MISSION

“Seung Woo,” Dong Geun yelled.

Dong Geun, the chatterbox and Seung Woo’s colleague, was already in service.

“So, how do you feel?

Seung frowned, “about what?

“Being appointed,” Dong Geun said with a grin.

“Appointed to what?” At this early hour, Seung Woo wasn’t fully alert.

“Didn’t you hear, you’re—.

“Inspector Seung Woo,” called the superintendent interrupting the inspector’s explanation. Kang Dong Geun tapped on Seung Woo’s shoulder and left him in the room with the heads.

“Inspector, it’s not the moment to slack off now we’ve given you our trust,” the Superintendant said as soon as Dong Geun closed the door.

Seung Woo straightened his posture and stood as tall as a lamppost in front of the police station’s superiors, “I’m sorry about this morning-.

“Since the last body found is in our jurisdiction, we must set up our task force, and you are the referent.

“I am?

“As of now, you are appointed chief Inspector in the Stein murder cases of the Yongsan area.

A sudden promotion and without a ceremony, Seung Woo would have smiled if he didn’t know better. The handshakes which followed felt like farewells, it was like pulling out straws, and Seung Woo gained the shortest.

The other inspectors were either married with children or had families who would miss them.

Not many had his profile, and those who could take the position already refused. The hassle of the Stein cases wasn’t worth the reward.

37-year-old, single Choi Seung Woo second child to born from Choi Ji Suk and Gyeong Eun Ji. Brother of Choi Eun Seol 12th and last victim of Steinson in the 2nd wave, found dead on the 26th of September 2000, had no other relatives than his depressed mother and retired father.

Seung Woo knew they didn’t pick him because he was the best but by lack of choice. Profilers would exclude Seung Woo for being a relative of the victims; this showed how desperate everyone was.

The inspector smiled; he didn’t care what mattered was being granted the means to find Stein’s son.

“We are counting on you, Seung Woo,” superintendent Kim Jong Su said.

Seung Woo left the office feeling perplexed.

“Do you think he’ll be okay? Intendant Pyeong Sang-Hun asked.

“We needed a man, he’s the man, he’ll do the job, inspector Choi is disciplined, diplomate, and he doesn’t let his emotions get in the way. I mean, did any of you know his sister was one of Stein’s victims?

The silence confirmed what the superintendent knew, “I believe inspector Choi Seung Woo is perfect, he is a little peculiar, but he has outstanding results when he’s on the field.

“I hope you are right about this; he’ll be working with the Gangnam, Songpa, and all the other teams. Our reputation is on the line.

“I said he’d do the job.

A round of applause accompanied Seung Woo to his seat as he entered the office; Dong Geun slid into his chair next to him.

“기분 어때?” [kibun eottae?= how does it feel?]

Seung Woo lips curved into a smile as Dong Geun tapped on his back. The circumstances didn’t count; right now, he just got a promotion.

“Choa, choa [good, good],” Dong Geun said.

The phone on Seung Woo’s desk rang, he picked up before the 3rd ring.

He cleared his throat, “Yeoboseyo, nugu simnikka? [who is it, polite]”

“Hello, I’m Professor Ross Jensen.

“Oh, oh, Dr. Jensen.

The inspector straightened up in his chair; it wasn’t every day he spoke in English. He was surprised to get a call from the renowned profiler. Serial killers were not something common Korea till Stein; he was the beginning. Koreans and the country’s police were not ready.

Stein’s Son, The tooth fairy, and Grim face; the three killers represented the most wanted list.

Seung Woo wanted to consult an expert, and the FBI’s Ross Jensen was the man.

“Inspector Choi, I’m afraid I can’t make a trip to Korea, but I can recommend someone within your borders, which is more than qualified for this task.

What was the professor saying?

Seung Woo searched high and low, no one in Korea fit the profile, and most doctors and psychiatrists were considered potential suspects. Those who the inspector could consult had a spilling cup of patients. One found more people in psychiatrists wards than in prison nowadays.

“Please, professor; there isn’t another person better than you.

The professor chuckled, “call the Nam Seon Byeongwon, ask for Dr. Noh, say professor Jensen recommended you to call.

“Professor, please.

“Goodbye, Inspector Choi, and good luck.

Nine months Seung Woo waited to receive this one call after sending his mail. All this to find himself redirected.

He took his phone and dialed; it rang for an infinite number of times, running on the inspector’s patience.

“Yeobo-yeoboseyo, inspector Seung Woo from the Yongsan police department, can I speak to Dr. Noh, please?

“The doctor doesn’t take any calls I’ll transfer you to the Dr. Gyeong Tak.

Before the inspector could react, another voice was on the line, “yeoboseyo, Dr. Gyeong speaking.

“inspector Seung Woo from the Yongsan Police department speaking. I want to talk to Doctor Noh.

“Oh, I’m sorry I can’t take this call, let me transfer you to Professor Baek Chung Yun.

“Hello, excuse me.

The inspector found himself confronted with the Chinese flute waiting tone, which he hated—an irresistible desire to smoke submerged him.

“Yeoboyseyo, Dr. Baek speaking, how may I help you?

“Inspector Seung Woo from the Yongsan Police department; I’d like to speak to Doctor Noh.

“Doctor Noh doesn’t take any calls.

“I know, I know,” Seung Woo said in a desperate crispy voice as he clinched the phone as if he could snap it broken, “but I need to speak to Dr. Noh, professor Jensen recommended her.

There was a short pause, and suddenly, “may I know what it’s about?

The inspector let out a sigh as he sunk back in his seat,” I need the doctor’s help. I mean, Korea needs the doctor’s help.

“What for?

“To catch Stein’s son.

Another pause, Seung Woo watched the clock on the office wall tick.

Tick, tock, tick, tock.

Two minutes past and Seung Woo realized how short his patience was.

“Yeoboseyo, Professor Baek, are you there?

Silence.

“Hello, can anyone hear me?

“I’m here inspector, come tomorrow at 3: 35 PM, not a minute before and not a minute after. Goodbye.

“What was that?” Seung Woo muttered, staring at the phone.

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