#125.

Late in the evening, the management office door slowly opened. Im Ha-yoon’s gaze swept the room. Lee Han greeted her with a smile. He was holding a stack of documents he had been organizing.

,Hello, Detective-nim.” Lee Han greeted. ,I didn’t expect you to come at this hour.”

Im Ha-yoon nodded and replied. ,Yes, I’m a bit late.” Her shoulders were tense and stiff.

Lee Han put the documents on the desk. ,Would you like some coffee or tea?”

,Water will be enough.” Im Ha-yoon’s voice lacked strength.

As she sat on the sofa, the leather seat creaked slightly. Lee Han headed to the kitchen, and the sound of cold water filling the glass broke the silence.

Lee Han handed her the glass of water and sat opposite her. Their eyes met. Im Ha-yoon’s fingers slowly traced the surface of the glass, and Lee Han simply looked at her.

Silence enveloped the room. Im Ha-yoon’s breathing quickened slightly, and Lee Han cleared his throat lightly.

Im Ha-yoon slowly put down the glass of water. Her eyes scanned Lee Han’s face. ,Can I talk about Park Min-ah-ssi?”

Lee Han’s eyebrows rose slightly. A subtle tension crept into his voice. ,Park Min-ah-ssi? Are you perhaps… talking to me about the case?”

Im Ha-yoon seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then nodded. ,Yes, that’s right. I thought it would be okay since Lee Han-ssi helped out.”

Lee Han nodded slowly. His expression became serious. ,Alright. Tell me as much as I’m allowed to hear.”

Im Ha-yoon took a deep breath. Her fingers unconsciously traced the surface of the glass.

Their eyes met. The air in the room seemed to fill with a subtle tension.

Im Ha-yoon carefully unfolded Park Min-ah’s statement. Her gaze tried not to miss any changes in Lee Han’s expression. But she couldn’t read any particular sign on Lee Han’s face.

,That kind of thing happened?” Lee Han’s voice suddenly rose. A look of surprise crossed his face. ,That’s really serious.”

Im Ha-yoon continued, watching Lee Han’s reaction. Her sharp eyes tried not to miss any changes in Lee Han’s expression, gestures, or subtle body movements. But contrary to expectations, she couldn’t find any suspicious signs from Lee Han.

The surprise, worry, and seriousness that flashed across his face were so natural. There was no sign of falsehood in any gesture or gaze. Im Ha-yoon’s brow furrowed slightly.

,Could something be wrong…’

A sense of disappointment seeped into her heart. She felt as if the suspicions and assumptions she had built up until now were crumbling. Im Ha-yoon bit her lip slightly.

,Could he be unrelated…’

As this thought crossed her mind, her shoulders trembled slightly. She was overwhelmed by the realization that the direction of the investigation so far had been wrong. Im Ha-yoon took a deep breath. Her fingers unconsciously clenched and unclenched her knees.

The thought that the time she had spent suspecting Lee Han had been in vain weighed heavily on her heart. But at the same time, the desperation to find a new clue pressed down on her.

Lee Han leaned forward. ,To think that something like this happened in our apartment… How can I help you solve it?”

Im Ha-yoon bit her lip slightly. Lee Han’s attitude was surprisingly cooperative. Her brow narrowed at the thought that she couldn’t easily judge him.

A moment of silence passed. Im Ha-yoon’s fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest of the sofa. Several thoughts flashed through her mind.

,Lee Han… I can’t figure him out.’ she muttered inwardly. ,But Park Joon-ho… he’s definitely the one.’

Im Ha-yoon took a deep breath. Her eyes wavered for a moment, then hardened. The moment she decided to turn the investigation towards Park Joon-ho, the tension seemed to ease from her shoulders.

Im Ha-yoon hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth. Her fingers unconsciously pressed and released her knees.

,Actually… I heard that a person named Park Joon-ho lives in this apartment. I thought that person might be related to this case.”

Lee Han’s eyebrows rose slightly. A subtle tension crept into his voice. ,Park Joon-ho? Have I perhaps seen him in the apartment before?… In what way do you think he’s involved?”

Im Ha-yoon carefully observed Lee Han’s reaction. She tried to read any particular sign from his expression, but only pure curiosity was visible.

She took a deep breath. ,It’s not certain yet. But some circumstances are suspicious…”

Lee Han nodded slowly. Seriousness settled in his eyes. ,I see. If it would help solve this case, is there anything I can do?”

Im Ha-yoon carefully continued. ,Could you perhaps keep a close eye on Park Joon-ho-ssi’s daily life in the apartment?”

A troubled look crossed Lee Han’s face. He closed his eyes for a moment before opening them and saying. ,Since it’s a request from Detective-nim, I’ll do my best. However, I’ll be careful not to infringe on his personal privacy.”

Im Ha-yoon nodded. ,Thank you so much. That would be a great help.”

As she stood up, Lee Han also rose from his seat. ,It’s late, so I’ll see you off.”

Im Ha-yoon waved her hand and said. ,No, it’s okay.”

Lee Han smiled gently. ,It’s time for my night patrol anyway. Don’t worry about it too much.”

Im Ha-yoon hesitated for a moment before nodding. ,In that case… thank you.”

