Lin Aida, the Asian blind woman that "rescued" him during the Walmart mall incident.
Alex quickly remembered and answered the call while walking toward the elevator.
From the phone came Lin Aida's voice, ["Is this Mr. John?"]
Alex stepped into the elevator, pressed the floor button, and said with a smile, "It is."
Lin Aida let out a breath, ["That is great. You did not delete me."]
Alex found it strange, 'Why would I delete you?'
Then he heard Lin Aida say, ["Um, Mr. John."]
["Thank you for taking me out of the mall the other day. I heard that afterward, Homelander and a monster had a huge fight in the parking lot. It sounds really terrifying."]
Alex deliberately said, "Is Homelander that terrifying?"
["No,"] Lin Aida hurriedly said, ["I was just thinking that if you had not taken me away, I might have been caught up in the fight between Homelander and the monster."]
["I am just an ordinary person. If I got caught in that, I would definitely die horribly."]
["So when I think about it afterward, I still feel scared."]
Alex gave a soft "Mm," then heard the girl laugh lightly as she said, "That is exactly why I am very grateful to you. Could you give me a chance to treat you to a meal?"
"Today?", Alex asked casually, as he walked out of the elevator and arrived at the criminal analysis department.
Lin Aida said from the phone, ["Yes, tonight. There is a Chinese restaurant at the corner of my street. The food is really good. I thought you might be interested in trying Chinese food?"]
Alex said calmly, ["It sounds nice, but I am sorry, Miss Lin. I am a bit busy today."]
At the time, he had concealed his identity as Homelander. First, because it felt amusing, and second, because Lin Aida being Asian gave him a sense of familiarity.
That was why he had played a little game with her.
But that did not mean he would deliberately go see Lin Aida, especially when there were many things he needed to do, and could do, right now.
To Alex, Lin Aida was just a passerby. Not someone he disliked, but not someone he would deliberately get close to either.
Lin Aida sounded a little disappointed, ["Is that so? Then sorry for bothering you."]
"Goodbye."
———
"Goodbye."
After hearing that "goodbye" from the receiver, Lin Aida put down her phone. She let out a quiet sigh and mocked herself softly, "Caitlin, what are you thinking. Who would care about a blind woman like you."
She placed the phone on the table. On the table was a figurine.
It was a superhero wearing a mask, dressed in a red-and-blue battle suit, raising one hand and shooting out webs.
———
[Inside the Seven Tower]
Alex walked into the analysis department. Today was Sunday. Aside from the people on duty, everyone else was on vacation.
The analysis department was very quiet. Only one computer was lit up deep in the hall.
A girl was sitting there. She had a pretty face, wore glasses, and had her hair tied in a ponytail. She was wearing earphones and listening to music.
She had kicked off her shoes, revealing legs painted with nail polish, propped up on the desk.
She swayed her head with her eyes closed while tossing almond chocolates into her mouth.
Alex walked over to her. The girl did not notice at all. Alex smiled and gently took off her earphones.
"Jack, I told you, do not bother me when I am listening to music," The girl stood up angrily, but when she turned around, she saw Homelander in his blue battle suit.
Alex showed a polite smile and waved slightly, "Good afternoon, Anika."
"G-good afternoon, Homelander," Anika was a bit flustered. She noticed she was barefoot and hurried to put on her shoes. As a result, she accidentally lost her balance, and her head went straight toward the desk.
Seeing the corner of the desk growing larger and larger in her eyes, Anika screamed in fright, but the next second, she stopped.
Alex grabbed her clothes from behind like lifting a chick and gently set her back onto the chair.
"Thank you, thank you."
Anika smacked her forehead, then took out a piece of almond chocolate, "Do you want some? I think it is pretty good."
Alex glanced at it and smiled, "No, thank you."
"I remember that a few days ago, I asked your analysis department to investigate two people. They were serious criminals imprisoned on Lux Island Prison, the ones the robbers demanded to be released during the Walmart mall hostage incident."
"I want to know the progress of the investigation."
Anika said "Oh," immediately pulled her chair closer, and almost lay across the desk.
Then her ten fingers flew rapidly over the keyboard as she said, "We contacted police headquarters about those two people and obtained information on one of them."
"Luen Kate."
Very soon, a man appeared on the computer screen. Thick eyebrows, big eyes, a flat nose, and two small mustaches. On the left side of his neck were densely packed scripture tattoos. It was unclear which region he belonged to.
Anika continued, "Luen Kate has carried out multiple major incidents. The most serious one was four years ago, when he detonated a bomb and leveled a commercial hall, causing more than a thousand deaths."
"Because of this, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and is currently serving his sentence at Lux Island Prison."
"Investigate his past. If there is any news, come directly to me," Alex patted her shoulder.
Anika nodded.
Alex added, "Also, Nathan, A-Train's brother."
"Help me check where he got that suit of armor."
Anika looked up at Alex, "So now I am your personal investigator?"
Alex paused, found the girl quite interesting, and smiled, "That is a good suggestion. I will speak to the analysis department. From now on, you will be responsible to me alone."
"That is awesome," Anika then asked softly, "Then can my salary go up just a little?"
Alex nodded, "It can go up a bit. Starting today, your salary doubles. Is that okay?"
"That is more than okay!"
Anika's eyes burned with fire, "Leave these two things to me. By Monday, I will give you answers."
"Very good."
"Then it is settled."
Alex pressed her shoulder to encourage her.
———
A small town not far from the city.
[Sylvester Town]
At this afternoon hour, the town was lively, especially the small square.
A huge tent had already been set up here. There would be a circus performance at night. Right now, clowns with ridiculous makeup were everywhere, handing out balloons to the town's children.
Because there were so many clowns, when one clown wearing a yellow wig, a white-painted face, and a red nose, carrying a suitcase, walked through the town, people did not pay much attention.
This clown carried the suitcase to the top of a clock tower, the highest point in the entire town.
He pulled out a magician's handkerchief, but instead of using it to perform a trick, he tested the wind direction.
Watching the handkerchief drift toward the center of town, the clown nodded in satisfaction.
"Hey, what are you doing up there. Come down quickly," Below, the clock tower caretaker called out.
The clown gave a bow and showed a comical smile, "Sorry, sir."
"I am setting up fireworks for tonight's performance. I will come down right away."
The caretaker felt relieved, "Oh, fireworks. Be careful then."
He walked toward his small hut, "That is great. It has been a long time since I have seen a fireworks show."
"I hope tonight's fireworks are spectacular."
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