The Real Work

I burst through the doors of the Seoul Metropolitan Police headquarters, my heart pounding in my chest. The familiar buzz of the precinct fades into white noise as I make a beeline for the elevators.

"Hey, Detective! Welcome back!"

"Good to see you, how've you been?"

Colleagues call out greetings, but their words wash over me without registering. My mind is fixated on one thing: Choi's office. The painting. I need to see it.

I jab the elevator button repeatedly, impatient. When the doors finally open, I squeeze in, ignoring the startled looks from the officers already inside. As soon as I reach Choi's floor, I'm out, striding purposefully down the hallway.

I vaguely register Choi's secretary rising from her desk, her voice concerned. "Detective, do you have an appointment? Senior Superintendent Choi is very busy today-"

I brush past her, my hand already on Choi's office door handle.