Chapter 13 — Unclosed Profile

In the following days, the investigation team worked under increasing pressure, both to consolidate evidence against Mr. Thinh and to ensure the safety of important witnesses. Minh Duc continued to review further, looking for other illegal amounts of money that could be related to Mr. Thinh over the years.

"I found one more thing of interest," he reported during the morning meeting. "Mr. Thinh not only received money from the Song Xanh project, but also showed signs of receiving bribes from at least three other real estate projects over the past eight years. It seems that this is not a single mistake, but a systematic corruption line."

"This further strengthens his motivation to stop the investigation at all costs," Bao Nam commented, his tone serious. "If the truth about the Song Xanh project is exposed, it is likely that this entire corruption network will also be exposed."

Thao Vy, reviewing medical records in her professional role, discovered another important detail. “I just reviewed the autopsy report from my father's accident twelve years ago,” she said, her voice strained. "There was a small detail that no one noticed at the time - scratches on the car's brake system, consistent with manual intervention, not due to a natural collision. The report at that time concluded that this was just normal wear and tear, but with what Pham Anh Tuan declared, I believe, this is physical evidence confirming intentional intervention."

"Can you request a reassessment of this detail?" Bao Nam asked, his eyes full of hope.

"The car was destroyed a long time ago according to regulations," Thao Vy replied, her voice a bit regretful, "but I still keep the original set of crime scene photos in my father's file. I will ask a criminal technology expert to re-analyze these photos from a more modern scientific perspective, perhaps to find more clues."

In the afternoon, while Thao Vy was working at the laboratory, she received an emergency call from Mr. Sau's security team. "Someone broke into Mr. Sau's house!" The caller's voice rang out in panic. "We stopped it in time, he was safe, but the intruder fled before being arrested."

Thao Vy's heart was pounding, she immediately called Bao Nam to inform her of the emergency situation. The two rushed to Mr. Sau's house, where security forces were checking the scene.

"Are you okay?" Thao Vy asked, her voice filled with worry when she saw Mr. Sau still trembling with fear.

"I'm fine, luckily thanks to the timely intervention of the security guards," Mr. Sau replied, his voice still filled with shock. "That person was wearing a mask. I couldn't see his face clearly, but he seemed to be looking for something in the room, perhaps to threaten or kill me before he was discovered."

Bao Nam inspected the scene, his face stiffened with anger. "This is exactly what we feared. Mr. Thinh has begun to act, trying to cover up the clues before the case progresses further."

"We need to move Mr. Sau to a safer location immediately," Thao Vy said, her voice determined.

"I agree," Bao Nam replied, "and I think, it's time for us to speed up the process, we can't wait any longer. With each day that passes, the danger for our witnesses becomes greater."

Mr. Sau was moved immediately at night to a safer witness protection location, in the same area as Mr. Do Quang Hai, to facilitate centralized protection. On the way, he was still trembling, holding Thao Vy's hand tightly as if looking for a fulcrum. "Miss Vy, I didn't expect that at my age, I would have to go through such a terrible night," he said, his voice still shaking.

"I'm sorry for putting you in danger," Thao Vy said, holding his hand tightly to comfort him. "But I promise, from now on you will be completely protected until everything is over."

"I don't blame you," Mr. Sau replied, smiling slightly even though he was still a little panicked. "I said, if my testimony helps justice, I'm willing to accept the risk. It's just, I didn't expect it to come so quickly."

Returning to headquarters after ensuring Mr. Sau's safety, the whole group gathered urgently to discuss the next strategy. "We need to present all the available evidence to the prosecutor's office immediately, and get an official arrest warrant for Mr. Thinh before he can cause any more danger," Bao Nam proposed, his voice decisive.

"But the evidence about the money is still not completely sufficient to prove a direct connection to tonight's break-in," Thao Vy said, her voice worried. "If we act too early without enough grounds, he may get away with it, or worse, he will be even more reckless when he knows he is under direct suspicion."

"I think we have enough grounds to apply for an emergency arrest warrant based on the risk of hindering the investigation and intimidating witnesses, even if the charges of corruption and bribery have not been fully proven," Minh Duc commented, "then continue to consolidate the file during the detention process."

Bao Nam nodded in agreement. "That is the most feasible solution right now. I will immediately present it to Lieutenant Colonel Trung and the Procuracy, asking for an order tonight if possible, to not give Mr. Thinh any more opportunities to act further."

Bao Nam left the meeting room to call Lieutenant Colonel Trung directly, explaining the entire emergency situation. Just half an hour later, he returned with positive news. "The Colonel has agreed, the prosecutor's office is also considering it urgently. We may have an arrest warrant tonight or early tomorrow morning."

While waiting, Thao Vy took the opportunity to call to check on her mother's situation, making sure she was still safe at home. "Mom, just stay in the house, lock the door carefully, don't open the door to any strangers," she advised, her voice unable to hide the worry.

"You have to be careful too, Thao Vy," Mrs. Hoa replied, her voice filled with worry. "I heard the news and knew this case was getting more and more dangerous."

"I'll be careful, mom, don't worry," Thao Vy reassured, although inside she couldn't deny the rising tension.

Near midnight, when the group was still waiting for news from the prosecutor's office, Minh Duc suddenly shouted from his seat. "There's a new move! Mr. Thinh just booked a plane ticket, the earliest flight tomorrow morning, international destination!"

"He's preparing to escape," Bao Nam said, his voice extremely tense. "We can't wait any longer, we need to act now, before he can leave the country."

Bao Nam immediately made an emergency call to Lieutenant Colonel Trung, explaining the new situation. "We need an urgent arrest warrant and an immediate exit ban tonight, Colonel. If we let Mr. Thinh get on the plane tomorrow morning, we may lose track of him forever."

Within just one tense hour, all emergency legal procedures were handled thanks to quick coordination between authorities. The exit ban and emergency arrest order for Mr. Luong Duc Thinh were officially issued just before dawn.

"We need to go to his house now, before he leaves home for the airport," Bao Nam ordered, and the team quickly prepared to leave in the dark.

Thao Vy sat in the car, her heart pounding throughout the journey, clearly feeling that this could be the final decisive moment of the entire investigation that had lasted for the past twelve years. She tightly held Bao Nam's hand on the gear lever, looking for a bit of calm amid the storm of emotions rolling in her heart.

“Whatever happens next,” Bao Nam said, glancing at her quickly in the darkness, “we came here together, and we will finish it together.”

The official vehicle convoy entered the quiet villa area where Mr. Thinh lived, the vehicle's lights breaking through the quiet darkness of the street at dawn. The iron gate was still closed, but through the gap, one could see that the lights in the house had turned on - it seemed that Mr. Thinh was also waking up to prepare for his early flight.

"Everyone get into position," Bao Nam ordered over the radio, his voice calm but commanding power. The force surrounded the villa area, ensuring there was no way out for the subject before officially knocking on the door according to legal procedures.

Thao Vy stood behind, her heart beating rapidly, clearly feeling that the moment she had been waiting for for twelve long years was finally approaching, when the last piece of the crime picture was about to be completely completed.