Chapter 13 — Before Retirement, I Was Demoted to Work as a Laborer

"But the driver..."

"Gone."

"In the back seat..."

Police quickly sealed off the scene. The smoke at the West gate had not yet cleared... Then I received news that there were blood stains at the entrance to the old factory area. Tham Trieu An's face became even more serious. He looked at me.

"Tan Ngoc Tran."

"You can't go."

I slowly took off my dirty gloves.

"That person specifically named me in the message."

"If I don't come..."

"He won't appear."

Co Nam immediately objected.

"The police may arrange an ambush."

"There's no need for you to take risks."

I looked at the message on the phone screen. If you want to get the real list back, leave Tan Ngoc Tran alone and go to the factory's old warehouse. I shook my head slightly.

"He wasn't aiming at me."

"What he really wants..."

"It's making everyone believe that..."

"From beginning to end, that list was related to me."

Trinh Hoai Nhan, who was being held tightly to one side by two security guards, suddenly burst out laughing.

"Director Qin."

"How many years has it been..."

"She still likes to see herself as the center of everything."

I walked step by step in front of him.

"You're impatient."

The smile on Trinh Hoai Nhan's lips immediately stiffened. I continued calmly.

"Driver missing."

"There was blood in the car."

"And yet the first thing he thought of..."

"I'm being sarcastic again."

"That proves..."

"You know Mr. Khau is not dead yet."

Several police officers immediately turned to look at Trinh Hoai Nhan. His expression darkened.

"I don't understand what you're talking about."

Tham Trieu An turned to the police commander.

"I will coordinate the entire investigation process."

The policeman nodded. Then quickly divided the force into two groups. A group stays at the corporation to seal all evidence. The remaining group... Immediately went to the old factory area. I also got into the car. Tham Trieu An resolutely sat in another car. Even though he was old... He still insisted on going. Co Nam advised to no avail. In the end, the only way was to go along. Ha Mieu stood at the door of the hall. Red eyes.

"Aunt Tan..."

"You must be careful."

I smiled and nodded slightly. When the convoy left the corporation headquarters... It was past two in the morning. Vien Thai's old factory is located in the west of the city. The entrance is sparsely lit. The walls surrounding the factory were peeling off piece by piece. Looking through the car window... I felt like I saw the night shift lights of thirty-two years ago again. The factory was so poor that even the heater in the guard room had no coal to burn. The first time Tham Trieu An borrowed money... Everyone sat around an old wooden table to sign their names. It is at this place... The Special Guarantee List for companions from the start-up period was born. The convoy stopped at the turn leading to the old factory area. Trinh Hoai Nhan's black sedan is still parked under the tree. The car door opened wide. On the back seat... There was a patch of dark red blood. The police immediately checked inside the car. Mr. Khau was not seen. On the ground... There are very clear dragging marks. That trail went straight to the side gate of the old factory. Co Nam lowered his voice.

"The lock on the side gate has been picked."

I looked at the old lock hanging on the gate.

"Incorrect."

A policeman turned to ask.

"What's wrong?"

"This lock was never picked from the beginning."

"The lock core has no new scratches."

"Nor does the iron ring not deformed."

"That means..."

"Someone used a key to open the door."

"Then intentionally damaged the lock to create a fake scene."

Co Nam suddenly remembered something.

"Spare key..."

"Once borrowed by the Civic Center."

La Thien was led behind by the police. Hearing that... Her face was as white as a sheet of paper. She hastily explained.

"It was Trinh Hoai Nhan who told me to borrow it."

"I've never been here before."

I looked at her.

"After borrowing the key..."

"Who signed the return?"

La Thien paused.

"...It's me."

I asked again.

"So did you see the key returned with your own eyes?"

La Thien opened her mouth. Cannot answer. The police officer immediately recorded this statement. People continued to enter the old factory area. Inside the factory there was a strong smell of mold and rust. The flashlight shines across the wall. A slogan appears that has faded over the years. Maintain credibility. Maintain people's hearts. Tham Trieu An stopped in front of that line. His eyes wavered slightly. Still keep walking. The old warehouse is located deepest in the factory area. The door was only slightly closed. On the ground... There are very fresh footprints. Mixed in were drops of blood extending inside. The policeman signaled.

"Everyone step back."

The warehouse door was slowly pushed open. The inside was extremely chaotic. Two rows of old iron shelves were knocked over. The iron box placed close to the wall was also opened. The trunk lid is tilted to one side. Co Nam's voice became tense.

"Copy..."

"Gone."

Tham Trieu An tightened his grip on his walking stick. The blue veins on the back of his hand stood out clearly. I squatted down next to the iron box. The bottom of the box was covered with a thin layer of dust. Amidst that layer of dust... There was a very small mark. It was as if there had always been something listed at the bottom. I ran my hand along the bottom edge of the box. In one corner... There's a piece of steel that's a little loose.