Chapter 67
Chapter 67
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Gonjiam Station
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It was a case in the Hanseong Police Substation jurisdiction, and if they’d called the fire department, support would’ve arrived in probably five, maybe ten minutes flat.
Our country’s police response time is impressively fast, but the fire department’s is on another level.
But Icheon was different.
It took the firefighters over ten minutes to arrive.
Not a huge difference in the grand scheme, but during that wait, my blood was inevitably running a bit hot.
I wanted to hand the kid over to them and hear from the pros that he was safe.
About fifteen minutes later, the fire support finally rolled in.
An ambulance screeched to a stop out front, and firefighters jumped out, rushing straight into the house.
The substation backup arrived around the same time, hauling Go Hyun-sook toward the patrol car.
“Hello. Is this the victim?”
“Yes.”
Lee Jae-hyun nodded quickly at the firefighter’s question and stepped aside.
The arriving firefighter moved with practiced urgency, checking Choi Dae-hyeon’s condition.
They’d spot any major issues right away.
Lee Jae-hyun watched tensely as the firefighter examined him.
Fortunately, after inspecting Choi Dae-hyeon’s vitals, the firefighter gave a small nod.
“No major issues with his body. His responses are a bit sluggish, but that’s normal if he was given sedatives. He doesn’t seem in much distress, but we should transport him to the hospital for a full checkup.”
“Thank you.”
Lee Jae-hyun expressed his genuine gratitude to the firefighter.
Only then did he shift his gaze from Choi Dae-hyeon and stand up.
He’d confirmed from the firefighter that the kid didn’t show any immediate problems.
But the case wasn’t fully wrapped up.
They had the kidnapper Go Hyun-sook and the child secured, but the other perp, Park Ye-chan, was still out there.
Until they nabbed him, it wasn’t over.
Lee Jae-hyun turned to head outside, glancing toward the patrol car with Go Hyun-sook.
That’s when a familiar figure appeared before him.
Serhen, dressed in black.
The moment she showed up, her eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“Found them. The kid’s mom and the kidnapper are in the same spot.”
‘Where?’
“Gonjiam Station.”
‘Ah….’
Lee Jae-hyun’s face lit with sudden realization at Serhen’s words.
Gonjiam Station, the kid’s mom, the perp’s phone call…
It felt like puzzle pieces clicking together in his mind.
Go Hyun-sook and Park Ye-chan were extremely cautious types.
The kind who best exploited the idea that “it’s darkest under the lamp.”
So it wasn’t hard to infer they’d be somewhere with heavy foot traffic.
A subway station fit perfectly, even by Lee Jae-hyun’s reasoning.
“They haven’t met face-to-face, but from what I saw, it looks like the mom’s stashing the money bag somewhere.”
He didn’t grasp it right away.
Why hide it?
Plenty of possibilities, but nothing jumped out immediately.
‘Stashing it?’
“Yeah, I confirmed her putting the money bag in something like a drawer, then tracked the kidnapper’s aura straight here.”
At Serhen’s words about the drawer-like spot, Lee Jae-hyun’s mind raced.
The kid’s dad was with the detectives, so he’d gotten word that Choi Dae-hyeon was safe.
But the mom, acting solo, hadn’t heard yet.
Maybe she was holding off handing over the bag until she saw the kid.
Or Park Ye-chan had told her to leave it there.
No way to know which.
Either way, what Lee Jae-hyun needed to do now was crystal clear.
‘Go and grab him.’
He’d saved the kid this time around, but in his past life, this guy kidnapped Choi Dae-hyeon, killed him, and then took his own life.
If possible, Lee Jae-hyun wanted to cuff him personally.
He strode over to Team Leader Oh Min-seok, who was talking with the substation officers.
“Team Leader Oh.”
“Hey, Patrol Officer Lee Jae-hyun. Good work.”
“No, sir. It’s not over yet.”
“Yeah, gotta catch the last one.”
Oh Min-seok stood beside him as he said it.
They’d brought the kid’s father from the scene since he’d been with the police.
But the mother was with the kidnapper.
This wasn’t just about saving one citizen—it was a family, and nabbing criminals was police business.
The case was ongoing, not closed.
