SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

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,

control

center.

Morgan said, his voice tight. "Get me everything on the security measures at the

Successfully unlocked!

a tablet. "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

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Chapter 139

Chen said, scrolling through the entries.

amazed at the man's arrogance. "He thought he was

Preston had withdrawn large sums

stood in the living room,

cut."

Morgan said grimly. "He's

mass murderer." He

just bagged. "Look at his calculations for casualties if he hits

as she read the numbers. "He's

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

associates?" Chen asked.

"Check his phone records, emails, social media. But from what we're seeing, this looks

rich guy with resources, technical knowledge,

old grudge."

kind of enemy," Chen

city, at the millions of people

next move.

not just trying to

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

***

Morgan stood before a

At the center was a picture of Herod Preston, tall,

to challenge anyone looking

Chen said, entering

bankruptcy three months ago. His company

he pays off

of the money?" Morgan asked,

several offshore accounts, but we

was preparing," Morgan mused. "Getting his finances in

a report. "Sir, ballistics

only through black

shipping connections all over the world," Chen noted. "He could have brought them in through any

nodded, pieces falling into place. "What about his personal life? Any

know about?"

Kane," Chen said, checking her notes. But there's nothing to suggest she knows anything about the bombings. She was at The Plaza Hotel during both attacks, confirmed by multiple witnesses

a coincidence, then," Morgan said, dismissing it. "Focus on Preston. I want to know where he is,

phone rang, the lab with preliminary results on the

putting

confirmed all the handwriting in the notebook

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

map with the control center circled. Based on the pen impressions,