Killer in The Dark

8

4:05 PM April 6

Minu and Mr. Park led me into a warehouse, which must be their hideout. I observed the tall, blank walls and the large shelves filled with boxes of all sorts. The air was thick with the scent of dust and mildew, and the only light came from a few flickering bulbs overhead.

As we walked deeper into the warehouse, my heart began to race. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched, that danger lurked around every corner. I dragged my eyes across the room and noticed several people with fierce faces glaring at me. I locked eyes with one man lifting a heavy weight. I gulped, noticing his big, tatted muscles flex. His stare was so sharp it felt as if his eyes had turned into red lasers.

Suddenly, my foot caught on something—an unseen obstacle on the floor. I stumbled forward, my arms flailing for balance, but it was too late. I went headfirst into Minu's back. I groaned, stepping back and covering my face in embarrassment. Minu turned around and raised an eyebrow at me. Mr. Park, noticing we were no longer following him, quickly walked back to us.

"Why'd you stop?" Mr. Park asked, irritation evident in his voice.

"Just tripped," I mumbled, trying to sound nonchalant.

Minu's eyes narrowed. "Watch your step," he said curtly. He turned back around and continued leading the way.

As we resumed walking, I kept my eyes glued to the floor, making sure to avoid any more missteps. We approached a cluster of makeshift tables where several more men sat, playing cards and chatting in low voices. The atmosphere was tense, and I could feel their eyes sizing me up as we passed by.

Mr. Park finally stopped in front of a large, metal door at the back of the warehouse. He knocked twice, and after a moment, the door creaked open. Inside, the room was dimly lit, and the air felt even heavier.

"Boss," Mr. Park announced, stepping aside to let me in first.

I stepped into the room, my heart pounding in my chest. The door closed behind me with a loud clang, sealing me inside with whatever awaited.

5:25 PM May 5

I stared at Hanuel intently as he sipped his tea, his gaze fixed on the world beyond the window. With my arms crossed and a furrowed brow, I struggled to conceal my impatience. Sensing my frustration, he glanced back at me and let out a scoff before setting his cup down with a clink, his posture shifting into a defensive hunch.

"It's true," he declared, his voice carrying a weight of certainty. "Kim Junho met his end at the hands of a gang, the most formidable one in all of South Korea."

As he spoke, I retrieved my notebook, flipping through its pages to find the section on Kim Junho's case. My lip was gnawed in concentration as I scribbled down his words, unable to formulate a response.

Hanuel's laughter cut through the silence like a blade. "You're not even curious about my sources, are you? No wonder you're a lone wolf in this field." His taunts grated on my nerves, prompting me to crumple the paper in my hand as he continued to prattle on. "And how's the newbie faring?" he prodded, but I remained tight-lipped, refusing to divulge any information.

With a resigned sigh, Hanuel leaned back in his chair, a hint of disappointment in his demeanor. "Well, this has been thoroughly uneventful."

I gathered my belongings swiftly, the tension in the room was palpable. "Pleasure chatting with you," I muttered under my breath, though my tone betrayed my true feelings. With a dismissive wave, Hanuel bid me farewell as I made my exit.

As I stepped out into the cool afternoon air, the names "Lee Minu" and "Mr. Park" echoed in my mind. Rolling my eyes at the memory, I made my way back to my car, each step heavy with unresolved questions and lingering doubts. I pulled out my phone and called Officer Cho. 

The phone rang once, twice, before a voice answered, "Hello?"

My heart skipped a beat. I didn't recognize the rich, deep, yet calming voice on the other end.

"Hello," I asked tentatively. "Is this Officer Cho?"

There was a pause, then the voice responded in a monotone, "Who's asking?"

Detective Go hesitated. "I'm Detective Go. I need to speak with Officer Cho urgently."

Another pause followed before a familiar voice answered. "Sorry, Detective Go I told my friend to answer for me,"

I raised my brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait, who was I speaking to?"

"My friend, my friend..." his voice sounded rushed.

"Okay," I tried to force my voice to not sound suspicious. "I've found out who killed Kim Junho and who's connected to the deaths..."

"Really," his amused tone sounded fake. "Who?"

"Lee Minu... and Mr. Park," I mumbled. "I still don't know everyone yet but those are the two people I am certain of."

"Oh---" Officer Cho's voice was unstable. 

I kept my face expressionless as I waited for his response. "Meet you at the station tomorrow," I ended our conversation and hung up. I stared uncertainly at his number. I tilted my head and stuffed my phone in my pocket.