Chapter 22 — Fire Behind the Line

Pham Van Khoa, after two days of detention and interrogation, finally agreed to fully cooperate with the investigation agency, after being clearly informed of the possibility of being prosecuted for crimes related to the death of a fire officer, a sentence much more serious than what he could have imagined when he agreed to commit arson.

"I'm just the executor." He spoke during the official testimony, his voice filled with resignation. "I get paid, I work, I don't ask much about why. But I never thought someone would die because of what I do, especially a fire officer."

Trong Khiem, present during the interrogation as the main investigator, asked straight to the core issue. "Can you confirm that Mr. Vo Ba Tho was the person who directly contacted and directed you in both the Vinh Thinh warehouse fire eight years ago and the recent series of fires?"

"That's right." Khoa nodded, without any hesitation. "He communicated through a private phone number, always using a junk SIM card, changing periodically. But I recognized his voice, because we had worked together for many years. He was the one who arranged for me to access the scene without being detected, provided information about patrol schedules, fire alarm systems, and sometimes even helped delay the time investigators arrived at the scene after each incident."

That testimony, combined with the detailed notebook and call data recovered from the previously seized phone, created an almost irrefutable evidence file. Trong Khiem immediately presented the entire file to the provincial police, requesting an urgent arrest warrant for Vo Ba Tho before he had a chance to escape or destroy more evidence.

But something went wrong.

That afternoon, when Trong Khiem and a team of provincial police arrived at the headquarters of the City Fire Department to execute the arrest warrant, they discovered that Vo Ba Tho's office was empty. His assistant said he left the office early in the morning, saying he had a family emergency and it was unclear when he would return.

"He knew." Trong Khiem spoke on the phone to Thien Ly as soon as he discovered the incident, his voice was full of anger and worry. "Someone warned him in advance."

Thien Ly felt a chill run down her spine. "Who do you think leaked the information?"

"I don't know for sure, but the number of people who know about this arrest warrant is very limited." Trong Khiem said, his voice tense. "That means the insider is very close, possibly right in the senior investigation team, or in the provincial police office itself."

The search for Vo Ba Tho was launched immediately, with the coordination of many police units in the area. But he seemed to have disappeared without a trace, just like Pham Van Khoa did before, only this time, with his position and relationship as a Fire Police Department Chief, the possibility that he had the resources and connections to escape was much greater.

Cao Van Thien, upon hearing the news, immediately went to the fire station, his face pale. "I just heard from a former colleague that Mr. Tho's office was cleared of some important documents last night, before the arrest warrant was officially issued. Someone must have informed him very early."

"So that means the insider acted as soon as he learned about Pham Van Khoa's notebook." Trong Khiem said, his face full of suppressed anger. "That narrows the scope of questioning a lot, because only a handful of people knew about the notebook's existence in the first place."

"I will help you guys review the list of people who know this information." Mr. Thien said, his voice was determined even though he was still shaking with fear. "You cannot let a traitor continue to lurk within our own ranks."

Thien Ly looked at Uncle Thien, feeling a clear change in him compared to the scared man she had met just a few weeks ago. Perhaps, the decision to stand up and testify freed him from the psychological burden that had weighed him down for eight years, giving him new strength to face the dangers ahead.

At night, when Thien Ly and Trong Khiem were in an emergency meeting with Captain Dinh and some investigation officers at the fire station to discuss the next plan, an unexpected call came to Trong Khiem's phone.

"Unusual number." He said, looking at the screen for a moment before deciding to pick up the phone and turn on the speaker so everyone could hear. "Hello?"

A familiar voice rang out from the other end of the line, Vo Ba Tho's voice, but with a different tone from the usual calm, polite look - now full of tension and something almost desperate.

"Mr. Khiem, I know you're looking for me." He said, his voice trembling. "I want to talk, just between you and me. I have important information, but I need to ensure my own safety first."

"Where are you?" Trong Khiem asked, his voice remaining calm even though his eyes were full of caution.

"I'll tell you later, when I'm sure I can trust you." Mr. Tho replied, his voice filled with real fear. "Mr. Khiem, I'm not the mastermind. I'm just a link that was caught up in the chain for a long time, and I have no way out anymore. But I can give you evidence to catch the real person in charge of all this, if you guarantee I will be lenient."

Thien Ly, standing silently listening to the conversation, felt a strong anger welling up in her heart. This is the man who directly contributed to concealing the truth about her father's death for eight years, and is now trying to negotiate his way out of crime.

"You want to negotiate after killing my father and causing so much suffering to an entire neighborhood?" She couldn't help but speak up even though she knew Trong Khiem was trying to keep the conversation under control.

There was a long silence from the other end of the line. Then Mr. Tho's voice rang out, smaller, full of unconcealed torment. "Thien Ly... I'm sorry. I've apologized thousands of times in my head over the past eight years, even though I've never had the courage to say it. Your father didn't deserve to die like that. I was wrong, I know I was wrong."

"Then prove it by turning yourself in, and providing all the evidence you have." Trong Khiem spoke, his voice firm but not harsh, trying to take advantage of this rare moment of fluctuation. "That's the only way you can atone for part of your mistakes, Mr. Tho."

There was another silence, longer, before Mr. Tho spoke, his voice shaking but seeming to have made a decision. "Okay. I'll meet you, just you and Thien Ly, no one else. I'll text the location later. But Mr. Khiem, be careful. If Tang Huu Phat knows I plan to betray him, he won't let me survive to testify."

The call ended abruptly, leaving the room in a heavy silence. Captain Dinh was the first to speak, his voice filled with worry. "This could be a trap. You shouldn't go alone."

"I know, Uncle Dinh." Trong Khiem nodded, his face full of careful consideration. "We will report this entire situation to the provincial police, request a secret support force to be arranged around the meeting area, but still make sure not to reveal ourselves, so that Mr. Tho will not panic and run away again."

Thien Ly looked at Trong Khiem, clearly sensing the danger that lay ahead, but at the same time an opportunity that may never be repeated - the last chance to get direct testimony from the person who participated in hiding the truth, and maybe, even a clue to capture the real mastermind behind it all.

"We'll go." She said, her voice hard and filled with determination. "This could be the last chance to bring closure to all of this."

Team leader Dinh looked at both of them for a long time, then sighed and nodded in approval even though his face was still full of worry. "Okay, but I will personally contact the provincial police commander, ensuring there is a force on duty near the meeting area, ready to respond within a few minutes if an emergency occurs. You two must bring navigation devices and communicate continuously."

"I understand, Uncle Dinh." Thien Ly nodded, feeling the warmth of the care of the captain who had treated her like a daughter for many years.

Trong Khiem began drafting detailed plans, marking up contingency plans, and assigning support forces to discreet locations around any location Mr. Tho might choose as a meeting place. The entire meeting room was immersed in a tense but determined atmosphere, as everyone prepared for the turning point that could determine the entire fate of this eight-year investigation.