Talking to the moon

Chapter 25

It took four days for Yeonjun to get Yunjin a meeting, which was actually really fast. Usually, they would have to go around in circles to try and meet with the convicted, but Eunjung really made Yunjin's life easier by wanting to see her. She was already in there as Yunjin walked in, staring at her with her sad puppy eyes, an expression that Eunchae always had. Yes, they were mother and daughter, but Yunjin always got surprised about how strikingly similar they looked, Eunchae was going to grow up to pretty. And Yunjin was going to have to grow up to be paranoid because no one will ever be good enough for her baby. Maybe Kyujin, but that is a whole different book.

Yunjin took her seat across from the woman, taking in her appearance. She saw her at the trial, but Yunjin had so many things going on in her head during the trial she never really got a really good look. She looked healthier now than she did in her mugshot. "Hong Eunjung, thanks for meeting me. I'm Detective Huh Yunjin."

"I know who you are, you're the one taking care of Eunchae right?"

"Right." Yunjin nodded, "I am."

"Has she been with you this whole time?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Do you-" Eunjung trailed off before taking a breath and looking up at the detective, "Do you have any pictures of her?"

"Huh?" Taken off guard, Yunjin blinked a few times, looking back at the mother who was looking at her anxiously. She was fiddling with her fingers, so pitifully hopeful that Yunjin found herself digging her phone out of her pocket, unlocking it, and looking through it for a good photo. She settled on the one she had taken a few weeks ago when Chaewon and Eunchae were playing, the photo capturing as Eunchae ran towards Chaewon, arms open with this huge grin that made her eyes disappear into tiny slits holding her penguin stuffie in her hands. She had a new sweatshirt that Yunjin had just picked up for her because it was soft and she knew she would like it, and her hair was up in cute pigtails that Yunjin had to watch a youtube tutorial on how to do because she knew nothing about hair. Yunjin set her phone down on the table, sliding it over at her, taking in the woman's reaction as she looked at it.

Picking up the phone, the younger woman just stared at the picture, "She looks happy."

"She is. She's sad you're not there though, she's been throwing a fit all week." There was no point in sugarcoating anything, Yunjin was not as compassionate as Chaewon. Yunjin was here for a reason, and showing Eunjung photos of the daughter she is supposed to have no interaction with was not her purpose for this trip. "She's also been really stressed after we saw someone."

"Me?"

"No," Yunjin shook her head, pointing at Eunjung's tattoo, "The same man who gave you that. We both know him, don't we? Lee Jiho."

She watched the color drain out of Eunjung's face.

"Can I ask you a few questions? I intend on putting this fucker away so he'll never see the light of day again, but I need some information. I can get you, and Eunchae justice. But I need you to trust me."

Eunjung went quiet. Yunjin could tell she was weighing her options. It was clear she was scared, she was probably just as traumatized of him as Eunchae was, and getting Eunchae to speak was like pulling teeth. But then Yunjin saw her eyes flick towards the detective's cell phone before she looked up and nodded, "What do you need to know?"

"First, how did you come in contact with him?"

"Eunchae's dad left us when she was two, and he provided while I took care of the baby. I dropped out of high school because I was pregnant, so I couldn't find a job. And I was almost evicted." Eunjung looked down, fiddling with the metal of her handcuffs, "But then I saw a listing online. It was an office job looking for a English translator in Korea, that also included housing so I applied, and got it. He paid for my flight here but when I got here I realized it wasn't what was posted. He stole my passport and got me hooked so I couldn't leave."