As Ko and I begin our examination of the first crime scene, the gravity of what occurred here weighs heavily in the air. We move methodically, taking in every detail with trained eyes.
The first thing that catches my attention is the wall surrounding the property. It's impressively high, at least eight feet tall. "A normal person wouldn't be able to scale this easily," I muse aloud.
Ko nods in agreement. "So either our perpetrator is exceptionally athletic, or..."
"Or they used some kind of tool," I finish her thought. "A rope, a ladder maybe. Something they could quickly deploy and remove without leaving a trace."
We move closer to the house itself. An officer who's been guarding the scene approaches us, pointing out a crucial detail. "The investigators determined that one of the windows was unlocked from the outside," he explains.
I lean in to examine the window in question. The lock mechanism shows no signs of forced entry, suggesting a high level of skill. "This indicates a sophisticated method," I say to Ko. "Our killer isn't just physically capable; they're technically proficient as well."
Ko's brow furrows. "It's an unsettling combination. Athletic, skilled, and meticulous."
As we continue our survey, a thought occurs to me. "What about the victims' connection to the nearby church?" I ask the officer. "Were they members of the congregation?"
The officer shakes his head. "No, sir. According to our records, the victims weren't part of the church community."
I exchange a glance with Ko. "Interesting. It might rule out the church as a direct connection, but the proximity is still significant. Can you double-check that for us, just to be certain?"
The officer nods and hurries off to verify the information.
As we complete our examination of the first scene, I can feel the pieces of the puzzle shifting in my mind. The high wall, the skillfully unlocked window, the proximity to the church despite no apparent connection - each detail adds to the complex profile of our killer.
"I think we've seen what we need to here," Ko says, echoing my thoughts. "Shall we move on to the second scene?"
I nod, already mentally preparing for what we might find next.
As we pull up to the third crime scene, I can feel a sense of frustration settling over us. The second scene yielded no new insights, and I'm hoping this location will prove more fruitful. While Ko speaks with the officer guarding the scene, I quickly review the case file, focusing on any additional information we've received.
Suddenly, a detail jumps out at me, something I hadn't fully processed before. I turn to Ko as she approaches. "I think I've noticed something significant," I say, my voice tight with excitement and concern.
Ko raises an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"The victim here - the elderly man - was found alive by his son, unlike in the previous cases where all victims were dead when discovered," I explain, flipping through the pages of the report. "I wanted to understand why, so I checked the timeline."
I show Ko the relevant section of the report. "Look here. The estimated time of the criminal's intrusion and the time the son arrived... there's only about a 20-minute gap."
Ko's eyes widen as she grasps the implication. "Are you suggesting...?"
I nod grimly. "I think the criminal was still in the house when the son found his father and took him to the hospital."
Ko takes a sharp breath. "That... that sounds highly likely. But why would the criminal leave without finishing the job? It's not consistent with their previous behavior."
"I think it confirms something about our killer's psychology," I reply, my mind racing. "It again proves that they only target those they perceive as weaker than themselves. Faced with a younger, potentially stronger opponent in the son, they chose to flee rather than confront him."
Ko nods slowly, processing this information. "This is a significant insight. It not only gives us a clearer picture of the killer's mindset but also suggests they might be less physically imposing than we initially thought. They rely on the element of surprise and the vulnerability of their victims."
"Exactly," I agree. "And it might explain why they're so meticulous in their planning. They need to ensure their victims are alone and vulnerable before they strike."
We spend some time examining the scene, paying particular attention to potential hiding spots and escape routes the killer might have used when the son arrived unexpectedly. Each new detail adds to our evolving profile of the perpetrator.
As we finish our examination, Ko turns to me. "We should head to the fourth scene now. Given what we've learned here, it might shed new light on the killer's evolving methods."
I nod in agreement, feeling a mix of anticipation and dread as we make our way back to the car. The fourth scene - the most recent attack - holds the promise of fresh insights, but also the weight of our failure to prevent it.
As we arrive at the fourth crime scene, the air feels heavy with the weight of recent tragedy. Ko and I meticulously examine the area, hoping to find some crucial detail that might have been overlooked. However, despite our thorough investigation, nothing particularly outstanding catches our attention.
While we're standing in the living room, where the most violent part of the attack took place, I turn to Ko, a thought forming in my mind.
"You know," I begin, my voice low and contemplative, "given the situation and the pattern we've observed, I think it might be a while before the next case occurs."
Ko looks at me, her brow furrowed. "Why do you say that?"
I take a deep breath, organizing my thoughts. "Well, look at the timeline. At the third scene, our killer encountered something unexpected - a young man, the son of the victim. It rattled them enough that they fled without completing their usual routine. After that, it took more than a month before they struck again here."
Ko nods slowly, following my logic. "And at this scene? What do you think threw them off?"
"The baby," I reply. "Another unexpected element. They chose not to harm the child, which is a significant deviation from their previous behavior. These unexpected encounters... they're disrupting the killer's carefully constructed world."
"So you think they're what? Regrouping?" Ko asks.
I nod. "Exactly. They're likely struggling to choose their next target now. These experiences have shown them that their planning isn't foolproof. They need to reassess, maybe change their criteria or methods."
Ko considers this for a moment, then agrees. "That makes sense. It fits with the meticulous nature we've observed in their other actions. But if that's the case, what do you think their next target might be?"
I shake my head, feeling the weight of uncertainty. "Honestly, I have no idea right now. They might stick to their usual victim type but with even more careful planning, or they might change their approach entirely. We'll need to consider all possibilities."
The drive back to the station is quiet, both of us lost in our thoughts about what might come next. The puzzle of our elusive killer continues to grow more complex, and I know that the coming days and weeks will be crucial in our efforts to stop them before they can strike again.
As we pull into the station's parking lot, my attention is drawn to a group of men entering the building. Their demeanor and appearance are distinctive - sharp suits, an air of authority, and subtle but unmistakable tattoos peeking out from beneath their collars and cuffs.
"Are those... Yakuza?" I ask Ko, unable to hide my surprise.
Ko glances over, seemingly unfazed. "Ah, yes. They're probably here to report their recent activities."
I turn to her, my eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Yakuza reporting to the police? What on earth for?"
Ko shrugs, a wry smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "It's all part of maintaining the balance of Gwangju's order. A delicate dance, if you will."
As we exit the car, I press further, my curiosity piqued. "What exactly do they report?"
"It's usually very minimal," Ko explains as we walk towards the station. "They discuss their businesses - many of which operate in a grey area between legal and illegal. Karaoke bars, hostess clubs, that sort of thing. They also manage certain aspects of the red light district."
I nod slowly, processing this information. It's a stark contrast to the strict approach I'm used to in Seoul. As we enter the building, my mind is racing, trying to understand the implications of this arrangement.
Suddenly, a thought hits me like a bolt of lightning. I stop in my tracks, causing Ko to look at me questioningly.
"What is it?" she asks, noticing the change in my expression.
"I think I might have an idea about our killer's next potential target," I look at Ko and say, my voice low and urgent.