I sit at my desk, the dim light of my lamp casting long shadows across the scattered papers and coffee-stained reports. The clock on the wall ticks steadily, a constant reminder of the precious time slipping away. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath as I run through our plan one more time in my head.
Step one: Inform the Yakuza. Check. That meeting had gone surprisingly well. Ko's no-nonsense approach and our mutual interest in solving this case had smoothed over any potential tensions. They'd listened intently as we laid out our strategy, their faces a mix of concern for their missing women and eagerness to catch the person responsible.
Step two: Secure Yakuza cooperation. Check. After some back-and-forth negotiation, they'd agreed to our terms. They would provide us with additional intel on the women's usual haunts and clientele, and have a small, trusted team ready to assist us when the time came. In return, we'd promised to keep them in the loop and ensure their involvement remained off the official records.
Step three: Set up the bait. My stomach churns slightly at this thought. Using Officer Yoon as bait wasn't my first choice, but she'd volunteered, her determination to catch this killer outweighing any fear. She fits the profile of the missing women perfectly: young, attractive, with a quiet strength that seems to draw people in.
I take another deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the present. Step four: Wait for the call. This is the part that's killing me. The waiting. Knowing that at any moment, Yumi's phone could light up with another potential victim on the line. We have a team monitoring the phone activity around the clock, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
Step five: Deploy Officer Yoon. When that call comes in – and it will come, I'm sure of it – we'll send her in. She'll be wired, of course, with a small camera hidden in a piece of jewelry. We've spent hours going over her backstory, making sure she can answer any question convincingly. The Yakuza have even provided some insider knowledge to make her cover more believable.
Step six: Tail and surveil. This is where the real tension will begin. We'll have multiple teams in place – some from our department, some trusted Yakuza members. They'll be watching from a distance, ready to move in at the first sign of trouble. I'll be leading one of the teams personally. I'm not taking any chances this time.
Final step: Apprehend the suspect. This is the moment we're all working towards. The chance to finally put a face to the monster who's been terrorizing these women. To bring some closure to the families of Yumi, Seo-yeon, and Mei.
I open my eyes, blinking against the harsh light of my desk lamp. The plan seems solid when I lay it out like this. But I know from bitter experience that no plan survives first contact with the enemy. We'll need to be ready to adapt, to think on our feet.
My gaze falls on the photos of our missing women pinned to the board. Their smiling faces seem to watch me, silently urging me on. I make a silent promise to them, to their families, to all the potential victims out there who don't even know they're in danger.
We're coming for you, I think, my resolve hardening. Your days of hunting are over.
Just then, my phone buzzes. It's a message from Ko: "It's time. The call just came in."
I'm on my feet in an instant, grabbing my jacket as I head for the door. The waiting is over.
I burst into the meeting room, my breath slightly quickened from the rush through the precinct. The scene before me is a whirlwind of focused activity and palpable tension.
Ko stands at the head of the table, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the energy in the room. Officer Yoon sits nearby, her face set with determination as she reviews her cover story one last time. Other officers move about efficiently, checking equipment and going over last-minute details.
In the corner, I spot a small group of Yakuza members. Their presence is a reminder of the delicate balance we're striking in this operation. One man in particular catches my attention – his face is flushed with anger, his voice rising above the general din.
"This is unacceptable!" he shouts, his fist pounding on the table. "We should be out there! These are our women!"
Ko notices my arrival and makes her way over to me, deftly sidestepping the agitated Yakuza member. "Glad you're here," she says in a low voice. "We've had to remind our... associates... that they can't participate directly in the operation. They're not taking it well."
I nod, understanding the frustration but knowing we can't compromise the integrity of our operation. "We'll handle it," I assure her. "What's the latest?"
Ko's expression turns serious. "The call came in, just as we anticipated. Using Yumi's phone, asking for a woman."
My pulse quickens. This is the moment we've been waiting for. "Where's the meeting point?"
"A convenience store," Ko replies, guiding me to a map spread out on the table. She points to a location on the outskirts of the city. "Here."
