Da Dang Ha went to get two cups of coffee (one black and one with milk). He returned and handed Lang Dinh a steaming, sweet cup of milk coffee.
"You've been sitting here for nearly half an hour; have some coffee."
The thick liquid in the hot cup steamed into the void.
Lang Dinh closed his eyes, took a light sniff of the milk coffee's aroma, then opened them and said:
"I've found the location and the date of the crime."
He took a small sip and continued:
"According to the newly updated weather forecast, the humidity is rising. At 6:00 PM tomorrow, there will be a light fog at Bach Dieu Bridge. As for the 'iron box,' I suspect it is exactly a car—and most likely a white car."
Hearing this, Da Dang Ha felt a mix of relief and an unshakeable sense of worry.
"But the current problem is... at 6:00 PM, traffic is very heavy. There are countless white cars. It's impossible to know which vehicle the killer is targeting."
Lang Dinh rubbed his head and tapped his fingers on the table, responding:
"It is indeed complicated."
The rhythmic tapping on the table grew steady as Lang Dinh sank into thought.
It was difficult; the killer had doubled the stakes this time.
If only I knew the license plate. Then I could track the victim on the bridge.
Wait! On the bridge?!
"Inspector Da, tomorrow near 6:00 PM, monitor every white car and any suspicious person on the bridge. If any car stops, investigate it thoroughly."
The next day, at 12:36 PM, under the cool shade of green trees, Diep La sat on a stone bench in the park, drinking milk while observing the deserted surroundings. Holding her phone in her right hand, she called a strange woman.
The person on the other end picked up. With the help of a small voice changer attached to her white student collar, Diep La indifferently waited for the woman to speak first.
"You bastard! You took my things, didn't you?!"
The woman, wearing an elegant white dress and light makeup, originally had a face as serene as an angel's. Now, she looked like a ferocious demon.
In a fit of rage, she swept an expensive vase off the table, shattering it on the floor.
Light from the window filtered into the second floor of the villa. The room was a mess, with many smashed objects scattered across the floor as anger overpowered her reason.
It was the helpless struggling of a pathetic soul.
Diep La heard the sounds of destruction and the woman's seemingly uncontrollable rage. She smiled and said:
"I will leave it at the Bach Suong Tunnel. Come and get it at exactly 18:00. Ah, remember to wear white so I can recognize you."
With that, Diep La hung up and looked up at the sky.
There were so many clouds today.
She raised her hand toward the sky as if trying to catch a white feather being swept away by the clouds.
"White angel in snowy robes, cinnabar blood dampens the painful frost. A thousand stars bestow their light, while the wind sheds jade tears into a dream of sorrow..."
Her innocence vanished in an instant, replaced by a sense of danger as the blue sky in her eyes turned the color of blood.
"How exciting... unfortunately, I won't be able to witness that masterpiece in person this time..."
On the other end, the woman kicked a small table violently, sending it crashing down. Madness and murderous intent were evident in her eyes—originally a pure violet, but now the red of absolute cruelty, a complete contrast to her gentle exterior. She clutched her head and shrieked:
"I'm going crazy! Who on earth took it?!"
At 17:28, under a crimson sky at Bach Dieu Bridge, Lang Dinh, Da Dang Ha, and a team of plainclothes officers stood ready. The camera management room from the local department constantly sent updates via radio.
Da Dang Ha leaned against the iron railing of the riverside walkway, watching the city on the other side slowly sink into the rising mist.
He let go of the frustrations of the past few days. Lifting a paper cup of hot black coffee, he took a breath and said:
"Just another half hour, and this case will be closed."
In contrast to Da Dang Ha's relaxed demeanor, unease was written all over Lang Dinh's face as he leaned against the railing.
He gently swirled the coffee in his cup but did not drink, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.
"I feel like something isn't right."
Confused, Da Dang Ha asked:
"It's the transition between day and night, the fog is about to roll in—isn't there just a little bit of time left?"
"It's not about the time, it's about the location of the crime."
Lang Dinh sighed and looked up at the sky.
"'White mist'? 'White mist'? Why add the word 'white'? Wouldn't 'mist near the Bach Giang River' be enough?"
Suddenly, Lang Dinh's face turned pale as he realized something horrific.
"Inspector Da! What did that psychology kid say about the killer?!"
Da Dang Ha was surprised by the sudden question.
He paused for a moment to recall, then answered: "He said... 'the killer is a careful person who leaves no traces. Based on the challenge, he must have a detailed plan with a specific purpose'."
Lang Dinh stood frozen, muttering every word of Da Dang Ha's report back to himself.
"A careful person... leaves no traces... a detailed plan..."
A careful person would not add or remove words without a purpose. Every sentence was part of a "detailed plan" prepared in advance.
He didn't say on the Bach Giang River, but near it. He didn't just say mist, he said white mist.
Another way to say "White Mist" is...
"Bach Suong."
Lang Dinh turned and spoke urgently:
"To the Bach Suong Tunnel, now!"