“I think I know where Park Ye-chan is.”
“…Where?”
Oh Min-seok’s eyes sharpened at Lee Jae-hyun’s words.
He’d seen him in action before, and this case too.
Oh Min-seok trusted him pretty well by now.
He nodded for him to go on.
“Gonjiam Station.”
“A station… Lots of people, easy to blend in, easy to move. Makes sense.”
“Yes, we need to go and—”
As Lee Jae-hyun spoke, the radio crackled through his earpiece again.
―Team Leader, we found the car. Gonjiam Station. Proceed?
Lee Jae-hyun had nailed it, so Oh Min-seok gave him an odd look before nodding.
“Yeah, approach carefully. Scope it out naturally, don’t let him spot you.”
―Got it.
The detective replied promptly.
Once the radio went quiet, Oh Min-seok shrugged at Lee Jae-hyun, who was still staring firmly.
“My team found it too. Leave Park Ye-chan to them—Patrol Officer Lee Jae-hyun, you should head to the hospital with Choi Dae-hyeon.”
“I want to see Park Ye-chan myself.”
“…Fine. Let’s go together.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
Lee Jae-hyun bowed his head briefly and moved fast.
Time to catch Park Ye-chan.
* * *
Park Ye-chan, in a black cap and mask, scanned his surroundings with tense eyes.
Plenty of people milling about, but no one eyeing him suspiciously.
Still, when you’ve done wrong, everything sets you on edge.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching.
Earlier, he’d even felt a real gaze, chills running down his spine.
‘Thought I was going crazy.’
It was like the air temperature dropped suddenly—he’d rubbed his arms.
Since then, tension had his body trembling faintly.
Park Ye-chan steadied his breathing and mentally reviewed the plan again.
Mom would have the kid.
Meanwhile, he’d wait somewhere with a clear view of the station’s storage lockers for the money.
If someone showed up with a bag, looking nervous and glancing around, he’d call and tell them to stash it in the locker.
Then give the location of an abandoned playground about fifteen minutes away by car, in a deserted spot hardly anyone used anymore.
Whoever picked up the bag—kid’s mom or dad—would rush there in a panic.
His job there was simple and clear.
‘Just confirm the money bag.’
Check the locker, verify the cash inside.
Then contact Mom, who’d take the kid to the playground and ditch him.
It was only five minutes from the house, so plenty of time.
She’d drop the kid and head back; he’d grab the bag and go home.
That’d pay off the house debt, ease Mom’s mind.
‘But… why no contact?’
Park Ye-chan fiddled with his smartphone.
Last call with Mom: ten minutes ago.
Nothing since.
His first crime ever.
Talk is cheap, but that “first” brought insane tension.
Had he left evidence?
What if he got caught?
Anxiety swirled in his head.
In that state, the silent phone fed his unease.
‘Don’t worry. Mom’s got this.’
He reassured himself.
They’d come this far through hardship.
Just collect the money from the kid’s mom, and it’s done.
Park Ye-chan pocketed the quiet phone and eyed the meet spot.
‘When’s the kid’s mom coming? After all this, she’s not bringing cops, right?’
Even in the boonies, the station bustled with foot traffic.
Watching the crowd, he recalled Mom’s key warning.
‘Just don’t get spotted.’
Go Hyun-sook had drilled it in: stay hidden.
Operate like a shadow, quietly snag the money. She’d emphasized it over and over.
He hadn’t shown his face to the kid, but if the parents saw him… things would blow up.
He’d have to kill them—or himself, and them too.
Could he even kill someone else then?
‘Probably not.’
He’d end up dying alone.
Leaving Mom behind.
He absolutely had to secure the bag without being seen.
Just then, a nervous woman glancing around caught his eye.
Choi Dae-hyeon’s mother.
He quickly sent a text.
She checked it frantically and shoved the money bag into the locker.
―Phase 1 success.
He texted Mom, then sent the mom the playground location.
―Go here, you’ll find your kid.
She gasped and bolted out of the station.
Watching her go, Park Ye-chan stood casually.
Just confirm the money, text Mom for phase 2, and done.
He smirked faintly.
Of course, Park Ye-chan couldn’t foresee the future barreling toward him.