Twisted Madness (12)
“It’s just embarrassing, that’s all. But is Team Leader Ma still in that low-pressure funk?”
“Aigoo, don’t even ask. It’s like a cold gale blows whenever he’s nearby. He’s getting seriously chewed out from above for losing to those grunts from Gangcheon Station. By the way, that salt farm case—they handed the credit to the team, but rumor has it that bastard Kang Cheol-gu did it all himself, right?”
Kang Cheol-gu! Just hearing the name made Ji Hyeong-seok’s neck vein twitch like an earthworm slithering by. Sure, they were both inspectors, but he’d been rolling in the field for ten years. And now this punk fresh out of the police academy, riding his daddy’s halo, strutting around like he owned the place. That arrogant attitude to boot! The coffee turned bitter in his mouth. He was about to dump the untouched cup in the trash when—
BAM!
“You think you know it all, huh? These assholes strut around like they own the world just ‘cause they’re in Gwangsu?”
Team Leader Ma Dong-sik burst in, flinging the door open with a crash. Ji Hyeong-seok’s ears twitched. A familiar voice leaked from the cellphone clutched in Ma’s hand.
“I’m truly sorry, Team Leader. This time we got scooped by those Gangcheon punks, but next time, I swear…”
Yoon Sergeant—Ma’s usual hometown favorite—grabbed his shoulders, trying to soothe him.
“Get this hand off me? ‘Scooped’? ‘Next time’? You little shits, turn on the TV!”
The black screen flickered to life, revealing a familiar building at a glance. Ji Hyeong-seok’s eyebrow spasmed. Gangcheon Police Station. Reporters swarmed the front. Amid the exploding flashes, someone stood out. A skinny guy in black horn-rimmed glasses, looking sheepish as he spoke. It was that cocky sergeant standing next to Kang Cheol-gu.
“…As I’ve explained so far, our investigation has uncovered circumstances that make it impossible to view Park Hyeok-cheol’s actions as a solo crime. Accordingly, our team is convinced there’s another perpetrator in the Injing-gu salt farm case.”
“Suspect Park Si-woong suffered injuries requiring four weeks’ treatment. Did he resist fiercely during the arrest?”
“Yes. The suspect attempted to flee, and I sustained injuries in the process.”
The camera zoomed in on Inspector Lee Gyu-cheol’s bruised eye.
“…As for whether he resisted during the arrest.”
Inspector Lee Gyu-cheol’s gaze flicked toward Kang Cheol-gu, who lounged crookedly by the main gate. Catching Kang’s wink, Lee smirked and replied.
“Yes, the perp resisted fiercely. And even in the same situation, I believe it was an unavoidable choice. We couldn’t prioritize the criminal’s safety in that moment.
“I understand this case involved a joint investigation order with Gwangsu. Gwangsu announced case closure— was that a feint to lull the perp?”
The entire Gwangsu Team 2 held their breath, staring at the monitor.
“Well, whether Gwangsu anticipated all this and announced closure is best asked directly to them. That said, we received no data or cooperation requests from them regarding this case.”
“So we can take that to mean this arrest was purely the independent work of Gangcheon’s Violent Crimes Team 3?”
“Haha, well… That’s all for the on-site report. Details will come at Team Leader’s official briefing.”
“Excuse me!”
“One moment!”
Flashes trailed Inspector Lee Gyu-cheol as he walked away.
* * *
“Get out!”
A low growl escaped Team Leader Ma’s lips—a mix of sigh and groan.
“Pardon?”
“Get out! Go catch a pickpocket or a rapist or anything and drag ‘em in! If you’re coming back empty-handed, don’t bother! What’re you waiting for, you idiots? Scram!”
Papers and files flew from his hand toward the team. Still-hot coffee splashed across Inspector Ji Hyeong-seok’s knees. The smell of searing flesh rose, but he felt no burn.
* * *
[Heavy rain warnings nationwide starting this morning. Extra caution advised for commutes.]
Hearing the weather anchor on the news, he pulled out a thick windbreaker. It was the day of Park Hyeok-cheol’s trial. Normally, for custody cases, a trial date was set within a month of indictment—but this one was unusually fast, just two weeks. National outrage had pressured the bench, and even Geonwoo Group joined in, eager to wrap it up quick and rebound their tanking stock and public image.
Inspector Kim Gwang-il revved the car engine outside the station.
“Let’s go, hyungnim! That bastard who stabbed me is in court today. I gotta see Park Hyeok-cheol that fucker stand there with my own eyes!”
“You were discharged yesterday… You sure you’re okay?”
“No problem. I’m Ironclad Stamina Kim Gwang-il, remember? Haha!”
The engine roar blended with the rain, spreading a satisfying hum.
* * *
[This is JTBC’s Jeong Seong-hui reporting live from Seoul Central District Court. Today marks the first hearing for Park Hyeok-cheol, who drew massive public fury over that grotesque rape case. Even in this downpour, crowds of citizens have gathered, showing the national interest in this trial. And right now—Park Hyeok-cheol has arrived.]
