I Can Hear a Serial Killer's Voice in My Head

As Kang leads me away from the reception desk, I can see the confusion and concern etched on his face. He stops abruptly, turning to face me.

"Detective," he begins, his voice low, "what exactly are you doing here?"

I open my mouth to respond, but before I can, I see a flicker of realization cross Kang's features. His eyes widen slightly, and he lets out a soft "Ah" of understanding.

"Wait here," he says suddenly, his tone brooking no argument. "I need to take care of something first."

I watch as Kang turns and quickly wheels the elderly woman back into the hospital, trying to piece together what's happening. How does Kang fit into all of this?

I wait in the lobby, my eyes fixed on the corridor where Kang disappeared with the elderly woman. Minutes tick by, stretching into an uncomfortable length of time. Kang doesn't return.

An uneasy feeling settles in my stomach. Something's not right. I approach the reception desk, where the same nurse from earlier eyes me warily.

"Excuse me," I say, trying to keep my voice calm, "is there any way to contact the man who was just here to talk to me? He was supposed to meet me back here. He must be a family member of one of the patients. He used to be a police officer."

The nurse's eyebrows raise slightly. "You mean Superintendent Kang? You know him?"

Her tone catches me off guard. "Yes, I do. You just saw we were talking. Is there something unusual about that?"

She hesitates for a moment, then leans in slightly. "It's just... we don't often see him with visitors. He usually comes alone."

"I see," I reply, my curiosity piqued. "We ran into each other by chance. I'm actually here about a different matter."

The nurse nods slowly, still looking puzzled. "Well, I'm afraid I can't give out any information about our patients or visitors. Hospital policy."

I'm about to turn away when a thought strikes me. "The woman Kang was with... is she a patient here?"

The nurse's expression changes, a mix of surprise and confusion crossing her face. "You mean you don't know? That was Jo Mal-soon."

The revelation hits me like a physical blow. Jo Mal-soon - the very person I came here to find - was right in front of me, being wheeled around by Kang.

"Jo Mal-soon?" I repeat, trying to keep my voice steady. "Are you sure?"

The nurse nods, looking increasingly uncomfortable with the conversation. "Yes, that's Ms. Jo. Superintendent Kang has been visiting her regularly for years. I assumed you knew, given that you seemed to know him."

Kang knows Jo Mal-soon, and he's been visiting her for years?

"Thank you," I manage to say to the nurse, my thoughts in turmoil. "You've been very helpful."

As I step away from the desk, my investigator's instincts kick into high gear. This can't be a coincidence. Kang's presence here and his connection to Jo Mal-soon.

I need to find Kang.

***

I arrive at my grandmother's restaurant, the familiar scent of home-cooked meals filling the air. My eyes scan the room, searching for Kang's familiar face among the patrons. But he's not here.

"Halmeoni," I call out to my grandmother as she bustles past with a tray of dishes. "Has Chief Kang been in today?"

She shakes her head, a slight frown creasing her brow. "No, I haven't seen him. It's odd, isn't it? He's usually here every day around this time."

I nod, trying to hide my concern. "Yeah, it is odd."

The next day, I find myself back at the restaurant, my eyes automatically searching for Kang. Again, his usual table sits empty. A knot of unease tightens in my stomach.

"Still no sign of Chief Kang?" I ask my grandmother as she refills my coffee.

"No," she replies, her voice tinged with worry. "It's not like him to miss two days in a row. I hope he's alright."

On the third day, as I push open the restaurant door, I'm met with the same scene. No Kang. The knot in my stomach has grown into a full-fledged ball of anxiety.

I sink into a chair, my mind whirling. Kang has been a fixture at this restaurant for as long as I can remember. He's here every day, like clockwork. Until now.

And then there's his connection to Jo Mal-soon. The way he was wheeling her around the hospital, the nurse's surprise at my knowing him. It all adds up to something, but what?

As I'm lost in thought, staring into my coffee cup, I hear my grandmother's familiar footsteps approaching. I look up to see her carrying a thick manila envelope.

"Minjun," she says, her voice tinged with curiosity, "Chief Kang stopped by earlier. He left this for you."

My heart skips a beat as I take the envelope. It's heavy, stuffed full of what I can only assume are documents. "Kang was here? When?"

"Just after the morning rush," she replies, wiping her hands on her apron. "He seemed... different. Stressed, maybe."

I turn the envelope over in my hands, noting there's no writing on the outside. "Did he say anything else?"

My grandmother nods, her brow furrowed slightly. "Yes, he mentioned he'd be going on holiday. Said he'd be away for a long time and not to worry if we don't see him for a while."

"Did he say where he was going?" I ask, trying to keep my voice casual. .net

She shakes her head. "No, he didn't give any details. Just said it was somewhere far away."

I nod slowly, my mind racing. "Thanks, Halmeoni

As my grandmother moves away to tend to other customers, I stare at the envelope in my hands. What could be inside?

I resist the urge to tear open the envelope right there in the restaurant. Whatever Kang has left for me, I have a feeling it's not something I want prying eyes to see.

Standing up, I tuck the envelope securely under my arm. "I've got to go, Halmeoni," I call out. "Thanks for the coffee."

She waves goodbye, a worried look in her eyes.

I hurry to my car, the weight of the envelope seeming to grow heavier with each step.

I slide into the driver's seat of my car, my hands trembling slightly as I hold the thick envelope. After a moment's hesitation, I tear it open.

On top of a stack of documents, there's a handwritten note. I recognize Kang's neat, precise handwriting immediately.

Taking a deep breath, I begin to read:

"Detective,

I must admit, seeing you at the hospital looking for Jo Mal-soon caught me off guard. I apologize for disappearing on you. I needed time to think, to decide what to do with the information I've been carrying for far too long.

Your presence there, seeking Jo Mal-soon, tells me that you've uncovered more than I ever thought possible. It also tells me that it's finally time for me to share what I know. What I've known for years but couldn't bring myself to reveal.

The truth about your parents' death.

I know this will come as a shock, and I'm sorry for keeping this from you for so long. But please understand, I had my reasons. Reasons that I hope will become clear as you go through the documents I've enclosed.

What you're about to learn will change everything you thought you knew about your parents, about Choi, about the case that has defined your life. It won't be easy to read, but you deserve to know the truth.

I'm sorry I couldn't tell you this in person. By the time you read this, I'll be far away.

I hope you can forgive me for leaving like this.

Be careful, Detective. The truth you're about to uncover is dangerous. There are people who would do anything to keep it hidden.

Good luck, and stay safe.

- Kang"

I lower the letter, my hands shaking. The truth about my parents' death? After all these years, could the answers I've been seeking finally be within reach?

With a mix of anticipation and dread, I turn my attention to the stack of documents beneath Kang's letter. Whatever is in these pages, I know it's going to change everything.

Taking a deep breath, I begin to read. With trembling hands, I turn the first page of the document stack. My eyes widen as I take in the contents of the page before me. It's an official-looking certificate, detailing Jo Mal-soon's family tree.

My gaze immediately locks onto a familiar name: Choi.

But it's not just Choi's name that catches my attention. It's his position on the family tree. There, clear as day, is a line connecting Choi to Jo Mal-soon. The label beside it reads: "Son."

I feel the air leave my lungs in a rush. Choi is Jo Mal-soon's son.

All this time, I've known Choi as the orphan who rose through the ranks of the police force. The man who seemed to have no past, no family ties. But this document tells a different story.