I’m Obsessed With the Suspect - Chapter 64
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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64
It was not long after Cheong-a had conveyed the story to Sung-min that Manager Oh contacted them, just as Cheong-a’s operation had planned.
“Ah! It’s here!”
At Chamkkae’s loud voice, the personnel guarding the office all rushed over in a crowd.
“Wow, Meerkat noona is amazing. What kind of story did she leak to make him so anxious that he’s moving directly like this?”
On the screen was a message from an unfamiliar number.
Doksah quickly began giving instructions to his team members.
“Hey, first trace that number and start tracking it. Chamkkae! You handle the reply. Mes. You contact Officer Kim Cheong-a.”
The office instantly became bustling.
“But what about Rachel…?”
At Doksah’s hesitant voice as he gauged the situation, Yushin shook his head.
“Why, are you going to ask her for help? Someone who’s throwing a tantrum saying she’ll die?”
“Hmm.”
“If we ask for help with something like this, we’ll really be in big trouble.”
“…”
“There’s still a lot to hear from Rachel. Let’s try it among ourselves first. If we minimize our words and just draw out reactions, we’ll catch something.”
Doksah reluctantly nodded and turned his gaze to the phone screen Chamkkae was holding.
***
Cheong-a sat in the office, remaining still at her desk for a while.
But wait.
‘Where am I supposed to report to work starting tomorrow?’
Do I really have to report to headquarters?
Then I might end up showing my face to Manager Oh.
Or the National Intelligence Service?
But where is that located? Would Yeonhui tell me if I asked? No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t seem like it’s that Yangjae office that people know about…
Since she didn’t know how long the dispatch period would be, she was also worried about how much to pack.
Just as she was having such concerns, Yushin called.
[Your prediction was right. Manager Oh contacted us using Rachel’s number.]
“Ah…”
It had been less than a few hours since she had dinner with her team members.
But Sung-min had already conveyed the information to Manager Oh.
It was the moment when even the last bit of hope she had wanted to believe in him crumbled to pieces.
Though one side of her heart felt heavy, there was no time to be immersed in melancholy.
Cheong-a sprang up from her seat and headed outside the office while continuing the call.
“What did he say? No, what about the number? Did you trace it?”
[That’s going to take a bit more time. The registration seems to be from a burner phone he got somewhere, and he’s set it up so the cell tower can’t be identified either.]
“Damn.”
[He kept asking what happened with Jeong Gwangsub. Why did you request police protection for personal safety?]
“He conveyed exactly what I said.”
[Right. Then he said why are you going around doing pointless things elsewhere when the police are right here, and that he’d protect you directly, asking to meet.]
“…”
[The conversation content was quite something. I can’t tell you the details, but… it seems Rachel went through some rough stuff.]
At Yushin’s troubled voice, Cheong-a squeezed her eyes shut.
[And maybe because he was worried Rachel might not come out, he even brought up Cheon-u.]
“He mentioned Cheon-u? What did he say?”
[That Cheon-u abandoned you. That he went back to his own country.]
“…?”
[It seems like he had a big fight with Jeong Gwangsub. He said he knows the whole story of that incident. If she comes out, he’ll tell her the details.]
Cheong-a pressed her forehead.
“Wow… If Rachel had heard that without knowing anything, she would have flipped out.”
[She probably couldn’t refuse.]
“That bastard.”
[His skills at coaxing, appeasing, and threatening are no joke.]
“…”
[We’re currently coordinating the meeting place. I’ll contact you again once it’s settled.]
“Yes, understood. But…”
[Hmm?]
“I was told I’ve been assigned to the Security Bureau.”
[Ah, already? Hmm. Doksah does act pretty fast.]
“But I don’t know where I’m supposed to report to work…”
[Ah, that.]
Yushin’s chuckle came through the receiver.
[You don’t really need to report anywhere.]
“What?”
[We’ll meet when necessary and work then. If you need anything, call me. I’ll come pick you up. It would be a bit much for someone dispatched to Jeju Island to be walking around conspicuously.]
“Do I have to keep going blindfolded when I go to the office?”
[Ahaha. Let’s think about that.]
Her aimless steps stopped at the lobby of the Central Police Station entrance.
