SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 139

Chapter 139

Special Agent Diana Chen ducked under the yellow tape surrounding what remained of Substation 12. The smell of burnt metal and melted plastic filled her nose. Five days after the explosion, the site still smol Chen pointed to a corner where three techs huddled around something. "They found pieces of the detonator. Military grade, just like at Substation 8."

"So we're looking at the same person for both bombings, Morgan said, scribbling in his

notebook.

"It gets better." Chen led him toward a table where collected evidence sat in clear plastic bags. She picked up one containing a twisted piece of metal. "Look at this."

Morgan squinted at the bag. "Is that a business card?"

“What's left of one." Chen nodded. “Fire damaged it, but our lab confirmed part of a name. 'TON.' And look at the comer,that s a corporate logo."

Morgan took the bag, studying it closely. "Preston Enterprises."

"As in Herod

Preston," Chen said, her voice rising with excitement. "The FBI database has his fingerprints from when he applied for an international business license. They found a match on pieces of wire from both explosion sites." Morgan

let out a low whistle. "So we've got him at both scenes. We've got his business card. Motive?"

"That's where it gets interesting." Chen pulled out her tablet, bringing up a file. "Preston's family had a shipping empire that collapsed about ten years ago after some kind of conflict with Victoria Kane. His father "Revenge against Kane Industries," Morgan mused.

"But why now? Why wait ten years?"

"The Phoenix Grid is Victoria Kane's biggest project in a decade," Chen said. "Maximum damage to her legacy."

"We need everything on this guy," Morgan said, his eyes hardening. "Get a warrant for his apartment and office. I want to know what else he's planning."

Three hours later, the FBI tactical team broke down the door of Herod Preston's penthouse apartment. Morgan and Chen followed them in, weapons drawn.

"Clear!" called the team leader after checking each room. "No one's home."

Morgan holstered his weapon, looking around the luxurious space. Floor-to-

ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city. Expensive furniture, original artwork on the walls, a bar

stocked with top-shelf liquor.

"He lives well," Chen remarked, pulling on latex gloves.

"Lived well," Morgan corrected. "After this, his life is over."

The evidence response team moved

through the apartment, dusting for fingerprints, photographing everything, searching for evidence.

"Agent Morgan!" called one of the techs from the bedroom. "You need to see this."

Morgan and Chen hurried into the master bedroom. On the bed lay architectural blueprints of the Phoenix Grid substations. Red marks highlighted vulnerable points, the exact locations where the bombs had be "Holy mother of...." Chen whispered. "It's like he wasn't even trying to hide it."

Morgan flipped through the notebook. Page after page of detailed

plans, all in the same handwriting. "Check these for prints," he ordered a nearby tech.

Grid system, with one location circled multiple times

control

center.

"Get me everything on the security measures

Successfully unlocked!

"Sir, we in this in the

between Preston and someone identified only as "H.P." discussing the bombings. Messages sent from Preston to himself, documenting his plans, his hatred for Victoria Kane, his determination to destroy everything

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Chapter 139

scrolling through the entries. "He documented

his head, amazed at the man's

Preston had withdrawn large sums of cash in the weeks before each

in the living room, surveying the collected evidence. "I've never seen a

cut."

bomber," Morgan said grimly. "He's

mass murderer."

notebook a tech had just bagged. "Look at his

sick as she read the numbers. "He's

ordered. "All airports, train stations, bus terminals. I want Preston's face everywhere. Consider

his associates?" Chen asked. "Anyone who might be helping

this. "Check his phone records, emails, social media. But

guy with resources, technical knowledge, and

old grudge."

of enemy," Chen

up the evidence, Morgan stood at the window, looking out at the city, at the millions of

next move.

just trying to

bombings anymore," Morgan said quietly. "We're trying to prevent

***

FBI headquarters, Morgan stood

was a picture of

eyes that seemed to challenge anyone looking

Chen said, entering with a stack

the verge of bankruptcy three months ago. His company

suddenly, he pays off all

money?" Morgan asked, not looking

said. "We can't find it. He emptied several offshore accounts, but we don't know

Morgan mused. "Getting his finances

entered, holding a report. "Sir, ballistics confirmed the explosives

military grade, available only

"He could have brought

about

know about?"

checking her notes. But there's nothing to suggest she knows anything about the

said, dismissing it. "Focus on Preston. I want to know where he is, who he's contacted, what he's planning

results on the

he answered, putting the call on

all the handwriting in the

And we found traces of the same explosive compounds used in the bombings on several pages." "Anything

the map with the control

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