The Unexpected (Namkook)

Part 18

The capricious climate inside the body of 26 years old cop showered rains of agony at the thought of his loved one's name getting involved while there was a sliver of sunshine at the thought of test results proving otherwise. Although he kept wondering how bad Namjoon would have felt when he left him at the cafe with a lame excuse, the conclusive words of Kai would have more impact on Jungkook's tormenting heart.

"All done?" He asked in a feeble voice in the hope of having more time to get the test results in hand.
"Yeah buddy. I have carried out all the tests as per your Majesty's order." Kai was always a man of charm and comedy that Jungkook appreciated a lot but at this moment he felt like those words were stabbing through his body.

Dragging his feet along the floor of the lab with minimum swinging of arms, Jungkook reached Kai's table where he kept all the results displayed on his computer screen. He didn't want to take a look, so asked the other to explain.

"First of all, I have eliminated your fingerprints from all the items that I got from the employee records. Now coming to the other one found on the ID card holder is, I believe, of the person you are suspecting on." Kai tilted his head a little to get Jungkook's answer which was, "Or maybe the person I'm wrongly suspecting?" His eyes were begging to Kai for telling he's wrong.

"I'm not sure if I can declare you wrong here." A nervous gulp made Kai aware of something that Jungkook hasn't shared with him but he didn't want to pry on things that are supposedly private. He thought of continuing.
"The unknown set of fingerprints found in the ribbon matches with one on the jacket and the painting. Surprisingly, this set is present on the piece of ribbon that is already in the lab as evidence. In spite of the presence of several other fingerprints, the one in this almost new card holder is matching with all the items you submitted now as well as the one from the past."

Jungkook clenched on the edge of the table with his breathing getting faster. He gathered some energy to ask, "The blood stain?"
"It's Lee Kun-woo's." Kai didn't take a second to give a prompt answer.
"But there are other fingerprints too. Do you want me to run through them?"
"That won't be necessary, Kai."

"I won't ask much, but is it something too personal, Jungkook?" Kai taking his first name showed his understanding on something unspeakable from Jungkook's end.
"Just the game of my destiny!" He said with a sarcastic smile that held only pain and a shield to protect his honour by not letting the tears fall off.

Kai stood up from his chair and made way to Jungkook's side.
"Whatever it is, just remember that this friend of yours is just a call away. Don't forget to ring me up for any help needed." He put his hand of assurance on the other's shoulder.
"Thanks, Kai."

He collected the evidences and put the printed reports in a file. Rechecking all the articles, he took his leave from the lab. As he was seated in his car with every clue to Namjoon being guilty, his mind travelled to the first time he met the man. All he noticed was the adorable charm in the 22 years old but the apparently hidden monster was nowhere to be traced.

Down the memory lane, one person came into his thoughts. It was Namjoon's middle school teacher, Ms. Park. The fresh memory of Namjoon speaking of his romantic interest in older women started rushing up along with the other funny stories from his school life when he had crush on female teachers way older than him. Jungkook has seen him reacting harshly to the girl who kissed him but then again, Namjoon also mentioned his feelings for a boy was discovered only after Jungkook came into his life.

All these only added more fuel to his fire of suspicion. Namjoon being the lover of Byeol was way out of his imagination but he cannot deny the truth present in his hands. Maybe a thorough investigation is needed, but hiding the ones already collected is next to committing crime.

He aimlessly drove around the city forgetting where he has to be right now. The burger joint, park, near the cafe, everywhere he has been with Namjoon. The last stop was the art gallery they visited on last Sunday. The enthusiasm on art was another factor that strengthened the suspicion.

It was almost 5 in the morning now and going back home is nothing but haunting at the realisation of being alone in this. To follow the correct procedure, he needs to submit everything to Bin so that Namjoon's arrest warrant can be issued but his body was pleading the rejection of following the rules.

As the car was parked near the police station, he went inside with all the documents. Ho-sin came running to him being puzzled at the unannounced appearance this hour.

"Sir, you here? Anything wrong?" She asked with a confused face.
"Did Mrs. Lee cry again?"
"Yes, but didn't speak anything."
"I think we got some lead, I will wait for the others to join work."

He walked to his desk and kept all the things arranged along with the lab results. Going through them again was fruitless considering the uncanny similarities found between Namjoon and the person who is involved in the crime scene.

"My love failed again!"