Dangerous Investigation Diary

Ep. 34 ° Family Arson Murder Case (5)

Unable to continue comforting Ayoung, who was crying in the lobby, I went to the bathroom where I rarely visited, where I waited for the team members with Superintendent Kim. Ayoung was busy apologizing and crying, and I took out the notebook I'd written in the infirmary earlier.

Gazing at the countless black lines I'd drawn, formulating various hypotheses, with blurry eyes, I slowly began to reread the words behind them. Perhaps the hypotheses I'd discarded because they seemed absurd... were the crucial key to solving the case.

After recalling my memories, I hastily scribbled hypotheses on the back of my notebook. As I went to the hospital and began to process the arrests of Jeon Gyu-hyeon and Im So-jeong, the team members who had been there began arriving one by one. I was so distraught that I no longer had the arrest warrant I'd received from the superintendent.

박지민 [29]

"What the... Oh, I thought I was going to die from this pain..."

김석진 [32]

"...First, do you want to go to the interrogation room and talk?"

김태형 [29]

"Just... do it here."

김태형 [29]

"I'll bring that equipment."

김석진 [32]

"Oh, yeah."

민윤기 [31]

"What happened? Ayoung made a false statement?"

민윤기 [31]

"There's no way Officer Ha couldn't have caught that."

하여주 [28]

".....That's right."

전정국 [27]

"Officer Min, you too. If Officer Ha could see everything, he must have been a shaman."

하여주 [28]

".....But, Ayoung."

전아영 [19]

"yes...?"

하여주 [28]

"...You, what did you first report about this incident?"

전아영 [19]

"Arson... Why...?"

하여주 [28]

"It was reported to us as a fire incident."

하여주 [28]

"Arson... incident?"

전아영 [19]

"Ah... I was so shocked at the time, I just thought there was a fire..."

하여주 [28]

"How did you know it was arson? It must have been difficult to access the house."

전아영 [19]

"Uh, just... I told you that you often threatened me..."

하여주 [28]

"...Okay, I understand for now."

하여주 [28]

"But, Ayoung."

하여주 [28]

"You know that making false statements is punishable, right?"

전아영 [19]

"Huh? Punishment...?"

하여주 [28]

"A person who makes a false statement regarding a material fact constituting a crime for the purpose of causing another person to be punished or avoid criminal punishment shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five years or a fine not exceeding 10 million won."

하여주 [28]

"As you know, you are old enough to be subject to criminal punishment."

하여주 [28]

"If you lie any more here, you may face a heavier punishment."

하여주 [28]

"Can you be honest with me?"

전아영 [19]

"....."

김태형 [29]

"Shall we talk more about the story, Ayoung?"

김태형 [29]

"Are we seeing each other again?"

Before I knew it, Sergeant Kim had gathered all his equipment, handed over the cameras and recorders to his team members, and took his seat in front of Ayoung. I should have been a little more gentle... Today, I learned something from Sergeant Kim.

김태형 [29]

"Is this arson?"

전아영 [19]

"Huh? I don't know..."

김태형 [29]

"okay?"

김태형 [29]

"So, you lied?"

전아영 [19]

"...yes."

김태형 [29]

"which?"

전아영 [19]

"My parents didn't set the fire..."

김태형 [29]

"You said during your second statement that your parents threatened you and set it on fire."

김태형 [29]

"You just told Officer Ha that your parents often threatened you."

김태형 [29]

"What do you want to do?"

Before he knew it, Officer Kim's voice had dropped and become chilly. The air seemed to grow colder. Perhaps he hadn't gone to the interrogation room because of this. His expression remained faintly smiling, but the atmosphere was anything but. Ah-young's pupils began to tremble violently.

전아영 [19]

"Ah... that's..."

김태형 [29]

"Jeon Ah-young. They won't let us off easy just because we're young."

김태형 [29]

"This is a clear obstruction of justice."

Seeing that he was now calling her "Jeon Ah-young-yang" in a formal tone, even though he had previously called her "Ah-young-ah" in a friendly manner, Sergeant Kim seemed quite angry. It was understandable. The case, which had already been delayed because of the sergeant's work, was now delayed even more because of this little girl.

전아영 [19]

".....sorry."

김태형 [29]

"Well... if you don't tell us more, we don't want to look after Ayoungyang anymore."

전아영 [19]

"yes...?"

김태형 [29]

"We'll just sue you, from our side. Just know that."

전아영 [19]

"Huh...?! No, wait..."

김태형 [29]

"I will file a lawsuit within tomorrow."

전아영 [19]

"Hey, wait a minute...!"

김태형 [29]

"Do you have anything else to say?"

전아영 [19]

"...I just thought that I had to point out any culprit to survive."

전아영 [19]

"My parents always nagged me about my grades, so it lingered in my mind..."

