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.

system, with

control

center.

said, his voice tight. "Get me

Successfully unlocked!

approached holding a tablet. "Sir, we

text, emails between Preston and someone identified only as "H.P." discussing the bombings. Messages sent from Preston to

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Chapter 139

said, scrolling through the

the man's arrogance. "He thought he

large sums

room, surveying the collected evidence. "I've

cut."

Morgan said grimly.

murderer." He

a tech had just bagged. "Look at his calculations for casualties if he hits the main control center

as she read the

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

his associates?" Chen asked. "Anyone

social media. But from what

guy with resources, technical knowledge, and

old grudge."

worst kind of enemy,"

the window, looking out at the city, at the millions of people who would be affected if the main control center

next move.

not just

bombings anymore," Morgan said quietly.

***

Morgan stood before a wall covered

timelines. At the center was a picture of Herod

seemed to

analysis came in," Chen said, entering with a stack

of bankruptcy

off

money?" Morgan asked, not looking away

Chen said. "We can't find it. He emptied several offshore

Morgan mused. "Getting his finances

holding a report. "Sir, ballistics confirmed

available only

connections all over the world," Chen noted. "He could

falling into place. "What about his personal life? Any relationships

know about?"

there's nothing to suggest she knows anything about the bombings. She was at The Plaza Hotel during both attacks, confirmed by multiple

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

preliminary results on the notebook

he answered, putting the

the handwriting in the notebook belongs

Fingerprints match too. And we found traces of the same explosive compounds used

analyzed the map with the control center circled. Based on

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