Chapter 5

Detective Choi, the Top Crime Solver! Chapter 005

"Do you mean that the other children are innocent, and instead, the passive Eugene is the problem?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

"Fine. There's no point in talking more, so please process the paperwork quickly."

We live in an era where the internet is highly developed.

If I inform the parents' community that Yoo Jong-seok has been charged with solicitation and even paid a fine, they will naturally raise the issue.

After processing the paperwork and stepping outside, I immediately called Mr. No Jin-gu.

"I'm Choi Mu-jin, who visited earlier today."

- Yes. What can I do for you?

"Can you help me find a part-time job for a one-person protest?"

- We have staff for such tasks, so it shouldn't be a problem. What is the content?

"Actually..."

- I see, it's about the school bullying issue. Good. The rumor will spread like wildfire in about two days. By the way, I'll also inform the parents' community.

"You seem experienced."

- Indeed. What kind of era is this? Parents will jump in to help their children. Personally, I have a daughter, and if such a teacher were at her school, I wouldn't be able to tolerate it. By the way, the cost will be 1 million won.

"I'll give it to you when I come back in two weeks."

- Understood.

I wonder how much retirement preparation he has done as a school teacher.

Once the parents get involved, Yoo Jong-seok will find it hard to stay at the school.

If he somehow survives with just a pay cut, I won't let it go.

* * *

I met the father of one of the perpetrators, Kim Mi-na.

He is an ordinary family man who drives a private taxi, and his daughter Kim Mi-na could also be seen as a victim, being led by Lee Hyo-jin and Song Ji-eun.

According to the information gathered by No Jin-gu and Eugene's testimony, Kim Mi-na was a child who avoided being bullied by associating with Lee Hyo-jin, Song Ji-eun, and Byeon Woo-hee.

"Who are you?"

"I'm the older brother of Eugene, who was in the same class as Mi-na."

"Ah! Yes. Why did you want to see me?"

"Actually..."

I explained to Kim Dong-hoon, Mi-na's father, what was happening at the school.

Upon hearing the situation, Kim Dong-hoon had a complicated expression.

He probably didn't want to believe it.

So, I told him that Mi-na was also a victim.

"From what I see, Mi-na is also a victim."

"Really?"

He seemed to be in shock, and my words didn't seem to register.

"The other three children are very manipulative, deceiving both the school and their parents. Mi-na seems to be dragged along by them. Even if she were the leader, I hope you can persuade her."

"I don't know what to say."

"First, have a conversation with Mi-na. I think it's necessary to isolate her from those children as soon as possible. Honestly, I hope Mi-na can apologize to our Eugene, but I wanted to meet you first to confirm the situation."

"Let me verify the facts first and contact you separately, okay?"

"Sure."

After meeting me, Kim Dong-hun ended his taxi business and headed home.

Watching him leave in a hurry, I then contacted the father of the third child, Byeon Woo-hee, who was clearly a perpetrator.

Byeon Woo-seok is a councilor in Incheon Dong District, pretending to be a politician and building a resume to become a mayor or a member of the National Assembly.

"Who are you?"

He tried to pretend to know me, even touching his glasses, to avoid the mistake of not recognizing someone he should know.

"I'm Choi Mu-jin. We haven't met before."

"Ah! I see. I thought I recognized you. What brings you here?"

"I live in Dong District."

"Ah! So you're a voter?"

His attitude changed dramatically from a moment ago.

His facial expressions were truly diverse, as if he was trying to show that he was a politician.

"Something like that."

"Then why are you contacting me?"

"Your daughter is named Woo-hee, right?"

"Why do you ask?"

"By the way, I'm a police officer, and I'm the older brother of Choi Eugene, who was in the same class as Woo-hee."

Byeon Woo-seok's expression changed again.

His eyes seemed to be telling me to speak clearly, but he didn't use harsh words, perhaps because I mentioned that I live in Dong District.

"I understand, but what's the matter?"

"Do you know that your daughter is what they call a delinquent?"

"..."

Silence is a sign of agreement, but it seemed like Byeon Woo-seok was buying time to think about how to respond.

I didn't expect much from this man, thinking that if his daughter is like that, the parents wouldn't be much different.

"Councilor?"

"Wait! I don't understand what you're saying at all."

"From your expression, it seems you know there's a problem with Woo-hee. Are you going to deny it?"

"Look, even if you're a voter, you shouldn't meddle with family matters."

"Woo-hee and other children have been bullying my younger brother. I'm giving you a chance."

"A chance? What kind of chance?"

He seemed to be getting angry, putting his hands on his hips to show me he was upset.

"I mean a chance to apologize. My brother had to drop out of school due to the mental trauma."

"Do you have evidence?"

"Is it about bringing evidence?"

"Since you're a police officer, you should know. Bring the evidence. Don't defame my daughter until then. I'll only do this much for a voter. Go away."

"Hehe! Interesting."

"Hey! This won't end well. Do you know who I am?"

This is a common reaction of a Korean in a difficult situation.

