Chapter 88. The Death of the Man No One Hates (1)
“What do I have to do for Inspector Kang to cut me a little slack?”
Was he sensing some room for negotiation? The corners of Squad Leader Jeong Gi-su's mouth, which hadn't even met my eyes moments ago, curved up ever so slightly.
“I'll do whatever Inspector Kang says, so just tell me how.”
His eyes narrowed like a snake's.
“Honestly, I know full well that you were just following Chief Yoon Hak-do's orders, Squad Leader Jeong.”
If things keep going like this, you'll end up taking the fall alone as his bullet sponge and vanish. That was my way of saying he needed to figure out how to save his own skin if he wanted to live.
“That's right! As Inspector Kang knows, what power does a mere squad leader have? We all just move on the chief's orders. But public service is like that, isn't it? When the higher-ups screw up, it's the underlings who take the blame—that's how this world works.”
If I wanted, he was willing to spill everything on Chief Yoon, even down to his eighth cousin by marriage. But what about me, Jeong Gi-su, now cut loose like a fallen kite? That was his counterargument.
“The rigidity of public service is such a problem! Even when you uncover the truth for justice, you end up branded an internal whistleblower and get nothing but dirty looks.”
Exposing Chief Yoon's corruption would end his police career for good—could I guarantee his rice bowl? That was the question.
“I fully understand your situation, Squad Leader Jeong. That's why... ”
As my voice lowered, Jeong Gi-su pulled his chair closer and leaned forward.
“How about commuting to Taehwa Motors headquarters instead of Gangnam Police Station? We'd adjust your title to something like vice president.”
“T-Taehwa's vice president?!”
Jeong Gi-su, who had been testing the waters with clumsy feints, sucked in a sharp breath. His eyes shook violently as he weighed the bribes he'd pocketed in Gangnam against a Taehwa VP's salary. Benefits, pay—it was no contest.
Jeong Gi-su nodded, his gaze narrowing.
“It's not that I don't trust our Inspector Kang... but I've spent my whole career in public service. I'm not sure I could handle it.”
You're not just gonna squeeze me for all I'm worth and toss me aside, are you? No matter how big a shot you are, Kang Cheol-gu, do you really have the pull to plant me at Taehwa? Prove it's not bullshit.
“You've been at Gangnam, so you must know all the big corp HR lines. That's why I'm comfortable recommending you. Give Manager Yang Jin-ho a call. I'll connect you right now.”
The moment Yang's name dropped, Jeong Gi-su's eyebrows twitched. He stared at my dialing hand like it was a lifeline.
“...Hello. Manager Yang. This is Kang Cheol-gu. About that personnel matter I mentioned last time—I'm here with the guy in question. Take a sec?”
His hands trembled uncontrollably as he took the phone. Even without the other guy in sight, he cradled it with both hands and bowed his head.
Crack! Squad Leader Jeong shot up abruptly and bolted, while the ice in the abandoned iced Americano began to fracture.
Finishing the call, Squad Leader Jeong couldn't contain his grin, his mouth twitching nonstop as he bowed ninety degrees to me.
“Call me anytime if you have questions about Chief Yoon. No—I'll compile the data myself and have it ready beforehand. I won't take up more of your time here, so please excuse me.”
His last shred of pride, that half-respectful tone, had shifted to full deference.
I nodded slowly and picked up the phone again.
“Manager Yang. It's me. Thanks for the favor.”
– I'll do it since Inspector Kang Cheol-gu asked, but do we really have to hire Jeong Gi-su? Bad rumors, no skills, useless except for kissing ass.
I could practically see Yang Jin-ho frowning through the receiver.
“That's exactly why he's valuable—his street smarts. Extract the intel he's gathered, then strip him as planned. Taehwa won't lose out.”
– Fine, if that's the reason we're recruiting him, no more arguments. But Inspector Kang, you're scarier than I thought. If that guy had stayed in the force, he'd at least get a pension after a desk job and scrape by. If we cut him loose at Taehwa, he's a sitting duck in the Nakdong River.
I heard him click his tongue.
“Keep it quiet until this case wraps up.”
– Got it. Now it's your turn to return the favor. You didn't forget, right?
“...Noon tomorrow, I'll head to Taehwa Electronics headquarters.”
Taehwa Electronics CEO Hong Jang-hun—Hong Gye-young's father—had requested a private meeting in exchange for handling Jeong Gi-su's placement.
The head of Korea's semiconductor giant asking for a one-on-one with a mere inspector? And as payment for a favor? It was overly polite and secretive for someone I could meet anytime if I really wanted.
The second hand ticked heavily.
