Shades of Red

Chapter TWO

A/N My gratitude to all readers that comment. You give me ideas :) And you will find a few in this chapter.

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Taehyung ends the call and walks back into the living room. Jungkook was standing by a window, looking out over the terrace and the skyline in the distance. He was taking a sip of his coffee, sighing quietly afterward.

„It's all settled, babe," Taehyung says and steps next to him. „Son gave his okay. I'm your partner again."

Jungkook turns and smiles. It's his first this morning and Taehyung appreciates it, especially since Jungkook is in a gloomy state. He chose his darkest jeans and henley today, both tight fitting and showing off his great physique, but Taehyung refrains from lewd comments, just appreciating the sight.
There wasn't any news about Yoongi and Jimin during the night, which could go both ways. Good or bad.

Taehyung leans over and places a soft kiss on his lips.
„How do you want to proceed, partner?" Taehyung asks. „Your call."

„I appreciate you giving me the lead."
„I can switch, what can I say," Taehyung winks and Jungkook snorts.

„I called Hobi while you were on the phone. We will take a look at the victim ourselves," Jungkook explains. „And then we will look at the crime scenes. I arranged for Officer Kang Taehyun to meet us there, to get a feeling of everything."

„When do you want to visit them?" Taehyung asks. „Do you want me to come with you or do you want to go alone?"

Jungkook shakes his head, gloom taking him over again. „I want you by my side."

∞

The drive to the Forensic Examiners office is long due to heavy traffic. Taehyung hums to songs on the radio, occasionally singing along for Jungkook's entertainment. It takes some time and they sing together for one song they really like and Taehyung squeezes Jungkook's knee appreciatively.

Jungkook finds a parking slot at the University medical center, which also houses the Medical Examiner's Office. The entrance hall is busy with patients and relatives, looking at boards for directions to different departments and wards. They decide to take the stairs one floor down to the ME's office.

The milky white glass doors are closed and they press the call button to be let in. The smell of disinfectant and other chemicals hit their noses.
Shortly after a short melody sounds and a female voice asks „Yes?" over the intercom.
„Inspectors Jeon and Kim for ME Jung Ho-Seok," Jungkook replies and holds his ID up to a camera.
„Oh yes, he said you would come," she answers and the doors swing open.

Taehyung and Jungkook enter the brightly lit corridor, with several offices on both sides. Some are occupied. A woman in purple scrubs appears in the back and walks up to them, clearly chewing a breakfast bar.
„Sorry," she apologizes, when she comes closer and takes the last bite. „Didn't have anything to eat yet." And she smiles welcomingly.
„I'm ME Chu Jhoy-Ah. Hobi told me to proceed if you arrive before him. He is stuck in traffic."

„Are you new to the branch office?" Taehyung inquires while they walk to the autopsy rooms.
„Yes, I transferred some weeks ago from National Forensic Headquarters. I came back into the field. I was present at yesterday's scene as well."
„So you are the one that gave first aid to my colleagues?" Jungkook asks interestedly.
„Yes indeed," she says and stops in front of an autopsy room. „I'm sure they will be fine. They had some fractures but they will heal quickly. I gathered Inspector Park didn't gain consciousness, but Inspector Min was awake when they transported them."

Taehyung watches Jungkook release a deep breath and the ME squeezes his biceps reassuringly. „Ho-Seok and I might deal with death but we are still doctors. They will heal quickly," she pep-talks again and squeezes his arm several times. Her hand lingers and Taehyung looks pointedly at her hand and back up.