The Prosecutor’s Office’s Proposal Chapter 141

It was a tone of voice sufficient to make me shut my mouth, even without calling it an instruction or an order. However, the relationship that had subtly permeated within it was good.

Including the title “Mister Lee Chaeha” that I now heard frequently.

It was ironic that even though such a painful situation had unfolded yesterday, progress had been made between the two of us. Thanks to that, the corners of my mouth, fluttering with excitement, were indecisive and wavering, unable to decide whether to go up or down.

Prosecutor Joo asked.

“But why did you change your mind? You pushed me away so much for fear that Mister Lee Gilyoung would be found guilty, even when I said it was fine. It’s a bit late to say it’s because of the statement first.”

“It’s just that yesterday… I could feel Prosecutor’s sincerity.”

“It was only a matter of time, but since I couldn’t reveal who I was, it was hard to be honest. The hesitation that ‘maybe’ also played a part. I’m glad Officer Lee changed his mind early.”

Seeing the corners of Prosecutor Joo’s mouth go up, I felt shy and hid behind my monitor again. And I read the warrant application he had sent. Originally, applying for a warrant was the prosecutor’s job, so there was no need to show it to me, but he shared everything regarding Chief Tak or Oh Jahyeon with me.

I carefully read the search and seizure warrant application for Chief Tak and Oh Jahyeon. The DNA of the two people’s sons found on the gloves, the movement of Chief Tak’s cell phone and burner phone captured by base stations around the time the body was abandoned, the drug trade with the Koryo-in, and the circumstances of Chief Tak being contacted on the day Oh Jahyeon took a lie detector test and exploded were attached as grounds. This level of evidence was sufficient.

Now all that was left was for the awl to be found when searching the two people’s houses. Of course, the probability was slim.

Prosecutor Joo suddenly opened his mouth.

“But how did Chief Tak know I would apply for a warrant today, so he went to find Officer Lee yesterday?”

…Now that I think about it, that was true. Chief Tak specifically demanded that I stop Prosecutor Joo from applying for the warrant ‘tomorrow’.

“Did you hear them?”

“From outside the door. I was just about to press the passcode.”

The image of Chief Tak, who had been fierce and sharp, flickered before my eyes. Without realizing it, I stroked the back of my neck, which had felt chilled, with my fingertips.

“Does that mean information might be leaking?”

“Chief Tak has spent decades working at the Prosecutors’ Office. It wouldn’t be strange if he had someone helping him.”

“Did you tell anyone else that you had a plan to apply for a warrant when I was on sick leave?”

“I did. Because I had to give work instructions.”

“Who did you share it with?”

“…Yoon Gyuho and Song Haneul.”

“What about the others?”

“None. Of course, the possibility that someone heard exists. Like an investigator under Yoon Gyuho, or Clerk No Seonhui….”

“But the possibility isn’t high.”

“That’s true. It means the possibility of one of the two being a mole has increased.”

Prosecutor Joo gently pressed his soft lower lip with the back of his pen. We were thinking the same thing.

In the end, it meant we had to suspect Prosecutor Yoon Gyuho or Chief Song Haneul.

“Prosecutor, I know you trust Prosecutor Yoon Gyuho, but be careful.”

Prosecutor Joo took the pen that had been touching his lips away with a complicated expression.

“Yeah. Because there is no way to know a person’s inner thoughts. It’s been quite a while since Prosecutor Yoon Soyeon died, and I’ve known for a while that he is a person for whom his own career success is important. …Even Chief Tak, whom I trusted more, is like that behind my back, so Yoon Gyuho is, well.”

“Prosecutor Yoon wants to go back to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, right?”

“That’s right. And since the Criminal Division 2 that Prosecutor Yoon belongs to is also directly under Chief Tak. I made a huge mistake in judgment.”

“At that time, you trusted Chief Tak. It’s something that couldn’t be helped.”

“Could Chief Tak have offered Yoon Gyuho a plausible reward? Chief Tak doesn’t have an amazing network to pull strings, either.”

“It could be a monetary reward. Oh Jahyeon has the ability for that.”

“…Yeah, that could be it.”

“One thing that bothers me is that Prosecutor Yoon gave some quite trustworthy information. The rumor that evidence from a case Chief Tak was investigating had disappeared. Prosecutor Yoon is the one who told you.”

