Chapter 8 — Husband's Death Certificate

The sound of reporters clicking their cameras rang out continuously. Trieu Minh Vien walked up to the stage and took out a certificate. "Through the research process, the team decided to invite comrade Hua Niem to take on the role of storyteller about the story of martyr Tham Nghien." Applause rang out again. A firefighter sitting next to me whispered: "My sister-in-law is still sitting down there, this isn't very nice." Another person pulled him back. “Speak less.” Co Thua An glanced at me. I didn't move. Hua Niem received the certificate and turned to face the stage. "I know, some people misunderstand me, even slander me. But I believe that a tree is not afraid of death. Captain Tham in the sky is sacred, and will protect those who truly love him." When she said this, she looked towards me. The lens followed her eyes and swept forward. On the big screen my face appeared. Many people in the hall turned their heads to look. Tham Dao immediately stood up. "Lam Thinh, have you heard? The person my brother really trusts is Niem Niem, not you!" Tham's mother also cried: "You give us back the death certificate! Don't exchange my son's life for money!" Trieu Minh Vien frowned on stage, but did not stop him. Hua Niem held the microphone, her voice trembling. "Sister-in-law, I never wanted to compete with you about anything. Captain Tham is no longer there, why can't you let go of your hatred?" I stood up. Co Thua An whispered: "Lam Thinh, don't get excited." I looked at him. “Team Leader Co, do I need permission to speak now?” He did not stop. I walked onto the stage. Hua Niem took a step back. “Sister-in-law, what do you want to do?” I took the spare microphone from the host. “Ask you a few questions.” Trieu Minh Vien immediately said: "Lam Thinh, come down." “Deputy Captain Trieu, you just said the truth that needs to be recorded.” I looked up at the big screen. “I also want to record a little truth.” Hua Niem held the certificate tightly. “What do you want to ask?” "The day there was a fire at the Western chemical factory, Tham Nghien told you to follow him closely. Where did you follow him?" “Outside the scene.” “Where is outside?” Hua Niem bit her lips. “I was so scared at that time, I don't remember clearly.” I looked at the screen. "You recorded the last silhouette of Tham Nghien. Where is the original file of the video?" “It's been handed over to the squad.” Trieu Minh Vien said: "The documents are uniformly preserved by the propaganda department." “Then show the original file.” Trieu Minh Vien's face darkened. “In the press conference process there is no such part.” I asked: "Don't dare show it?" Below, people started talking. Tears fell from Hua Niem's eyes. “Sister-in-law, do you really have to humiliate me in front of so many people?” I said: "Just now you hung me up on the big screen in front of so many people, isn't that considered an insult?" She couldn't say a word. Co Thua An stood up from his chair. “Deputy Captain Trieu, is involved in the accident investigation, showing the original file is necessary.” Trieu Minh Vien glared at him. “Team leader Co, you are responsible for the order at the scene.” “I take responsibility.” Technical staff were called to the stage. He had sweat on his forehead and plugged the hard drive in. Hua Niem suddenly said: "The original file was incomplete. At that time the device was damaged due to high temperature, only the cut version remained." I laughed. “Is that a coincidence?” She held the microphone tightly. “In a sea of fire, anything can happen.” Technical staff opens the folder. Inside there is only a video that has been edited and cut. Co Thua An asked: "Where is the original file?" The technician looked at Trieu Minh Vien. Trieu Minh Vien said: "It's broken." I walked up to the computer and clicked to open the file properties. "Initial time, three days after the fire. Modified time, 11:47 last night." Under the stage there was silence. I looked at Hua Niem. "You said this is the last silhouette of Tham Nghien. But this video was just edited last night." Hua Niem's face was pale and bloodless. Trieu Minh Vien immediately said: "Editing and cutting is a normal thing." "Normal." I clicked open another backup folder. Human behavior

Technically confused. “It's a work file.” "I know." I opened an unnamed video. The screen went black for about two seconds, then a shaking image appeared. Inside came the sound of Tham Nghien trying to lower his voice. "Don't turn me, turn that valve. Hua Niem, follow the path I told you, don't go near the main tank." Hua Niem's voice rang out. “Captain Tham, I promised you that when I get home, I will turn my cards over to her.” Tham Nghien swore loudly. “Are you still talking about that at this hour?” Hua Niem cried and said: "Did you lie to me? You said you would give me a warm home." The image shook violently. Tham Nghien said: "Shut your mouth and go out first." The video stops here. In the hall, no one spoke. Tham's mother's cry choked in her throat. The proud look on Tham Dao's face disappeared without a trace. Hua Niem rushed towards the computer. "Turn it off! This is fake!" Co Thua An stopped her.