My Bloody Valentine - 55

Woo-sin covered Han’s mouth and grabbed his waist, practically shoving him into a small storage room where cleaning supplies and other items were kept.

“……!”

It was pitch dark inside, and Woo-sin’s breath touched Han’s neck as he hugged him from behind.

Han felt along the wall, trying to find the doorknob to escape, but Woo-sin pushed him hard against the wall. One hand still covered Han’s mouth.

“Mm! Mmph! Mmm!”

Han shook his head vigorously, desperate to break free. Someone would likely pass by the storage room soon.

Gathering all his strength to scream again, Woo-sin leaned close and whispered into Han’s ear.

“I’m a cop.”

“……!”

Han’s eyes widened in the darkness, meeting Woo-sin’s gaze.

“I’m a cop,” Woo-sin repeated.

❖ ❖ ❖

A few weeks before this incident, there was a joint briefing between the narcotics division and the violent crimes unit at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

A screen displayed the connections between the Chinese Triads, imported coffee beans, and Cheongsong Construction. It was a combination that was difficult to link.

Chief Go Youngsu of the Violent Crimes Unit 3, known as a veteran in gang-related crimes, led the presentation.

“While investigating Cheongsongpa’s recent activities, we received information that cocaine was being smuggled with coffee beans. It’s being disguised as desiccant packets and mixed into the sacks.”

Containers arriving at the port, evading customs detection, were filled with sacks of coffee beans.

The drugs hidden in thousands of sacks of beans were mostly in small quantities of 1-2 kilograms, further divided into tiny, triple-sealed desiccant packets. This allowed them to avoid detection by port authorities.

One of the detectives asked a question.

“Is this information reliable?”

“We caught a guy who confessed. He and an accomplice were skimming some of the goods to make a little extra on the side and got caught while making a deal using the ‘throw’ method.”

“‘Throw’ method?”

“Yes. As we traced the operation higher up, we found an executive from Cheongsong Construction involved. Executive Director Oh Seong-jin.”

At Youngsu’s signal, another detective operating the computer changed the slide. Oh Seong-jin’s face and profile appeared on the screen.

“What about the accomplice?”

“He escaped during the raid, but the organization will likely take care of him internally. The guy we caught might be the lucky one. Everyone knows Cheongsong Construction used to be Cheongsongpa, right?”

At that moment, Woo-sin raised his hand. He was a rookie detective, having joined the Violent Crimes Unit just over a year ago after graduating from the police academy.

“But why did we see a Triad organization chart earlier instead of Cheongsongpa?”

“You’re always in such a hurry. Let me finish my story first.”

Those with similar backgrounds to Woo-sin rarely worked in the field. Many regular detectives felt uneasy around them, causing them to not blend well into the team, but Woo-sin was different.

Despite the many desk tasks, he had volunteered for the Violent Crimes Unit, leaving a comfortable, secure position in a government office to take on fieldwork.

Youngsu, who was fond of Woo-sin, continued with a hearty laugh.

“Chairman Baek Junggil of Cheongsong Construction is gradually removing the gangster executives. He wants to shed the company’s gang image. So it’s chaotic right now. Only two key executives remain. Executive Director Oh Seong-jin, in charge of sales, and Managing Director Jang Taeshin, who handles on-site operations. Both are registered directors, and Oh Seong-jin holds a significant amount of shares, so a shareholders’ meeting is needed to remove him.”

The detectives took notes carefully, paying close attention.

“Looks like Oh Seong-jin is preparing for a flashy retirement. But it’s hard for him to do this alone. So, he seems to be relying on the Triads. See the guy standing behind Oh Seong-jin? He’s a Chinese man named Yang. Sol-ah, put up the Triad organization chart.”

The Triad’s organization chart appeared on the screen again, showing the name and photo of “Yang Xian.”

The Triads controlled most of China’s drug market. However, as China’s crackdown on drugs tightened, the Triads found it challenging to distribute within the mainland and began to look overseas.

They seemed to have chosen areas like Incheon, which had ports and was close to urban centers, as their next expansion point.

“They’re bringing in the materials with the coffee beans. Since it’s a cash business, they need to launder money, and the coffee bean factory doubles as a money laundering operation. Clever, isn’t it?”

“And the distribution?”

“Oh Seong-jin is scouting clubs in Seoul and Busan.”

As the meeting continued, someone raised their hand with a question.

“This operation seems too large for Oh Seong-jin to handle alone. Are you saying he contacted and made a deal with the Triads by himself? Are we sure this isn’t related to Cheongsongpa?”

Woo-sin added his opinion to the question.

“That’s right. Even if they’re acting like a corporate mafia now, they’re still Cheongsongpa. At one point, they were the number one national organization. Wouldn’t it be good to take this opportunity to wipe them all out?”

Youngsu shook his head slightly. Sometimes, there are problems that can’t be solved by sheer determination.

“Why do you think the Triads and Yakuza are trying to come in recently?”

“That’s because…”

“It’s because our domestic criminal organizations have weakened. With no one to keep them in check, foreign groups are pushing in. These foreign guys don’t have records or fingerprints in our system, so they run wild with guns and knives, causing chaos.”

