ACJY C96

Around the time he had nearly finished one cigarette, Detective Oh prepared to leave. At that, Detective Park also quickly put out his cigarette and stood up in an awkward posture. Wolf 4 lit his second cigarette and watched them with a displeased look.

“By the way, I called your house, but you didn’t answer. Were you out somewhere with Gibeom?”

Just as he thought he was about to leave, Detective Oh abruptly asked Taeheun.

“Or maybe somewhere nice.”

He said, pointing to the spot between Taeheun’s neck and shoulder. It was the place the man had bitten with his teeth just a few dozen minutes ago. Without a single word about the text message Taeheun had sent during the day, he was prying into his private life. Wolf 4 smiled slyly.

“Who I was rolling around with is none of your business, Mr. Detective Oh. But did you not see my SOS this morning, or are you pretending you didn’t see it?”

Taeheun spoke to him in informal language outright, narrowing his eyes at Detective Oh. He took a deep final drag, then extinguished the ember with his fingertips.

“Ah.”

Only then did Detective Oh realize his mistake. He had no time to be offended by Taeheun’s informal speech. This was because Wolf 4 had raised his eyebrows, throwing a silent question at Detective Oh.

“I’m sorry. I was in the sauna at the time.”

“You couldn’t have been in the sauna all day. Did my text message look like a joke to you?”

As Taeheun pressed him, a look of panic was evident on Detective Oh’s face.

“You might be in the sauna next time too, so please give me another emergency contact number. I can’t work with someone who thinks bathing is more important than my life.”

“Oh, Section Chief, come on. Why would you say something like that?”

Detective Oh tried to laugh it off like a joke. But Taeheun wasn’t smiling.

Wolf 4, having roughly grasped the situation, let out a dry laugh.

“You guys are something else. What are you all doing? You know that the ledger incident today and Mr. Detective Oh’s matter are all grounds for disciplinary action, right? I won’t let this slide.”

Wolf 4 issued a stern warning. The atmosphere turned hostile in an instant.

Detective Oh, who was already on their bad side because of Detective Park’s incident, hurriedly glossed over the situation.

“I’ll explain everything later. First, let’s find the ledgers.”

Detective Oh used the ledgers as a shield. Since Wolf 4 and Taeheun both knew that matter was more important, they couldn’t press him further.

As if fleeing, Detective Park left the room first. As Detective Oh started to follow him, Taeheun also rose from his seat. He had heard all there was to say; there was no reason for Taeheun to remain in this room.

Wolf 4 stopped him.

“Section Chief, where are you going? It would be better for both of us if you stayed. You need to confirm the ledgers, too.”

Wolf 4 still seemed to mistrust Taeheun. It was the same for Taeheun, as he had never trusted them either. But they were the ones who had bothered to bring the bag all the way here, and they were the ones who had lost it, yet they called an innocent person over and even found fault with him. He couldn’t help but be angry.

“That’s right, Section Chief. It’s a hundred times better for you to check the ledgers than us. It’ll be more convenient when we contact you later, too.”

Just as Taeheun was about to say something, Detective Oh cut in. Wolf 4 nodded his head emphatically, as if that was what he had been about to say. The sight was sickening.

“Well then, we’ll be back.”

Detective Oh quickly closed the door.

Fuck.

It looked like he was doomed to spend Sunday night with Wolf 4.

Since they hadn’t stayed in the inn room to build a friendship, the two spent their time in silence. Then, Wolf 4 fell asleep first. Taeheun didn’t want to lie down next to him, so he sat leaning against the wall.

The sound of the fan was loud. In his mind, he called out the numbers that came to him randomly, in time with that sound. The room number of the motel where he had stayed with the man, the man’s resident registration number, the man’s home address, his phone number. And the man’s physical measurements. He smiled, imagining the man standing there wearing a blue bikini swimsuit like Miss Korea.

Then he thought of the man’s bank account balance and his bank debts. Kwon Iltaek’s bankruptcy was as good as confirmed, so he had to prevent the man’s bankruptcy before that. But there was no way for the man to face Kwon Iltaek, who was using his wits with a dedicated lawyer and tax accountant, and win on his own. Not that he was likely to fight back, anyway.

Taeheun tapped on a calculator. He needed to see the documents to be sure, but trying to calculate with only what he had heard was frustrating. Still, he racked his brain this way and that.

Then, he fiddled with the lips that had kissed the man and blushed. He vividly remembered the sticky texture and smell of the semen he had ejaculated. Not to mention his own semen, which he had splattered on the man’s soft, brown skin. Taeheun killed time like that, feeling the heat rise in his lower body from time to time.

