Chapter 16 — Unclosed Profile

After many days of coordinating with the specialized cybersecurity team, Minh Duc finally achieved an important breakthrough. "I have tracked down the true leader of this organization," he announced in the emergency meeting, his voice both excited and serious. "A man named Hoang Anh Kiet, who has a criminal record for property theft, is currently running a network that provides threats, extortion, and even murder of witnesses to anyone willing to pay enough money."

"How many previous incidents has he had?" Bao Nam asked, his voice tense.

"At least five other cases I found related to, spanning the past six years, in many different provinces," Minh Duc replied. "His activities are very sophisticated, always leaving very few traces, making previous cases impossible to trace."

Thao Vy felt a cold current run down her spine. "So that means, this is not just a single organization involved in our case, but a link in a much larger criminal network that has harmed countless other victims."

"That's right," Bao Nam confirmed, his voice heavy. "And the most worrying thing is, he knows we are looking for him after the failed break-in at Mr. Sau's house. There is a high possibility that he will consider Thao Vy as a potential target, because she is the clearest representative of the old case."

That warning caused the whole room to fall into a heavy silence. "We need to increase protection for Thao Vy immediately," Bao Nam said, his voice firmly refusing to accept any arguments. "From now on, you will always have an escort when you travel, and I want you to minimize going out alone."

"I understand, but I also don't want my work to be delayed because of fear," Thao Vy said, although in her heart she could not deny the rising insecurity.

"This is not a work issue, but a life safety issue," Bao Nam replied, his voice rare and stern, his eyes full of sincere concern. "I can't let anything happen to you, especially when we're so close to our destination." He stepped closer, his voice softening. "Please, let me worry about you this time."

Thao Vy looked at him, feeling the sincerity and real concern behind those strict words. "Okay," she replied, her voice softening, "I will be more careful, following your and the team's arrangements."

In the afternoon, the group began planning to locate Hoang Anh Kiet's current residence and activities. Minh Duc continues to monitor every digital trace he can find, while Bao Nam coordinates with other professional units to review suspicious locations that this organization may be using as a base of operations.

"I found a clue," Minh Duc said after several hours of hard work. "An abandoned factory in the suburbs has shown signs of unusual electrical activity in recent months, even though on paper it has stopped operating for a long time. This may be one of the organization's bases."

"We need careful monitoring before we act," Bao Nam said, his voice cautious. "If we misjudge, or act too soon, we could alert the entire organization and cause the entire organization to escape, destroying the evidence."

A reconnaissance team was sent to the area around the abandoned factory to secretly monitor for many consecutive days. The results showed that there was a group of about five to seven people who regularly went in and out of this location at night, traveling by cars without license plates or fake license plates, exactly like the secret operation style of a professional criminal organization.

"We need to apply for an official search warrant," Bao Nam proposed during the surveillance summary meeting, "but this time, the subject is armed and much more dangerous than what we have ever faced. I will suggest coordinating with the task force to ensure the safety of the entire team."

"I support that plan," Lieutenant Colonel Trung said when informed, his tone serious. "This is no longer a simple case about corruption and property, but has escalated into a confrontation with an organized criminal organization capable of using violence. We need to prepare as thoroughly as possible before taking action."

While waiting for the battle plan to be completed, Thao Vy noticed that Bao Nam was becoming more and more stressed and worried than usual, not only because of the dangerous nature of the case, but also clearly for her own safety.

"You don't need to worry about me that much," she said when she saw him standing thoughtfully looking out the office window, his eyes distant and filled with confidence.

"I can't help but worry," Bao Nam replied, turning to look at her, his eyes filled with a fear that was rarely shown. "I once lost a teammate because of a mistake in risk assessment. I cannot let that history repeat itself, especially with the person I love the most."

That sincere confession touched Thao Vy deeply. She stepped forward, took his hand, her eyes determined. "I trust you, and I trust the team. We will overcome this challenge, just like all we have overcome together before."

Bao Nam squeezed her hand tightly and took a deep breath to calm his emotions. “I want you to promise me something,” he said, his voice serious. "If there is any sign of danger, no matter how small, you must notify me immediately. You cannot handle it yourself or hide it for fear of bothering me."

"I promise," Thao Vy replied, looking straight into his eyes with absolute sincerity.

That evening, Bao Nam personally took Thao Vy home and thoroughly checked the area before leaving with peace of mind. He also arranged for a discreet patrol car to stay nearby all night, ensuring absolute safety for her and her family.

"I feel much more secure knowing that there is someone who always cares and protects me like that," Mrs. Hoa said when she learned about this careful arrangement, her eyes filled with satisfaction for Bao Nam.

"Me too, mom," Thao Vy replied, smiling warmly. Mrs. Hoa made her daughter a cup of warm ginger tea, sat down next to her, her voice low and confiding. "You know, in the past, every time your father went on a dangerous mission, I was just as worried. But I learned that, instead of trying to stop them, the best thing I can do is trust, and always be there waiting for them when they return." She held her daughter's hand, her eyes filled with love. "That Nam, I feel secure when you have someone like that by your side." She gently rubbed her daughter's back, her eyes shining with absolute confidence in the future that was waiting for her before, a future that she believes will bring complete happiness to her daughter after everything they have been through together. Even though she knew that danger was still present, she felt a great sense of security knowing that she did not have to face anything alone, had a family, had teammates, and had someone who was always willing to put her safety above all else.

The next morning, when Thao Vy arrived at the headquarters, she saw Minh Duc attentively watching a new recording from a surveillance camera in the abandoned factory area. "There's a new move," he said when he saw her enter. "Last night, there was a larger than usual meeting there, about fifteen people attended, including someone I believe to be Hoang Anh Kiet himself, based on his identification matching his old records."

"They're discussing something important," Bao Nam commented, entering the room just in time, his voice serious. "It could be in response to us searching for them, or planning a new mission."

"We need to speed up preparations for the raid," Thao Vy said, her voice determined even though she was still a little worried. "The longer we wait, the greater the risk of them finding out we're watching."

"I agree," Bao Nam said. "I will present a detailed battle plan to Lieutenant Colonel Trung today, proposing the most appropriate time to attack in the next few days, when the task force is ready to fully coordinate."

The whole group began completing the final details of the plan, each person fully aware that this would be the most important turning point, as well as the most dangerous challenge in the entire investigation journey that had lasted for many weeks. No one in the room said a word, but everyone felt the weight of what lay ahead.