They were like invasive species disrupting the ecosystem. Their scale of trouble was different, not hesitating to stab someone for a few hundred thousand won.

“It’s far better to let those we have some control over handle the checks. At least we can exert some degree of control over our local guys.”

Some detectives who had doubts nodded in agreement.

“Moreover, one of our informants this time is Chairman Baek Junggil. I recently met him privately. He’s in poor health and could pass away any day.”

The ever-changing survival rules applied equally in the world of criminal organizations. Over time, it would become more common for these organizations to integrate into mainstream society.

“It’s certain that Oh Seong-jin acted on his own. The problem is…”

“The problem is?”

The screen displayed a photo of a man, seemingly taken secretly.

“Managing Director Jang Taeshin. He owns a club in Gangnam, and there’s a hotel above it. He’s an ideal partner for a drug operation. Clubs are a given, and drug parties often happen in hotels.”

“That makes sense.”

“Chairman Baek Junggil assures us that Jang Taeshin is not involved, but look at that face.”

Youngsu pointed with a laser pointer, drawing a red dot under the man’s eyes in the photo. Woo-sin scrutinized the screen. The man in the photo was extremely handsome, with dark circles under his eyes, similar to the smoky makeup of idol singers on TV.

“See those dark circles? His cheeks are hollow. That’s the face of a drug addict if I’ve ever seen one. Clearly, he’s soaked in drugs, right?”

Nods of agreement came from all around.

He was suspicious from the start. His identity only appeared when he turned eighteen, with no prior records in any social administration network.

“We need to find out if Jang Taeshin is truly uninvolved and if he’s running a separate operation. There’s no way to penetrate Oh Seong-jin’s side. But since Jang Taeshin runs an establishment, it’ll be easier to plant our people there.”

The next screen showed a job listing for waiters.

“Apparently, Jang Taeshin’s place ‘Tacenda’ is hiring waiters right now. Who wants to apply? It should be someone young and good-looking, right?”

As if on cue, everyone in the meeting room turned their eyes toward one person.

❖ ❖ ❖

Back to the present.

Han held his breath for a moment, then opened his eyes. Gradually, shapes emerged from the darkness. The only exit was blocked by Woo-sin’s body, leaving no escape.

Han stared at Woo-sin with a look of despair.

“A-Are you going to… kill me?”

Woo-sin let out a dry laugh at Han’s words.

“Kill you? I told you, I’m a cop.”

“But… but… I know your identity now.”

“Han, have you been watching too many movies?”

Han’s eyes darted around, not entirely convinced by Woo-sin’s claim of being a police officer.

Wanting to avoid the situation, Han cautiously reached for the doorknob again. Woo-sin pushed him back into the corner.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Why… why?”

“We need to finish this conversation first.”

“What conversation?”

Woo-sin ran his hand through his hair, clearly frustrated by the situation.

“Ugh… I thought you were just a fool.”

“……”

Woo-sin folded his arms and stared at Han, then his eyes lit up as if he had a sudden idea.

“In a way, this might actually be for the best.”

“Huh?”

“Can you help me?”

“Me? How?”

“No matter what I do, I can’t get close to the target. All I can gather is gossip from the waiters.”

“Target? Who is it?”

“Director Jang.”

“……!”

Han’s eyes shook again.

“I’ve only been into his office on errands, but they say the really important conversations happen in Director Jang’s office on the 15th floor. I’ve never been there. You’re the only one who can get in without raising suspicion.”

“You… you want me to plant a listening device or something?”

“Yes, exactly.”

It was obvious that Jang Taeshin was not innocent. Han had seen him turn people into a bloody mess and order others’ deaths multiple times.

Moreover, if Taeshin disappeared, the possibility of freedom would increase.

Han should have readily agreed, but the words didn’t come out. Perhaps living too long in a world where common morality didn’t apply had made something inside him strange.

But it was also hard to trust Woo-sin just because he said he was a cop. Sensing Han’s hesitation, Woo-sin spoke first.

“You probably need time to think. I also need to report to my superiors.”

“……”

Just then, Han’s phone started ringing in his pocket.

“What? You got a phone?” Woo-sin asked.

Without answering, Han bit his lip and looked at the ringing phone. The number on the screen started with 010. Only the person who gave him the phone would know this number.

Woo-sin seemed to guess the situation from Han’s expression and didn’t ask further, looking cautious instead.

“Shouldn’t you answer that?”

The purpose of the call was obvious. As Han stared blankly at the screen, the call ended.

“Let’s get out of here for now. Think about what I said, okay?”

“…Okay.”

The conversation seemed to have concluded. However, the two were still standing close, having discussed something secretive. Han, filled with suspicion, subtly tried to back away.

Then the phone rang again, showing the same number as before.

As Han hesitated, Woo-sin unlocked the door and stepped aside, but didn’t move away from the entrance. Han looked at him questioningly.

Woo-sin was staring fixedly at something. Following his gaze, Han’s body stiffened.

Standing at the doorway was Taeshin, holding a phone in one hand.