The bustling energy of the TV station is palpable as I sit in the green room, my reflection in the mirror showing a calm exterior that belies my inner tension. Makeup artists fuss over me, ensuring I look presentable for the cameras, while producers and assistants scurry about, clipboards in hand.
A harried-looking producer approaches me, frustration evident in her voice. "Detective Park, we really need more details about what you're planning to discuss. Our anchor needs to prepare."
I shake my head firmly. "I'm sorry, but as I've said, I can't provide those details in advance. It's crucial for the investigation."
The producer opens her mouth to argue, but Han, who's been standing quietly in the corner, steps forward. "I can assure you," he says, his voice carrying the weight of authority, "that Detective Park has my full confidence. Nothing inappropriate will occur during the broadcast."
The producer looks between us, clearly unhappy but unable to argue further. With a sigh, she nods and hurries away.
I turn to Han, lowering my voice. "Sir, there are two things I need to request."
Han leans in, his expression attentive. "Go on."
"First, during the program, I'd like to have a phone conversation with Shin's father on live TV." I see Han's eyebrows raise, but I continue before he can interject. "I've already found and spoken with him. He's agreed to participate."
Han nods slowly, processing this information. "And the second thing?"
I take a deep breath. "We need to have people ready to track any calls coming into the hotline. I believe Shin himself will call in during the broadcast."
Han's eyes widen slightly, a mix of surprise and curiosity crossing his face. For a moment, I think he's going to ask for more details, but then he simply nods. "I'll make sure we're ready. I hope you know what you're doing, Park."
Before I can respond, a PA pokes her head into the room. "Two minutes to air, Detective Park!"
As I'm ushered towards the studio, I can feel the weight of what I'm about to do settling on my shoulders. The lights of the studio are bright and unforgiving as I take my seat across from the anchor, a polished woman with a practiced smile.
"And we're live in five, four, three..." The floor director's countdown fades to silent gestures.
The anchor turns to the camera, her voice crisp and professional. "Good evening. Tonight, we have a special guest to discuss the ongoing investigation into the series of attacks that have gripped our city. Joining us is Detective Park from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Detective, thank you for being here."
I nod, my heart racing but my voice steady. "Thank you for having me."
The studio lights beat down on us as the anchor, Kim Soo-jin, turns to face me. Her practiced smile doesn't quite reach her eyes, which are sharp with curiosity.
"Detective Park, thank you for joining us. Can you give us an update on the investigation into the series of attacks attributed to Shin Ho-chul?"
I nod, my posture straight and professional. "Thank you for having me, Ms. Kim. As of now, we can confirm six victims in total. Two of these attacks, tragically, resulted in fatalities."
Kim leans forward slightly. "And the other victims?"
"The survivors have been incredibly brave," I say, my voice somber. "They've provided us with crucial information that's helping us build a profile of the perpetrator."
"Can you tell us more about Shin's method of operation?"
I take a deep breath. "Shin has been posing as a taxi driver, targeting women traveling alone late at night. We urge all citizens, especially women, to be extremely cautious and to verify the legitimacy of any taxi they consider using."
Kim nods, her expression grave. "This case has been dubbed the 'Taxi to Hell' by social media. How is the police responding to the public's growing fear and criticism over the failure to apprehend Shin?"
I meet her gaze steadily. "We understand the public's concern and frustration. I want to assure everyone that we are working tirelessly to bring Shin to justice. Every lead, every piece of evidence is being thoroughly investigated."
"Detective," Kim says, her tone shifting slightly, "there are rumors that the police have had Shin's identity for some time. Why hasn't he been caught yet?"
I can feel the weight of this question, knowing the public's frustration. "While it's true that we identified Shin early in the investigation, he has proven to be extremely elusive. However, we believe we're closing in on him."
Kim raises an eyebrow. "And what makes you say that?"
I pause for a moment, knowing I'm about to change the course of this interview. "Ms. Kim, if you'll allow me, I'd like to address something that I believe is crucial to understanding this case - and potentially to solving it."
Kim looks surprised but nods. "By all means, Detective."
