Chapter 14 — One Key, Turns the Whole Family Over

“But that's not the scariest thing.” The policeman's eyes became sharp as knives.

“In the latest recordings, we discovered an even more terrifying plan.”

“The final payment from the bank will be transferred this week, it's the biggest one yet.”

“Once they have the money, they will handle the last ‘trouble’.”

My heart suddenly sank as if falling into a bottomless void.

“That problem is Ly Hoanh Phat.”

"Chu Duc Minh made all the arrangements, using Ngo Ngoc Linh to lure him to an abandoned quarry in the suburbs."

“A place belonging to his acquaintance, which had been bribed before.”

“He hired someone to be in charge of blasting, tomorrow there will be a 'normal explosion'.”

“And they're going to make it look like an accident.”

“A rockfall… killing without a trace.”

The word "accident" is as light as the wind, but hidden behind it is a coldly calculated death. I felt a cold current run down my spine, spreading throughout my body. Chu Duc Minh not only greedy for money but also dares to kill people. My mother-in-law staggered slightly, I quickly caught her. Perhaps she also couldn't believe that the man she had shared bed with was so cruel.

“Where is Ly Hoanh Phat now?” Lawyer Truong asked immediately, his voice urgent.

“We were last located near the western quarry. Since last night, the phone has been turned off.”

“What about Ngo Ngoc Linh?”

"She also lost contact, the car went in that direction, her whereabouts are currently unknown."

All traces converge to one place. Suburban quarry, a death trap waiting to collapse.

“Damn it.” The policeman slammed his hand on the table.

"What time is it."

“Three o'clock in the afternoon.” the young policeman replied.

“The blasting will take place tomorrow… we still have time.” The old policeman tightened his grip on the microphone, his eyes blazing fiercely.

“Immediately deploy an action team, block all roads leading to the western quarry and apply for an emergency search warrant.”

The entire police station operates like a well-oiled war machine. Everything moves at breakneck speed, leaving no room for error. I, my mother-in-law and lawyer Truong were taken to the temporary command room. On the big screen is a map of the area, each red dot is a police car closing the siege. This is a race against time. Every second that passes can determine a person's life or death. My hands were drenched in sweat, my heart was hanging in the air, not daring to let it go. The mother-in-law closed her eyes and muttered prayers continuously. The red dots on the screen gradually closed into a complete circle. The radio continuously rang with reports from the teams.

“Group one has blocked the east gate.”

“Second group controls the southern mountain road, complete.”

“The drone is in position, starting aerial reconnaissance.”

The controller's voice suddenly became urgent.

“Heat signal detected in a two-story building, with two people inside.”

The whole room seemed to hold its breath.

“Can you identify yourself?”

"Not sure, the curtains are closed, but the figure looks like a man and a woman."

“The action team moves in immediately, prioritizing the safety of hostages.”

The command was issued like an arrow leaving the bow. The green points represent the assault team rushing towards the target. We were glued to the screen, forgetting to breathe. Suddenly the walkie-talkie rang out loudly.

“Hold still, it's the police.”

What followed was chaos, screams and panic. A few seconds later, the captain's voice rang out clearly.

“The target is under control, the hostages are safe, Suspect Ngo Ngoc Linh has been arrested."

The whole room breathed a sigh of relief in heavy silence. I almost fell to my knees, my whole body was exhausted. The mother-in-law opened her eyes, tears silently flowing out. But it's not over yet. The captain's voice rang out again, this time serious.

"At the scene there was another person, a blaster named Chu Phuc Quy, a relative of Chu Duc Minh."

"He has already placed explosives. If he does not receive the order before two o'clock tomorrow afternoon, he will detonate."

"Ngo Ngoc Linh claimed that she was also deceived, Chu Duc Minh intended to kill all three people to silence them."

Hit three birds with one stone, leaving no witnesses. The cold spread throughout my body. Chu Duc Minh did not intend to let anyone survive. All the pressure is now on him. The police officer picked up the phone and called into the interrogation room.

“Tell him, the game is over.”