Detective Oh and Detective Park returned around 4 a.m., five hours after they had left the room. The way they carried the heavy immigrant bag was no less than a triumphant return. Before even sitting down, Detective Oh loudly bragged about what had happened, as if telling a tale of valor.

But it was merely a retracing of the process by which Detective Park had lost the bag. In other words, with the madam’s help, they caught Jangmi and roughed her up, then caught the two gangsters who had conspired with her at some nightclub and beat them to a pulp again.

Of course, it wasn’t just Detective Oh and Detective Park; a police officer from the local station who was off-duty and a friend of Detective Oh’s also accompanied them. As a silver lining, the money-grubbing fools hadn’t even looked at the ledgers inside the bag.

“Those bastards, they were so wasted it was harder just to bring them in. They were so well-built, geez.”

Detective Oh shook his head from side to side as he pulled everything out of the bag.

The matter was resolved more easily than expected. Although feelings had been hurt by this incident, it seemed it would end lightly as a mere happening.

“Some of the money is missing, but it’s obvious where they spent it, so I think we can find it quickly.”

Saying this, he put down a bundle of money and dozens of old, now-crumpled bills.

“Section Chief, please check the ledgers first.”

At Wolf 4’s request, the three men’s gazes focused on Taeheun.

Taeheun took his time organizing the documents by year and then arranging them by month. He didn’t forget to check if any contents had been torn out or removed. Although he couldn’t check every single page in detail, he nodded his head when he thought it was perfect enough.

Detective Oh and Detective Park let out a silent cheer.

“Wait a minute. I brought a list too.”

Saying he would double-check, Wolf 4 rummaged through the inside pocket of the jacket he had taken off. From inside, he took out a piece of paper folded to the size of his palm and unfolded it.

“Let’s see.”

He went so far as to lick his index finger as he compared the list with the ledgers.

Detective Park was on pins and needles, worried that even one might be missing. Wolf 4 dragged his feet, checking only the covers. After a long while, he let out a groan, “Keu-eung,” and folded the paper. Then, just as Taeheun had done, he nodded his head. At his single nod, Detective Park’s body flinched greatly. A myriad of emotions crossed his face.

“Looks like we found everything.”

A smile finally spread across Wolf 4’s face as well.

“Let’s consider this a blessing in disguise.”

Wolf 4, who had blamed Detective Park and suspected Taeheun, said with composure. He was the one who had made the biggest fuss, the nerve of him.

“By the way, those guys won’t let anything slip, will they?”

Wolf 4 asked Detective Oh as he examined the money.

“That will absolutely not happen. Their boss is a guy who’s crazy for money, and if he finds out they took money behind his back, their lives will be on the line.”

Detective Oh said with confidence.

“What about Jangmi?”

Taeheun cut in.

“What about Jangmi?”

Detective Oh asked back with an expression that said, ‘What kind of nonsense is this?’

“I’m asking if she has a backer. She must have a pimp, right? I’m asking because there’s no way you detectives would have been nice about it.”

Taeheun said this while pointing to his face.

The greatest fear for a woman was having her face ruined. This was true for everyone, whether they were ordinary people or girls working in the entertainment business. There was no way Detective Oh wouldn’t know that.

“Ah. That’s all been settled with the madam, so don’t you worry about it.”

Of course. It was a roundabout way of saying that he had laid a hand on Jangmi’s face too. This was Detective Oh’s so-called ‘nawabari,’ after all. Even if he wasn’t a corrupt cop, he was likely on brotherly terms with the gangsters in the local nightlife scene. That’s why he could so easily find a woman who belonged to someone and some gangsters, beat them up, and still be so confident.

“Um, isn’t everyone hungry? I haven’t eaten a thing since yesterday…”

When the conversation seemed to be almost over, Detective Park timidly spoke up.

“You bastard, what a thing to brag about. But hearing you say that does make me a bit hungry.”

Detective Oh said, laughing heartily.

“There’s a 24-hour gukbap place nearby, let’s go together. It’s quite delicious.”

Detective Oh invited Wolf 4 and Taeheun to eat as well. When Wolf 4 said, “Let’s do that,” it created an atmosphere where Taeheun had to go along. It was on the way out anyway, so sharing one meal wouldn’t be a problem. Leaving the ledgers and money on the floor, they locked the door and the four of them left together.

The strides of Wolf 4, Detective Oh, and Detective Park, walking side by side, were full of energy. Seen from behind, they looked like close seniors, juniors, or colleagues. When were they at each other’s throats, and now they’re all buddy-buddy? Taeheun sneered inwardly. He was still bitter about the night he had missed because of them.

