Physical Education Teacher Murder Case 2
On the way home, Jong-hyuk and I walked in silence.
"In-ha really..."
"No way."
I know it's someone other than In-ha, but I can't just say that I know...
In-ha's situation had cornered her into looking exactly like the prime suspect—no matter who you asked.
How the hell did her clothes end up at the PE teacher murder scene?
"But In-ha's clothes were found at the scene... She said it herself."
"How did In-ha even know about that?"
"Obviously the police told her. They came and went for questioning, right?"
"Yeah... maybe."
From what Heo Soon-kyung said, they seemed to have kept a tight lid on the part about her clothes being found. So why?
I clutched my increasingly complicated head and spoke to Jong-hyuk before we reached home.
"I have to stop somewhere first, so I'll head off."
"Where?"
"No food at home, so I'm taking a detour to buy some..."
"Alright, see you tomorrow."
As I watched Jong-hyuk walk away, I turned back the way we'd come.
The sky darkened bit by bit, and a chilly wind blew, but thanks to the Body Strengthening Spell, it felt less like cold and more like it was cooling my stuffy heart.
Just as I thought I saw a hazy shadow flickering in the distance, Mr. Kim appeared, walking slowly toward me.
Mr. Kim approached with his usual aura—like he might vanish any second—carrying a black plastic bag.
It's weird that I can't hear the rustling of the plastic bag.
Before the thought finished, Mr. Kim arrived and pulled out a milk tea from the bag, handing it to me.
I held the lukewarm but warmly comforting milk tea in one hand, savoring its warmth for a while before tucking it into my pocket.
Seeing his puzzled look, I gave a light smile and said,
"For my little brother."
"I'll bring extra next time."
"Haha, no need to go that far. My brother doesn't really have any memories of Grandpa. But then it hit me—maybe sparing him the hardship out of consideration ended up being worse, because at least shared memories might have been better in the long run, even if they were tough."
Mr. Kim seemed lost in thought for a moment at my words, then gazed at the sunset clinging to the mountainside, now burning red, before speaking.
"That student In-ha is being held at the hospital as a suspect in the PE teacher's murder, right?"
"Yes. The police seem convinced she's the culprit."
"No way that's true..."
"Pardon?"
"Your request was to catch the one who murdered the PE teacher, but I couldn't catch the killer directly. That would involve assault during any kidnapping or confinement, complicating things further... So part of the request was to deliver evidence of the PE teacher's killer to the police, right? That's why I tipped them off about the murder weapon's location. I even confirmed they recovered it. And while I was setting up the background for the perp to turn himself in, you called, so I came out. That's why I don't get why you think the police suspect In-ha."
"So... the police have a profile on the real culprit?"
"Exactly. A quick background check will show anyone who had a beef with the PE teacher and went as far as murder—someone without a prior record is unlikely. He'll be on the suspect list soon. But In-ha, was it? They grilled her like she's a prime suspect? That's questionable from my end."
"Then... why is In-ha so convinced she's the culprit herself, almost like she's certain...?"
"When things don't go as someone expects, it's often because of a third party."
"That..."
"From my experience."
"In-ha's circle is just the hospital doctors, me, Jong-hyuk, Kyung-soo... the nurse? But that nurse really seems devoted to In-ha."
"There are others involved besides detectives."
"Huh?"
"A lawyer."
"But the lawyer is helping In-ha..."
"You really think lawyers always act for their clients' sake? Sure, there are noble ones, but every lawyer I've dealt with wasn't swayed by human emotions like that."
"Even so, why would they tell In-ha about suspicious circumstances pointing to her as a suspect when she's not even on their radar for the case they're handling?"
"Who knows with lawyers. They talk like they're all in on the case, but sometimes they use it as a stepping stone for their own goals."
"No way..."
"Just check. Is this a new request?"
"Yes. If there's anyone suspicious around In-ha, look into it."
"Did you see a lawyer around In-ha today?"
"No, I didn't."