After ending the call, Cheong-a was able to encounter Inkyu, who was returning after finishing his work.
He spotted Cheong-a from far away and came running with a bright smile.
“What? Why are you out here? It’s cold.”
“I was taking a phone call.”
“Cheong-a. But did the PC bang owner really request personal protection?”
“…”
Hmm.
That’s a lie.
Cheong-a smoothly avoided Inkyu’s gaze.
“Speaking of personal protection, one tiny employee was really giving me grief, telling me not to bother the boss with useless talk.”
Ah, Manager Se-yeon.
“Appease that unnie well. She must be feeling very complicated these days.”
“No, I’m asking if he really requested personal protection.”
“…I don’t know!”
Cheong-a found it difficult to lie to Inkyu, so she got unnecessarily angry and turned her steps toward the office.
“Don’t tell me that owner didn’t come out when I went to see him?”
“…”
“I felt it slightly before too, but doesn’t it seem like he’s oddly avoiding me?”
Sorry for lying, hyung.
But Rachel did say she didn’t like you because you look scary.
***
It was just a few hours after Yushin had said there was no need to report to work.
From the crack of dawn, Cheong-a was driving out of her house.
“010-XXXX-XXXX: Songdo Shangri-La Hotel Room 4301. Depart as soon as you wake up.”
Cheong-a headed there following the message she had received from Yushin.
Knock knock, when she knocked on the door, it opened and Yushin’s somewhat tired-looking face greeted Cheong-a.
“You came early.”
Cheong-a stuck her head inside and looked around the interior.
“What? Why are you alone?”
“No one’s come yet.”
“That’s super suspicious?! You told me to come as soon as I woke up.”
“I didn’t know you’d wake up so early. Ahahat.”
Yushin laughed loudly and moved his steps to flop down against the sofa.
“Why did you tell me to come here?”
“The meeting place with Manager Oh was set at this hotel. The suite room upstairs. So this is like advance reconnaissance.”
Cheong-a’s brow furrowed.
“Want to hear something funny?”
“It doesn’t sound like it’ll be funny, so I don’t want to hear it.”
“You’re quick to catch on. That crazy bastard Manager Oh asked Rachel to make the reservation. Said he’d give her the money when they meet.”
“See! I knew it. It’s not funny at all and it’s pissing me off. Petty bastard!”
“Rather than that, he was probably worried about being tracked if he made the reservation himself.”
Yushin crossed his arms and laughed.
“Isn’t this good though? We gained time to prepare in advance.”
“That’s… true.”
Cheong-a nodded slightly and walked around the hotel interior.
The structure led from the living room to the bedroom and bathroom.
Dawn spread beyond the large glass window.
“This is strange.”
“What is?”
“This is my first time at this hotel. But I don’t know why I feel like I’ve been here before.”
Yushin slowly raised his body at Cheong-a’s words and leaned against the armrest of the sofa.
“Ah, this place is a chain with Star Hotel. The suite room level structures are probably almost similar, right?”
“Star Hotel…”
Cheong-a had no memory left of going to the room at Star Hotel.
Since she had taken a large amount of sleeping pills, it would be a memory that disappeared without passing through the hippocampus in her brain to remain in the cerebrum.
“I’m sorry about that day.”
“Why are you apologizing for something you don’t even remember?”
“I shouldn’t have dangerously pointed a gun at someone’s belly. Did I also shove it in your mouth? I’m really sorry. But since I don’t remember, please forgive me.”
Yushin laughed loudly again at Cheong-a’s words.
“Ah, really, why is this so funny. People don’t usually use the word ‘belly’ like that, do they?”
“…Probably? S-sorry.”
“Why do you keep apologizing. I found it thrilling.”
Yushin muttered like that with his eyes closed, and Cheong-a felt that Yushin’s attitude was somewhat strange.
“Your condition, why is it like this…”
“I took some medicine.”
“Medicine?”
Yushin tried to get up from leaning against the sofa armrest but soon lay back down and slowly exhaled.
“Tranquilizers. I haven’t been able to sleep for days. Ah, but maybe I took too low a dose. I couldn’t sleep a wink and came out.”
“…”
Suddenly, Rachel’s voice from before flashed through Cheong-a’s mind, saying that Yushin had probably tried drugs before.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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