The surroundings were beginning to grow dim with the approach of dawn. Had the man woken up? He always woke up at 4:30 in the morning, as if he had an alarm clock inside his body. Still, he had had quite a bit to drink and had cum several times after a long while, so this time, he wouldn’t be able to get up early. He hoped so. He wanted the man to be sleeping until he got there.

Not far from Dongnamjang Inn, there was a 24-hour haejangguk restaurant. It was a place as old and shabby as Dongnamjang. At tables here and there, customers sat drinking or eating haejangguk. Detective Oh led them to the most secluded corner table. Gazes followed Taeheun as he moved, but not for long. Before the four of them had even sat down, Detective Oh ordered kongnamul gukbap without even asking.

“But there are places that still accept the old bills. Can’t they tell the difference?”

Wolf 4 mumbled as if to himself.

“Nah, if they were used at a nightlife establishment, it’d be hard to tell. The lighting is dim. It’s not like they’re a different size from the new bills, either.”

“True. I suppose that’s right.”

“Besides, they said there were real ones mixed in, too.”

Detective Oh and Detective Park answered in turn. Wolf 4 glanced at Taeheun instead of the two detectives who were answering.

“You’re sure you can find it all quickly, right? It’ll get complicated if this gets reported.”

“Oh, of course. I already got a text from my friend saying he’s found over half of it.”

Saying this, Detective Oh held up his cell phone.

A satisfied smile spread across Wolf 4’s face. He crossed his arms and rocked his upper body back and forth. Detective Park, who was still watching their reactions, also looked a bit more at ease.

A moment later, earthenware bowls were placed on the table. Everyone slurped it down as if it wasn’t even hot. Taeheun only tasted the broth once and then just pretended to lift his spoon. The taste was quite good, and he thought it would be nice to bring the man here later to cure their hangovers together. His eyes kept going to the clock.

Wolf 4’s gaze also frequently rested on Taeheun’s wristwatch. Then, as if he had just remembered, he asked about the watch with a somewhat exaggerated expression.

“I heard that thing is incredibly expensive. They say it’s a limited edition, so you can’t buy it no matter how much money you have, but you managed to get one, Section Chief.”

He asked in a way that was meant to be polite, but his tone was close to sarcasm.

“I was lucky.”

Taeheun answered nonchalantly. That way, the other person would also think it was no big deal. The moment one cluelessly bragged about the trials and tribulations of purchasing such a rare watch, one became someone’s target.

“Actually, it’s not much of a limited edition. I hear you can get anything if you just set your mind to it these days.”

It was a lie, but if he added this, most people would just think, ‘I see,’ and readily agree. The uncomfortable gazes full of envy would also fade to the level of admiration.

“Well, it’s true that nowadays, any Tom, Dick, or Harry slaps ‘limited edition’ on things to sell them.”

Wolf 4 fell for it right away.

Taeheun pretended to agree wholeheartedly and put down his spoon. Following him, Detective Park and Detective Oh expressed their satisfaction and wiped their mouths with napkins, and finally, the meal ended with Wolf 4 drinking the remaining broth in his earthenware bowl. Since it wasn’t an after-party for a company dinner, everyone just ate and got up.

Wolf 4’s cell phone rang. Seeing the caller’s name, he said “the old man” to the three of them and went outside the restaurant. After Detective Oh paid, he took the opportunity while Wolf 4 was gone to speak to Taeheun.

“Section Chief, after I find the rest of the money, I’ll go to Gibeom’s house. Let’s talk about that text message then.”

Earlier, he had said he would explain everything after finding the ledgers, and now he was bringing up the money. He was full of excuses.

“As you wish.”

He was reluctant, but he had to hear the explanation anyway. Besides, Taeheun had a favor to ask as well. He had to quell the ridiculous rumors about himself as soon as possible. He couldn’t plant false hope in the villagers, who were already struggling financially.

“The old man says to collect all the money and bring it to him. I’ll have to go later.”

Wolf 4, who had been waiting at the restaurant door, said to no one in particular. No one responded.

“I can go now, right?”

Taeheun deliberately asked for permission. Of course, he didn’t ask in a nice tone. Detective Oh squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, telling him to go, while Wolf 4 said, “Do whatever you want,” with a sour face. Detective Park bowed deeply.

The three men, who deliberately put cigarettes to their lips in front of the restaurant, watched Taeheun’s back as if they had planned it. Taeheun pretended to walk at a leisurely pace, but as soon as they were out of sight, he started running like crazy. Imagining the man’s happy face when he saw him gave him a surge of energy.

The kongnamul gukbap was pretty tasty.

Unfortunately, it seemed he would have to postpone the haejangguk for another time. He might run into Detective Oh’s group. He wanted to avoid that at all costs. He didn’t want to show the man to them, especially to Wolf 4.