Chapter 11 — Unclosed Profile

Three days after the arrest, Ms. Cao Thi Yen still firmly refused to reveal the name of the high-ranking official she had mentioned, citing "need more time to think" every time she was asked. This made the entire investigation team impatient, worried about the delay that could create an opportunity for that person to promptly erase their traces.

"She is afraid of something," Thao Vy commented during the group meeting, "or maybe, she still hopes to use this information as a bargaining chip to reduce her own guilt."

"We need to find that person's identity another way," Bao Nam said, his voice determined. "Minh Duc, how far are you progressing with reviewing project approval officer records?"

"I've narrowed the list down to three people," Minh Duc replied, flashing three profiles on the screen. "Of these, the most notable is Mr. Luong Duc Thinh, at that time the head of the planning department of the Department of Natural Resources, and has now been promoted to the position of deputy director of the department, a position with significant power in approving the city's large real estate projects."

"Does he have any direct connection to the Green River project?" Bao Nam asked, his eyes attentively following the information on the screen.

"His signature appeared on the final approval document of the project," Minh Duc confirmed, "right at the stage when the compensation documents were falsified. But this is just an indication, not enough to conclude whether he accepted a bribe or not — signing the document is a normal job responsibility of that position."

Thao Vy pondered. "We need to find evidence of cash flow, an unusual transfer, or assets disproportionate to his official income during that period."

"I will apply for a warrant to review bank accounts, but this takes time and much stricter legal procedures than what we have done before, because the subject this time is a current official," Bao Nam said, his voice serious. "We need to be absolutely cautious and not reveal any signs of investigation before we have enough solid grounds."

While waiting for the legal procedures to be processed, Thao Vy took the opportunity to visit Mr. Do Quang Hai, who is still being protected at a safe location as an important witness. He welcomed her with a smile much more relieved than when they first met.

"Miss Vy, thank you for visiting," he said, inviting her to sit down. "I heard that Mrs. Yen was arrested, my heart was completely relieved, although I was still a little uneasy."

"Do you remember, besides Ms. Yen, who else in the local government apparatus at that time was closely involved in project approval?" Thao Vy asked, carefully asking the question without mentioning Mr. Thinh's name directly, to avoid affecting the witness's objective memory.

Mr. Hai thought for a long time. "There is a name I remember quite clearly — Mr. Thinh, head of the planning department. I remember, one time, I happened to see him meet Mrs. Yen privately at a luxury restaurant, not in a normal work setting. At that time I didn't think much, but now that I remember, maybe it wasn't an accidental meeting."

Thao Vy's heart beats faster. "Do you remember the exact time and location of that meeting?"

"Let me try to remember," Mr. Hai said, frowning in concentration. "I think it was about a month before attending The project was officially approved, at Hoang Long restaurant on Nguyen Hue street."

Thao Vy carefully recorded every detail, feeling a new ray of hope gradually flashing. "Thank you very much. This information could be very helpful to the investigation."

"Miss Vy," Mr. Hai added before she left, his voice low and thoughtful, "I want to ask, have you ever felt resentment for having to spend a large part of your life pursuing justice for a deceased person?"

Thao Vy thought for a moment before responding, her voice sincere. "There are times when I feel tired, wondering if I am losing my youth because of the past. But I think, this is not really resentment, but a promise I voluntarily made, not out of obligation, but out of love for my father, and responsibility to other victims waiting for justice."

"You are a proud daughter," Mr. Hai said, his eyes full of respect. "Investigator Hung certainly raised you very well, even though the time he spent with you wasn't as long as he wanted."

Leaving Mr. Hai's residence, Thao Vy immediately called Bao Nam, reporting new information about the secret meeting between Ms. Yen and Mr. Thinh. “This could be important evidence,” she said, her voice filled with excitement. "If we can verify this meeting through the restaurant's security cameras, or find other witnesses who witnessed it, we will have a more solid basis to continue investigating Mr. Thinh."

"Good job," Bao Nam replied, his voice unable to hide his pride. "I will send someone to Hoang Long restaurant immediately to check if they still store camera data from that time, although the possibility is quite low after twelve years."

"Even if there's no camera data left, there might still be former restaurant employees who remember something," Thao Vy suggested. "I can go there and ask if you need me."

"Okay, I'll go with you," Bao Nam said. "Two investigators are better than one, and I also want to ensure your safety during the investigation, especially when we are dealing with a current official."

That concern made Thao Vy feel warm. “Thank you,” she said, her voice gentle. "I really appreciate you always putting my safety first."

That afternoon, the two went to Hoang Long restaurant, a luxurious place that is still operating after many years even though it has changed owners several times. The current manager, a middle-aged woman, said the old camera data was no longer stored, but she referred them to a veteran waitress who had worked here for more than twenty years.

Mr. Sau, the elderly waiter, listened to their description of Mr. Thinh and Mrs. Yen, his face gradually showing a look of remembrance. “Ah, I remember,” he said, his voice slow but steady. "There is a luxurious female guest who often books a private room to meet partners. I remember one time, she met a man wearing a suit, who seemed to be a government official. Their conversation was quite tense. I accidentally overheard a few sentences when bringing in food, something like 'your portion will be delivered soon, you just need to sign for approval on time'."

"Can you identify that man from the photo?" Bao Nam asked, showing a photo of Mr. Thinh that Minh Duc had prepared available from public records.

Mr. Sau looked closely at the photo and nodded firmly. "It's true that he is, although now he looks older and more mature than then."

Thao Vy and Bao Nam exchanged excited looks. This is the second witness to directly confirm the relationship between Ms. Yen and Mr. Thinh, another important link in the chain of evidence that is gradually being completed.

"Are you willing to testify formally if necessary?" Bao Nam asked, his voice cautious.

"I'm old, there's nothing to fear anymore," Mr. Sau replied, a gentle smile on his lips. "If my testimony can help bring justice to the deceased, I am willing."

Leaving the restaurant, the two walked along the street in the late afternoon, the fading sunlight dyed the space yellow. "We're getting very close," Bao Nam said, his voice excited but still maintaining professional caution.

"I still can't believe it, everything is gradually being pieced back together after all these years," Thao Vy said, her eyes looking far away at the stream of people passing by. "Sometimes I wonder, if my father were still alive, how he would feel when he knew, finally, the truth was revealed."

"I believe, he will be proud of you more than anything else," Bao Nam said, stopped walking, turned to look straight at her. "Thao Vy, I want to tell you something, even though it may not be the right time while work is still so stressful."

Thao Vy looked up at him, her heart beating faster at his unusually serious eyes. "What do you want to say?"

"I... I've had feelings for you, for a long time, maybe since the first night we met at the crime scene," Bao Nam said, his voice had a rare hesitation in this usually calm, decisive man. "I don't want to wait any longer to say this, because I don't know what tomorrow will bring on this dangerous journey."

Thao Vy stood still, feeling her heart pounding at that simple, sincere confession. "Me too," she replied, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. "I've also had feelings for you for a long time, I just didn't dare say it out loud because I was afraid it would affect our work together."

Bao Nam smiled, held her hand in the middle of a crowded street, no longer paying attention to any eyes around her. "Well then, from now on, we don't have to hide anymore," he said, his eyes filled with happiness.