I study the area, noting the isolated location and multiple potential escape routes. "He's being cautious," I mutter. "I'd bet anything he's planning to change locations, maybe multiple times."
Ko nods in agreement. "My thoughts exactly. We'll need to be prepared for a moving target."
"Agreed," I say, my mind already racing through scenarios. "Multiple teams, ready to pivot at a moment's notice. And we can't lose visual contact with Yoon, not even for a second."
As if on cue, Yoon approaches us, her face a mask of determination. "I'm ready," she says simply.
I look at her, seeing not just a fellow officer, but someone putting their life on the line. A fleeting image of Ji-hoon flashes through my mind, but I push it aside, forcing myself to focus on the present.
"Alright," I say, addressing both Ko and Yoon. "Let's go over the plan one more time. Yoon, you'll approach the convenience store alone. We'll have teams stationed at all possible exit points. Remember, this guy is smart. He'll be watching for any signs of police presence."
Ko jumps in, "We've got plainclothes officers ready to pose as customers and staff. The real employees have been quietly evacuated and briefed."
I nod, appreciating Ko's thoroughness. "Good. Yoon, once you make contact, try to keep him talking. We need to positively ID him before we move in."
"Understood," Yoon says, her voice steady.
As we start to gather our gear, the angry Yakuza member approaches, his face still flushed with anger. "This is wrong," he growls. "We should be out there. We know these streets better than anyone."
I meet his gaze steadily. "I understand your frustration," I say, keeping my voice low and firm. "But this needs to be a clean operation. We can't risk any... unofficial involvement. The best thing you can do right now is to be ready with any information we might need."
He doesn't look happy, but after a moment, he gives a curt nod and steps back.
I turn back to the room at large. "Alright, people. This is it. Let's move out."
As we file out of the room and head towards our vehicles, I can't shake a feeling of unease. We've planned for every contingency we can think of, but something tells me this night is going to throw us some curveballs. I just hope we're ready for whatever comes our way.
As we pull up near the convenience store, the tension in the air is palpable. Officer Yoon, dressed in civilian clothes, steps out of the car and makes her way towards the store. The rest of us remain in our vehicles, scattered strategically around the area, all eyes on Yoon and our surroundings.
Suddenly, Ko's voice crackles through the radio. "Change of plans. The suspect just called Yoon. He's moving the meeting point."
I clench my jaw, frustrated but not surprised. "Where to?"
"A park, about two kilometers east," Ko responds.
We smoothly adjust our positions, careful not to draw attention. As we arrive at the park, Yoon takes a seat on a bench, appearing casual but alert.
Minutes tick by. Then, another call. Another change.
"He's moving again," Ko informs us. "Says he's worried about being seen. Offering more money for the inconvenience."
This time, it's a quiet residential area. We position ourselves as inconspicuously as possible – parked cars, a jogger, someone walking a dog. I can feel the frustration building in the team. This guy is smart, cautious.
Just as Yoon reaches the designated street corner, her phone buzzes again. A final change of location.
As Yoon returns to the car to brief us, I notice a glint in her eye. "I think I've spotted something," she says, her voice low and urgent.
Ko leans in. "What is it?"
"There's been a man," Yoon explains, "at each location. I'm almost certain it's the same person. Mid-thirties, about 175cm, slim build, with a thick black hoody, a baseball cap. He has a distinctive mole just below his left eye."
My pulse quickens. This could be our break. "Are you sure?"
Yoon nods firmly. "I'm trained to notice details. It's him. I'm sure of it."
Ko and I exchange a look. This changes everything.
"Alright," Ko says, her voice filled with renewed determination. "New plan. Yoon, you'll still go to the meeting point. The rest of us will spread out, but we're looking for this man now. If you spot him, give the signal. We move in fast and hard."
I nod in agreement. "Remember, this guy is smart and extremely cautious. We can't afford to spook him. Everyone needs to stay sharp and blend in."
As we head to the final location – a dimly lit parking lot behind an old factory – I can feel the energy shift. We're no longer just reacting; we're hunting.