Chapter 276

Chapter 276:

Agent Chen pulled out a recorder.

“Mr. Preston, would you be willing to make an official statement? You have the right to have an attorney present.”

“No attorney,” Herod said. “I want to talk now. Before…” He didn’t finish the thought. Before Rose could silence him permanently. Before he lost his courage.

Agent Morgan turned on the recorder, stating the date, time, and those present. Then he nodded to Herod.

“Tell us what happened, from the beginning.”

Herod took another sip of water, organizing his thoughts. The beginning. Where was the beginning? Was it with his family’s downfall at Victoria Kane’s hands? His first meeting with Rose? Or the moment he realized she was using him?

“I met Rose Lewis six months ago,” he started. “She knew about my hatred for Victoria Kane. She used that. Encouraged it. Made me believe we were partners with the same goal—revenge against the Kanes.”

“And were you?” Agent Chen asked. “Partners?”

Herod gave a small, bitter laugh that quickly turned into a wince of pain. “No. I was a tool. A convenient scapegoat with resources she needed.”

“Resources for what?” Morgan pressed.

“Money. Connections. A name that gave her access to places she couldn’t go on her own.” Herod’s voice grew stronger as he spoke, as if the words themselves were giving him energy. “Rose planned everything. The attacks, the Phoenix Grid, the sabotage attempts, the bombings.”

Chen leaned forward. “Are you saying Rose Lewis planted the bombs herself?”

“Yes.” Herod met her eyes. “She had training. I never asked where she learned it. She planted both devices. Made sure my fingerprints were on the components. My DNA at the scenes. All while establishing alibis for herself.”

“And you?” Morgan asked. “Where were you during the bombings?”

Herod looked down at his bandaged chest. “I knew about them. I provided money. Equipment. I helped her plan the damage to maximize impact while minimizing casualties.”

“But you didn’t plant the bombs yourself?”

“No.” The admission brought no relief, no absolution. “But I didn’t stop her either. That makes me guilty too.”

Agent Chen made notes on a small pad. “Mr. Preston, do you have any proof of what you’re telling us? Any evidence that Rose Lewis was directly involved in the bombings?”

Herod had been waiting for this question. “The recorder,” he said. “The one I mentioned when I called you. Did you find it?”

The agents exchanged glances. “No recorder was found at the scene,” Morgan said carefully.

Herod closed his eyes, thinking. The recorder had been in his jacket pocket when Rose shot him. If the FBI didn’t have it, where was it?

“Check the jacket I was wearing,” he said. “Inside pocket. Or maybe it fell out when I was shot.”

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