In The Dark (SNOWDROP)

"abeoji"

❄︎ — chapter 31 — ❄︎

"Hanna," Kang Cheongya's voice was the first thing Hanna heard when she stepped back into the basement of her father's house. "I have some news. And I'm sure you won't like it."

"I'm sure that means you do," Hanna grumbled, rubbing her temple and ignoring Sooho's chastising glare. "Fine, what is it?"

"Mandong wasn't there when you raided the house. Do you want to know why?"

"I already know," Hanna growled. "We have a fucking spy in our ranks."

"Not exactly..."

"What do you mean, not exactly?" Hanna practically exploded, subconsciously glad that she, Cheongya, Gyeokchan, and Sooho were the only ones in the room. The rest of her task force were out waiting in the large front yard, since Hanna didn't trust any of them not to be the spy. "How else would have Mandong known we were coming and left the house in such a haste that he forgot a fake passport?"

"You're right that someone tipped him off. But it wasn't someone in our ranks."

"Who was it, then?"

"If I tell you, you'll never believe me. So I'll show you."

Hanna leaned over the recorder as Cheongya pressed play. Two voices came through, one of which Hanna recognized.

"Haegeumseong 1, you better move to a new safehouse. The ANSP is planning a raid."

"What? Tell them to call it off!"

"Ahn tried. Galaxy is convinced she knows where Black Tiger is being held. He can't deny her without seeming suspicious."

"Where does she think he is?"

"Right around your location. If you don't move, they will find you."

"Alright. We'll be at the port in thirty minutes."

"Won't that still be too close?"

"Anniyo. Hopefully not."

"Okay. I'll notify you with updates."

"Annyeonghaseyo."

By the end of the taped conversation, Hanna was left gaping in shock.

"Abeoji?"

There had been no mistaking it. One of the voices on the call had been her father's.

"Where did this come from?"

"I was talking with the maid. She told me about a strange phone call she overheard that was made yesterday afternoon. From there, we dug through the entire house's phone record. Your father made that call from right above us in his office. It was right after you called to ask to use the basement as a launching point."

The new information made Hanna feel sick. "Send someone out to arrest him. Send another agent back to the forensics lab and have them analyze the evidence gathered at the house. Monitor Chief Ahn so he doesn't know that we know. Every other ground operative is coming with us to the port at dawn tomorrow."

❄︎ — ❄︎ — ❄︎ — ❄︎ — ❄︎

Jang Inseong heard a knock at the door to his office. It was late, and the sun had already mostly set.