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Seungcheol went over the evidence with Joshua by his side. "We've gotten the killer's shoe size, we know he was wearing a sweater with a lot of lint, he's able-bodied and we know he was out of his house by around 3-7am."

Joshua looked at Seungcheol, dumbfounded by the little amount of evidence while Seungcheol ran his hands through his hair, extremely frustrated.

"Fuck! Why does he have no pattern?! He kills like it's a fun pastime! No common traits among the past 4 victims, no assumed motives, nothing! Who the fuck is this guy?!"

Seungcheol fell into his chair, leaning back as he tried to reduce the tension he felt everywhere. He was so enraged. Was the killer invisible? How had he gotten away with 5 whole murders?

Joshua patted Seungcheol's shoulder before dropping his own file on the table. "I have a few leads and suspects which I'm calling in today for questioning, but nothing substantial." He also sat down and the two went quiet after, letting the cold air from the AC cool them down.

Seungcheol was getting worked up. He was the Chief Inspector, he was supposed to have enough leads by now or at least, more than four fucking pieces of evidence.

Something about the Justice Killer was irritating and in contrast, captivating as well. So captivating, so challenging that Seungcheol refused to lose. He would find him. Whoever he was.

A knock on the door captured the pair's attention and as the door opened, Soonyoung poked his head through the little space. "Sir, the people you asked to come are here." He let Seungcheol know and Joshua looked at the man beside him, lost.

"What people?" He asked as Seungcheol picked up some files and stood up. "People from the neighbourhood the last victim was killed in. Just want to ask them some questions."

Joshua nodded, rolling his chair back to his own desk while Seungcheol exited the office with Soonyoung right behind him. "Are all of them here?" Seungcheol asked and Soonyoung nodded, replying "Yes, all the people you asked for."

As Seungcheol got to the first floor, his eyes caught sight of Jeonghan immediately, gravity pulling him towards the man while he tried to stay calm although his imagination was betraying him.

He looked heavenly, like he had just descended from heaven and stars surrounded him, illuminating him and making him shine and glitter.

So perfect.

"Yoon Jeonghan, you're first." Seungcheol pretended to look at a list and Jeonghan stood up, following Seungcheol into the interrogation room.

Once they entered the room, the environment darkened, the dim lighting depressing the atmosphere and enveloping the mood in a state of seriousness.

The walls appeared to be closing in and a sense of anxiety swept over the space. Jeonghan was a bit anxious, just a little. It wasn't his regular playing field which threw him off a bit but he knew how these interrogations worked and he knew the best thing was to either say nothing or use the cop's tactics against them.

"So, I'm going to ask you one simple question Jeonghan-ssi." Seungcheol began, his tone unexpectedly cold and hostile, surprising Jeonghan. "Who do you think killed Mr. Min?"

Seungcheol's gaze angled in on Jeonghan in a coercive manner, his pen forming a rhythmic pattern on the table as he awaited Jeonghan's answer. He didn't want to be mean, not to the absolute doll in front of him, but he had to be. He had to be manipulative to get what he wanted.

Jeonghan shrugged, pretending to be deep in thought. "I don't really know, he didn't have a lot of enemies... or did he? I don't know, I'm sorry." His forehead creased and he pursed his lips, glancing at his fingers.

Seungcheol's expression soften, his sharp focus softening as he stared at Jeonghan, looking so pretty, looking like he belonged to-

Get a grip Choi Seungcheol. Do your fucking job!

"So your first thought was his enemies... are you a fan of Mr. Min?" Seungcheol questioned, crossing his legs. Jeonghan shook his head, bending forward slightly.

"No, not really, he's, sorry, was, he was always rude and not very nice to anyone, not even Mrs. Woo or his kids."

Seungcheol's eyebrow raised as he grabbed his notepad, jotting Jeonghan's words. "I've come under the impression that you and Mrs. Woo are close, what relationship do you two have?"

Jeonghan smiled a bit as a chuckle escaped his lips. "She's like a mother to me. My mother died a long time ago but she's always taken care of me."

