The Unexpected (Namkook)

Part 23

"I can't go inside, I need to be with him."

"I won't stop you but be careful. I will say you went home due to poor health to boss and get the necessary details. Just pick up your phone if I call." Sung-ho was genuinely upset with an innocent person suffering for something that might be the work of someone powerful. He doesn't care about his appraisal anymore neither does Jungkook. They just want to find out the truth make the sinner get punished.

Seeing Jungkook leave, the sub-inspector entered the precinct on the way of which he met Ho-sin. She was in regular shift today.
"Good afternoon, sir." She greeted her senior.
"Ho-sin, I need to talk to you." He signalled her to follow him to the cafeteria floor as the place will be vacant at this time. It was still one more hour till the start lunch time.

"Did you see the boy we arrested in the morning?"
"I did, sir. He just got bailed out by his father who happens to be Byeol's former lawyer." Surprise in her words were clearly sensed.
"I saw that but what happened to his face? He looked injured."

Ho-sin checked the surroundings even if there was none, Sung-ho noticed her swallowing a fear.
"When you and Jeon sir left, inspector sir asked me to monitor Byeol. She was sitting on her own without making any noise but after some time, sir brought the boy in a state that clearly looked like he was beaten so bad." Sung-ho's frown got deeper with each word escaping from the woman's mouth.

"He was beaten by inspector?" She nodded sadly.
"I haven't seen him doing so but the other officers confirmed. After he brought the boy in front of Byeol, he asked her if she can remember him. She denied by violently shaking her head but it felt like inspector was trying to manipulate her into thinking he was the one she called as 'baby'. Something's not fitting properly, sir. I don't think Byeol even knows the boy by the way she was confusingly staring at him. However, she is not mentally stable right now, so, brainwashing her is not a difficult task. She has also been released on bail and Kun-woo's manager came to pick her up."

"Thank you for the correct information, Ho-sin. Do you know how the boy got bail? I mean his father is a renowned lawyer but in this case I feel it might have been complicated." Sung-ho started rubbing his forehead to process everything the woman said.
"There was a lot of arguments but I guess his father is really influential and to be very honest, sir, I have never seen inspector to be this much ruthless and involved in any case before. It felt like something personal."

Sung-ho didn't doubt Ho-sin's words but he was equally shocked to know such a change in a person who has been sincere and dedicated in his work. Everything revolving this case seems to be unpredictable. He is cynical at the presumption of Bin's response if asked to let a locksmith break the cabinets in Lee residence.

"Thanks for telling me the truth."
"Sir, there's one more thing."
"What is it?"
"Inspector Won told something about a painting that Jeon sir found out and also, it was based upon those findings that the boy was arrested."

Sung-ho wasn't best friends with Jungkook or had any relation with Namjoon, but getting to know about all the unethical things happening around a young boy, his blood started boiling in anger. There was a huge contradiction between Bin's orders to Sung-ho and team and the reason he put forward in front of Do-guk. However, he needed to maintain his equanimity at the incident which will help to dig out dark truth about Byeol and Kun-woo, maybe about Bin and this person addressed as 'baby' by Byeol too.

********

Jungkook was determined to take the bullet if that is the condition Do-guk puts forward to let him meet Namjoon. He wanted to make their moment of confession memorable but here they are, being the victims of a crime they never committed.

His car almost tailed that of Do-guk's and parked in front of their house. Jungkook hurried out when the elder Kim was pulling his son out from the backseat. He held the car door to make it easier and as his eyes fell on the fainted body of the person he loves the most, the ground beneath his feet started to slide.

"Please let me-"
"Shut up! And stay away from my son. You hear that boy? It was you who concluded his false involvement. I would neither spare you nor that scumbag boss of yours."

Jungkook wanted to tear up his soul or destroy his body if that's what was needed for Namjoon to recover from the traumatic experience. His mind rejected any thought that wasn't related to that fainted boy. He fell on his knees crying.

"I won't move from here until I meet you, Namjoon."

********

"M'am, you need to eat something." Kun-woo's manager, Do-hyun out a bowl of soup in front of Byeol.
"Why did they beat him so bad, Do-hyun? He looked so innocent and pure." Her voice started breaking at the recollection of Namjoon's face.
"I wish I could do something, m'am. But I need to protect you and my family from all danger." He took the chair beside her.

Byeol still looks lost and puzzled but ever since Bin convinced her of Namjoon's hand behind his husband's murder, she agreed to go home but still she is not ready to accept that she is guilt free.

"I killed Kun-woo, then why did the police blame the poor boy?"
"Don't ask me any question, noona."
He broke out into tears and side hugged the woman.
"I wish we never left the old age home back then, noona. I failed you as a brother."
Byeol returned the hug saying, "If I didn't dream of being myself, nothing would have happened, Do-hyun. Do you know where my 'baby' is now?"