Chapter 1: The Case Begins
The rain hammered against the windows of the small interrogation room. Detective Han Seojin sat across from the suspect, her gaze unwavering as she studied the young man before her. His disheveled appearance and nervous fidgeting made it clear—he wasn't used to being in a police station. But Seojin was no stranger to this scene. She had seen countless criminals, their faces betraying guilt or fear. But this man, Ji Hyun, was different.
"Why don't you tell me your story, Hyun?" Seojin's voice was calm, almost detached, but there was an underlying sharpness to it. She had learned long ago to let the silence hang before the suspect spoke. Most of them couldn't stand it.
Hyun swallowed hard, glancing around the cold, sterile room before finally meeting her gaze. "I didn't do it," he whispered, his voice shaky.
Seojin tilted her head slightly, narrowing her eyes. "Then who did?"
The door to the room opened abruptly, cutting the tense silence. Seojin turned, her expression unfazed, even as the newcomer entered with an air of authority. It was Lee Jiwon, a lawyer with a reputation for getting his clients off the hook, no matter the evidence stacked against them.
"Detective Han," Jiwon greeted, his tone formal, yet with a hint of familiarity. "I believe my client is done with this conversation."
Seojin raised an eyebrow but didn't respond immediately. She knew Jiwon's reputation—he was a shark in the courtroom, with a knack for twisting the truth in his favor. To her, that made him just another obstacle to her work.
"I'm afraid that's not how this works, Jiwon," she said coolly, her gaze flicking between the lawyer and his client. "Hyun is here because we believe he's involved in a murder investigation, and I intend to get answers."
Jiwon smiled, a calculated, professional smile. "And I'm here to make sure his rights are respected."
Seojin exhaled slowly, then looked back at Hyun. "You may have a lawyer, but you don't have the truth on your side. You were caught on security footage leaving the scene of the crime. And now, the victim's blood is on your hands. The question is, why did you do it?"
Hyun trembled, his eyes darting from Seojin to Jiwon, as if searching for some sort of rescue. Jiwon stood, motioning for the detective to back off. "We'll take this from here, Detective Han. My client has already answered all the questions he intends to."
Seojin stood as well, her posture stiff but composed. "I hope you're ready for the consequences of that choice," she said quietly, her eyes never leaving Hyun. Then, without another word, she turned and left the room, feeling the eyes of Jiwon on her back as she made her way down the corridor.
The moment Seojin stepped into the hallway, she was met with the buzz of her phone. It was a message from her superior, a short text with the only instruction she needed: "We need you on the Lee case. It's urgent."
Her stomach tightened at the mention of the name. The Lee case—an ongoing investigation into a high-profile murder that had shaken the city. She had been hoping to avoid it, but it seemed fate had other plans.
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As she entered her office, Seojin set her bag down and opened her laptop, her fingers flying over the keys as she pulled up the case file. There was no time to waste, not with everything on the line. The Lee family was well-connected, powerful. If she didn't solve this case, it wouldn't just be her career on the line. It would be her life.
As she scanned through the notes, she couldn't help but think of Jiwon. That lawyer—his cold professionalism was almost too much like her own. But he was different. He played by the rules of the court, bending them to his advantage, while Seojin was about finding the truth, no matter the cost. They had crossed paths before, and it was clear their paths would cross again.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to see one of her colleagues, Officer Park, standing in the doorway.
"Detective, you're needed in the field. We have a new lead on the Lee case," Officer Park said, her expression serious.
Seojin nodded, pushing the case file aside. "Let's go."
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The investigation led them to a secluded warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The place had been abandoned for years, its metal gates rusted and walls graffitied with symbols Seojin didn't understand. But what caught her attention was the faint glow coming from inside—barely visible through the cracks in the walls. A flashlight beam flickered from within, illuminating the darkened interior.
"Stay close," Seojin warned Officer Park, her hand resting on the gun at her hip as she moved toward the entrance.
They stepped inside, and the sight that met them was enough to freeze Seojin's blood. The warehouse was eerily quiet, save for the sound of distant footsteps echoing across the concrete floor. A figure was silhouetted against the light, crouched near a large crate. Seojin's instincts kicked in. She drew her weapon and approached cautiously.
The figure turned, revealing a familiar face.
"Lee Jiwon," Seojin said, her voice tight with tension. "What are you doing here?"
Jiwon's lips curled into a smile, though there was no warmth in it. "I could ask you the same thing, Detective."
Seojin's heart raced. This was more than just a coincidence. Jiwon wasn't just defending the suspect—he was involved in something much deeper.
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End of Chapter 1
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Thoughts for Readers:
What do you think about Seojin and Jiwon's dynamic so far? Do you believe Jiwon is as innocent as he appears, or is there more to him than meets the eye? Let me know your theories in the comments!