Prosecutor Kim Seo-Jin - Chapter 88

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Really Curious (2)
My mind was in turmoil.
When I lived as Seo Jun-kyung and was accused of sexual assault, Prosecutor Choi Hee-jun was the first to betray me and fire arrows of condemnation.
But I hadn’t thought his death would be connected to that.
‘And the Police Chief?’
Suddenly, the Police Chief appeared—someone with whom I’d had no connection whatsoever.
‘What is this?’
Seo Jin continued to recall the time when I lived as Seo Jun-kyung.
Back then, I was investigating an entire group including Prosecutor-General Kim Young-jun.
From National Assembly members of both parties to vice ministers of each department, and even figures from the business world.
Because of that, I clashed with Chief Prosecutor Jo Woo-jae, and nearly every prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office turned their back on Seo Jun-kyung.
But no matter how much I thought about it, there was no connection with the Police Chief.
‘Sigh….’
After falling into thought for a moment, I exhaled a long breath.
And I decided to sketch out a scenario.
‘A line connected to the Police Chief….’
Above that, there was someone who feared Seo Jun-kyung’s investigation.
As Seo Jun-kyung’s shadow drew closer, they must have been anxious about losing their power or wealth.
‘That bastard connected the Police Chief and Prosecutor Choi Hee-jun….’
I furrowed my brow.
I tried to think of who that bastard behind the Police Chief might be, but there were too many suspects.
That’s when it happened.
“Then let’s report on work. See you at the District Prosecutor’s Office.”
Prosecutor Choi Hee-jun patted Seo Jin’s shoulder and spoke in a creepily pleasant voice.
I wanted to snap Prosecutor Choi Hee-jun’s neck right then and there.
But I held back and painted a smile of a kind junior colleague.
“Please go ahead.”
And when Prosecutor Choi Hee-jun had disappeared into the distance, I turned my body and opened my mouth to the detective.
“Let’s go.”
This case began with Detective Eom Young-jin’s death.
But if I trace it upward, it feels like the background behind Seo Jun-kyung’s death will be revealed.
The only personal effects were the clothes Detective Eom Young-jin had been wearing.
And they were clean.
Not a trace on them.
“We suspected foul play too. Detective Eom was investigating the Entertainment District, and those kids can be rough, you know. But if it were foul play, would the clothes be this clean? They should have been torn or damaged during a struggle, right?”
As I listened to the detective’s words, I pulled out the autopsy report from my pocket and unfolded it.
-Estimated time of death: one week ago from drowning accident.
-No external trauma found on the body prior to death.
-Diagnosed as drowning due to plankton detected in the heart, liver, and other organs.
-Blood alcohol concentration of 0.15% detected.
Seo Jin’s focus was on the alcohol concentration—Detective Eom Young-jin had consumed at least one full bottle before his death.
That was all the evidence they had found so far.
Even the ubiquitous CCTV footage had yielded no trace of Detective Eom Young-jin.
“Would it be possible to meet the detective who was his partner?”
The detective shook his head.
“He’s… not in his right mind.”
A partner is closer than a wife.
I’d heard they were inseparable all day long, even when one went to the restroom.
Yet Detective Eom Young-jin had suddenly died.
And it was suicide.
“He’s torturing himself with guilt. Saying he died because of him. That if he’d only paid more attention, this never would have happened…”
As the detective continued speaking, Seo Jin grasped the personal effects in his hand.
“He was surveilling entertainment establishments to catch those rough types, and then suddenly he just abandons the operation, drinks, and throws himself off a building? I still don’t understand it. Please. I need to verify this.”
“Fine… let’s go. Come on.”
The detective scratched his head vigorously and grabbed the handle to the storage room door.
*
*
*
“This is driving me crazy. These prosecutors must have nothing to do these days. So they really are playing detective.”
Word that Seo Jin had entered the police station reached the Police Chief’s ears.
The Police Chief chuckled and put a cigarette in his mouth, lighting it as he spoke.
“On average, thirty-eight people a day choose suicide. Over ten thousand a year. Eom Young-jin was one of them. So why is he making a fuss about it?”
The Police Chief’s gaze turned forward.
Before him sat a detective across the desk.
This detective had been Eom Young-jin’s partner.
His name was Jang Gil-joo.
Detective Jang Gil-joo opened his mouth.
