HCB #236 - Heart of Fire
#236 - Heart of Fire
Kate stepped forward and tentatively asked, "Did they leave any clues behind?"
Lynn said in a deep voice, "Only a few fragments, but enough for us to continue tracing their source of funding."
Kate handed over her phone: "I filmed the scene when they were destroying the documents, it might help you."
Lynn took the phone, his expression softening slightly: "Thank you, Kate. You've helped us this time. But next time—don't risk yourself again."
Kate smiled slightly: "I'll try 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 cost of uncovering the truth may be higher than you imagine."
Kate nodded, watching 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, with various materials piled up in front of him—crime scene photos, lab reports, suspect information, and video records provided by Kate. Although "Heart of Flame" had been successfully captured, the case was far from over. The map found in the warehouse and the partially burned documents kept haunting him.
A technician walked in and placed a new analysis report on the table: "Detective, according to our in-depth analysis of that map, we've discovered a worrying situation."
Lynn looked up, his eyes stern: "Speak."
The technician pointed to the city coordinates marked on the map: "These markings are not just in Manhattan. We compared the marked dates and locations and found that similar fires and destruction events have occurred in Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles over the past three months. This is not just a single case, but a cross-city series of destructive actions."
Lynn frowned, his tone low: "Explain these events in detail."
The technician opened a report: "In Chicago, there was a fire targeting an energy station, which disrupted the local power supply; the incident in Boston was a chemical plant explosion that released a large amount of toxic gas; and the fire in Los Angeles destroyed a government archive. Each case seems isolated, but similar energy residues were found at all sites—high temperatures and traces of sulfur, indicating that these destructions may be related to the abilities of mutants."
Lynn's eyes sharpened: "This means we are not facing individual actions, but an organized, planned series of destructive networks."
"That's right, Detective," the technician added. "And 'Heart of Flame' is likely just one of their executors. The planners behind this organization are still hidden in the dark."
Lynn gathered his team and started a discussion in the war room. The map clearly marked the cities and the times of the incidents.
"These are not random actions," Lynn said, pointing to the map. "The targets in each city are extremely precise: energy, chemical industry, government agencies—the selection of these locations shows a clear strategic intent. They are not creating chaos, but systematically weakening the core functions of the cities."
Carter looked through the information and raised a question: "What is their ultimate goal? What purpose can these destructions achieve?"
Lynn pondered for a while: "If we view 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 will they strike next?" another detective asked.
"That's exactly what we need to figure out," Lynn replied. "Tech team, continue to track the flow of funds from Cohen Industries and find their other branches. We need to know if these destructive actions are supported by Cohen Industries."
At the same time, Kate was not idle. Through her intelligence network, she delved into the clues behind "Heart of Flame". Through the guidance of an anonymous informant, she learned that the "Dawn" organization's operational strategy was to operate through a decentralized network, assigning different executors to complete tasks in different cities.
Kate dialed Lynn's number: "Lynn, I've discovered some new information about the 'Dawn' organization. Their destructive actions are carried out by multiple independent groups, and there is almost no direct contact between these groups. This way, even if one person is caught, the entire organization cannot be shaken."
Lynn said in a deep voice on the other end of the phone: "This is consistent with the information we have. Kate, if you find any specific clues, tell me immediately. Now every clue may determine whether we can prevent the next attack."
"Actually, I've already found a name," Kate replied. "Among the higher-ups of the 'Dawn' organization, there is someone code-named 'Silent Rose'. He is considered one of the key figures planning these series of destructive actions."
Lynn's eyes turned cold: "We haven't heard of this name before. Where did you get it?"
Kate smiled: "Reporters have their ways. However, you may need to act quickly. According to my information, he is likely to appear in New York in the next few days."
Lynn didn't ask any more questions, but said, "Send me the information, and I will arrange for people to investigate. Kate, be careful, these people will not show you any mercy."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful." After Kate hung up the phone, her face was full of determination.
A few hours later, the tech team sent a new piece of information. They discovered that a branch of Cohen Industries had recently transferred a large sum of money to a logistics company in New York, and this company was located in an abandoned industrial park in the Bronx.
"This may be their base for planning the next operation," Carter analyzed.
Lynn nodded: "Notify the task force, we'll move tonight. We must destroy the core of this organization before they act."
As night fell, Lynn led the task force to surround the logistics company's warehouse. Through thermal scans, they found that there were more than a dozen people active inside, as well as a large number of goods and equipment.
Lynn issued instructions through the headset: "Everyone in position, ready to raid at any time."
Inside the warehouse, several "Dawn" members were busy moving equipment that appeared to be explosives. They obviously did not realize the danger outside.
"Action." With Lynn's order, the task force quickly broke down the door, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.
"FBI! Freeze!" The agents shouted, quickly subduing several members who tried to resist.
However, just as Lynn was clearing the inside of the warehouse, a dark figure suddenly jumped down from a high place. He reacted quickly, raising his hand to block the opponent's attack. The opponent's movements were swift and fierce, obviously professionally trained.
"You are Detective Lynn." The man said with a sneer, "Have you heard of me? 'Silent Rose'."
Lynn's heart shook: "You are the mastermind?"
"Just a planner for one branch." Silent Rose sneered, then threw a small device towards 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 out of the warehouse. Lynn quickly chased out, but the opponent's movements were exceptionally agile and quickly disappeared into the night.