I turn slightly to face the camera directly. "To truly understand Shin Ho-chul and his actions, we need to look at his past. Like many who commit such heinous crimes, Shin's story begins with a troubled childhood..."
The anchor leans in, her interest piqued. "Can you elaborate on that, Detective?"
I nod solemnly. "Shin's mother suffered from severe depression and was unable to care for him properly. Eventually, she abandoned him, leaving Shin alone with his father. Later, we discovered that she took her own life."
A hush falls over the studio as I continue, "It's our belief that much of Shin's motivation stems from deep-seated anger towards his mother. The abandonment and subsequent loss likely created a wound that never healed."
Kim's eyes widen slightly. "That's a tragic background. But what about Shin's father?"
I pause for a moment, choosing my words carefully. "While it's true that Shin's father wasn't always the best parent, our investigation has revealed something quite surprising. Despite their troubled history, Shin's father still loves him deeply."
The anchor looks skeptical. "How can you be sure of that, Detective?"
"We've discovered that since Shin severed contact with his father over two decades ago, his father has been actively searching for him, hoping for a reunion."
Kim leans forward, clearly intrigued. "That's quite a claim, Detective. Do you have any evidence to support this?"
I nod, my heart racing as I prepare for the next phase of my plan. "In fact, I do. With your permission, I'd like to bring Shin's father into this conversation right now."
The anchor looks surprised but quickly composes herself. "Of course, if that's possible."
I turn to the production team off-camera and give a nod. After a moment, we hear a phone ringing, and then a gruff, hesitant voice fills the studio.
"Hello? Is this... am I on the TV now?"
"Yes, Mr. Shin," I say gently. "Thank you for joining us. Could you please tell us about your relationship with your son?"
There's a heavy sigh on the other end of the line. "I... I've been looking for my boy for years now. I know I wasn't a good father when he was young. I drank too much, I was angry too often. But I've changed.
I've been trying to find him, to tell him how sorry I am."
The studio is dead silent as Mr. Shin continues, his voice thick with emotion. "What he's done... it's terrible. I can't excuse it. But he's still my son.
I just want him to know that I'm here, that I've been looking for him all this time. I... I'm just glad to know he's alive."
I look directly into the camera, knowing that somewhere out there, Shin might be watching. "Thank you, Mr. Shin. Is there anything else you'd like to say to your son, in case he's listening?"
There's a pause, and when Mr. Shin speaks again, his voice is barely above a whisper. "Ho-chul... son... I'm sorry. For everything.
Please, if you can hear me, let's talk. It's not too late to make things right."
As the call ends, I turn back to the stunned anchor. I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts for the final push. "To summarize, Ms. Kim, we believe that Shin's crimes are deeply rooted in his unresolved anger towards his mother. The abandonment he experienced as a child seems to have manifested in these violent attacks against women. It's a tragic cycle of pain and retribution."
I lean forward, my voice grave. "While this understanding doesn't excuse his actions in any way, it does provide us with crucial insight into his motivations and potential future actions."
The anchor nods solemnly. "Thank you, Detective Park, for these startling revelations. We'll take a short break now and return with more on this developing story."
As the red light on the camera blinks off, I stand, nodding briefly to the anchor before making my way back to the waiting room. The corridor seems longer than before, the muffled sounds of the studio fading behind me. I enter the room and sink into a chair, my mind racing but my exterior calm.
The minutes tick by slowly, the distant sounds of the studio a constant reminder of what's at stake. Suddenly, there's a commotion outside. Hurried footsteps approach, and a staff member bursts into the room, her face flushed with excitement and panic.
"Detective Park!" she exclaims, slightly out of breath. "There's been a call to the program's hotline. A man... he claims to be Shin Ho-chul!"
The room erupts into chaos. Producers start shouting orders, phones start ringing, and everyone seems to be moving at once. But amidst the frenzy, I remain seated, a faint smile playing at the corners of my mouth.
As the staff member looks at me in confusion, clearly expecting a more dramatic reaction, I simply nod. "I see," I say calmly.
"Well, we'd better not keep him waiting, should we?"