Chapter Two: The Terminal Station

The morning news named the unknown rescuer from Pier Seven “Spider-Shade.” In shaky footage, his silhouette stretched across the burning warehouse like a spider racing along a wall. Tang Guo shoved her phone toward Lu Chen. “Didn't you complain about your shoulder last night? Why is this guy wearing your jacket?” “Mass-produced.” He kept retouching photographs while touching the smooth new skin beneath his shirt. At ten, Detective Lin Wan entered the studio. She placed a crime-scene photograph on his desk. “The caller knew the location, the number of suspects, and the exact time. That call came from you.” “I was passing by.” “There are no buses near Pier Seven, and the closest homes are four kilometers away.” Her gaze did not waver.