Chapter 14 - The Fire at the Estate
At 3:00 AM, sirens blared across upstate New York as flames consumed the remote country estate where Clara had been held.
Four fire engines pumped high-pressure water onto the roaring blaze, but the wooden structure collapsed within minutes.
Detective Miller stood near the perimeter tape, watching federal arson investigators sift through the hot ash.
Arthur arrived in his black limousine, stepping out onto the muddy driveway accompanied by two armed bodyguards.
"Was anyone inside, Detective?" Arthur demanded, his burgundy coat collar turned up against the cold rain.
"We found two bodies in the basement level, Mr. Montgomery," Miller reported gravely, holding a flashlight.
"They were security guards hired by the Sterling family... executed with professional gunshot wounds before the fire was set," Miller added.
Arthur's face grew dark as he realized someone was systematically erasing every physical trace of the syndicate's operations.
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"They aren't just hiding evidence, Miller," Arthur realized aloud. "They're clearing the field for a war."
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