INSIDE MONSTER. THE FUGITIVE.

CHAPTER 41: SOUL IN FLAMES

Before stepping out of the car, HanSol looked through the front window at all the bustle that was seen around the old sawmill, a building that was still smoking, although the fire was extinguished a while ago. Then, realizing that just staying there and watching wouldn't have helped her in anything, HanSol sighed and finally left her car. Yet, she did that only when she saw her assistant Hyun Shik heading toward her. And, when only ten meters were left between them, she asked him, „Did you find something useful?"

„No, nothing, sombe," the young agent replied, disappointed. „Even if there had been evidence in the building, there is nothing left now, not after all these hours when the firefighters struggled to extinguish the flames." To his great surprise, HanSol smiled. „Did I say something funny?"

„Comic? No. Even so, all this seems comic to me because... after everything we've been through in the last weeks, the last thing that was left to see was hell. Something we are seeing right now."

„Honestly, sombe, this isn't hell. What was before was definitely the kingdom of the Devil. If you don't believe me, stay around and you'll see what the flames left behind."

„No need for that," HanSol drily said. „I mean... no need for light to see what the flames left behind. I can imagine. And... could someone check what is inside? Someone from our team, I mean."

„Not yet. Only the firefighters were inside to extinguish the flames. However, nobody else had been left there. Not until the building was declared safe."

„Then... take care for only ours to be left inside."

„What about the forensic doctors, Sombe? We'll need them there as soon as the firefighters leave us inside. Yet, I'm sure it won't be soon because the DOC forensic team is far away from here and they will need hours to get here."

HanSol frowned. „Didn't they finish checking the area where Buffalo's body was found?"

The young agent shook his head. „They still need some time there," he said afterward. „They expanded the area of searching because Detective Gi's team had already found the place where Buffalo was kept before being thrown into the river. And, as you probably understand, an expanded area of searching means..."

„...headaches for us," growled HanSol, furious. „Then... we'll ask for help."

„Will you involve Han DooSan in this?"

„I don't have another choice, anyway. If not, it'll be suspicious for the other police officers, and this is what we want the least: others to poke their noses in our business."

„As far as I knew, Prosecutor Han was also in the team of „others." Did something change meanwhile?"

„A lot of things changed tonight, involving our beloved ghost. I thought she'd be here. Yet, I was wrong," said HanSol, looking around but seeing no familiar face."

„If you mean Ian SolHi, then... I have to tell you that your nose deceived you again, Chief Kim," said Hyun Shik, smiling. This made HanSol frown again.

„Don't tell me that she's around!" She hissed eventually through her teeth.

„She is not only around but... „in the circle of the fire," replied the young man, smiling. Then, he discreetly motioned with his head toward his car.

Chief Kim slapped her forehead. Then, she said through her teeth, „Wonderful! It's exactly what we needed: more devils around. And... for how long she's been here?"

„For about an hour. Something strange, though. I thought you'd get here together. Yet, it seems that I've been wrong, once she didn't tell you about this place. Is this because she doesn't trust you?"