전아영 [19]

"It's all a lie that my parents threatened me or that I bought them oil."

전아영 [19]

"I don't know who the culprit is either..."

전아영 [19]

"I'm so sorry... Please don't sue me..."

전아영 [19]

"I can't afford to sue my family. I'm sorry..."

In fact, Officer Kim wasn't the type to file a complaint, nor did he seem inclined to do so. That's why no one on the team agreed with his remarks. Officer Kim's reason for setting the tone was likely simply to correct the inaccurate statements about the perpetrator.

김태형 [29]

"For now, let's go home for today."

김태형 [29]

"You're a minor, so I'll talk to your parents."

김태형 [29]

"Nothing more to say?"

전아영 [19]

"...Yes, there isn't any."

김태형 [29]

"Okay, then."

정호석 [30]

"Should I take you by car?"

전아영 [19]

"No, it's okay..."

전아영 [19]

"I'll go."

박지민 [29]

"Ayoung."

전아영 [19]

"yes?"

박지민 [29]

"Don't go to a hospital or anything. Go straight home."

박지민 [29]

"Don't kiss your family when you meet them. Understood?"

전아영 [19]

"Yes, yes, of course...!"

With that answer, Ayoung hurriedly left the room. All the team members sighed deeply, either in annoyance or relief, and sat down on the sofa in the break room. We were back to square one. Just as we were about to be arrested, the suspect disappeared, forcing us to restart the investigation.

The first thing I heard upon returning to the office was, sadly, the results of Sergeant Lee's disciplinary action. He was given a three-month suspension, and after his release, he'd been given a two-month pay cut. Sergeant Jeong looked uneasy.

민윤기 [31]

"Still, it's fortunate. I got the punishment."

전정국 [27]

"Yes, that's right."

김석진 [32]

"So, what are we going to do now?"

김석진 [32]

"The investigation... has to start over."

민윤기 [31]

".....under."

Inspector Min took a deep breath and glanced at the clock on the wall. They'd started work at exactly 8:00 AM, but it was already approaching 5:00, the official closing time. Inspector Kim followed suit, looked at his watch, and then, seemingly making up his mind, spoke.

김석진 [32]

"Everyone worked hard today, and it was also the first investigation since returning."

김석진 [32]

"Let's get off work on time for the first time in a while."

김석진 [32]

"Let's take a break from the new investigation and come back tomorrow to do it."

We're all so accustomed to overtime and overtime that I'd never heard of leaving work on time before. It's been a while since I've actually left work at 5 o'clock. The mere thought of it was so awkward that everyone on the team slowly packed up.

They changed from their uncomfortable uniforms into casual clothes, packed the notebooks they'd scribbled on during investigations, worried they might be workaholics, and discussed whether they were going home or to their studio apartments. It was the first time in a long time that I'd seen Team 1 of the Violent Crimes Unit leave work.

[Seokjin's Room _ Inspector Kim's Viewpoint]

I came home in a frenzy, announcing to the kids that they'd be off work on time and all. But they weren't the type to rest just because I sent them home. Still, with their mental state already strained, was that the right choice? Should I have let these workaholics work?

All the way home, I agonized and struggled, tossing my bag aside and lying down on the sofa. I was clearly so tired that I'd planned to sleep until work the next day. But as soon as I lay down, complex thoughts began to swirl around my mind.

김석진 [32]

I opened the curtains on the veranda, letting the light stream in. I reflected on the day's events. The excitement of the team's first investigation in a long time was fleeting, but the team atmosphere was dampened by the disruption caused by Detective Lee, and even Ayoung's false statement.

As team leader, I didn't even try to delve into the details of Sergeant Jeong and Sergeant Lee's case. I was afraid to confront them. I knew that even bringing it up to Ho-seok would be painful and rude to him.

But at least I should have known. Wasn't it irresponsible of me as a team leader to just sit back and do nothing? I closed my eyes tightly, closed the curtains, and tried to sleep, which wouldn't come.

I thought I should at least get some sleep so I could stop this tiresome responsibilities as team leader.

[Yoon-ki's Room _ Detective Min's Point of View]

I'd been meaning to see my parents after a long time since I left work on time, but the day's events gave me a headache, so I ended up back in my studio. I leaned back on the sofa, raised my head, and stared at the ceiling. The white ceiling was painted with recent events.

The most memorable of them all... of course, there were the children's injuries, but even more shocking was the fact that the female protagonist smoked. I thought she must be having a hard time leaving the hospital room alone, so I chased after her, trying to offer her some comfort. But I realized it would have been better not to see her.

I wondered if I was being too pushy back then, but after seeing how my kids, who complained about the hardships of work, started smoking frequently and then, due to the nature of their jobs, ran around all day, their lungs began to deteriorate, I've been strictly regulating smoking ever since. Since that incident, I haven't heard many cases where people have to run around trying to catch criminals in the act.