Click!
“Park Hyeok-cheol! Over here!”
“Park Hyeok-cheol! How do you predict the outcome?”
Reporters swarmed as the crutch-propped Park Hyeok-cheol stepped from the car.
“That piece of shit’s human too? Aigoo, unbelievable.”
“If I were ten years younger, I’d dai-dai his ass…”
His face flushed amid the crowd’s rage and jeers. The fallen hero of an exhibitionist life.
“Look this way!”
One group waved a banner: ‘Octagon Rapist’.
Splat!
An egg flew from somewhere, smacking Park Hyeok-cheol’s head. Flour poured down like it’d been waiting. He ducked his head, biting back a groan.
* * *
Unlike the chaos outside, the courtroom was solemn. The judge’s mouth opened heavily—a formal opener for the trial.
“State your name and age, defendant.”
Park Hyeok-cheol’s head rose laboriously. He’d wiped it with tissues, but egg and flour still clung to his throat and clothes. The humid air carried the raw egg stench through the room. People grimaced, pinching their noses.
“Name’s Park Hyeok-cheol, age twenty-eight. I…”
Now the prosecutor’s indictment would kick off the real trial. As he opened the binder, Park Hyeok-cheol cried out desperately.
“I… I’m innocent!”
His eyes reddened. Amid the murmurs, his teary gaze sought someone in the gallery. It locked with Pyo Chi-su, Secretary Chief. A subtle nod only they understood.
“Defendant, remain silent. You’ll get closing statement time later. Proceed with prosecution’s indictment.”
The defendant’s bowed lips curled upward.
* * *
A high-end Japanese restaurant in Cheongdam-dong. Top Lawyer Oh Dong-geun poured himself sake before Pyo Chi-su, Secretary Chief of Geonwoo Group. Unlike Pyo, who gulped dry spit endlessly, Oh’s hand poured steadily. Face flushed red—probably from prior rounds.
“You’re sure we can trust this, Lawyer Oh?”
“Haha, no worries. This ain’t my first rodeo. It’s all set.”
Pyo’s brow furrowed. No desperation from this guy.
“Ease up on the booze! Trial’s tomorrow—can you afford to be this casual?”
Frustrated at Oh’s nonchalance versus his own anxiety, Pyo snapped without thinking. Oh could just sign with another firm, but if Park Hyeok-cheol didn’t walk, Pyo was done. His fate hung on this.
Oh’s hand paused mid-pour, then smirked and downed the rest.
“Checked via prosecution channels. Park Hyeok-cheol committed three crimes total, but the first two have thin evidence. Just facial composites from masked sightings—hard to ID him definitively. Only solid one left is the final victim, Han Ye-seung…”
Oh refilled his glass.
“Here’s the rundown. Cops burst in mid-act. Mask slips, she sees his face. Especially during the escape, he stabbed the responding officer with a weapon.”
“Isn’t that the problem? She’ll testify! She saw his face!”
Pyo chugged water, guts burning.
“…Money.”
“What?!”
“Ever seen a girl turn down cash? Parents farming in the sticks, she came to Seoul alone at twenty, scraping by as an accountant. Started at three mil—yelled at me to get out. Five mil—her eyes wavered. Heh. Upped to a hundred mil. She bowed her head and cried quietly.”
“So?”
“Yeah. Han Ye-seung stalked Park Hyeok-cheol regularly. That day, she lured him home. They were consensually banging when cops showed. Park mistook the cop for a robber, stabbed in panic. Fled when he saw the backup, thinking they were accomplices. Tomorrow’s hearing plays out this script to the letter. Heh heh.”
* * *
“Prosecution’s indictment noted. Defense, proceed with counterarguments.”
“Your Honor.”
Lawyer Oh Dong-geun adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and spoke. His gaze swept the courtroom from the judge on down. Throat bothering him, he undid a shirt button.
“Before arguments, a word on defendant Park Hyeok-cheol. He’s lived diligently as a respected businessman and renowned athlete. That he stands here indicts our judiciary deeply. This case stems from overzealous policing chasing stats and glory, plus prosecutorial incompetence failing to unearth the truth. I assert the defendant’s innocence and will present evidence.”
Blue veins bulged on the back of his hand as he opened the binder.
“Th-that’s insane!”
A low mutter erupted from one corner as his defense continued.
“…In summary, witness Han Ye-seung stalked Park Hyeok-cheol habitually and lured him to her home that day.”
“Makes sense?”
“No wonder they say wealth buys innocence, poverty guilt.”
“Hand to cover the sky.”
“Devils get lawyers if the price is right!”
The courtroom buzzed.
“Order! Silence. Witness Han Ye-seung, testify. Is the defense correct?”
All eyes locked on Han Ye-seung as the judge spoke. All but one. Park Hyeok-cheol stared straight at her, a twisted grin slashing his lips.
I told you, right? The winner’s me…