Prosecutor Joo was lost in thought for a moment before opening his lips.

“But come to think of it, it’s information that doesn’t help at all.”

“Why is that?”

“The evidence that disappeared is highly likely to be an anesthetic. But Oh Jahyeon’s husband didn’t have an autopsy, so it’s officially a death by natural causes, and since it was even cremated, the probability of proving that a murder took place is zero.”

Thinking about it carefully, he was right. Even if the missing piece of evidence had been used to murder Oh Jahyeon’s husband, it was impossible to lead to an indictment. This time, Prosecutor Joo asked.

“How about Chief Song? Is there anything suspicious?”

I answered cautiously.

“Nothing specific, but there is a possibility.”

Perhaps it was an unexpected answer, as he stared intently at me.

“Why.”

“He is the type who is weak to pressure from superiors. He is the type who can be sufficiently appeased and coaxed.”

“…You’re quite cold-hearted, aren’t you.”

“It’s not just me. It’s the same for you, Prosecutor Joo, regarding Prosecutor Yoon Gyuho.”

A look of pain flashed briefly on his face, but he soon composed himself. Prosecutor Joo was the one who would find it most difficult to see the situation rationally right now, so I was grateful that he listened to me every time and thought about things logically. He was still a person I respected.

Prosecutor Joo added.

“For now, be even more careful about information leaking. Even though Prosecutor Yoon is suspicious, let’s verify the intelligence he brought. I have to go to the evidence locker and check what this case is where Chief Tak lost evidence in the past.”

“Yes.”

“And this is a different matter, but don’t get too close to Chief Song. Being in contact with Prosecutor Yoon these days also bothers me.”

He let out a light sigh and added.

“I can finally say something with relief now.”

“You’ve said quite a bit up until now, though.”

Since I said something correct, the look in his eyes as he watched me turned slightly fierce. I lowered my head further and pretended to be busy flipping through documents with my thimbled fingers. Prosecutor Joo’s jealousy, and the complaint I had just made, were conversations that could only come out between lovers, so the area around my chest felt soft and fuzzy.

It was right after lunch that I received a call from the Deputy Chief Prosecutor. I knew that there had been talk internally about Chief Tak’s disciplinary case recently. The fact that Prosecutor Joo had dragged out and delayed the warrant application until today was because he had to wait for the permission of the higher-ups. So, I knew he would be called in, but the Chief Prosecutor of Division 1, who came to visit Room 512 in person, even called for me.

“Investigator Lee Chaeha, come along too. The Deputy Chief Prosecutor is calling.”

“Yes, Chief.”

I hurriedly stood up from my seat.

My anxious heart pounded the entire time I walked to the Deputy Chief Prosecutor’s office alongside Prosecutor Joo. As a mere investigator, there was no reason for me to be called by the Deputy Chief Prosecutor, so it was hard to imagine I would hear good things. Of course, it could have been a persecution complex.

It was a small district office, but other than when I was appointed and went to pay my respects, this was my first time seeing the Deputy Chief Prosecutor up close. Prosecutor Joo greeted him comfortably, but I bowed deeply while a bit stiff.

“Uh, first, take a seat.”

The Deputy Chief Prosecutor pointed to the conference table with his fingertips. We sat side by side. The Deputy Chief Prosecutor crossed his legs as he took his seat at the head of the table. His dress pants pulled up, revealing his black socks up to the ends. After stalling for time while touching his tie with blunt fingertips, the Deputy Chief Prosecutor finally opened his mouth.

“Then, what about that innkeeper who confessed to abandoning the Koryo-in’s body.”

“It is a false confession. After the first trial ruling a few days ago, he had his son reinstated at the casino, and call records between the burner phone suspected to be owned by Chief Tak and the innkeeper have also appeared.”

“…This has become a real headache. To say that an incumbent prosecutor was involved in a murder… ugh….”

The Deputy Chief Prosecutor brushed back his thinning hair and let out a huge sigh.

“I told him to take responsibility and resign yesterday, but he is refusing to resign. At least the article should go out as a ‘former prosecutor’, shouldn’t it? Make him submit his resignation when Prosecutor Joo takes responsibility and investigates.”

The reason Chief Tak came back having lost his mind yesterday might have been because he had been advised to resign. Prosecutor Joo bowed his head briefly.

“Yes, Deputy Chief.”