I wonder if Yeo-ju will be disappointed with her personality. She's skilled beyond her years, but there are still many aspects of our team she's unaware of, and she's unsure how to handle them. As Seok-jin hyung's subordinate, she needs to learn how to look after the kids when he's not around, but that's still a challenge.

민윤기 [31]

I can barely remember when I started this job, and the only thing I'm good at is analyzing a few pieces of evidence. Working in the overly demanding 1st Team of the Violent Crimes Investigation Team, straddling a mix of self-doubt and inferiority complex, may have been a burden at times.

[BU Police Station Infirmary _ Sergeant Jeong's Viewpoint]

After everyone left work, I quietly returned to the infirmary. I wanted to apply an ice pack to my cheek, which hadn't fully sunk in yet. I sat on the same bed where I'd treated Yeoju earlier and applied an ice pack to her cheek.

As time passed, the warmth of my hands melted the ice, and I couldn't do anything about the ice pack dripping with water. Before I knew it, I was crying silently. The tears flowed so quickly that it was hard to tell whether they were melted ice or tears.

I thought things would get better as I gradually forgot about it. I thought things would get better if I surrounded myself with good people and ignored them, but it seems it was just a temporary phenomenon. Facing it head-on and negatively impacting those around me made it impossible to live sanely.

정호석 [30]

The flushed cheeks, the blood streaming down them, the moment when the female protagonist, speechless and with her eyes wide open, lingered in my memory, tormenting me. I wish I had spared you such an unpleasant experience.

The things I faced today, so utterly devastating that they made my efforts seem meaningless, were the worst of the worst. They were all examples of the "if I don't do this, I'll at least get halfway there." The tears wouldn't stop, so I finally put down the melted ice pack and buried my face in my cold hands.

[Namjoon's Parents' House _ Officer Kim's POV]

After a grueling day at work, I usually don't do this, but today I was so exhausted I stopped by my parents' house for the first time in a while. I bought a handful of groceries and other necessities, and when I got home, my parents greeted me with big smiles. I missed them so much.

At home, I was a precious treasure. I was the youngest child, an only child, and a member of a highly accomplished police force with a reputation that was also one of the few that was well-known to the public. So, whenever I went to my parents' house, I would always feel like I was a remarkable person.

김남준 [30]

Being a proud son is certainly a blessing, and I fully understand that it's a difficult task, but I began to doubt whether I was doing a good job in Team 1. Especially after recovering from the injuries sustained during this incident and the long wait, I wondered if I should really quit.

From my fledgling days, when I applied for technical positions, intent on showing nothing but perfection, to now, when I've worked hard to avoid injury, I haven't changed a single bit. I'm so afraid of showing my weaknesses, it's always terrifying.

[BU Police Station Back Alley - Police Officer Park and Police Officer Kim's POV]

Ever since we were police academy classmates, the two of us would often go to arcades and hang out together after class or work ended early. We loved the arcades because they offered a place where we could escape the seriousness of the Violent Crimes Unit 1 and be a little childish.

김태형 [29]

"Let's have a meal with Bubble Bubble today!"

박지민 [29]

"Oh, no - that's what you're good at."

김태형 [29]

"Then what about Tetris?"

박지민 [29]

"Go and see-"

김태형 [29]

"Are you scared? If you're scared, tell me~"

박지민 [29]

"Oh, that's not it, ah!"

Just then, a young man ran up to Sergeant Park's shoulder and hit him hard, causing him to tumble to the ground because of his toned body. We were both shocked, and reached out to ask if he was okay. But when we met his eyes and saw his face, we were left speechless.

박지민 [29]

".....what."

김태형 [29]

"Mr. Jeon Seo-jun...?"

It was Jeon Seo-jun, the eldest son of the family of the arson victim we were investigating. I wanted to ask him why he was running so hastily in his hospital gown when he bumped into us and fell, but the tears welling up in his eyes suggested he had a story to tell, so I couldn't.

As we stared silently, Jeon Seo-jun noticed us, then got up and ran the rest of the way. Thinking he was just mentally traumatized by the house fire, we were about to leave as well, but Officer Kim stood there, deep in thought.

박지민 [29]

"Hey, Kim Taehyung. What are you doing?"

김태형 [29]

".....those eyes."

김태형 [29]

"Where have I seen those eyes with so much story?"

[Police Superintendent's Office _ Police Officer Ha's Viewpoint]

This officer was unexpectedly summoned to the police chief's office because of a heightened disciplinary action. It was my first time in that office, but the police chief recognized me, adding to the pressure. I stood before him, my posture stiff, as he reviewed the documents.

치안감 [46]

"So, how about the ball?"

하여주 [28]

"Oh, the swelling has gone down a bit thanks to the ice pack."

치안감 [46]

"Did that band get hurt because of this incident?"