Mr. Kim's face clouded with thought, then he turned and walked back the way he'd come without a word.
Come on, at least answer why you asked before you go.
I grumbled internally in frustration, then gathered myself and headed back down the path I'd climbed.
How does he always show up like a ghost at spots like this?
I marveled at how Mr. Kim appeared in places where our paths wouldn't overlap, sparse with people, yet not so isolated that chatting would draw odd looks— all while quickening my steps against the growing chill toward home.
When I got home, the warm aroma of cooking rice wafted up.
Opening the front door, I saw Mother's shoes and my brother's neatly arranged off to one side, telling me she'd come home early.
"Is that Joo-in?"
"Mom? You're home early today."
"They started the handover. So I made an excuse about work and left right after."
"Then all this time you came home late because..."
"I couldn't just ditch them heartlessly the second my shift ended. Helping with this and that always made time fly till late..."
"Huh?"
"Later they started thinking it was natural for me to help. But I couldn't bring myself to say it outright..."
"Mom!"
"It's fine. I finally said I'm really quitting and did the handover, then came straight home today... But I wonder if I was too abrupt."
"Mom, that wasn't abrupt—it was just right. Right, Joo-shin?"
Delighted that Mom was home early, my brother clung to her legs, buzzing around, then nodded vigorously at my question.
"Mom home early—yay!"
Mother's slightly darkened expression brightened as she turned around. Seeming relieved by our responses about her timely return, she spoke in a lighter voice.
"You're late today... Hurry and wash up. Let's eat dinner together for once."
"Okay."
I washed up quickly and sat down to a warm dinner.
Steamy, glossy white rice paired with plump, bright yellow rolled omelet; mildly seasoned seasoned veggies that were perfect over rice, sweet as honey. Scooping big pieces of tofu and zucchini from the hearty soybean paste stew brought a refreshing, filling warmth.
No sooner had the warm dinner ended than my cellphone rang.
"Who's calling this late?"
Mother's phone started ringing too, so I set aside the dishes I'd been clearing and picked up mine first.
Uncle?
"H-hello...?"
"Joo-in..."
Before I could finish greeting, Uncle's voice boomed suddenly. Mother, recognizing it, leaned in toward the phone I held, startled by his urgency.
"Uh... Uncle, take a breath and calm down first."
"Right... just... is Yeon-mi there?"
"Yes, she's right beside me."
"Can you hand the phone over first?"
I passed the phone to Mother without hesitation and went back to clearing the table, ears tuned to their conversation.
Mother's warm expression gradually darkened at Uncle's voice, until she shut the front door behind her and stepped outside.
He called my number too, almost at the same time as Mom's, just to have me pass it over?
Worried, I opened the door and followed her out.
In the dark alley, the faint blue glow of my phone in Mother's hand stood out like a beacon. Sensing I'd come out, she turned to me.
She tried to look composed, but her eyes were hazy with sorrow. Struggling to speak, she soon handed the phone back to me, deflated.
Uncle's voice came through from the other end.
"I panicked and called Joo-in first, but since you're still minors, Yeon-mi, you should know first. Always delivering news like this must be hard on you too..."
"Uncle?"
"Ah... Joo-in? Is Yeon-mi there?"
"Yes, but she seems pretty shaken. I'll get her home and call you once she's settled."
"Yeah... I acted rashly. Call when things calm down."
Uncle's flustered voice reminded me of the first time we'd met Grandpa— the only other time I'd heard it. Even a doctor who sees life and death daily was just human, his tone laced with bewilderment and grief...
"Mom, it's cold—let's go inside first."
"Joo-in..."
"Mom."
As I approached to support her, she grabbed me tight, her voice sad yet somehow relieved.
"Joo-in, Mom couldn't live without you and Joo-shin. Even after your dad ended up like that, seeing just you two was..."
"Mom...?"
I hugged her firmly as she held on. Calmly murmuring one last thing, she headed inside first.
"Tell Uncle it's okay to say it. I trust my son."
"Okay?"