Chapter 16 — Don't Open The Door At 2 A.M

“He used this computer as a springboard.” Officer Tran lowered his voice to ask his technical colleague. “Can you trace back?” The other end of the line answered very quickly. “While tracing, the other party changes very quickly, it takes time.” In the screen, a black glove stuffed the file into a black bag. Then he went out to the living room. He didn't go through the main door. He raised his head and looked above the mysterious gate. The image suddenly came closer. That hand reaches towards the lens. The next second, the screen went black. My heart also went blank for a beat. Officer Tran pressed the headset. "The situation on the eighth floor." On the intercom came the sound of urgent footsteps. "The door lock is intact, there are traces of activity in the house, we are preparing to go in." I suddenly looked at Manager Luong. "Do you still have the key to my house?" Manager Luong immediately waved his hand. "No, no, the spare key entrusted by the homeowner is not left with the management." Police Officer Cao asked: "So how did they get in?" Manager Luong opened his mouth but couldn't say anything. Suddenly a shout came over the intercom. "The balcony window is open, connected to the air conditioner next door." My whole body stiffened. The apartment I live in is on the eighth floor. Outside the balcony there is only a narrow platform, below is an empty space. Who will come in from there? Officer Tran turned around and went out. "Go to the eighth floor." I followed him out. In the early morning light in the pale gray hallway, behind the management office came the sound of a security guard shouting. As soon as I reached the door of the unit, my phone vibrated. A strange number sent a photo. In the photo, my mother is standing downstairs at a relative's house, carrying a bag, looking back. There was only one sentence below. "There was no one next to her." 18 That photo was like a blunt knife, pressing directly on my chest. Apparently my mother had gone to a relative's house. But downstairs in the photo, the street lights are still on, the ground is wet. Shooting distance is very close. Close enough to see the frayed thread on her bag handle. I gave the phone to Officer Tran. "He's at my mother's place." Officer Tran just took a look and immediately called. "Contact the local police station, immediately go to this address to protect the family." I forced myself to stand still. "I want to call my mother." Officer Tran nodded. "Turn on speakerphone, don't let her run around." The phone rang for a long time. Each sound is like tapping on bones. Finally, my mother answered the phone. "Ninh Ninh?" Her voice was very light, as if afraid of waking someone. I heard my voice tremble. "Mom, where are you now?" "At my aunt's door." My heart sank. "Why are you at the door?" "Downstairs someone rang the bell, saying the manager came to check the gas. My aunt told me not to open the door, I just want to go down and take a look." I almost screamed. "Don't go down, go home immediately." My mother was scared by me. "What's wrong?" Officer Tran continued. "Miss, now you immediately." Go upstairs, enter the house, lock the door, no one knocks. The local police will soon come." On the other end of the line came the sound of urgent footsteps. I heard the sensor lights in the hallway light up one by one. My mother gasped. "Ninh Ninh, is that person still nearby?" I bit my lip. "Don't turn around." But on the phone, my mother still cried softly. "There's a man wearing a hat looking at you downstairs." My fingers were so cold that I could barely hold the phone. Officer Tran's voice was as steady as a nail. "Miss, go upstairs, don't stop." A few seconds later, the sound of a door closing was heard on the other end of the line. The lock latch falls down. My mother cried and said, "I'm in the house." I closed my eyes, tears almost falling. Officer Tran told her to give the phone to my aunt, and told her again and again not to open the door. After hanging up the phone, he looked at me. "Your mother's side has arrived." I nodded, my lips still trembling. Police Officer Cao led people to rush to the eighth floor. I followed Officer Tran into the elevator. When the elevator goes

up, the mirror reflected my face. White as paper. Police Officer Tran said: "The other party is now touching you and your mother at the same time, trying to force you into chaos." I asked: "What does he want?" "Documents, hard drives, or make you withdraw your cooperation." "But the things are already with you guys." "So he's even more impatient." The elevator door opened. The eighth floor hallway has two policemen standing. My door is open, the door lock has not been tampered with. The living room was very ransacked. The drawers were all pulled out, the pillows fell on the floor, and the white ceramic plate broke in half. I stood at the door, suddenly feeling that this was not my home. Like a peeled shell. Officer Cao came out of the bedroom. "You're running." Officer Tran asked: "Which way?" "Balcony." I went to the living room and saw the balcony door open. The morning wind poured in from outside, blowing the curtains high. There is a black fiber on the balcony railing. There is half a footprint of mud on the air conditioner heater. Police Officer Cao said: "Climb from the empty house next door." When manager Luong was brought up, his face was as gray as ash. Police Officer Tran asked: "Why is the house next door empty?" "The owner has gone abroad, still entrusted us to look after the house." "Where is the key?" Manager Luong closed his eyes. "In the management board's key cabinet." "Who can take it?"