하여주 [28]

"...Yes. I got scratched by the ring and bled a little."

치안감 [46]

"This officer was so reckless."

치안감 [46]

"If the two-month pay cut isn't enough, just tell me and I'll give you more."

하여주 [28]

"No, it's okay."

치안감 [46]

"By the way... do the kids in Team 1 have any military discipline?"

하여주 [28]

"No, not really... I don't think so."

치안감 [46]

“Are you so stubborn because you’re in front of me?”

하여주 [28]

"It's my first time in front of the Chief of Police, so I'm nervous."

치안감 [46]

"What are you talking about again? I guess Team 1 told me that I get scolded a lot."

하여주 [28]

"That's... not it."

치안감 [46]

"There's no need to hide it. I know it too."

치안감 [46]

"Go out. Get off work quickly."

하여주 [28]

"Okay, I'll go in now."

After leaving the police chief's office, I was walking down the hallway, looking at the notebook I'd written down about the incident earlier. I happened to run into a rather unpleasant person. The officer had probably already been contacted about increased disciplinary action, and he must be quite upset. Why...

이수담 [29]

"Is it fun?"

하여주 [28]

"...yes?"

이수담 [29]

"Is it easy to ruin one person?"

이수담 [29]

"I'm the youngest member of the team who is popular, but I'm surrounded by talented and accomplished teammates, so I'm very confident."

이수담 [29]

"Besides, since he has connections in high positions, it's easy to discipline him."

이수담 [29]

"Doesn't that make police work seem funny?"

이수담 [29]

"It's obvious that I came in by parachute, so why are they protecting me because I'm pretty..."

하여주 [28]

"That's not a parachute."

이수담 [29]

"What kind of idiot would put someone like you, who is smart, on the Strongest Team?"

하여주 [28]

"What is this officer good at?"

이수담 [29]

"what?"

하여주 [28]

"I graduated at the top of my class at the police academy last year."

하여주 [28]

"You know that graduating at the top of your class isn't just about doing well on the written test, right?"

이수담 [29]

"Huh... You've been really rude since earlier."

전정국 [27]

"Should I stop?"

이수담 [29]

"I'm a police officer. Where did you hear me speaking informally?"

전정국 [27]

"Is there something like that after work?"

전정국 [27]

"There is no reason to be even more polite to a police officer who has been suspended."

이수담 [29]

"What?! You just said it all,"

전정국 [27]

"If that's what you're saying, then stop feeling inferior to the parachuted kid and go home and get some rest."

전정국 [27]

"Just wait until the disciplinary action is over."

이수담 [29]

"Hey, Jeon Jungkook."

전정국 [27]

"This is your final warning to stop messing with the youngest."

The former officer appeared from nowhere, blocked the officer's attack, then grabbed my wrist and dragged me outside. He said nothing as he handed me my taxi fare and sent me to the taxi. His eyes seemed somehow stern, so I didn't ask any further questions.

[BU Police Station Hallway - From the perspective of a former police officer]

On my way home from work, I was briefly helping Team 2 with their handover, which had been a busy process lately. I heard a loud argument coming from the other side of the hallway. I hated getting involved in such things, so I was about to turn around when I heard the voice, which sounded like Yeoju's older sister's, and my steps automatically turned towards her.

Watching them from afar, it seemed obvious that Soodam had picked a fight with Yeoju. It seemed she'd been upset about the harsh punishment, so she'd come to vent her anger on Yeoju. However, Soodam's words were harsh and outrageous.

The female lead is a parachute member, doesn't do anything for the team, and is full of airs based on her connections with her teammates and high-ranking officials. I'd rather she were a bit more arrogant, and what kind of parachute member is someone who came in injured enough to be better off if she worked less?

Moreover, graduating top of the police academy required near-perfect scores on both the written and practical exams. I doubt the superintendent had thoughtlessly assigned Yeoju to our team. And Sudam, even if jealousy or pride were the primary motivation, it's pointless to act so foolishly.

Even if I could tolerate everything else, I couldn't tolerate ignoring Yeoju, who played a vital role in our team and brought us so much energy. Especially when she was a member of Team 3, the one who had deeply wounded us. I stood in front of Yeoju, watching her closely, and I knew she was about to strike.

No matter what happened, no matter who approached, this time, we would protect each other. I wouldn't let that happen again. I grabbed her wrist and dragged her out, but I wiped away my tears for fear of tears falling for no reason. I wanted to keep it a secret, but I couldn't tell my sister.

Today, I wrote from each team member's perspective, which is a bit special! Since I always write from the perspective of the lower ranks, I felt it was a shame that I couldn't write about the team members' thoughts in detail. 🥲 After a long time, I decided to write from each team member's perspective. 🥹 Please don't miss the hints I've scattered here and there, and I'd appreciate it if you read them carefully. 🥰

_ Number of characters: 8389