His smile quickly became invisible as he looked straight at Seungcheol, conjuring up fake tears. "It's such a shame her husband doesn't treat her right, she deserves the world."

Seungcheol nodded, processing each piece of information. "Doesn't treat her right? In what way?" He asked, the interest in his voice audible in his tone. "In every way, he even hits her at times." Jeonghan began to speak in a lower volume, as if to not openly discuss their private matters but he knew what he was doing.

He was turning the blame.

Seungcheol's eyebrows rose in surprise as Jeonghan's words travelled through his ears. "And Mrs. Woo confided in you about this?"

Jeonghan nodded slowly, saying nothing else. "Jeonghan, during these confiding sessions, did Mrs. Woo ever talk about retaliating? In any way?" Seungcheol asked and Jeonghan gulped, breaking off their eye contact.

"I... I think so, yeah, but not like killing... I think she was thinking about divorce." He clarified and Seungcheol finished his notes before standing up. "Thank you for your time, Jeonghan, you're free to go."

Jeonghan stood up, bowing fully before leaving the room but as soon as he did, a smirk took over his solemn expression. He had just made Mrs. Woo the prime suspect but he did it for one reason and one reason only.

They would never be able to arrest her, no matter how much they doubted her or her alibis. She would forever be safe but she would also forever protect Jeonghan, successfully taking him out of the equation.

Seungcheol's eyes ran over his notes as he nimbled on his lower lip. Thanks to Jeonghan, he had found new pieces of information. Information that would help him find the killer. The killer whose identity he had already assumed.

The victim's wife, Mrs. Woo Inah.

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Jeonghan walked down the hallway to the entrance, ready to leave when a touch stopped him from moving. He swiftly twirled, facing the person with a fist out before realizing who it was.

"Joshuji?" Jeonghan's head tilted slightly as a bright smile appeared on Joshua's face before he pulled Jeonghan in for a hug. "Hannie!" Joshua's tone was an elated one as he let go.

"What are you doing here?" Joshua inquired, his right arm still on Jeonghan's shoulder. Jeonghan pointed to the hallway he had just come out of.

"Oh, I was called here for some questioning about the death in my neighbourhood." Jeonghan explained resulting in Joshua's eyebrows furrowing. "What death?"

Jeonghan got out his phone going to the news articles online before showing Joshua. As his eyes read the headlines, they widened gradually until they were as big as saucers.

"The Justice Killer struck your neighbourhood?!" Joshua glared at Jeonghan, the worry in him overflowing as Jeonghan nodded. "Jeonghan-ah, you need to move out of there!"

Jeonghan giggled in appreciation of Joshua's genuine worry. "Detective Seungcheol said he'd take care of it, that he'd find the killer." He informed Joshua who scoffed. "Since when do you trust Seungcheol? He literally called you in for questioning, that means he thinks you could be the killer!"

Joshua put his hand on his waist while the other carried some important documents. "Listen, I have no doubt that Seungcheol will find the killer but that doesn't mean he won't kill again before Seungcheol catches him." Joshua explained to Jeonghan before sighing.

"It's not like he's waiting around to be caught you know, just... be careful." He pleaded and Jeonghan nodded, offering Joshua a reassuring smile.

"I'll be careful."

Joshua smiled back, pleased with Jeonghan's yield. "Now go back to work!" Jeonghan flipped Joshua around before playfully pushing him back into the building.

"Bye!" Jeonghan waved and Joshua turned, waving back before they parted ways.

Joshua walked over to the interrogation room, seeing Seungcheol in the middle of an interrogation. He waited patiently until Seungcheol decided to come out of the room. "Hey Josh." Seungcheol said casually as he closed the door.

"Why the hell would you call Jeonghan in for an interrogation? Does he look like a murderer to you?" Joshua questioned, a hint of annoyance in his tone. Seungcheol's face scrunched in a bit of shock. "You know damn well we don't suspect people based on if they look like a murderer or not."

