Chapter 13
"I did make some requests. He helped me out a few times, but it wasn't a large amount. My husband left me with some assets."
"Could I ask when that was, and what issues Kim Hyeongjun's medical business was facing?"
"I'm sorry. I won't answer that."
She wore a deeply troubled expression. A heavy silence settled over the living room for a while, until she spoke again.
"It seems like you're suspecting our Hyeongjun, Mr. Lawyer. Is that right?"
"……."
"Honestly, I don't understand why you're so certain that Hyeongjun is the real culprit. But one thing I know for sure is that both Hyeongjun and Yeonjun are my precious grandchildren—I wouldn't mind if I could put them in my eyes without it hurting. Whether Hyeongjun is the killer or Yeonjun is, it breaks my heart the same. I'd prefer if neither was."
Tears welled up in the corners of her wrinkled eyes.
"So, shouldn't we prevent the innocent Kim Yeonjun from taking the fall for Kim Hyeongjun?"
"If what you're saying is correct, then yes, we should. But I don't know. Should I believe Hyeongjun or Yeonjun? I have no idea. That's why I don't want to take sides."
The characters floated above her head.
In this situation where all the relatives were piling on Kim Yeonjun with criticism, she was probably the only one maintaining even surface-level neutrality. She judged that giving details about problems in Kim Hyeongjun's business would lend weight to the claim that 'Kim Hyeongjun killed his parents to secure funds for his business.' The fact that she'd thought that far meant she was unconsciously suspecting Kim Hyeongjun herself—speculating on his motive for the crime.
So, this question arose in my mind.
Is that really loving both grandsons equally, without favoritism?
The [Truth] floating above her head might actually be proof that her belief in loving them equally was a delusion. My ability didn't discern absolute truth or falsehood—it revealed truth and lies from the speaker's own perspective. The grandmother wanted to cover up Kim Hyeongjun's flaws. But she knew that the moment those flaws were hidden, Kim Yeonjun would become the murderer. In the end, she had already taken Kim Hyeongjun's side.
"I understand. You've made your intentions clear, ma'am. You love both grandsons equally, without favoritism."
"Sob..."
She finally burst into tears. Kang Minjae handed her a handkerchief and comforted her.
"If you're feeling calmer now, may we return to the main topic?"
"Yes."
"Did you receive the autopsy report for your late daughter?"
"No. I think Hyeongjun and my eldest got it."
"Yeonjun didn't receive the autopsy report. He's currently under suspicion as a suspect."
"……Yes."
"To prove Kim Yeonjun's innocence, we need that autopsy report. You're the mother of the late Ye Hui-suk, ma'am. You have the right to view the autopsy results. Please help us access them. Kim Yeonjun is also Ye Hui-suk's son, just like Kim Hyeongjun. He has the right to see the results."
Kang Minjae opened his mouth slightly in surprise at my words, but I ignored him and took a sip of juice. Kim Yeonjun's grandmother let out a sigh. She seemed to ponder for a very long time—whether this meant taking one grandson's side over the other.
"What do I need to do?"
Once she'd finished thinking, she asked, and I pulled a power of attorney from my briefcase. She wrote her name and signed it herself.
The autopsy report. Finally in my hands.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"One last question before we go."
"What is it?"
"Would you be willing to testify in court that Kim Hyeongjun borrowed money from you?"
"Mr. Lawyer!"
Kang Minjae shouted. I knew it. She'd insisted on staying neutral all along. But she misunderstood what taking sides meant. She was already subtly siding with Kim Hyeongjun. There was no way she'd testify for Kim Yeonjun. She'd definitely refuse.
"I'm sorry. As I said earlier, that's difficult."
"Understood. Thank you for your time today."
As we passed back through the well-manicured garden, Kang Minjae glanced toward the front door. Confirming no one was around, he spoke.
"You're amazing, Mr. Lawyer."
"What about?"
"You came here solely for that autopsy report from the start. Kim Hyeongjun's business status—we could've just gone to the factory ourselves. No need to ask the heartbroken grandma."
I didn't respond. But Kang Minjae didn't zip his mouth shut.
"That grandma didn't want to show us the autopsy report at first. She clammed up, so you brought up fairness and neutrality, making her say it herself. Then you hit her with 'shouldn't both brothers see it fairly too?' Boom—self-contradiction. Checkmate."
"Drive on the way back, Kang."
I handed him the car keys, and he took them with a grin.
