Chapter 15 — The House She Left Behind

It's Manh Thu again. A temporary coordination employee, but simultaneously appears in the records of the ward, bank, Dinh Hanh and staff. She doesn't look like the mastermind. It's like a chess piece that can be moved back and forth by Luong Van Bach. Police Khuong immediately contacted the district platform for verification. While waiting for a response, Ha Ngoc Tran's phone suddenly rang. It's a strange number. She looked at me. I nodded and told her to turn on speakerphone. A woman's voice came through the phone in a very low voice. “Aunt Ha, my name is Manh Thu.” Ms. Lam suddenly raised her head. Police officer Khuong signaled everyone to be quiet. My mother tightened her grip on the phone. “Who are you?” Manh Thu's voice trembled. “Last year, I took my aunt to make a card.” “I know something happened to that card later.” “But I don't take money.” "I only accept money from Luong Van Bach to help him run his documents." Ha Ngoc Tran's voice became hoarse. “Why did you call me?” Manh Thu was silent for a few seconds. “Because he wanted to push everything on you.” "He said if I didn't take responsibility, he would spread the story about my younger brother's debt to the unit." “I don't want to go to jail.” I received the phone. “Manh Thu, I am Duong Duong.” The other end clearly stopped. “Miss Duong, sorry.” I don't accept her apology. “Where are you now?” “I can't say.” “Luong Van Bach's people are looking for me.” “But I can tell you, the preservation records are fake.” “Out of thirty-seven employees, only twelve actually signed.” “The remaining signature was retrieved from the payroll.” Officer Khuong immediately asked. “Where is the original?” Manh Thu's breathing became rapid. “In the hands of Luong Van Bach.” "He's not at the cultural house tonight, nor at the file warehouse." “He's on the second floor of a printing shop in the district.” “That store is called Chinh Phuong Graphics, a lot of documents are made there.” Police officer Khuong told people to leave immediately. But Manh Thu suddenly raised his voice. “Don't go now!” “He was waiting for the police to arrive.” “He set the computer to erase itself remotely.” “If someone walks in the door, the data will disappear.” The room immediately became so quiet that only the sound of electricity could be heard. I asked. “So why did you call us?” Manh Thu choked. “I want to confess.” “But I want to deliver the backup first.” "I don't trust Luong Van Bach, and I don't dare go directly to the police station." “Miss Duong, you came to see me alone.” Ha Ngoc Tran immediately shook her head. I also don't agree. “On what basis do you think I will believe you?” Manh Thu said. “Because I know that your grandmother's certificate of rights to renovate the old area has an appendix page.” My fingers slowly tightened. I have never told outsiders about that appendix page. Manh Thu continued. “Luong Van Bach is also looking for it.” “If he gets it first, even if you prevent the account from being changed, you will still lose half of your compensation rights.” My voice turned cold. "Location." Manh Thu said. “Second People's Hospital inpatient ward in the old neighborhood.” “My younger brother is on the seventh floor.” “Come before eleven-thirty.” "After that time, I will deliver the items to Luong Van Bach in exchange for my life." 16 I did not immediately answer Manh Thu. The three words boarding house sounded very normal, but on a night like this, any normal place could be a trap. Ha Ngoc Tran held my hand. “Duong Duong, don't go alone.” I looked at her white knuckles. “I won't go alone.” Police officer Khuong signaled his technical colleague to lock the call's transmitter station. Manh Thu's number danced very chaotically, as if it had passed through a transition. She is very careful, also very scared. Police officer Khuong received the phone call. “Manh Thu, I am a police officer.” “If you want to surrender, please state the location.” “Duong Duong won't see you alone.” Manh Thu's breathing became confused. “If there are too many of you coming, I will leave.” “Luong Van Bach has eyes and ears in the hospital.” “He knew my brother's hospital room number.” “He used his younger brother to threaten me once.” Police officer Khuong's voice was very steady. “What is your brother's name?” Manh Thu was silent for a few seconds then said a name. Ms. Lam quickly searched through the hospital's on-call system. Department of Hematology, seventh floor

Yes, there is this patient. Twenty-three years old, hospitalized for a long time, still owes advance money. Manh Thu did not lie about this. But not lying about something doesn't mean everything is trustworthy. I got my phone back. “Manh Thu, you said the appendix page will cause me to lose half of my compensation benefits.” “You have to at least tell me what's written on it.” Manh Thu's voice lowered. “That is the annex to arrange accommodation for the caregiver.” "When she was alive, her grandmother left the ownership of the house to her, but in the renovation documents of the old area, there was also a compensation for the caretaker who lived with her for a long time." “My name is Ha Ngoc Tran.” I looked at my mother. She was stunned. "Mom?" Manh Thu continued. “That amount is not money for house ownership.” “It's a resettlement transition allowance and housing arrangements for caregivers.”