Power & Sex, And... 96

0143

"What happened?"

As soon as Gu Hyun-ji left the room, Chief Aide Kim came in. He must have sensed something off from her expression.

"Nothing special. Just think of it as growing pains, and it'll all sort itself out."

"Pardon?"

"You know Demian by Hesse? That line where it goes on about 'the bird fights its way out of the egg.' To see a new world, you've got to crack the shell. I just played the part of the mother bird for a bit."

Kim Sil-jang stood there blankly, looking utterly baffled. No wonder—my words must have sounded like nonsense to him, like pounding on a door in your sleep.

"But about that other matter?"

"Gu's face was one thing, but reporters keep hounding us about the mobile shower truck. What should we do?"

"Just keep saying it's something the cafe admins stirred up, and it's got nothing to do with the campaign office."

"That's not sticking anymore. They're gearing up to storm in here any minute."

"Let 'em come. No need to drag in folks who don't want to show, but no reason to stop those who do."

Kim Sil-jang seemed at a loss about the mobile shower truck fiasco. Even if I denied it flat-out, anyone could guess I wasn't entirely uninvolved, so he was in a tough spot too. Anyway, if the reporters showed, I'd just meet them.

After lunch with the campaign staff, I returned to the office to find another gaggle of assemblymen waiting. We exchanged pleasantries, I offered tea, chatted about nothing in particular, and saw them off with full courtesy. Exhausting work. They weren't committing fully anyway—just hanging around on the off chance, like buying insurance. It was a drag for me, nothing more or less. If the press caught wind of it, though, it'd help paint the picture ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that momentum was on our side.

"Assemblyman, you have a visitor."

"In the other office? Who is it?"

"Do Cheol-rak, the boss who stopped by this morning."

It wasn't even proper evening yet, but hearing Do had returned from Jeongpyeong already, I hurried over to the Members' Office Building. Inside the room, Do and two of his underlings were seated, sipping tea.

"Back, Assemblyman."

"Cheol-rak, how're you back so soon?"

"Checked it out. Got lucky too."

"Already? Is it legit?"

Do handed me printouts of Kim Seong-gap's call logs and a USB drive. I'd half-hoped against it, but sure enough, the records showed multiple daily calls with Congressman Moon. I plugged the USB into my laptop and played the file.

The recording ended. I yanked the USB, pocketed it, and sat back down.

"How'd you snag this? Only delegates there—they'd be on guard."

"Bugs are top-notch these days. We were watching from outside when a suit shows up. Figured what the hell, turned it on—jackpot. Check if you know the guy's face."

The photo Do showed featured who I pegged as Moon's aide, clear shots of handing over the money bag and checking the bills inside. Even confirmed they were 50,000-won notes.

"And the call logs?"

"Piece of cake. Why d'ya think we call 'em Three Thieves? Slipped the SIM when he left the restaurant, tossed it under his tire. He ran it over, we grabbed the download and planted it under his phone."

"Impressive as hell. I owe you my life, Do boss."

As I said it, Do's phone buzzed. He hung up and said a underling was in the lobby—let's head down. Could've called him up, but there was a reason, so I followed Do to the lobby. No one waiting.

"Assemblyman, step out a sec."

"Huh? What's up? Yeah, sure, let's go."

If he was insisting, there had to be good reason. No way he'd screw me over. I trailed him to the parking lot and hopped in the car he opened the back door for. Do climbed in too.

"Where to?"

"Wanna treat you to dinner before heading back."

"Do boss, I should be buying you dinner—not the other way around."

We ended up at a Japanese spot across from the Assembly. Do strode in like he'd booked ahead, opening the door to the farthest private room. As I entered, a young guy—probably the one who'd called Do—jumped up to greet us, bowed, and left.

"What's this about?"

"Have a seat."

I sat, and Do reached under the table, pulling out a black bag and setting it down.

"What's that?"

"The bag from earlier."

"Huh?"

"The one that guy handed Kim Seong-gap in the photo."

"How the...?"

"Kim's probably losing his mind by now. This is ironclad evidence—beats the other stuff."

Do had dropped a bombshell. The photos alone were enough for an election law violation report. Even in a party primary, taking bribes violated political funds laws, and with millions in that bag, their careers were toast—maybe even prison time. No matter who won party leader now, I was off the hook.

"Hold onto the bag for now. Send me some nice shots of it and the cash."

Everything squared away—I could enjoy dinner in peace. I talked Do out of feeding his crew separately, called them in, thanked each one personally, and we all ate together.

After seeing Do's crew off from Seoul, I headed to the campaign office. Kim Sil-jang reviewed the photos, bag pics, call logs, and full ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠recording—and true to form, he lost it, cursing up a storm unlike his usual self.

"What's there to get mad about? Worries solved—time to cheer."

"Still, how can people stoop this low..."

"Kim and Moon'd say the same about me."

"So, what's the plan?"

"Blowing 'em both up leaves no leader candidates—headache. I'll watch 'em squirm for now."

"And then?"

"What else? Grab the winner's leash and yank."

"The money?"

"Special dues in their names, or donate to charity."

Chat done, I headed home feeling refreshed. Tonight, pure deep sleep—no thoughts. Like a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bad tooth finally pulled.

At the parking entrance, oncoming headlights flashed high beams. Blinded, I braked and rubbed my eyes. Someone got out and tapped my window.

Tap, tap.

Window down—Gu Hyun-ji, Han Seong-su's secretary.

"Gu Secretary?"

"Assemblyman, talk for a sec."

"Now? This late? Tomorrow?"

"Park and come out. I'll wait."

No room for argument. She'd come all this way at night—my daytime words must've pissed her off good. No dodging; I parked and walked to her at the entrance. Had to brace for the earful.

"Get in."

"Can't we talk here?"

"Get in."

She just repeated it. Not a stranger, but Han's connection meant I couldn't blow her off. Fuck it—I slid into her passenger seat.

Screeech! Tires screamed as she peeled out like a bat outta hell.

"Gu, slow down!"

No response—she drove like she was deaf.

"Gu Secretary, where we going?"

Ignored again, eyes front, flooring it. Over Yanghwa Bridge into Seonyu-ro, sparse traffic—she went full psycho. No red lights to save me. Belted in, I occasionally floored it myself for stress relief, but this was next level. Suicidal driving.