CASE 34 - A Blind Chase Part III

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(Warning: Contains slightly graphic descriptions)



"How can this be...?" Wonshik was still trying to digest the fact that the pendant he had in his hand belongs to his friend, Jung Eunji.

It wasn't just any ordinary pendant. It was a cross-shaped pendant with Eunji's initials in it but also... her husband's.


5 years ago...

"Hey, rookies! C'mere!" one of the senior officers shouted over at the bunch of new recruits for their first case ever.

In the distance, the tall man with a straight posture, bright eyes stood there looking at something.

The young ones all went to gather around in the middle of nowhere, the site of a murder case. But when they got closer, the stench of the rotten corpse made them want to throw up immediately.

They couldn't even look straight, their instincts were telling them to back off.

"So, what do you guys think?" the officer didn't seem surprised at all. Instead, he looked rather relaxed which confused the newcomers.

They all didn't dare to speak though. All were shying away from saying anything and were probably thinking of a way to get out of the situation.

"Com'on~ something? Anything? What do you guys think the weapon was?" he continued to pester them.

That's when he lifted open the plastic blanket that was covering the body. In an instance, flies swarmed out from the corpse and uncovered a very disturbing sight. The body was chopped into pieces, scattered and mixed all over, and hard to even know which piece belonged where.

Rather than giving an answer, the new officers couldn't even look straight at the body and turned around to throw up in the distance.

"Butcher knife. Approximately 10 to 14 inches long," a young man walks in with his partner next to him. "Clean cuts and a professional at it."

"Juhyeon-hyung, you should stop teasing these guys like that," his partner said with a similar carefree demeanor.

"Oh, Wonshik-ah! Hongbin-ah! Thought you two couldn't make it today," the nonchalant senior officer, Lee Juhyeon said with a bright smile.

"Did you find the weapon?" Wonshik, with a stern face, asked.

"Nope. Looked everywhere but nothing. But I agree with what you said. These cuts are too refined and look at this victim as well as the previous two, it seems like it's the same person for sure. Probably the same weapon and the same method."

"Any profiles on the victims?" Wonshik continues to ask.

"Mid-30 salarymen. Nothing was robbed from them though. All their belongings were buried with them in the garbage bag their body was found in."

"How gruesome," Hongbin shivered as he caught glimpse of the bloody garbage bag left behind.

Juhyeon grabbed the identification card of the victim in a ziplock bag and showed it to his two hoobaes. Wonshik and Hongbin looked at it, nothing out of the ordinary, and looked at the rest of the victim's belongings.

"So, all we know is that all the victims are around the same age, salarymen, and live around the same neighborhood, right?" Wonshik asked Juhyeon.

"Seems like it."

"What a headache," Hongbin commented.

"Well, there's nothing much we can do about it now. We'll just have to wait and see what Forensics has to say."

"No choice."

"So~ anyone up for some BBQ tonight?" Juhyeon turned around to the new officers with a teasing smile, causing them to hurl again.

Wonshik looked at Juhyeon, his sunbae, and sighed.

"That hyung never changes, does he?" Hongbin laughed just looking at how the serious situation suddenly became lighter because of Lee Juhyeon.

Since two weeks ago, two victims have appeared around the same neighborhood and today made it the third one. Each of the victims matched the same kind of profile but a profile similar to more than half of the population in Seoul. The only thing the police were able to deduct at this point was that everything was happening around the same area, and all of the victims were killed in the same manner.

At first, the police did suspect that the killer worked in a butcher shop and therefore, pinpointed the three butcher shops around the neighborhood. However, as they continued their investigation and looked through the list of suspects, no one matched the list of evidence they've gathered because the killer was not some butcher they thought it was but rather, it was someone else.

"Is the report out?" Juhyeon asked one of the Forensics investigators in charge of the case.

"Yes. Here," he passed the report to the officers.

"As I thought," Juhyeon said with a murmur and showed the report to Wonshik and Hongbin who were also there.

"Sedatives?" Wonshik saw in the report.

