Chapter 66 — Shrimp Street Without Name

The investigation agency, after many days of deliberation, finally accepted Mr. Bao's request for cooperation with strict conditions proposed by lawyer Hoang: he must provide all authentic, verifiable information about the network's leadership structure, and must publicly admit his responsibility in a hearing attended by representatives of the victims.

Mr. Bao's first official interrogation as a collaborator took place in a tense but orderly atmosphere. Lawyer Hoang, after attending, told Hai Yen the main points: Mr. Bao confirmed that Nguyen Dang Hoai is the direct representative of Mr. Tran Quoc Vinh's interests in the area, playing the role of supervising and ensuring all activities of Dai Duong serve the goals of the Cua Bien Project.

"He admitted," lawyer Hoang said, her voice serious, "that it was Nguyen Dang Hoai who directly directed the staging of your father's case ten years ago, using Mr. Tien's small mistake as an excuse to frame the whole thing. Mr. Bao affirmed that at first he only knew about the land collection plan, not knowing in advance that someone would be harmed to the point of having to go to jail and die in detention."

Hai Yen heard those words in a complex emotional state, both confirming what she had suspected for many months, and feeling a new pain as she heard the specific details of how her father had been deliberately exploited and harmed.

“Did he say anything about the human trafficking ring?” she asked, her voice shaking slightly.

"Mr. Bao denied direct involvement," lawyer Hoang replied, "affirming that it was entirely the private activity of Nguyen Dang Hoai and Mr. Vinh's network, using Ocean's fishing fleets without official consent from the company. However, the investigation agency is still verifying the reliability of this testimony, because he is likely trying to reduce his level of responsibility."

Hai Yen was silent for a long time, trying to sort out the overwhelming emotions in her heart. “So,” she said finally, her voice soft, “it was Nguyen Dang Hoai, the person we are still looking for, who directly set my father up.”

“That's right,” lawyer Hoang confirmed. “And this makes his capture more urgent than ever, not only because of his role in the human trafficking ring, but also because of his direct responsibility in her father's unjust death.”

That news, while bringing an important confirmation, also made Hai Yen feel a new surge of anger, a feeling close to the personal desire for justice that she had tried to suppress throughout the past journey, always reminding herself that this was not a revenge, but a search for the truth.

She called Kien immediately after hearing the news, her voice could not hide her emotions. "Kien, we know. It was Nguyen Dang Hoai who harmed my father and orchestrated that entire crime."

Kien was silent for a moment on the other end of the line, then spoke, his voice deep and full of emotion. "I'm sorry, Yen. But at least now we have a specific name, a specific face, to look forward to. It's a step forward, even if it brings pain."

“I just hope,” Hai Yen said, her voice choking, “we catch him before He was able to escape completely, before justice was delayed again.”

That evening, Hai Yen visited her mother and told her everything she had just learned. After listening, Mrs. Sau sat quietly for a long time, her eyes were red but without tears, as if she had been mentally preparing for this moment for a long time.

“So finally,” she said, her voice shaky but steady, “I know who really took my three children.”

“Do you have any resentment, Mom?” Hai Yen asked, holding her mother's hand.

Mrs. Sau thought for a long time before answering. “I do,” she admitted. “But I also learned, over the past ten years, that resentment cannot bring your father back. What I want now is justice, the truth is recognized, so that my father can rest in peace, no longer carrying any unjust reputation."

Her mother's words, simple but profound, made Hai Yen even more determined to pursue the path of justice in the right way, not letting personal feelings, no matter how legitimate, overshadow the greater goal that she and all her companions have built together throughout this long journey.

The next morning, Hai Yen decided to visit Mr. Son, who was still living in witness protection with his family, to share the latest news. Mr. Son, upon hearing the news confirming Nguyen Dang Hoai's role, nodded slowly, his face carrying a complex expression between relief and old regret.

“I was partly right,” he said, his voice thoughtful. “Back then, I only knew that Mr. Hoai was a very powerful person, but I did not imagine that he was behind the entire plan to trap Uncle Tien in such a sophisticated way. I thought I was just a small link in some local error, but I didn't expect it to be a plot calculated from beginning to end."

“You don't need to blame yourself any more,” Hai Yen said, her voice sincere. “You have done more than anyone could expect from someone who has been threatened and taken advantage of like you.”

Mr. Son smiled sadly and held Hai Yen's hand. “Thank you for saying that. But anyway, I hope you will find Mr. Hoai, so that Uncle Tien, and me too, can truly be freed from the shadow of this past."

Leaving Mr. Son's family residence, Hai Yen felt a certain serenity, as if each conversation, each confirmation, was gradually closing each chapter in this long and painful story, even though the final chapter, the most important chapter, was still waiting ahead - the chapter of arresting Nguyen Dang Hoai and facing directly with Mr. Tran Quoc Vinh, the leader of this entire criminal network.

In the afternoon, she received a call from the lieutenant with news that made her both worried and hopeful: the investigation team had identified a new address for Nguyen Dang Hoai, this time in an area near the border, indicating that he may be preparing a plan to escape abroad.

“We need to act fast,” he said, his voice urgent. “If he escapes from the country before we can arrest him, his extradition will become extremely complicated, could take years, or may never be successful.”

That news made Hai Yen feel a new time pressure, more urgent than ever, as if the entire journey had been longer than the past two months. is approaching a decisive moment where all efforts can either reach full fruition or be lost by a whisker.

She immediately called Kien to share the news, and the two went to the police headquarters together to better understand the situation. The lieutenant explained that the area near the border where Nguyen Dang Hoai was discovered is a famous smuggling and illegal border crossing hot spot, with complex terrain making control extremely difficult.

“We are coordinating with border guards to tighten control at border gates and border trails,” he said. "But with the experience and relationships of a person like Nguyen Dang Hoai, the possibility of him finding a way out is not impossible."

“Is there any way we can provide additional support?” Hai Yen asked, her voice full of worry.

“At this point, the best thing you can do is wait and trust the professional process,” the lieutenant replied, his voice both serious and sympathetic. “I understand your impatience, but arrest activities in the border area require close coordination between many forces, not something that can be rushed.”

Hai Yen nodded, although in her heart she could not completely suppress the feeling of restlessness and worry. She and Kien returned home in silence, each pursuing their own thoughts about the possibility of success or failure of the ongoing capture campaign, a campaign that could determine whether complete justice can be achieved or will forever be unfinished because a mastermind escaped in time, leaving behind a wound that has never truly closed, a question that hangs over the rest of the lives of all those who have waited so long, so patiently, that they may have to wait. watching it slip out of reach right at the last minute, when everything seemed so close.