Chapter 12 — Unclosed Profile

With Mr. Sau's testimony and the available evidence, Bao Nam officially requested an order to review Mr. Luong Duc Thinh's bank account over the previous twelve years. The review process took several days due to the sensitive nature of investigating a current official, but was eventually approved.

"I found it," Minh Duc announced, his voice filled with excitement as the group gathered in the office. "Three months before the project was officially approved, a large amount of cash was deposited into Mr. Thinh's account, with no clear origin, equivalent to about five hundred million dong - a very large number compared to the official income of a planning department head at that time."

"This is proof of the bribe," Bao Nam said, his tone seriously analytical. "Combined with Mr. Sau's testimony about the meeting at the restaurant, we have enough grounds to officially summon Mr. Thinh for clarification."

Thao Vy, although happy with the new progress, cannot help but worry. "He is currently the deputy director of the department, has many connections and power. Will he try to cause trouble, or even retaliate when he knows he is being investigated?"

"That's why we need to act cautiously and in accordance with the correct procedures," Bao Nam replied. "I will report to Lieutenant Colonel Trung to ask for guidance before officially summoning Mr. Thinh, ensuring that every step has solid support from superiors."

The meeting with Lieutenant Colonel Trung took place that afternoon. He carefully examined all the evidence before speaking, his tone serious. "This is a sensitive case, involving a high-ranking official. I will report to superiors for guidance, and at the same time coordinate with the inspection agency to ensure absolute objectivity and transparency in the investigation process."

"We understand, Colonel," Bao Nam replied.

"In the meantime," Lieutenant Colonel Trung added, "you need to strengthen protection for witnesses, especially Mr. Sau and Mr. Hai. If Mr. Thinh knows that he is being investigated, he may find a way to cover up clues, just like what Ms. Yen did."

That warning made Thao Vy feel a new worry creep into her heart. That night, when Bao Nam took her home, she couldn't hide her insecurity. "Do you think, are we putting Mr. Sau in danger?" she asked.

"I've arranged for someone to monitor and protect him discreetly," Bao Nam reassured, "but you're right, we need to be more careful. From now on, I think, you also need a security guard to accompany you on field investigations, to ensure absolute safety."

"I don't want to be a burden to the team," Thao Vy said, slightly hesitant.

"You are not a burden," Bao Nam replied, his voice resolute, holding her hand tightly. "You're the one I care about, and I won't let anything happen to you, no matter what the cost."

Thao Vy looked at him, feeling a warm, reassuring feeling at that sincere concern, even though she still couldn't completely dispel the feeling of insecurity that was gradually growing as they got closer to the final truth of the entire case.

The next day, Lieutenant Colonel Trung announced that the inspection agency had officially coordinated and agreed to summon Mr. Luong Duc Thinh to clarify questions related to the investigation. regarding the illegal money and the relationship with Ms. Cao Thi Yen. "We will invite him to work under the guise of cooperation in providing information, not official arrest, to avoid causing unnecessary turmoil before there is enough evidence to fully incriminate," he explained.

The meeting with Mr. Thinh took place the next morning at the headquarters. He appeared in a neat business suit, with a confident, even somewhat reckless attitude when entering the office. "I don't understand why I was invited here," he said, his voice filled with offended resentment. "I am a state official, always working according to procedures and laws."

"We just need to clarify some issues related to the approval of the Song Xanh project twelve years ago," Bao Nam said, his voice remaining professional, carefully observing each of Mr. Thinh's reactions. "Can you explain the amount of five hundred million dong transferred to your personal account at that time?"

Mr. Thinh's face changed color for a brief moment before regaining his calm expression. "It's money I borrowed from relatives to renovate the house, completely legal," he replied, his voice trying to keep it natural but unable to hide the tension underlying it.

"We will need you to provide complete documents proving the origin of that loan," Thao Vy said, her voice calm but determined. "Along with that, we also have witnesses confirming a meeting between Mr. and Mrs. Cao Thi Yen at Hoang Long restaurant, about a month before the project was approved."

Mr. Thinh was silent for a long time, his eyes clearly showing quick calculation. "I don't remember any such meeting," he replied, but his voice was no longer as certain as it had been at first.

"We understand, this may have been a long time," Bao Nam said, his voice still calm but his sharp eyes did not leave Mr. Thinh. "But we will need your cooperation in providing full information in the next working sessions. For now, you can leave, but we will continue to contact when necessary."

After Mr. Thinh left the headquarters, the whole group gathered to assess the situation. "He's definitely worried," Thao Vy commented, "but he's still alert enough not to confess to the crime right away. We need more time to prepare the fake loan documents that he will definitely create in response."

"I'm worried that today's meeting may have made him wary, even taking drastic actions to protect himself," Bao Nam said, his voice serious. "We need to closely monitor his every move from now on."

Minh Duc, who began setting up a legal surveillance system for Mr. Thinh as soon as the approval order was issued, nodded in confirmation. "I will continuously monitor his calls and movements to the extent allowed by law. If there are any unusual signs, I will report immediately."

In the evening, when everyone had left, Thao Vy stayed a little longer to complete the report. Bao Nam stayed with her, not because of work, but simply because he wanted to be by her side after a stressful day at work. "Are you scared?" he asked gently.

"A little bit," Thao Vy admitted, "but I believe we will overcome it, just like what we did." can do it with Mrs. Yen and Mr. Tuan."

"I believe so too," Bao Nam said, gently holding her hand. "And this time, I won't let anything happen to you."

That night, when Thao Vy came home, she couldn't sleep right away, her mind kept spinning with the image of Mr. Thinh's calculating eyes during this afternoon's work session. She opened her notebook and wrote down her thoughts: "Mr. Thinh denied it but showed clear signs of worry. More evidence about the fake loan needs to be collected before he can prepare to respond. The risk of him acting aggressively to protect himself is real — the utmost care should be taken by all witnesses."

Closing the notebook, she lay down on the bed, trying to reassure herself that, with the companionship of Bao Nam and the team, she would not have to face any danger alone. But deep inside, she still couldn't completely dispel the growing sense of insecurity, like a sign of even greater troubles waiting ahead.

The next morning, when Thao Vy arrived at the headquarters, she noticed that the atmosphere was much more tense than usual. Minh Duc is sitting in front of the screen with an unusually serious expression. "What's going on?" she asked, immediately sensing the uneasiness spreading in the room.

"I discovered that last night, Mr. Thinh had a long call with an unfamiliar phone number, registered under the name of a private security company," Minh Duc reported, his voice tense. "Right after that call, there were signs of a strange car appearing near Mr. Sau's house all night long."

Thao Vy's heart tightened. "Is Mr. Sau safe?"

"The security team promptly detected and intervened, he is still safe," Minh Duc reassured, "but this shows that Mr. Thinh has begun to make worrying moves, exactly what we feared."

Bao Nam entered the room at that moment, his face serious. "I just received the report. We need to immediately increase protection, not only for Mr. Sau, but for everyone involved in the case, including you, Thao Vy."

"I don't think he dared to target me," Thao Vy said, although her voice could not hide the worry.

"We cannot be subjective," Bao Nam replied, his eyes determined. "From now on, I will send someone to follow you at all times, until this case is completely closed."