"Detective Sung Ilyong has been found dead in his room."
The words hang in the air for a moment before their full impact hits. Gasps and murmurs of shock ripple through the small group. Minjoo's hand flies to her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief. Park Jinyoung shakes his head, as if trying to deny the reality of what he's just heard.
As the initial shock begins to subside, I feel the weight of several gazes settling on me. The memory of my tense exchange with Sung the previous day suddenly feels much more significant. I can almost hear the unspoken questions forming in their minds.
Dr. Kim's voice cuts through the growing tension. "I know this is a shock to all of us. The authorities have been notified and will be here shortly to begin their investigation. Until then, I must ask that all of you remain here."