"All of the victims so far were injected with sedatives. So, here's my question. If the murderer was a butcher, would they need to sedate their victims before chopping them up into pieces?"

Wonshik and Hongbin immediately knew the answer.

Their initial suspicions were of a well-built butcher, skilled, and had enough power to carry their victims after cutting them up. But why would a well-built man need to use sedatives to first knock out their victims? It seemed tedious and unnecessary.

Their investigation eventually went back to zero and they had to start from the beginning again. But they knew that they were on a time limit before another victim appears.

The search continued for the remainder of the week and eventually, Juhyeon found the answer.

But it was a hard one to budge.

When Wonshik and Hongbin heard of the news, they quickly rushed to the police station.

"I heard we caught the culprit?" Hongbin asked as he and Wonshik entered the other side of the mirrored room.

"Caught her this morning," Juhyeon said as he drew the two's attention to the suspect sitting calmly during the interrogation.

"A... grandma?" Wonshik and Hongbin were surprised.

"Shocking, huh? But we caught her red-handed."

"How? Are you sure?"

Juhyeon nodded with confidence.

After realizing that a butcher shop was not the answer they were looking for, Juhyeon continued to investigate around the neighborhood on his own. He pretended to be someone living in the area and asked around. As he did, an old fruit stand caught his attention.

It was in the middle of summer, and the heat called for people to get a refresher. The fruit stand was owned by an old lady who was selling watermelons at the time. Juhyeon watched her cut the watermelon for her customers cleanly and precisely, despite her age and petite figure. He knew immediately where he hadn't been looking. He was sure it was her, but he also had his doubts, and simply arresting her on the spot without any hard evidence would get him nowhere. So, he set up a trap.

"One of our colleagues dressed up like one of the victims, same age and height, and she immediately fell for it. We arrested her right before she was able to sedate him and when we searched her house, all the evidence was there. The weapon and... another body," Juhyeon said.

"What?"

"I shouldn't say body but more like bones that decayed from a dead man a long time ago. We've already run the test through Forensics to identify the victim."

The murderer, in her 70s, was sitting there in silence without answering a single question the officer asked her. She stared out into space and mumbled to herself. It was hardly audible and the officer who was interrogating her was losing his patience.

She didn't admit to anything and she didn't utter a word, only make sounds and nodding to herself hysterically.

And as if she suddenly went crazy, she got up from her seat and banged her head against the wall, losing consciousness in an instance.

Shocked, the officers all rushed in to get her to the hospital but the interrogation really went nowhere. A day later, she woke up at the hospital and the Forensics report was finally out.

"The victim was her husband who went missing ten years ago," Juhyeon did the briefing.

"Motives?" Wonshik asked.

"Not sure and she's not saying anything. And there's another problem..." Juhyeon frowned.

"What is it?"

"The doctor said that she's suffering from dementia. Forgetting things and even going crazy from time to time. Even if we put her to trial, it seems like the sentencing won't justify what she's done."

Dealing with crazy murderers was not unusual for the Homicides Department but those with mental disabilities are often judged much differently than those who are sane. And for her age, even if she did get put into jail, it might be granting her wish.

Interrogations were going nowhere and the deadline was approaching. People wanted answers.

"Hyung, you were looking for us?" Hongbin and Wonshik went down to the Medical Facility on the other side of the police station.

"Come in, I want to introduce you two to someone," Juhyeon said.

"Who?"

"Meet Jung Eunji, she's the new Psychiatrist here," Juhyeon welcomed her with a smile.

That was the first time they met Eunji.

A young lady with a gentle yet weak smile, she had a calm demeanor, and most importantly, she was Juhyeon's fiancé.



Wonshik rushed back to the police station, holding the pendant nervously in his pockets. He didn't know which direction to go to, his own department first or the Medical Facility?

"Wonshik? What's wrong?" Hongbin caught him just in time but saw his partner completely covered in a cold sweat.

"Have you seen Eunji?" Wonshik suddenly asked.

