I lean forward in my chair, the leather creaking softly beneath me. My eyes are fixed on Detective Lee as she stands before us in the cramped room.
The air is thick with tension and the faint scent of stale coffee. I can feel the weight of expectation pressing down on all of us like a physical force. To my right, Inspector Han sits motionless, his weathered face a mask of concentration, his fingers steepled under his chin.
Detective Lee clears her throat, the sound unnaturally loud in the hushed room. She begins, her voice steady but tinged with urgency.
"As you're all aware, this case has been transferred to us from the Gangdong Police Office. It's... complicated, to say the least." With a click of the remote in her hand, an image flickers to life on the screen behind her – the face of a middle-aged woman, her eyes tired but kind.
"Last month, a missing person report was filed with Gangdong Police," Lee continues, her gaze sweeping across the room.
"The missing person was Shim Ju-hee, 52 years old, who runs a small neighborhood bar in the area." She pauses, allowing the information to sink in. "On the night of her disappearance, Shim closed her bar around 2 AM and got into a taxi. After that, she vanished without a trace."
I feel my jaw tighten involuntarily as Lee details the initial investigation's frustrating dead ends. When she mentions the taxi being fake, I exchange a knowing glance with Han. We both recognize that this is no ordinary case.
The room falls into a tense silence as Lee reveals the shocking twist in the case. "But then, unexpectedly, Shim showed up at a local police station. Alive." The collective intake of breath from my colleagues is audible.
I lean in closer, my heart racing as Lee describes Shim's horrific ordeal – the kidnapping by a man posing as a taxi driver, the assault in a remote mountain area, the attempted burial. My fists clench under the table, knuckles turning white, and I force myself to take a deep, calming breath.
"Remarkably, Shim clearly remembers the perpetrator's face," Lee continues, her voice steady but grim. "A composite sketch was created, and through diligent work, the police managed to identify him."
A murmur ripples through the room like a wave. This is the break we've been waiting for, the first real lead in a case that seemed to be going nowhere.
"The suspect is Shin Ho-chul, a man with an extensive and violent criminal record," Lee says, clicking to reveal a mugshot on the screen. The face that stares back at us is cold and calculating, with dark, empty eyes that seem to bore into each of us. I commit every feature to memory, from the scar above his left eyebrow to the crooked set of his mouth.
But as Lee continues, I feel my heart sink, a leaden weight settling in my stomach. "Despite their best efforts, Gangdong Police couldn't apprehend Shin. And then..." she pauses, her professional demeanor slipping for a moment, revealing a flash of genuine distress. "Another similar crime occurred."
I watch intently as Inspector Han rises from his seat, his weathered face etched with concern. The fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across his features as his eyes narrow with intensity. The room falls into a hushed silence, the air thick with anticipation as everyone senses the gravity of his impending question.
"Detective Lee," Han's voice is low but clear, cutting through the tension like a knife, "tell us about this second case."
Lee nods, her expression grim, the lines around her mouth deepening. With a soft click, she advances to a new slide. The screen flickers to life, revealing the photo of a young woman with flowing dark hair and a radiant smile. The stark contrast between her vibrant image and the horrific events we're about to hear sends a chill down my spine.
"The second victim was Ji Su-yeon, age 22," Lee begins, her voice steady but tinged with a hint of sadness. "The pattern was identical to Shim's case."
I lean forward in my chair, the leather creaking softly. My pen hovers over my notebook, poised to capture every crucial detail.
"Shin used the same modus operandi - a fake taxi targeting a female customer late at night," Lee continues, her eyes scanning the room. "Ji had been out with friends and called for a taxi around 1:30 AM. She was reported missing the next day when she failed to show up for work."
I watch as Inspector Han stands up, his presence commanding the room's attention. The briefing has left us all shaken, but there's a palpable sense of determination in the air.
Han's voice cuts through the tension. "Alright, team. We have no time to waste. Every second counts in this investigation."
He turns to Detective Kim, our tech specialist. "Kim, I want you on CCTV footage. Go through everything from both crime scenes. Look for that fake taxi, any sign of Shin, anything suspicious. Coordinate with Gangdong PD to get access to their feeds as well."
Kim nods sharply, already pulling out her tablet.
Han's gaze shifts to Detective Choi. "Choi, you're on background. I want everything we can find on Shin Ho-chul. Criminal records, known associates, family, work history - leave no stone unturned. And dig into his past crimes. Look for patterns, preferred locations, anything that might help us predict his next move."
Choi gives a curt nod, her eyes blazing with determination.
"Lee," Han continues, addressing our liaison officer, "I need you to contact every taxi company in Seoul. Get lists of all their drivers, cross-reference against Shin's description. And find out if any cabs have been reported stolen or missing recently."
Lee is already on her phone, likely making the first of many calls.
Han turns to me last. "Park, you're with me. We're going to re-interview the victim. We need to see if there are any details they might have remembered since their initial statements. Also, coordinate with Gangdong PD. I want all their case files on my desk yesterday."
I nod, my mind already racing with questions to ask, leads to follow.
"Remember," Han says, his voice grave as he addresses the whole team, "Shin is escalating. We don't know when or where he'll strike next, but we have to assume it will be soon. Every piece of information, no matter how small it seems, could be crucial. If you find anything - and I mean anything - that seems relevant, report it immediately."
The room is filled with a chorus of "Yes, sir" as everyone begins to move with purpose.
As the team disperses, Han catches my eye. "Park, a word."
I approach him, noting the lines of worry etched on his face.
As the team disperses to their tasks, Han pulls me aside, his voice low and serious. "Park, I need you on your A-game for this one. You've shown exceptional insight in past cases, and I'm counting on that now more than ever."
I nod, feeling the weight of his trust. "I'll do my best, sir. We won't let this bastard slip through our fingers."
Han gives me a firm pat on the shoulder. "Good. Now get to it."
As I step out of the briefing room, the buzz of activity already filling the corridor, a familiar voice chimes in my head.
"Ooh, our first case together! This is so exciting!" Aileen's voice bubbles with enthusiasm, echoing in my mind.
I internally groan, feeling a headache forming behind my eyes. "Aileen, not now. We agreed you'd only speak when I initiate contact. This isn't the time."
I can almost sense her virtual pout. "But I can't wait! This is what I was made for. Come on, let me help!"
"Aileen, please-" I start, my patience wearing thin, but I'm abruptly cut off by a sudden commotion down the hall.
An officer bursts into the corridor, his face flushed and eyes wide with urgency. He's breathing heavily, as if he's just run a marathon.
"Detective Park! Inspector Han!" he shouts, his voice echoing off the walls.
"The second victim, Ji Su-yeon - she's alive! She just turned up at Gangdong Station!"