#02_First Suspect - I am detective Bae Joo-hyun

After a long drive, they returned to the alley where their client had last seen her and began searching for traces. The two meticulously documented each trace as they searched for them.

But no matter how I looked, there wasn't a single drop of blood.

배주현

Master! Did you find it?

민윤기

No, I couldn't find it.

배주현

That's strange... If he was badly injured, there would be at least a drop of blood left.

민윤기

Yes, but you have to try hard to find it.

But even as the day grew dark, she was so clear that no trace of her could be found.

The girl was suspicious and showed the photo to a passing citizen, asking if he had ever seen a woman like this.

"No, I've never seen anything like this before."

배주현

Ah.. thank you.

But the girl didn't give up and kept asking until a citizen who knew her appeared.

"Oh, this student! Isn't that the student who works at Sweet Bakery?"

배주현

Sweet Bakery?

"Yeah, I know the owner very well and we seem to be very close."

"I haven't seen you much lately... Are you sick?"

배주현

That... This person went missing a month ago. If you find him, please contact me! Here's his contact information.

"Oh, okay... I understand."

I found out where she had moved to. She had been working at a bakery called Sweet Bakery a month before she disappeared, and she was quite close with the bakery owner.

배주현

Master! I found the store the missing woman moved to!

민윤기

! Then I guess I should go that way.

배주현

I'll go and come back!

배주현

There should be a clue here too, so I'll go and come back quickly!

민윤기

You've grown a bit more mature, Detective Joohyun.

배주현

Thanks to Master! I'll be back!

The girl ran and ran until she reached a bakery in the city called "Sweet Bakery" and found the owner. He was a fat man who appeared to be in his forties.

배주현

Hello, are you the boss?

Yes, what happened...?

배주현

Excuse me... Do you know this person? (Handing over a photo)

..isn't that the author?..

배주현

Yes.. that's this person..

I know she's missing... She was investigated by the police...

배주현

I...I'm Bae Joo-hyun, the assistant detective at the detective agency next door!

배주현

I received a request to find a person named Ji-eun.

배주현

I was wondering if we could talk.

...All right.

*Now we start from the first suspect's point of view.

Find the clues and find her!

The author came in early June.

He came for the interview then, and he was bright and cheerful.

He was a child who was good at his work and didn't make many mistakes.

Since the author was the only part-timer, we were close and listened to each other's worries.

Then the store's situation got worse.

At that time, I was out of my mind, and the only person I could confide in was Ji-eun. Ji-eun held my hand and told me everything would be okay.

So, I couldn't really listen to the author's concerns.

Then one day, bruises and wounds appeared on the author's face, arms, and legs.

Ji-eun! What's wrong with your arm?

It's nothing..

It's nothing special... I just have a bruise on my arm!!

No.. I fell and that's why..

Ji-eun, who always shared her innermost feelings with me, stopped talking. Then, after I finished organizing the store, she started talking to me.

Boss... I'm so scared these days...

uh?

My friend... is so obsessed.

Friend? You showed me that picture?

yes..

The author often talked about her best friend while working. The two seemed incredibly close.

But then suddenly, he started saying that his friend was harassing him a lot. He was scared, and he kept shaking as he spoke.

I get dozens of calls every day, and it feels like they're following me around.

no way..

No way!! That kid keeps spreading weird rumors about me...

All for my sake... while making excuses!!

"No one else but me..."

He keeps mumbling next to me and imprinting it on me.

Are you okay, Ji-eun?

Sir, I'm so scared... Please help me...

"I really think I'm going to die..."

After crying for a while, I tried to comfort her and sent her home. That was the last time I saw Ji-eun. I felt so sorry for her when I heard she was missing.