Chapter 20 — Unclosed Profile

A week passed in constant tension, as Hoang Anh Kiet continued to hide, leaving very few traces for the pursuing forces. The whole team did not falter, continuing to handle the huge amount of work from the list of customers obtained, while maintaining the pressure of finding this dangerous subject.

"I found a new clue," Minh Duc announced in the morning meeting, his tone somewhat cautious. "There was a suspicious financial transaction from an account related to Hoang Anh Kiet, transferring money to a fake document making service in the border area. It seems, he was preparing to cross the border."

"We need to stop this plan now," Bao Nam said, his voice urgent. "If we let him escape abroad, the possibility of catching him again will be much more difficult."

Lieutenant Colonel Trung, when informed, immediately directed coordination with border guards to strengthen control at border gates, especially areas identified with related fake document making services. "We need to act quickly but accurately," he emphasized. "Don't reveal any information to avoid alarming him."

While waiting for new developments, Thao Vy took the opportunity to contact Mr. Sau and Mr. Hai, both of whom are still being safely protected at a secret location. "Are you two okay?" she asked over the securely monitored phone.

"We're fine, Ms. Vy," Mr. Hai replied, his voice still remaining optimistic. "Just hope everything ends soon so we can return to normal life."

"I hope so too," Thao Vy replied, her voice sincere. "Thank you both for your patience and courage during this time."

Two days later, the important news finally arrived. "We just arrested a person who made fake documents in the border area," an investigator reported over the phone, his voice filled with excitement. "Through initial interrogation, he declared that he had received an order to make a fake passport for Hoang Anh Kiet, with an appointment to deliver at a specific location tomorrow night."

The entire meeting room erupted with excitement mixed with tension. "This is the opportunity we've been waiting for," Bao Nam said, his eyes shining with determination. "We need to plan an ambush right at the delivery point, arrest him before he can receive the fake documents and escape."

Thao Vy felt an intense thrill mixed with worry. “This may be our last chance to catch him,” she said, her voice both hopeful and cautious. "But we also need to prepare for the possibility that he will fight back fiercely when cornered."

"We've thought about that," Bao Nam replied, his voice stern. "The task force will be fully mobilized, with a plan to ensure maximum safety for everyone participating in the operation."

The whole team immediately began preparing detailed ambush plans, each person was well aware that this could be the final, decisive battle to completely end the long and arduous journey they had gone through together.

The delivery location was determined to be a small cafe along the highway, near the border area. The special team arranged many layers of discreet security around them, disguising themselves as passersby and service staff, making sure not to attract any attention that could make Hoang Anh Kiet wary before appearing.

"We will only take action once he has received the papers fake papers and leave crowded areas, to minimize risks to civilians," Bao Nam explained the plan in detail in the final meeting before leaving. "Every move must be coordinated and absolutely precise."

Thao Vy, although not directly participating in the ambush team, was asked to stay at the command center to be ready to assist if necessary. Before the convoy set off, Bao Nam came to her, his eyes both determined and nostalgic.

"I will return safely," he said, holding her hand tightly. "You can rest assured and wait for news here."

"You have to promise me," Thao Vy said, her voice choked with worry, "no matter what happens, you have to be careful, not reckless."

"I promise," Bao Nam replied, hugging her tightly before letting go, his eyes filled with determination. "Wait for me to come back, we'll celebrate together when it's all over."

Watching the convoy leave in the night, Thao Vy stood still for a long time, her heart pounding with anxiety mixed with hope. She returned to the command center, sat in front of the monitor, waiting for each development in extreme tension.

Nearly an hour passed in heavy silence, with only brief murmurs through the internal communication system reporting that the reconnaissance units had entered a safe position. Minh Duc sat next to Thao Vy, both glued to the screen displaying the position of each team member.

"Subject just appeared," the reconnaissance voice rang out over the radio, making the entire command center hold its breath. "Confirmed that it is indeed Hoang Anh Kiet, entering the coffee shop."