"No, I haven't seen her all day. Are you looking for her?"

Wonshik glanced around first, "follow me."

He pulled Hongbin to the side and took out the pendant.

"Hmm? Isn't this Eunji's?" Hongbin also recognized it right away. "Where'd you find it?"

"The prisons, where Park HaeJin was killed."

Hongbin's eyes grew bigger and shocked. He swallowed nervously," are you sure?"

"I already checked the visitor's records. She was there that same morning. The day Park HaeJin died. All of the cameras that were erased didn't show a single footage of her anywhere. Wherever she went, her traces would be erased. If she wasn't there, why would the pendant that Juhyeon-hyung gave her be at the prison? Why didn't she say anything when we were doing our investigations? Both you and I know how much this pendant means to her," Wonshik told Hongbin everything.

The two of them needed to make sure. They didn't want to assume but the uneasy feeling was becoming true.

They entered the Medical Facility to look for Eunji but when they opened the doors to her office, only her assistant was there.

"Where's Eunji?" Hongbin asked him.

"I don't know," he stood around dumbfoundedly. "I've been looking for her all morning but she hasn't come in at all."

They looked around the office but as they searched, Wonshik and Hongbin noticed that some of Eunji's belongings were gone. Even her desk seemed as if it was cleaned up and reorganized...

Wonshik gulped nervously and took out his phone immediately.

He dialed her number once. No one picked up.

He looked at his partner and then back to his phone. He dialed again... and finally, she picked up.

"Eunji?" Wonshik called out her name. "Where are you?" he asked immediately.

"Wonshik-ah," her voice was soft as usual. But somehow, the tone was a little different.

There was a moment of hesitation in both of them. Neither wanted to speak, Wonshik simply held up his phone with his hands trembling still.

"D-did you..." he's never found it so hard to ask someone anything. "Were you there... on the day Park HaeJin was killed?"

Eunji kept quiet for a moment but she could still be heard.

"Did you... do it?" Wonshik hated asking this.

"I did," Eunji confessed. "But he knew he wouldn't have gotten away with it. Not after everything he's told you guys."

"Then... you're really..."

"Don't blame them. I did this on my own accord. The path that both HaeJin and I decided to take has nothing to do with the current generation," she told them.

"Where are you? Let us talk," Wonshik was really trying to reason with her. If there was one person he didn't want to arrest, it would be Eunji.

"It's too late," she suddenly said. "Everything will be over soon so stop looking for them, Wonshik-ah. Stop looking for the Apostles. Dies Irae. The day will come."

"What are you talking about?"

"Wonshik-ah, thank you. If I hadn't met you and Hongbin... if I hadn't met Juhyeon-oppa, I would probably have ended up somewhere far worse than hell."

"Then why... we can help you! We can figure something out! I'm sure we can-"

"No one can. There are some things in this world that justice itself cannot do. Time and time again, it has failed us. I knew it and so did HaeJin. One final deed, Wonshik-ah. Only one left."

"Huh?"

"Just let it be. Turn around and pretend you didn't see it. Just this once, please? For me and... Juhyeon."

"You know I can't do that," Wonshik told her.

"... I know. You've never changed one bit since the day we met. Even if the world was ready to give up, you wouldn't. That's what I've always admired about you. But at the same time..." she swallowed. "I hated that about you."

Wonshik was shocked to hear those words from her suddenly.

"Every time I see you, you remind me so much of him. Even though I tried to forget about him, I can't because the two of you are so alike. Do you know how much Juhyeon praised you and Hongbin? When he was still alive? He never gave up no matter what anyone said to him. Even when he knew all odds were against him, he was willing to risk it all to find the truth even if it meant sacrificing himself."

Those words pierced through Wonshik. Knowing what happened back then was the worst for him and he could only imagine how much pain Eunji was also in losing her newly wedded husband...

"Please, Eunji," Wonshik found himself pleading. His voice sank in desperation. He didn't know what else to do for her. "Please let us help you."

Anything. Anything would be okay.