* * *
Taehwa Electronics headquarters, ranked tenth in Kospi market cap, was more modest than expected. Unlike Taehwa Motors' aesthetic-focused design, this place prioritized pure utility down to every staircase path. The route from entrance to office was the shortest possible. Maybe influenced by President Hong Jang-hun's no-frills style, most employees dressed casually.
“Same Taehwa Group, but a different vibe from Taehwa Motors, right? The CEO's personality shapes the affiliates, after all.”
Yang Jin-ho, waiting at the main gate, spoke as we rode the executive elevator together. His face held an inexplicable pride.
Wasn't Yang supposed to be Hong Gye-young's right-hand man?
“...Truth is, I originally served President Hong Jang-hun here. I've been with Taehwa since Hong Gye-young was in high school. When she took over Motors, he sent me to her.”
Sensing my puzzled look, Yang chuckled openly by way of explanation.
“So, the favor I asked Hong Gye-young for Jeong Gi-su got reported straight to President Hong Jang-hun through you?”
“Yes. Sorry if that upset you. It was President Hong Jang-hun's strict order: personal favors are fine, but official ones go straight to you, bypassing the chain.”
Where was the line between personal and official? The question lingered, but I didn't ask. I'd hear the answer soon enough.
Ding! The elevator bell signaled our arrival at the top floor, 38th.
The CEO's office door swung open, and a booming voice rang out.
“Ah! Come in, Inspector Kang Cheol-gu. Tough trip?”
“Not at all. Thanks for inviting me.”
A lid-like hand, defying his age, engulfed mine. No power struggle this time, unlike our first meeting.
“Belated congrats on the promotion. Youngest inspector, I hear?”
“Just happened that way.”
“'Just happened'? Ha! Anyway, everyone out. You too, Yang.”
Clearing his aides, he smirked and spoke.
“...You're probably wondering why I called you, but no questions?”
“......”
“Do you know why CEO offices are always on the top floor?”
“......!”
Dealing with tens of thousands of underlings, did he develop mind-reading from a glance? He hadn't planned to hear my answer from the start—his gaze wasn't even on me.
“Fire breaks out, hard to escape. Up and down takes forever. Yet it's on top as a symbol. To meet me, they declare business at lobby info, ride public elevator to 20, then exec lift. This inefficient process subconsciously moves them. Wow, I'm meeting someone important. Step inside, and even a plain old middle-aged guy like me gets a halo. Heh! So here's my question...”
His head turned slowly toward me amid the small talk.
“Are you aiming for the top floor yourself?”
“......”
The question came casually, like asking what he'd eat for dinner tonight. No need to answer yet—not without grasping his intent. Showing my hand first would be amateur.
Our eyes met.
“Apologies in advance. I've been watching you closely out of personal interest. You're one of the few who passed my test.”
His test—the handshake probe from our first meeting? I'd aced it thanks to reading his autobiography beforehand.
“And as a father with a daughter, it's natural to check out the guy she likes. Gye-young would jump and deny it, but I know her heart after a lifetime. Heh!”
Hong Gye-young's name softened the market-moving CEO's face to that of a neighborly uncle. The classic doting dad with gently arched brows.
“That's why I ask: is your goal the top spot in your organization?”
“No such ambition.”
From doting dad back to tycoon. His charismatic voice returned, eyes warm with fondness.
“Right. If it were just that, plenty wouldn't add up. Starting with Jungcheon Station, now going for Gangnam Chief's head? That's not top-dog moves. Makes endless enemies, invites threats. ...So, what's your real goal?”
The sudden probe held no malice—just a father's concern for his only daughter. No real displeasure. More like surprise.
Not even my Violent Crimes Unit 3 teammates or my lifelong-cop dad had asked this. Was it the instincts of a veteran climber? His insight cut sharp.
With Hong Gye-young and now Hong Jang-hun in my corner, my forces against Yoon Kyung-yeong would grow. But no spilling my soul here.
What to say?
“...My goal is—”
As I lifted my chin to speak.
“Dad, I'm here. Oh! Inspector Kang Cheol-gu?”
Hong Gye-young burst in without knocking, her surprised voice filling the office. Baseball cap, casual jacket—unfamiliar compared to her suits.
Glancing between me and Hong Jang-hun, she seemed to piece it together and stepped toward him.
“You said casual lunch together, but what's really going on here?”
A hint of reproach in her tone. But her eyes, ill-suited to it, curved into lovely half-moons.
“...Set this up to celebrate Inspector Kang's promotion, among other things. How'd you get here so early?”
The sharp insight from moments ago vanished; the middle-aged dad scratched his head, avoiding her gaze.