“You understand, right? Detective games and reality are different things.”
“There’s nothing to worry about?”
“There’s no evidence. The reporters aren’t interested either, and these days his wife has been quiet.”
“That woman?”
Detective Eom Young-jin’s wife used to frequent the police station constantly.
But recently, her presence there had become rare.
“She has to make a living. She has a child starting elementary school now. I heard she’s scanning barcodes at a mart.”
“Ah… that’s pitiful. Show your face sometimes and give her some spending money, that sort of thing.”
“I’m doing that.”
Buzz.
Detective Jang Gil-joo’s cell phone vibrated.
He reached out and brought the phone to his ear.
“Yeah, got it.”
Detective Jang Gil-joo lowered his phone and turned toward the Police Chief.
“It seems the prosecutor is looking for me. I’ll head down.”
“Do well.”
“Yes.”
Detective Jang Gil-joo slipped his phone into his pocket and bowed his head toward the Police Chief.
Stepping into the hallway, Detective Jang Gil-joo gazed out the window.
His reflection appeared in the glass.
The composed face from moments before gradually shifted, soon contorting as though tears were streaming down it.
‘It’s fine.’
Detective Jang Gil-joo walked weakly down the hallway.
“I was Eom Young-jin’s partner.”
At the end of the hallway, Detective Jang Gil-joo’s voice was desolate.
His eyes were devoid of spirit, and his hands trembled faintly.
Yet Seo Jin didn’t find Detective Jang Gil-joo pitiable or struggling.
‘This man…’
He was the detective I saw through psychometry.
That voice still sounds righteous.
“Young-jin, you poor bastard. Didn’t you know it would be buried if we didn’t make it a case? You should’ve thought about how I’d live without you first, geez…”
Yet now that man wore an expression of hardship.
Seo Jin, who had narrowed his eyes briefly, opened his mouth with an apologetic expression.
“I understand it’s difficult, but there are some circumstances I don’t understand.”
“That’s fine. Please speak.”
Detective Jang Gil-joo agreed.
Once the stage was set, Seo Jin immediately handed over the records and asked.
“He received a call inside the vehicle, but there was no call history.”
“…It’s awkward to say this in front of a prosecutor, but I suspect it was a burner phone. There are moments when we need to be careful when calling informants.”
“A burner phone…”
Seo Jin crossed his arms and fell into thought for a moment.
The possibility of a burner phone was something I had already anticipated.
“Detective, you didn’t know that Detective Eom Young-jin used a burner phone?”
“We didn’t share that information.”
“But he was your partner?”
“…That’s exactly why I’m going crazy.”
Detective Jang Gil-joo glanced at Seo Jin’s expression.
And he was confident.
Lies mixed with facts cannot be discerned.
-Using a burner phone was the truth.
-Not knowing he used one was the lie.
Seo Jin’s questions continued.
Detective Jang Gil-joo spilled out every answer he had prepared for each one.
“Alcohol? He drank regularly.”
“He was constantly saying he wanted to die. He complained that it was difficult to pay back loans on a meager police salary.”
“It seems he even borrowed from secondary financial institutions.”
“If money was that tight, he should have told me….”
After uttering those final words, Detective Jang Gil-joo turned his attention back to Seo Jin.
Seo Jin stood with his arms crossed, lost in deep thought.
Detective Jang Gil-joo licked his dry lips.
‘If you’ve heard everything, stop playing detective and just go home.’
Most investigations are conducted at the fingertips of the police.
All the Prosecutor’s Office does is decide on ‘indictment’ or ‘non-indictment’ based on that investigation.
Even when apprehending suspects for interrogation, it’s the same—everything is built on the foundation of police investigation.
That’s what Detective Jang Gil-joo believed.
‘There’s nothing you can do.’
But the person before him was Seo Jin.
“Could I take a look?”
“Pardon? Where?”
“That Room Salon where he was doing undercover work.”
Detective Jang Gil-joo blinked.
He’d intended to wrap things up at the police station and send him on his way, but now this prosecutor suddenly wanted to visit the scene.
He’d never imagined such a crazy prosecutor could exist in this world.
“Sir, going there won’t reveal anything more….”
“Please.”
Seo Jin moved without hesitation.
“Damn it! I’m sad too!”
Detective Jang Gil-joo cursed as he climbed into the car.
“How am I supposed to live on that salary!”