"Sure. And consider this me joining the case."
"No joint representation."
"What? I said I don't need pay."
"You have a firm. And the client would find it odd."
"I can convince Kim Yeonjun—"
"Don't go see Kim Yeonjun."
"……Ha."
"I'll let you in on investigations. But only this once, and you follow my orders. If Taegwang has no moonlighting ban, I'll pay by the hour."
I'd already been thinking we needed an office manager. Couldn't use him long-term, but even once was something. Using a prosecutor-turned-lawyer like an office manager was a win for me.
"Pay's fine, there'll be a ban anyway. So, what's tomorrow's schedule?"
"Tomorrow, I'd like you to head to the Lirin Fashion factory."
"Me alone?"
"I have to handle the autopsy report. Two of us, so split the work. Time's tight as it is."
"Got it. Lirin Fashion factory... That's Kim Hyeongjun's business, right?"
"Yeah."
"Send me a list of questions to ask. I'll compile mine too. And now, share the info with me."
"Let's talk at the office first."
"Sure. Heading out."
The car started moving. The sun had already set, and a bright full moon hung in the sky. Time felt like it was flying by insanely fast. The day was ending. The trial was effectively two days away now. I had to secure physical evidence within those two days.
"Mr. Lawyer."
"Yeah."
"On the way back up, wanna grab dinner? There's an amazing gamjatang place nearby."
"So leisurely. Time's running out."
"Think of it as pay. Your treat. Sounds good, right?"
* * *
"Don't need to go to Taegwang?"
I looked at Kang Minjae, who had brought his own laptop to the consultation table, scrolling with the mouse wheel. We'd talked case details over gamjatang and soju last night—he must've downed a bottle and a half solo, but he looked fine. Strong tolerance, apparently.
"What can they do? If they're pissed, they'll fire me."
"Doesn't matter if you get fired?"
"Well, you'd take me in then. Small cases are one thing, but handling a big one alone without an office manager must be tough."
"Can't match your Taegwang salary."
Taegwang paid new associate lawyers 150 million won after tax. Variations per person, but with his one year as prosecutor, he'd gotten second-year pay from the start. No way to afford another lawyer when office income was uncertain. I hadn't even suggested Oh the manager quit prosecution to join us.
"Don't need money. Gotta do what I want to feel satisfied. You're not saying no outright, though. Feels like you'd take me if the pay works?"
"Not seeing it as a roundabout refusal?"
Kang Minjae gaped at me, as if to say you won't even humor me?
"Heading to Lirin Fashion around 10:30. Tried phone, but connecting to the factory head's a pain. Might need to check operations in person."
"Okay."
"After this trial, you'll wanna hire me."
"So confident. You'll thrive at Taegwang. Become partner, get props from CEO Yoon Wonhyeong."
"Prefer your recognition over Yoon's."
The persistent [Truth] above Kang Minjae's head was getting annoying. No need for money. Prefer my recognition over Yoon's.
"Rude question, but are you a trust fund kid?"
"Trust fund? Oh, born with a silver spoon?"
Ah, right—2008, before terms like gold spoon or dirt spoon trended. Even I, mid-40s in 2018, used them often.
"Something like that. Don't need to work to eat forever. Why, need investment for the office? Skip employment—go co-CEO? Change name from Cha Juhan Law Office to Cha & Kang or something. If you're okay with it."
Eyes fixed on the monitor, he rattled it off quickly. Seemed more interested from the start than just employment.
"Don't feel some grand bond with you. Barely remember intern days, just one day together now."
"Ah, rejection?"
"Yeah."
"Then gotta pitch employment harder. Heh."
Wall outlet had nothing on him.
"Off to Lirin Fashion then."
"Take my car."
"Brought mine. You're heading to Seocho-dong, right? How you planning to get around?"
"Taxi's fine, it's close. Lirin's far."
"Hmm, gotta buy a lottery ticket today."
"Why?"
"Day you consider me? Feels special."
"Not that much consideration."
"What if I'm tearing up with emotion on the way to Lirin, vision blurry, crash?"
Kang Minjae teased playfully. Was I that cold to him? Hard to say.
"Jeez."
Grabbing fresh printer docs, he paused.
"Small article on you in internet news. Check it if you have time. Haha."
He spun his luxury foreign car key fob and left the office. He'd be back from Seoul in the afternoon. To save time, hit the prosecutors' office before then, extract key info from the autopsy.
But first, find that article or whatever.