Thao Vy clenched her fists, her heart beating rapidly, watching every development that was continuously reported. "The subject is meeting with the person who made the fake documents," the reconnaissance voice continued, "it seems like the transaction is taking place normally, there are no unusual signs."

Several tense minutes passed before the commander's voice rang out, decisively. "The subject has received the documents and is preparing to leave. All units prepare to act according to the signal."

Thao Vy held her breath, her hands clenched the edge of the table, waiting for the decisive moment that was about to happen, carrying both hope and extreme fear for the safety of Bao Nam and the entire team, who were directly facing the most dangerous criminal they had ever chased.

"Action!" The commander's voice shouted loudly over the radio. Immediately, chaos rang out from the scene — chants of "Police! Stand still!" mixed with the sound of rushing footsteps and sounds of struggle.

"The subject is fighting back, trying to escape on a motorbike!" a voice rang out urgently.

Thao Vy's heart seemed to stop beating. Through the intercom, she heard the roar of a car engine, the sound of pursuit, then suddenly, a loud crash rang out, followed by an eerie silence that lasted a few seconds before the voice continued.

"The subject has been controlled! The motorbike collided with the barrier, the subject suffered minor injuries but was completely under control!"

Thao Vy breathed a sigh of relief, but immediately, another worry arose. "Where is Bao Nam? Is he safe?" she asked quickly over the intercom, her voice unable to hide the panic.

A few seconds of terrifying silence passed before Bao Nam's own voice rang out, his breathing still rapid after the chase. "I'm fine, Thao Vy. We caught it Got him."

Thao Vy's tears welled up with relief, she hugged Minh Duc who was sitting next to her in a moment of irrepressible joy. "It's finally done," she whispered, her voice trembling with extreme emotion.

A few hours later, when the convoy escorted Hoang Anh Kiet back to the headquarters, Thao Vy was waiting outside in the yard. She couldn't help but run to hug Bao Nam as soon as he got out of the car, despite the presence of many colleagues around.

“You make me so nervous,” she said, her voice choked, clutching his shirt as if to make sure he was really standing there, safe, whole.

"I'm sorry for making you worry," Bao Nam replied, wrapping his arms around her tightly, not caring about the eyes of the people around him. "But I promised to return, and I kept that promise."

Hoang Anh Kiet, being escorted over in handcuffs, with a light wound on his hand bandaged, glanced at both of them with eyes full of hatred but helplessness. "Do you think if you catch me, everything will end?" he shouted, his voice filled with bitterness. "There are still many others out there, ready to continue what I started!"

"We will find them all," Thao Vy replied bluntly, undeterred by that final threat, "one by one, until justice is fully served for all the victims."

Watching him being escorted inside, Thao Vy turned to Bao Nam, both of them breathed a sigh of relief as another important chapter of the long journey had officially ended.

Lieutenant Colonel Trung went to the yard to welcome the convoy back and could not hide his satisfaction when hearing reports about the success of the campaign. “This is a well-deserved victory for all of you,” he said, his voice filled with pride. "The entire dangerous criminal network has been completely destroyed, thanks to the perseverance and courage of the entire team."

"We are just doing our duty, Colonel," Bao Nam replied, although his eyes could not hide the pride after a dangerous but completely successful campaign.

That night, when all procedures for handing over the object were completed, the whole team gathered together for a small celebration at a familiar restaurant near the headquarters. The atmosphere was filled with joy, laughter and chatter after many stressful and dangerous days had passed.

"Congratulations everyone," Thao Vy said, raising her glass of water, her eyes looking around at the faces of her teammates who had gone through a difficult but also extremely meaningful journey with her. "Without you, I could not have come to this day."

"Together we have done something extraordinary," Minh Duc said, raising his glass in response, a bright smile on his face. "And I believe, this is just the beginning of a lot of justice that will be served from the data we collect."

The whole group clinked glasses together, laughter and chatter rang out, marking the complete end of a challenging journey, before moving on to a new phase of the journey - bringing all criminals to justice, so that true justice can be fully enforced.