a dozen people active inside, along with a large quantity of goods and equipment.

Lynn gave the order through the headset: "Everyone, take your positions and be ready to launch a surprise attack."

Inside the warehouse, several members of "Dawn" were busy moving equipment that appeared to be explosives. They were clearly unaware of the danger outside.

"Move out!" Lynn gave the order, and the task force quickly broke down the door, plunging the scene into chaos.

"FBI! Don't move!" the agents shouted, quickly subduing several members who attempted to resist.

However, just as Lynn was cleaning the warehouse, a dark figure suddenly leaped down from above. He reacted quickly,

He raised his hand to block the opponent's attack. The opponent's movements were swift and sharp, clearly indicating professional training.

"So you're Inspector Lynn," the man said with a sneer. "Have you heard of me? 'The Silent Rose'."

Lynn was startled: "You're the mastermind behind this?"

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

Lynn reacted quickly, lunging at the device and kicking it away, but Silent Rose had already taken the opportunity to escape outside the warehouse.

Lynn gave chase, but the other person was unusually agile and quickly disappeared into the night.

After the operation, Lynn looked at the seized equipment and documents, his brow furrowed.

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

Lynn nodded, his voice low: "Their plan isn't over yet. The appearance of the Silent Rose proves we're getting closer to the core. But it also means 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 gleaming: "This isn't just about New York. It's a nationwide subversion."

They want to plunge society into panic. We must stop them.

As night fell, Kate dragged her tired body back to her apartment. When she opened the door, she sensed something was amiss.

The room was eerily quiet, as if the air itself had frozen. She stopped abruptly, quickly pulling out her phone to dial Lynn's number.

The phone was answered after two rings, and Lynn's deep voice came through: "Kate?"

Kate lowered her voice and said cautiously, "Lynn, I think someone has been in my apartment. Something's not right."

Lynn on the other end of the phone immediately became alert: "Don't move, I'm coming right now. Find a safe place to hide."

Kate nodded, silenced her phone, and slipped it into her pocket before quietly retreating to the stairwell outside. Her heart was pounding; she could almost hear her blood rushing to her ears. A few minutes later, hurried footsteps echoed downstairs. Kate peeked out and saw Lynn, dressed in civilian clothes but clearly carrying a gun at his waist, rushing upstairs.

"Here," Kate whispered.

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

He drew his gun and pushed open the door to Kate's apartment, his movements swift and careful. The apartment was a mess; someone had clearly rummaged through Kate's files and personal belongings. Lynn glanced around and noticed a window slightly ajar, with a faint line of footprints on the floor.

He pointed to the window, indicating to Kate, "They might not be far. Stay here, I'll go after them."

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

Lynn nodded, quickly jumped out of the window, and chased after Kate up the iron ladder outside the building. Kate stood still.

My heart was filled with worry and mixed emotions.

The night wind outside was biting, and Lynn's eyes searched the darkness. Suddenly, he saw a dark figure flash across the rooftop. Lynn quickly gave chase, nimbly climbing the iron ladder and pointing his gun at the figure: "Stop!"

Hearing his voice, the shadowy figure leaped towards another building, but Lynn was faster. He fired a shot, striking the man precisely in the leg. The figure crashed to the rooftop with a painful groan.

Lynn quickly stepped forward, pinned the man down, and restrained him with his hands behind his back. The man was a thin man wearing a mask. His eyes were filled with anger and fear, but he remained silent.

"Who sent you? Dawn?" Lynn asked coldly.

The man gritted his teeth, refusing to answer. Lynn slammed him to the ground: "You'd better cooperate, or I have plenty of ways to make you talk."

The man remained silent, but Lynn confirmed his suspicions from his eyes. He sneered, dragged the man downstairs, threw him into the car parked below, and notified the support team.

When Lynn returned to his apartment, Kate was standing in the doorway, pale-faced. Seeing Lynn return, she rushed forward and grabbed his arm: "Did you catch him?"

"We caught him, but he won't talk." Lynn looked at her, a hint of worry in his eyes. "Are you alright?"

Kate nodded, but her eyes were clearly filled with lingering fear: "Thank goodness you arrived in time."

Lynn took her hand and led her back to the apartment. He checked around to make sure there was no other danger before letting out a sigh of relief. Standing in the middle of the messy room, he said seriously, "Kate, this is no longer an ordinary threat. Dawn is watching you; they know what you're investigating."

Kate bit her lip, her tone tinged with resentment: "So what? I can't give up just because I'm scared."

Lynn's expression became more complicated. He said in a low voice, "I know your courage, but this time they won't show any mercy. I don't want to see anything happen to you."

Kate sensed the concern in his voice, looked up at Lynn, and softened her tone: "Lynn, I'll be careful. But you know, I can't stop."

Lynn was silent for a moment, then finally sighed: "Alright, but from now on, I'll have people protecting 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.

Lynn 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 surrounding danger seemingly diluted by the warmth of the moment.

Kate said softly, "Thank you, Lynn. Not just today, but every single time you've shown up just in time."

Lynn shook his head: "Protecting you isn't just my duty."

Kate paused for a moment, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes, but she didn't say anything more, only nodded.

Lynn stepped into the mutant neighborhood on Manhattan's East Side, one of New York City's most secluded corners, known to outsiders as the "Grey Zone." Narrow streets were lined with dilapidated buildings, their walls covered in faded graffiti, much of it related to the themes of mutant resistance. Some images symbolized freedom and power, but most conveyed anger and despair. A suffocating silence hung in the air, as if everyone was wary of outsiders.

Lynn discreetly crossed the street, his gaze sweeping over his surroundings. He knew this was a place where "Heart of Flame" might have once been, but it was also a place filled with hostility towards the police and the outside world. With each step, he could feel the cold stares of the residents. Several mutants stood at the alley entrance smoking, staring at Lynn with hostile eyes, exchanging a few words in hushed tones before turning and leaving.

Lynn walked into a bar. In the dim light, a few people were sitting around a small table in the corner, talking quietly. He walked to the bartender and whispered, "I'd like a beer and some information about 'Heart of Flame'."

The bartender glanced up at him, a cold smile playing on his lips. "You've come to the wrong place. You're an outsider. Nobody's here to talk to you about 'Heart of Flame.'"