"There's no turning back anymore, Wonshik-ah. Deep down inside, you know that better than I that I'm at a point of no return," her voice cracked for a moment. As if she was about to break down.

"Th-"

"Sorry, Wonshik-ah. And ...thank you."

Beep...beep...beep...

The call got cut before he could say another world. He could no longer reach Eunji.

Wonshik held the phone by his ears, hands weak and his heart continued to sink.

He stood there in shock, a thousand scenarios hovered over him. From one bad scenario to another.

Hongbin grabbed his hands and gently removed the phone from Wonshik's hands covered in sweat. He could read his partner's expression from the beginning until the end. All he could do was to stay strong and quietly by his side.

Is there really nothing any of us could do? Wonshik thought to himself. What is it that you so desperately want the world to know, Eunji-ah?



Beep.

She hung up the call and turned off her phone.

She took a deep sigh and swallowed back her tears.

"Noona," a young man stood by her the entire time, listening to the conversation and aching alongside her.

She turned around to him and smiled faintly.

"Jaehwan-ah, it'll finally be over, won't it"? Eunji said.

The boy looks at her, frowning and feeling sorry.

"Noona, I-"

Eunji interrupted him and shook her head. He didn't need to explain himself.

After all, this is what she wanted all along.

She walks over to the large green opening, with a swing hanging on the tree that stood over the ocean by the small villa. She looked far into the distance as if everything felt lighter again. As if there was even a spec of humanity left in her, she smiled to herself again.

"This was the place we first met, wasn't it?" Eunji asked him.

"Mhmm," Jaehwan walked up and stood next to her. "I was really shocked, noona. When I saw you again at the police station."

"Same. I never thought... I never thought you would be Soonjae's grandson."

The two of them turned back around and faced the villa behind them. They looked up at the structure where they grew up in. Where they said their hellos and bid their farewells.

One generation after another.

"Jaehwan-ah," Eunji said again. "Wonshik and Hongbin knows about the Apostles. Old and new."

"I know. But... I can't back out now."

"You can't or you're not able to?"

Jaehwan looked surprised. "I-"

"I know what's holding you back. It's those two, right?" Eunji hit the mark. "When I met you here, I really thought finally, a successor to carry on Soonjae's legacy and finish what he started. You had such determination in your eyes when I've already lost everything. You were just like your grandfather. But when I saw you again at the police station, I knew you had found something far more precious and valuable. Are you willing to give that up?"

"No! There's no way I can!" Jaehwan didn't want to imagine it anymore. The distance he finally closed up, for it to drift apart again. He hated that thought.

"Veqritas nunquam perit. Your grandfather's favorite phrase and also his will. After this is all over, promise me, Jaehwan-ah, that you'll put everything behind you and start new," she looked at him earnestly.

Even if she couldn't get the happiness she dreamt of, she wanted to know that someone was happy for her stead.

"I will. I promise, but things have gotten more complicated. And I don't know what to do. With the organization and also Jaeho-hyung's death," he gulped. He was torn apart by his priorities and fear for the future he could no longer envision. "And... there's no way Minhyuk-hyung would just let me leave so easily."

"He'll probably kill you if you do," Eunji could imagine it clearly.

"I don't care if he did. But I'm more worried about..."

"Cha Hakyeon?"

"Mhmm," Jaehwan nodded. "He's dangerous. I just wish I knew sooner..."

"His obsession isn't hard to understand but," Eunji paused. "He's not the only one you should be worried about."

"Huh?"

"Jaehwan-ah, don't trust anyone."

A warning.


A/N

I know these chapters are quite short, but I really wanted to update as much as I can before the school semester starts again. I don't get breaks at all and working full-time doesn't help 😭 But the ending for this story is becoming more clear in my head, so the ideas are no longer hazy. 

Also, did anyone see the teaser images for Hakyeon's new drama?! I'm in love with psychopath, crazy Hakyeon!! I was immediately inspired because of it. So that's why the updates were a little faster than my usual slowass. Anyone else excited for the drama?

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net