The two of them left the management office side by side. In the quiet of the apartment complex late at night, only the sound of their footsteps echoed faintly. Im Ha-yoon walked, conscious of Lee Han’s presence, and Lee Han casually looked around.

In the darkness, their shadows repeatedly lengthened and shortened. The subtle tension flowing between the two spread through the night air.

Faint streetlights dimly illuminated the apartment complex. Im Ha-yoon glanced sideways at Lee Han next to her as she walked. His profile moved between shadow and light, creating contrasts.

,I still don’t know…’ Im Ha-yoon’s brow furrowed slightly. Lee Han’s actions clearly seemed good, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something inside. But she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what that ‘something’ was.

Im Ha-yoon shook her head slightly, shaking off her thoughts. ,I need to focus on Park Joon-ho now.’

At that moment, Lee Han’s hand suddenly grabbed Im Ha-yoon’s arm. Im Ha-yoon’s body stiffened with tension for a moment. Her fist clenched reflexively.

But Lee Han quietly brought his finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet. His gaze pointed somewhere.

Im Ha-yoon followed his gaze and saw Park Joon-ho in the distance. Her fist slowly unclenched.

Lee Han looked at Im Ha-yoon’s clenched fist with a puzzled expression. Im Ha-yoon quickly hid her hand behind her back and turned her head as if nothing had happened.

The two of them silently hid in the shadows and began to watch Park Joon-ho. Im Ha-yoon’s eyes sharpened, and Lee Han’s expression seemed calm, but his pupils moved subtly as he assessed the situation.

The cold night air brushed against their faces. The sound of Park Joon-ho’s footsteps in the distance echoed through the quiet night.

Park Joon-ho’s figure was visible in the distance. His gait was slightly unsteady. A satisfied smile lingered on his face.

Suddenly, Park Joon-ho stopped at the sound of his cell phone ringing. As soon as he answered the phone, his posture instantly stiffened. He looked around and hurriedly moved to a dark place.

Lee Han gently pulled on Im Ha-yoon’s arm. He gestured for her to quietly come closer. Im Ha-yoon looked at Lee Han with suspicious eyes, but Lee Han silently hid his body between the walls of the apartment complex.

From there, Park Joon-ho’s voice could be heard clearly.

,Yes, don’t worry. Everything has been handled well.” Park Joon-ho’s voice was polite. ,Yes, I understand. You can rest assured.”

Im Ha-yoon’s ears perked up. ,Is he referring to me?’ Her heart beat anxiously.

After finishing the call, Park Joon-ho looked around one more time and disappeared at a fast pace.

The conversation she had just heard swirled in Im Ha-yoon’s head. Her suspicion of Park Joon-ho deepened further.

Im Ha-yoon turned towards Lee Han. Her eyes held complex emotions.

,Lee Han-ssi, thank you so much for today.” Her voice was low and serious. ,It was a great help.”

Lee Han nodded slightly. ,It’s only natural. Please tell me anytime if you need anything in the future.”

Im Ha-yoon hesitated for a moment before extending her hand. Lee Han took her hand. The moment their hands touched, a strange tension flowed.

,Then… I’ll be going now.” Im Ha-yoon said.

,Go safely.” Lee Han’s voice echoed through the night air.

Im Ha-yoon nodded and turned around. Her steps were quick, and her head was filled with complex thoughts. After leaving the apartment complex, she headed straight to the police station.

Arriving at the nearly empty police station late at night, Im Ha-yoon headed to her desk. When she turned on the computer, the bluish-white screen illuminated her face. Her fingers began to move quickly across the keyboard.

,Park Joon-ho…” she muttered lowly. Park Joon-ho’s past records began to appear one by one on the screen. Im Ha-yoon’s eyes shone sharply. Her long night towards the truth was beginning.

–

Lee Han returned to the management office and took out his cell phone. After hesitating for a moment, he sent a text message to Jung Seo-yeon.

,Seo-yeon-ssi, I need your help.”

A few minutes later, Jung Seo-yeon’s reply came. ,Lee Han-ssi, what’s the matter? You never contact me usually.”

Lee Han bit his lip slightly. ,I’m sorry. Something urgent came up.”

,What can I help you with?”

Lee Han pondered for a moment before sending a reply. ,I have something to ask you about items and equipment.”

There was no reply for a while. Lee Han’s fingers tapped nervously on the side of his cell phone.

Suddenly, the phone rang. It was Jung Seo-yeon.

,What’s going on?” Jung Seo-yeon’s voice was laced with tension.

,That… what I mentioned last time. It’s about that…”

Jung Seo-yeon’s sigh could be heard over the phone. ,Okay. I’ll send it over there.”

A look of relief crossed Lee Han’s face. ,Thank you. I’ll come to see you soon.”

Jung Seo-yeon’s voice lowered. A subtle seduction was embedded in her tone. ,Since I granted you this favor… you have to grant me a favor next time. Aren’t we that kind of special relationship?”

A strange silence flowed between the two for a moment. Jung Seo-yeon’s low breathing could be heard over the phone.

Lee Han opened his mouth again. His voice became even softer. ,Alright.”

,I’ll visit you in a few days.” Jung Seo-yeon’s reply was filled with sweetness.

The call ended, and Lee Han looked out the window with an expectant expression.