Detective Jang Gil-joo had accepted bribes from entertainment establishments and turned a blind eye to prostitution and drug trafficking.
But then Eom Young-jin, the officer he cherished most, had begun investigating that very operation.
“I should have stopped it….”
Detective Jang Gil-joo closed his eyes tightly, remembering the past.
Eom Young-jin’s voice echoed through his mind.
“They’re dealing drugs at the Room Salon. On the second round, they’re injecting and spending the night in debauchery. And it looks like our superiors are involved too. Brother, let’s do this!”
Detective Jang Gil-joo naturally tried to stop him.
“Superiors? It’s dangerous! No, it’s a pointless move. You know how it works, right? If the higher-ups cover it up, what can we do? If they don’t make it an official case, it’s not a crime! And if your head rolls because of it? Think of your child!”
But Detective Eom Young-jin wouldn’t back down.
“That’s exactly why I’m doing this. Jun-gyu starts elementary school next year. I want to show him that the police force his father works for isn’t completely rotten.”
As a groan escaped Detective Jang Gil-joo’s lips, the passenger door suddenly swung open.
Seo Jin entered, holding out a coffee he’d bought from the convenience store.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, all right.”
Jang Gil-joo exhaled and started the engine, turning the steering wheel.
The car headed toward the densely packed Room Salon district.
When the car hit a red light, Seo Jin opened his mouth.
“Would it be alright if I contact you regarding the case?”
“Sure, yeah.”
“Then I’ll make a call from my phone.”
Seo Jin took Jang Gil-joo’s phone in hand and dialed his own number.
The phone vibrated, and Jang Gil-joo’s number appeared on the caller ID.
Jang Gil-joo looked at Seo Jin and spoke.
“But there probably won’t be anything there.”
“We won’t know until we go check.”
Seo Jin shifted his gaze out the window.
“There it is.”
Shortly after, they arrived at a Room Salon.
Jang Gil-joo continued speaking as he pressed the brake.
“Some thug apparently frequents this place… Huh? Where are you going?”
Seo Jin had already gotten out of the car.
He was heading toward the Room Salon before Jang Gil-joo could even stop him.
“Prosecutor!”
Jang Gil-joo’s eyes narrowed.
“That crazy bastard!”
Jang Gil-joo quickly grabbed his phone and typed out a message.
-The prosecutor’s coming over. Check the message and delete it.
“Oppa, did you come alone? Oh, there’s two of you?”
Madam greeted Seo Jin.
She stood at the counter with her arm propped up, wearing a white blouse with her cleavage fully exposed.
Seo Jin disregarded Madam’s words and surveyed the Room Salon.
Rooms were crammed tightly along an extended hallway, and the red neon lights hanging from the ceiling gave off a vulgar atmosphere.
“If no one else is coming, should we go inside and I introduce you to the girls? Our ladies are hot stuff.”
Seo Jin’s eyes turned toward Madam.
He walked straight toward her with heavy steps.
The thick scent of perfume mixed with cigarette smoke felt repulsive.
“Why… are you…?”
Madam knew through Jang Gil-joo that the prosecutor was coming.
She was somewhat surprised by his youthful appearance, but what startled her more was the look in Seo Jin’s eyes.
He was looking at Madam like she was an insect.
And in that instant.
“Ah!”
Seo Jin snatched the phone from Madam’s hand.
“Just let me make one call.”
“What the hell are you doing! Hand it over!”
Madam’s voice grew sharp and cutting.
But Seo Jin’s eyes remained cold and indifferent.
He pulled out his ID from his pocket and flicked it onto the counter.
“Prosecutor.”
But Madam didn’t flinch.
Instead, her voice only grew louder.
“So you’re a prosecutor! Do you have a warrant? Huh!”
“Do I need a warrant just to make a phone call? If you want, I can bring one and sweep this entire place clean.”
“Hey!”
At Madam’s outburst, Seo Jin burst into laughter.
He swept his hair back and stared at Madam.
“In all my years, this is the first time I’ve heard someone tell a prosecutor ‘hey’ in a bar.”
His laughter carried a chilling edge.
As Madam flinched, Seo Jin slammed his fist on the counter with a sharp crack.
Then he leaned slowly toward Madam, his voice dropping to something terrifying.
“If you don’t want to shut this place down, keep quiet and unlock the password.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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