He crossed his arms and so did Joshua. "You said the suspect had to be able-bodied, Jeonghan can't even kill a freaking fly." Joshua kept his tone down but the irritation in his voice was extremely obvious.

Seungcheol rolled his eyes. "I know he can't kill a fly, he looks like a fucking angel. I called to ask him about his neighbours, asshole."

Joshua's features softened, his expression changing into a calmer one. "...Angel?" He unknowingly uttered and Seungcheol's eyes began to wander, his hands reaching his neck in embarrassment.

"Whatever. Why do you even care so much? Are you guys dating?" Seungcheol leaned against the wall, Joshua's face immediately morphing as he exclaimed, "Huh?!"

After receiving a few glares from the other workers on the floor, the two quickly lowered their voices, their frames becoming tinier in the passage. "He's my best friend. That's why I care."

Seungcheol looked to the side, nodding. "Yeah okay, focus on your case and I'll focus on mine." He reminded Joshua who stared at him, bewildered. With his final words, Seungcheol walked off to where he was going in the first place.

He had no idea why he was being so defensive or aggressive. Most likely because the thought of Joshua being the one to hold Jeonghan, to have Jeonghan in ways Seungcheol couldn't was maddening. Made him boil in fury.

He was too engrossed in his case right now, but once he caught the killer, he would go straight to Jeonghan and shower him with every single second of attention he deserved.

While on his way back to his office, Seungcheol was halted by the sound of his name flowing through the air. The voice loud, filled with desperation. "Detective Choi!"

Seungcheol turned on his heel, his eyes coming in contact with the person who had called him. Lee Chan, was standing in front of him, his hands on his knees as he panted, attempting to catch his breath.

"Lee Chan?" Seungcheol breathed, walking up to the man. "What's going on?" He asked, placing his hand on Chan's shoulder.

"I... I think... I know who killed my father-in-law." Chan stood straight, fiddling with his jacket. Seungcheol's eyes widened, his hand falling off Chan's shoulder.

"Yoon Jeonghan. He's the killer." Chan whispered, his voice firm with an unwavering resolve. Seungcheol's mouth dropped open and as he looked ahead, he saw Joshua frozen in place, alo taken aback by the sudden news.

"Yoon Jeonghan?" Joshua stood in incredulity, a sharp, icy focus on Chan as hatred pooled in his eyes.

Seungcheol watched as Chan nodded fervently, his fists balling as he cursed under his breath.

Why the fuck did he have to be the second suspect?

Why did Yoon Jeonghan, out of nowhere, become so tied to this investigation and worst of all, why was he directly involved in the crime?

Why was there a possibility that he could be the Justice Killer? That possibility was supposed to be inexistent. Seungcheol refused to believe that someone as pure and innocent as Jeonghan would be the killer.

It was unreasonable. Not rational. It didn't even add up to any of the clues they had so far.

Yet even with that, why was there still some hints of doubt in the back of his mind? Why did he feel like he had to explore that possibility. Just to make sure it wasn't real.

After all there was no way, no way that Jeonghan was the killer.

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Jeonghan sat down at his desk, turning on his laptop, the bright light in the dim room completely altering his mood. He logged into his website.

SafeSpace.Com.

A website for Korean women to share their experiences and receive consolation after being sexually assaulted.

He had created it a long time ago but his consolation had slowly changed from online consolation, comfort that would never reach them personally to actual consolation by killing the men who had the audacity to rape them.

As long as they were in his vicinity.

How he wished he could kill them all. Far and wide but he couldn't so he did what he could and he did it skillfully as well.

He wanted to make sure these women got the justice the Korean justice system would never give them and also make sure they knew they were getting justice and consolation.

He hoped they could find solace in the fact that the men who had once tried to kill their spirits and successfully did were now dead, rotting in a pit of fire.

As he read the confessions of some of the newer members, his heart burned in pain for them, the empathy he felt was immense because he knew what it felt like.

He knew it so well.

Because his father had done the same to him and his mother.

Ⓒ︎OHWAYOHWAYOH
𝕾𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖉 - 11/11/2024
𝕰𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖉 - N/A

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