Chapter 14 — Unclosed Profile

The villa door opened after a few minutes of persistent knocking, revealing the panicked face of Mr. Luong Duc Thinh, still holding a travel suitcase. When he saw the police force standing around the door, he was stunned, the suitcase fell out of his hand and onto the tile floor.

"Mr. Luong Duc Thinh," Bao Nam said, his solemn voice clearly reading the contents of the emergency arrest warrant, "he was arrested on charges of accepting bribes, corruption related to the Song Xanh project, and suspicions related to obstructing the investigation and intimidating witnesses in a criminal case."

"This... this is a mistake," Mr. Thinh stammered, trying to stay calm even though his whole body was visibly shaking. "I am a state official, you have no rights..."

"We have full legal grounds, sir," Bao Nam replied, his voice unmoved by those weak protests. "You have the right to remain silent and be represented by a lawyer in accordance with the law."

Mr. Thinh looked around, realizing there was no way to deny or escape, his shoulders slumped in a helpless surrender. When being escorted to the car, his eyes accidentally met Thao Vy who was watching from afar. A flash of recognition flashed in his eyes before bowing his head, not daring to look directly at her anymore.

Returning to headquarters, the official interrogation took place in the morning, with the presence of the appointed lawyer. At first, Mr. Thinh still tried to deny it, but when he was shown all the evidence - Mr. Sau's testimony, shady financial data, and information about last night's break-in directly linked to his call to the private security company - he gradually lost his initial confidence.

"Okay," he finally said, his voice tired and resigned, "I will report. But I want to make it clear, I never ordered a murder. I only received money to sign the documents, never knowing that such serious consequences would occur."

"So who ordered the break-in last night at Mr. Sau's house?" Bao Nam asked directly, his voice sharp.

Mr. Thinh was silent for a long time, his eyes revealing intense inner conflict before finally confessing. "I... I panicked after the meeting the other day, afraid that Mr. Sau's testimony would cause me to lose everything. I contacted a private security company, asking them to find a way... to collect some documents I was worried Mr. Sau might be keeping, but I never directed them to harm him."

"Even though you did not directly direct the violence," Thao Vy said, entering the interrogation room, her voice hard with suppressed rage, "your actions still seriously endangered the life of an innocent witness. And twelve years ago, it was your silence and your greed that indirectly contributed to the death of my father, along with at least four other victims."

Mr. Thinh looked up at her, his eyes revealed true regret for the first time, no longer calculating and defensive like before. "I... I'm sorry," he said, his voice choking. "I know this apology can't make up for what's been lost, but I really didn't expect things to go this far."

"Apologies cannot bring my father back," Thao Vy replied, her voice still steady even though her eyes were filled with tears, "but at least, he can at least partially atone for his mistakes by cooperate fully and faithfully with the law, to ensure justice is fully served for all victims."

"Regarding the private security company you contacted," Bao Nam continued, his voice returning to a serious official tone, "can you provide complete information about the head of that company? Last night's intruder is still at large, and he may still be dangerous."

"I only contacted through an intermediary phone number, I don't know the true identity of the leader," Mr. Thinh replied, his voice somewhat confused. "They call themselves 'Toan Dien Security Company', but I suspect that's just a cover name."

Minh Duc, sitting outside watching through the one-way glass, immediately began looking up information about this company. A few minutes later, he reported through the headset to Bao Nam. "Bao An Toan Dien Company registered its business less than a year ago, and its headquarters address is an empty apartment building, almost certainly a cover for illegal activities. This may be an organization that specializes in providing intimidation and even purging services to those who need it and have enough money to pay."

Bao Nam left the interrogation room and quickly discussed this new information with Thao Vy. "Last night's intruder is still out there at large," he said, his voice serious. "We have arrested Mr. Thinh, but this case is not truly closed until the organization behind the break-in is completely destroyed."

"So that means, the danger hasn't passed yet," Thao Vy said, her voice low and filled with worry.

"That's right," Bao Nam confirmed, "but this time, we have more experience and more resources to deal with it. I believe we will soon find and stop this final threat."

News of Mr. Luong Duc Thinh's arrest quickly spread, shocking public opinion no less than the previous arrest of Ms. Cao Thi Yen. The media simultaneously reported on a real estate corruption ring lasting more than a decade, involving many lives, making the public both angry and impressed by the investigation team's efforts.

In the afternoon, Lieutenant Colonel Trung convened the entire team to praise their achievements. “This is a great victory for you,” he said, his voice filled with pride. "But I also agree with Captain Nam's assessment — the case cannot be considered completely closed until the private security organization behind the break-in is dismantled, and all involved subjects are brought to full trial."

"We will continue to do our best, Colonel," Bao Nam replied, representing the whole team.

After the meeting, Thao Vy called to tell her mother the news. "Mom, Mr. Thinh has been arrested," she said, her voice both relieved and still a little tense.

"So it's over then?" Mrs. Hoa asked, her voice filled with hope.

"Almost like that, Mom," Thao Vy replied, not wanting to worry her mother any more about the threat that still existed. "There are still a few things that need to be done, but believe me, everything will be completely over soon."

Late that night, when the whole team had rested after a long and tumultuous day, Bao Nam invited Thao Vy out to dinner, a way for both of them to temporarily put aside the stress of work, even if just for a moment. Sitting in a familiar small restaurant, Thao Vy felt a deep fatigue creeping throughout her body, but also a sense of relief. cannot be denied.

"You have done something extraordinary," Bao Nam said, pouring her a cup of warm tea. "Not many people have the perseverance to pursue justice for twelve years."

"I don't think I'm done yet," Thao Vy replied, smiling slightly tiredly. "But I feel like I'm standing very close to the finish line."

"We'll get there, together," Bao Nam said, gently holding her hand on the table. "And when it's all over, I hope, we can spend more time on simple, happy things, instead of just stress and danger like all the time."

Thao Vy smiled, feeling a spreading warmth at that prospect. “I look forward to it,” she said, her voice sincere.

On the way home, passing by a small park near their house, the two stopped for a moment and sat on a stone bench under the gentle streetlight. "I used to think that after finding out the truth about my father's death, my life would become empty, with no purpose to pursue anymore," Thao Vy shared, her voice thoughtful as she looked up at the night sky sparkling with a few rare stars amidst the city lights. "But now, I realize, I have so much more to look forward to — justice for other victims, and a future with the people I love."

"You will always find new meaning in life," Bao Nam said, gently putting his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer in the chilly air of the late night. "Because she is someone who always knows how to turn pain into motivation to do good things for others."

The two of them sat quietly together for a long time, enjoying a rare moment of peace amid these turbulent days, before standing up together and continuing to walk on the road home, carrying a firm belief in the good things that lie ahead.