Twisted Rope

Target

The car driving Jeong-hyeok and Yeji pulled up outside a rather drab building, away from the smart office blocks and shopping malls. It was mostly used as rehearsal space and for film editing, and the film producers had hired some rooms there for their meeting with him; they needed a piano as well as a screen. It had taken some effort to arrange the meeting. He had needed to provide the NIS with the names of the people he was meeting with, so they could verify their identity and carry out background checks. He hoped it wouldn't put them off working with him. Preparing for this meeting had provided a welcome distraction for him and Yeji over the last few days. He was really excited about this project.

There had been no further sightings or updates on Kang Sung-ho's whereabouts, so they felt a little in limbo. All they could do was be careful, yet try to carry on their normal lives as best they could. Park Hyun-ki had come over to the house for their regular meeting on the Foundation instead of Jeong-hyeok joining him in the city. They would normally have gone out for lunch together, but they had settled for lunch outside in the garden instead. Seri and Ka-youn had worked from home the last few days. They had gone in this morning as Seri had an important meeting, and it would give Ka-youn her last day there and the chance to say goodbye to the colleagues she had worked with. Two NIS officers would stay with them all day, as well as driving them there and back, so Jeong-hyeok felt as easy about the arrangement as he could.

Their own car was being driven by the security officers provided by the NIS and had the added precaution of being bullet resistant. It seemed rather over the top, but at the same time reassuring. Jeong-hyeok and Yeji sat in the back. The NIS officer from the front seat got out, confirmed there was no evidence of a threat, and opened their door. Shielding Yeji carefully, he walked her up the steps and through the front door. She stood inside waiting for her father, as the officer turned and came back towards the car.

Jeong-hyeok was ready to exit too, but just as he was standing up an urgent warning came over the radio receiver in the car. Instinct kicked in, and he crouched low, taking cover from the car. A bullet whizzed past where his head had been moments before, hitting the NIS officer in the chest instead. The agent cried out in pain, collapsing to the pavement, apparently unconscious.

But he lost all thought of helping him.

"Appa!"

He jerked his head up and saw Yeji. Screaming his name, rushing back down the steps towards him.

Panicking. Heedless.

Exposed.

                    .........................................................

"I'm sorry, but Chief Executive Yoon is in an important meeting; you can't go in now." Secretary Ko tried to stop the NIS officer at the door to Seri's office.

"It's an emergency, I must," he said politely, but firmly.

He opened the door and Seri looked up, surprised at being interrupted. She was sitting round the conference table with Manager Hong and some key stakeholders.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am, but I'm afraid you need to come with me now."

"What? What's going on?"

She stood up and walked over to him, and he spoke quietly to her. Her face went pale and, feeling rather shaky, she turned back to Manager Hong.

"I'm afraid I need to leave this with you. I'll be in touch later."

Grabbing her bag, she left swiftly. Outside the office, another NIS agent came out of the lift with Ka-youn at her side.

"What's going on?" she asked her mother.

"We need to leave and go to a secure location immediately," the NIS agent said. "We have an urgent warning of a planned attack."