Especially since he knows I know he's a councilor, he seems to be acting even more arrogantly.

"You're a councilor."

"That's right. Don't cause trouble without evidence. I didn't want to say this, but I'm close to the head of the Incheon Police Department. Should I call him and get you disciplined?"

He's now boasting about his connection to the head of the police department.

I've seen many such people during my time at Jooan Police Station.

"Ah, that won't do."

"Got it, now get lost."

"You'll regret it."

"Ah, how scary. Really! What a bunch of scoundrels..."

I could hear the rest of his words even without listening.

To deal with such a person, I need solid facts, and it was my mistake to try to persuade him with words.

'I'll thoroughly prepare and crush you.'

I filled my mind and heart with Byeon Woo-seok's mocking face.

"I hope we don't have to meet again."

"Are you threatening to sue me?"

"Maybe. I'll think about it. Anyway, you should keep a close eye on your daughter. If you continue to neglect her, she'll end up in jail soon."

"Are you threatening me?"

"If it were a threat, it would be fortunate, but even without being a prophet, I can predict Woo-hee's future."

After meeting Byeon Woo-seok, I thought it would be pointless to meet Song Gi-seok, a lawyer, and postponed it.

'You'll regret it.'

I had already commissioned No Jin-gu to investigate, and once the results are in, I'll make sure to crush them.

* * *

A few days later, when I returned to the station, I was ordered to assist the seniors on external duties and to understand the atmosphere before being assigned to a case.

So, I had a lot of time to think, and I also discovered that I had the ability to identify criminals.

Just by looking at the criminals brought to the police station, I could tell what crimes they had committed.

For the first week, my head was so cluttered that I almost went crazy, but from the second week, I started to adapt gradually.

"Rookie."

"Yes, Team Leader!"

"A partner has been assigned to you."

"Does that mean I'll be assigned to a case now?"

"Of course. As you know, Bupyeong is the worst of the worst. You should be prepared."

"Of course, Team Leader!"

"Good. You'll be working with Inspector Park Jang-woo. Introduce yourself and follow his instructions starting tomorrow."

"Yes, Team Leader!"

Inspector Park Jang-woo, whom I had already met, is a good person, albeit a bit cynical.

He is 36 years old, 8 years older than me, and has been divorced for 3 years.

I learned that the reason for his divorce was mother-in-law conflict.

"Inspector Park!"

"Just call me senior."

"Yes, senior!"

"Let's work well together."

"Yes, senior!"

"I have a meeting with an informant today, so start following me from tomorrow."

"Yes."

"By the way, have you resolved your brother's issue?"

The team leader must have told him.

After all, I had to leave my post right after being assigned, so I had to give some excuse.

"Yes."

"Why do you look so troubled?"

"It's nothing."

"Team members shouldn't have secrets from each other, even if it's a family issue. Don't you think so?"

"Of course. We share everything, and I'm not troubled. I'm just worried about my sister."

"Hmm, I heard you have some experience. You seem to understand the life of a detective. See you tomorrow."

"Yes, senior!"

Senior Park always said that team members share everything, and after living together for a long time, it's hard to forget.

After work, I went to a nearby errand center to meet Mr. No Jin-gu.

"You're here."

"Have you investigated?"

"Yes. Shall I report now?"

"Yes, please. And give me your opinion."

"First, Teacher Yoo Jong-seok has resigned due to rumors of solicitation. Kim Mi-na's father drives a private taxi, and there's nothing significant to use against him. On the other hand, Lee Hyo-jin's father, Lee Chul-min, and Song Ji-eun's father, Song Gi-seok, have been confirmed to have mistresses, meeting them once or twice a week. Additionally, Byeon Woo-seok, the councilor and father of Byeon Woo-hee, has a complex background. He has a criminal record, has evaded taxes, and owes a large amount of tax."

Kim Mi-na, one of the perpetrators, came from an ordinary family and was essentially a follower of the other three, which I already knew from Eugene.

However, the actions of the other three were shocking.

They had been consistently bullying children, targeting one child and then moving on to another when the bullying became less intense, starting from middle school.

I knew No Jin-gu was good at his job, but to have gathered all this information in two weeks was truly impressive.

"Did you investigate all this in two weeks?"

"I didn't do it alone. I use informants to save time. If I give them some pocket money, they'll work for a few days."

"Was there nothing else wrong with Lee Chul-min besides the mistress?"

"I thought that was enough, so I didn't dig deeper. His wife, Seo Na-jin, is very jealous, so if she finds out about the mistress, it will cause a lot of trouble."

"True. I agree."

"How do you want the investigation to proceed? I can make it more detailed if you specify."

"Song Gi-seok and Byeon Woo-seok. There's something missing to take them down. This time, I want to commission you to investigate these two. I want you to dig deep, even into their souls."

"Um! Then please give me an additional 10 million won. I'll bring you the information you want."

"Can it be done in two weeks?"

"Yes, that's enough time."

No Jin-gu definitely has no criminal record.

I can tell because nothing pops up in my mind when I think about it.