After the operation, Lynn looked at the seized equipment and documents, his brow furrowed.
"These devices are obviously used to create a wider range of destruction," Carter said. "But Silent Rose escaped. We can't get more information from him."
Lynn nodded, his tone low: "Their plan is not over yet. Silent Rose's appearance proves that we are getting closer to the core. But this also means that their next action may be more deadly."
"What do you think their ultimate goal is?" Carter asked.
Lynn looked at the map, his eyes burning: "Not just New York. This is a nationwide subversion operation. They want to plunge the entire society into panic. We must stop them."
As night fell, Kate dragged her tired body back to her apartment. When she pushed open the door, she felt a strange sensation. The room was eerily quiet, as if the air had solidified. She stopped cautiously, quickly took out her phone, and dialed Lynn's number.
The phone rang twice before being answered, and Lynn's deep voice came: "Kate?"
Kate lowered her voice and said carefully, "Lynn, I think someone has been in my apartment. Something is wrong."
Lynn on the other end of the phone was instantly alert: "Don't move, I'll be right there. Find a safe place to hide."
Kate nodded, muted her phone, and hid it in her pocket, gently retreating to the stairwell outside the door. Her heart was beating fast, and she could almost hear the sound of blood flowing in her ears. A few minutes later, hurried footsteps came from downstairs. Kate poked her head out and saw Lynn in plain clothes, but with a gun obviously on his waist, rushing upstairs.
"Here." Kate whispered.
Lynn looked up and saw her, strode forward, and pulled her behind him: "Stay here, don't move."
He drew his gun and pushed open the door to Kate's apartment, moving quickly and carefully. The apartment was a mess, obviously someone had rummaged through Kate's documents and personal belongings. Lynn scanned around and noticed that the window was slightly open, and there was a faint line of footprints on the floor.
He pointed to the window, signaling to Kate: "They may not have gone 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 up the iron ladder outside the building. Kate stood there, her heart full of worry and complex emotions.
The night wind outside the building was biting, and Lynn's eyes searched in the darkness. Suddenly, he saw a dark figure flash across the rooftop. Lynn quickly chased after him, agilely climbing up the iron ladder, pointing his gun at the dark figure: "Stop!"
The dark figure heard his voice and jumped, trying to leap to another building, but Lynn's movements were faster. He fired a shot, accurately hitting the other person's leg. The dark figure fell on the roof, emitting a painful groan.
Lynn strode forward, pressed the other person down, and handcuffed him with his hands behind his back. The other person was a small man, wearing a mask on his face. His eyes were full of anger and fear, but he didn't say a word.
"Who sent you? Dawn?" Lynn asked coldly.
The man gritted his teeth, refusing to answer. Lynn pressed him hard on the ground: "You better cooperate, otherwise I have plenty of ways to make you talk."
The man remained silent, but from his eyes, Lynn had already confirmed his guess. He sneered, dragged the man downstairs, threw him into the car parked downstairs, and notified the support team.
When he returned to Kate's apartment, Kate was standing at the door, her face pale. Seeing Lynn return, she strode forward and grabbed his arm: "Did you catch him?"
"Caught him, but he won't talk." Lynn looked at her, his eyes showing a hint of worry, "Are you okay?"
Kate nodded, but her eyes were clearly filled with lingering fear: "Fortunately, you arrived in time."
Lynn took her hand, brought her back to the apartment, 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, his tone serious: "Kate, this is no longer an ordinary threat. The people from Dawn are targeting you, they know what you're investigating."
Kate bit her lip, her tone filled with unwillingness: "So what? I can't give up just because I'm afraid."
Lynn's eyes became more complex, and he said softly: "I know your courage, but this time they won't show mercy. I don't want to see anything happen to you."
Kate heard the concern in his words, looked up at Lynn, and her tone softened a little: "Lynn, I'll be careful. But you also know, I can't stop."
Lynn 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 personally?" Kate smiled slightly, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
Lynn looked at her, a helpless smile appearing on his face: "You know this will make me even busier, but okay, I promise you."
The two stood in the chaotic room, and the surrounding atmosphere of danger seemed to be diluted by the warmth of this moment. Kate said softly: "Thank you, Lynn. Not just today, but every time you appear in time."
Lynn shook his head: "Protecting you is not just my duty."
Kate was stunned, a soft light flashed in her eyes, but she didn't speak again, just nodded.
Lynn stepped into the mutant community of Manhattan's East Side, one of New York City's most secluded corners, known to the outside world as the "Gray Zone." Narrow streets were lined with dilapidated buildings, walls covered with patchy graffiti, much of it related to the mutant struggle. Some scenes symbolized freedom and power, but more were filled with anger and despair. The air here was filled with a suffocating silence, as if everyone was wary of outsiders.
Lynn discreetly walked through the streets, his eyes scanning his surroundings. He knew this was where "Heart of Flame" may have once appeared, but it was also a place filled with hostility towards the police and the outside world. With every step, he could feel the cold stares of the residents. Several mutants stood smoking at the entrance of an alley, they glared at Lynn with unkind eyes, whispered a few words, and turned to leave.
Lynn walked into a bar, under the dim lights, several people were sitting around a small table in the corner, talking in low voices. He walked to the bar and said softly to the bartender: "I'll take a beer, and some information about 'Heart of Flame'."
The bartender looked up at him, a sneer on his lips: "You've come to the wrong place, outsider. No one here will talk to you about 'Heart of Flame'."