Chapter 8 — After My Brother Passed Away, I Received a Mysterious Text Message

"Okay."

"Chu Tinh."

"You're very good."

He didn't call. He bent down and picked up the evidence bag containing the blackened piece of plastic.

"The computer can be left here for now."

"But from now on, this apartment will be officially sealed off."

"And you, Chu Tinh."

"An important person involved in the case."

"Before the investigation is over, you are not allowed to leave the city."

"We will keep you safe twenty-four hours a day."

When he said the word "protection", he deliberately emphasized it very strongly. I understood immediately. That's not protection. It's surveillance. It's a threat. He looked at me deeply. Those eyes were like looking at a dead person. Then turned around and left. Never looked back. The sound of the door slamming was heard. As heavy as a death knell. In the apartment, there were only me and comrade Ly left with complicated faces. He looked at me. Take a deep breath.

"Girl..."

"You're really in big trouble this time."

Comrade Ly did not leave immediately. He stood next to the window. Wait until Truong Vien's car completely disappeared into the night before turning around. His expression was extremely serious. There is no longer any politeness or indifference like before.

"The phone call just now..."

"What's the matter?"

He looked at me and asked. I shook my head. The corners of my eyes still have streaks of undried tears.

"Comrade Ly."

"My mind is very confused right now."

"I don't know who to trust anymore."

"I just know my brother is dead."

"A suspicious death."

"Some say he was murdered."

"Some people say the police in charge of the case and the perpetrator are on the same side."

I'm not lying. I'm really scared. But what scares me more... Is that the truth about my brother will be buried forever. Comrade Ly remained silent. He worked as a police officer for so many years. Surely we have witnessed many dark corners. But a situation as dramatic and dangerous as tonight... Probably doesn't happen too much. Truong Vien's reaction was too unusual. The mysterious phone call appeared at just the right time. A girl who seemed weak and helpless. Unusually calm again. It's all intertwined. Forming a complex and dangerous web.

"This place is no longer livable."

He suddenly spoke up.

"Truong Vien said he would 'protect' you."

"His people will soon arrange surveillance under the building."

"Your every move will be watched."

I nodded.

"So where can I go?"

"Hotel?"

"Impossible."

Comrade Ly immediately refused.

"As long as you use your ID to register the room, they will find you immediately."

"Right now you are like a small boat in a rough sea."

"Just one wave can drown you."

He took out his phone. Send a few messages to someone. A few minutes later. He raised his head to look at me.

"I'll take you somewhere."

"It's safe for now."

I didn't ask where that was. In the current situation. I can only choose to trust him to a certain extent. He is the only person from the beginning until now who has not shown any malice towards me. Also the only person inside the system where I haven't seen the problem yet. I followed him downstairs. The brother's apartment was sealed. We got into the police car. The car slowly merged into the traffic on the road. Watching the neon lights recede outside the window. I feel like I'm stuck in a nightmare. A never-ending nightmare just woke up. Comrade Ly was silent for a long time. Finally opened his mouth.

"The name mentioned in the phone call just now..."

"So Minh..."

"Is that the Deputy General Director of the company where your brother works?"

I asked softly:

"So Minh is the Deputy General Director of my brother's company, right?"

Comrade Ly's hand on the steering wheel suddenly tightened. He looked at me through the rearview mirror.

"What else do you know?"

"In the letter my brother left, I mentioned it."

I answered half true and half false.

"He said if something happened to him, it must have something to do with this person."

Comrade Ly did not ask where that letter was. Maybe he understands. Even if I ask, I won't say.

"Deputy general director of Tinh Vong Science and Technology."

He spoke slowly. It seems to confirm my guess.

"This person has a very deep background."

"Tangled relationships."

"In this city, it's almost like the type of person can influence a lot of things."

"As for Truong Vien..."

He paused for a moment.

"He's one of the best investigators on the criminal team."

"Created many big cases."

"Also a very famous person in the industry."

"I really didn't expect there to be a connection between them."

There was disappointment in his voice. With a bit of confusion. It was as if the longstanding trust in the system was starting to show cracks.

"Comrade Ly."

I looked at his face sideways.

"Do you believe me?"

He was silent for a long time. There was only the sound of light breathing in the car.

"I've been a police officer for twenty years."

He finally opened his mouth. The voice was a bit hoarse.

"I look at people not only by evidence."

"But also look at the eyes."

"Your eyes tell me you're not lying."

"But Tieu Chu..."

"This world is not so simple that you can see everything clearly just by looking."

"What you just touched..."

"It's such a big hole."