Chapter 5: Shadows in the Dark
The tension in Seojin's office was palpable as she studied the crime scene photos from Hwang's apartment. Each image told the same grim story: a clean execution, no mistakes, no evidence left behind. Whoever had killed him was a professional, and the message was clear—no one connected to the Lee case was safe.
Her phone buzzed on the desk, and she picked it up without looking at the screen. "Detective Han," she said sharply.
"Seojin," Jiwon's voice came through, steady but laced with urgency. "We need to talk. Now."
"I'm busy," she replied curtly, flipping through the autopsy report.
"This isn't a request," Jiwon said. "There's been another move. One of my old contacts just sent me a warning. They're accelerating their plans."
Seojin frowned, leaning back in her chair. "What plans? Be specific."
"Meet me at the Riverside Industrial Park," Jiwon said. "It's not safe to talk over the phone. I'll explain everything there."
Before Seojin could argue, the line went dead. She stared at her phone, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Jiwon's cryptic behavior was starting to wear thin, but she couldn't ignore the sense of urgency in his voice.
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*Riverside Industrial Park*
The industrial park was eerily quiet, the dim glow of streetlights casting long shadows across the deserted buildings. Seojin parked her car a block away and approached cautiously, her hand resting on her holstered weapon.
She spotted Jiwon leaning against a rusted shipping container, his posture tense. His sharp suit was slightly disheveled, a rare crack in his usually composed demeanor.
"You're late," he said as she approached.
"You're lucky I came at all," Seojin retorted. "Now talk. What's going on?"
Jiwon glanced around, his eyes scanning the dark corners of the park. "The syndicate knows we're closing in. They've started tying up loose ends, and that includes anyone with information on the Lee family's operations."
"I already know that," Seojin said, her patience thinning. "What I don't know is why you called me here."
Jiwon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Because I found something. A lead on the files I mentioned earlier."
Seojin's interest piqued despite herself. "Where?"
Jiwon pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. "The Lees had a private storage facility. It's listed under a dummy corporation, but I recognized the address. If those files exist, that's where they'll be."
Seojin unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning the address. "This isn't far from here. Why haven't you checked it out yourself?"
"Because it's being watched," Jiwon said. "I drove by earlier, and there were men stationed at the entrance. If we're going to get in, we'll need to be smart about it."
Seojin folded the paper and tucked it into her pocket. "Fine. We'll check it out—together. But if this turns out to be another dead end, I'm done playing your games."
Jiwon smirked faintly. "Understood."
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*The Storage Facility*
The storage facility was nestled on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire. A single guard stood at the entrance, his bulky frame illuminated by the glow of a nearby floodlight.
Seojin parked a safe distance away, her eyes narrowing as she studied the scene. "One guard. Doesn't mean there aren't more inside."
"Agreed," Jiwon said from the passenger seat. "But we can't afford to wait. The files won't stay here for long."
Seojin glanced at him. "You're awfully eager for someone who keeps telling me to stay out of this."
"Let's just say I have a vested interest in finding those files," Jiwon replied.
Seojin rolled her eyes. "Of course you do. Stay close and follow my lead."
The pair moved silently through the shadows, their steps careful and deliberate. Seojin approached the fence, pulling out a pair of wire cutters she had brought from her car. Within moments, she had created a small opening, and they slipped through unnoticed.
Inside the facility, the atmosphere was tense. Rows of storage units stretched into the distance, their metal doors reflecting the harsh glow of overhead lights. Seojin's senses were on high alert as they navigated the maze-like layout, her hand never straying far from her weapon.
"This way," Jiwon whispered, leading her toward a unit near the back of the facility. "The files should be here."
As they reached the unit, Seojin noticed a faint red light blinking above the door—a security camera. She cursed under her breath. "They'll know we're here."
"Not if we move fast," Jiwon said, pulling out a small electronic device. He pressed it against the lock, and after a few tense moments, the mechanism clicked open.
Seojin raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. I didn't take you for a tech expert."
"I have my moments," Jiwon said with a faint smile.
Inside the unit, rows of file boxes were stacked neatly against the walls. Seojin grabbed the nearest one and opened it, her eyes scanning the contents. Bank statements, transaction records, names, dates—it was all here.
"This is it," she said, her voice tinged with disbelief. "This is the proof we need."
But before they could celebrate, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the facility. Seojin's heart sank as she drew her weapon. "We've got company."
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**End of Chapter 5**
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**Sneak Peek:**
Next time on *The Detective and The Lawyer*:
Trapped in the storage facility, Seojin and Jiwon must work together to outwit their pursuers. But as the danger intensifies, long-buried secrets begin to surface, threatening to shatter their uneasy alliance.