Codename-Anastasia

Chapter 47: 4.1 Hide and Seek 2

At prosecutor Seok Jae Hee's office of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, preparations for the trial are in full swing. This happened before the 5th trial of the case against Kim Young Hee, who had been in the US for more than 10 years and had washed her citizenship to return to work in Korea, and Lee Cheol Jin, her contact. ta. The trial is expected to end soon because Kim Young Hee, the key figure in the case, passed away during the arrest process.

Because it was necessary to gradually determine Lee Cheol Jin's punishment, prosecutor Seok thoughtfully looked at the pile of documents on the table. The prosecutor's decision has a great influence on the sentence. The simple principle is to clearly define the crime and punish the criminal according to the severity of the crime. However, following this principle is not easy.

As he was checking the precedent cases, a knock sounded on the door and Chief Kim entered.

"These are the documents you were talking about."

Chief Kim handed over the overseas cases that prosecutor Seok had requested and then asked if he had heard about them. Only then did he raise his eyes to look at Chief Kim. He came a little closer and whispered.

"On the way here I met Park Gye Jang of the public security department. Do you know the NIS agent who investigated us last time? It seems that person is wanted."

"What's his crime?"

"It seems he had an affair with a Russian intelligence agent. Probably for the crime of revealing state secrets."

Prosecutor Seok also knows Kwon Taek Joo. They cooperated several months ago regarding the investigation into Kim Young Hee's group. But because the two only met a few times, there is no basis to evaluate 'Kwon Taek Joo's' personality, patriotism or integrity as well as personal relationships. However, he still couldn't understand why, after personally arresting Kim Young Hee and his accomplices, he himself was being chased for leaking national secrets

"Tell me more."

"I didn't hear it very well. Kim Young Hee was arrested in Busan and Kwon Taek Joo immediately left for Russia. He applied for leave for his mother's birthday to the NIS, and then even disguised his identity. But having an arrest warrant shows that there is definitely evidence of him spying in Russia, right?"

Come to think of it, Prosecutor Seok never met Kwon Taek Joo after the case ended. All required documents are received directly from NIS.

Inherently, litigants in security cases are often unexpected characters. Kwon Taek Joo is no exception. However, Prosecutor Seok was even more curious and suspicious about what national secret he was selling so hastily.

A knock on the door rang out again. Because he didn't have an appointment with anyone, Prosecutor Seok looked at Chief Kim with skepticism. Chief Kim shrugged as if he didn't know who it was.

"Come in."

The door opens upon approval. "Hello", the face of the person standing outside the door looked quite familiar. Perhaps because he was talking about Kwon Taek Joo, Prosecutor Seok remembered clearly that it was Yoon Jong Woo, a junior who often met with Kwon Taek Joo.

Ah yes. Hello. But why did you come here?"

"You're probably busy preparing for the trial, but I ventured here because I have something to ask."

"Is that so? Come in."

Even though he was invited in, Yoon Jong Woo continued to hesitate outside the door. Prosecutor Seok glanced at Chief Kim with a confused expression, as if Yoon Jong Woo wanted to talk privately.

Prosecutor Seok immediately stood up and put on his coat. There was still a mountain of work to do, but he couldn't send away someone who had just come to visit.

"I'll be back within 30 minutes."

After informing Chief Kim, Prosecutor Seok left the office with Yoon Jong Woo.

--

The two entered a coffee shop near the prosecutor's office. It was quite late in the morning so there were very few people. Even so, Yoon Jong Woo still decided to choose a seat inside. His very alert attitude towards his surroundings made Prosecutor Seok more curious about the reason he came. He asked first while drinking water.

"Now tell me. What's wrong?"

"I heard that Kim Young Hee committed suicide."

Prosecutor Seok tilted his head at Yoon Jong Woo's first words. Kim Young Hee passed away less than three months ago. The person in charge of the investigation like Yoon Jong Woo cannot help but know this. However, he still calmly nodded and wondered why he mentioned the old story.

"Yes. You also know that she died during her capture. When the Coast Guard arrived at the ferry, she was already dead."

"On what basis do you conclude that Kim Young Hee's death was suicide?"

"The autopsy results showed that Kim Young Hee used force to hit her left molar right before she died. There was Cyanide in that molar. Perhaps they put Cyanide in her teeth to commit suicide in case of another accident."

"What about handkerchiefs?"

"Handkerchiefs?"

"Kwon Taek Joo said he stuffed a handkerchief in Kim Young Hee's mouth to prevent self-harm. There was a gunshot wound on her right arm so it was almost impossible to use, and her Her left hand is bent back and tied to the railing, so it will be difficult for her to pull the handkerchief out of her mouth herself. Her mouth is also tightly stuck so she probably won't be able to bite her molars."

"We have not received any reports of handkerchiefs being found at the scene."

Yoon Jong Woo's face stiffened. Prosecutor Seok's face also became serious. As Yoon Jong Woo said, if Kim Young Hee couldn't move voluntarily and was gagged, and if she was alive until Kwon Taek Joo stayed on the ferry, then how did she try to commit suicide and when? That information was not shown in the CCTV footage obtained from the scene.

There is only one possibility to infer, and that is the existence of a third party. Between the time Kwon Taek Joo chased Lee Cheol Jin until the coast guard arrived, there was still a small gap of time. It was only a few minutes, but it was enough time to put Kim Young Hee to death. Of course this is just a hypothesis and requires evidence to verify before drawing clear conclusions. This also refers to the need to determine that Kim Young Hee is not capable of committing suicide under Kwon Taek Joo's certain measures.

"So now you're saying there's a possibility that Kim Young Hee was murdered?"

"I think we need to check again. The handkerchief disappeared unexpectedly, Kim Young Hee died right before being arrested and the fact that what she stole was top secret data cannot be accessed unless it's a high-ranking official. I feel a bit confused."

"That document was provided to Kim Young Hee by a military officer who had a relationship with her, is that what you mean? He also received a summons and jumped to his death so he couldn't have gotten it. Considering that both were spies, the act of trying to commit suicide after failing in combat is not incomprehensible."

"Um. So have you seen that ring?"

"What ring are you talking about?"

"Wasn't Kim Young Hee wearing a ring?"

"No. There are no reports of that either."

Whether it was the handkerchief or the ring, it was a story that Prosecutor Seok was completely unaware of. The trial took place without such elements from the beginning. If Yoon Jong Woo's words are true, then the trials up to this point are all in vain.

"So what do you mean.."

"What if someone is manipulating this case?"

"Manipulating? You mean the defendant was falsely accused?"

"No. That's not the case, but there could be other people involved in the case. The dead military officer's statement that he had nothing to do with the operation could be true. Could there be anyone?"

Yoon Jong Woo constantly hinted at new possibilities. Exactly close to a conspiracy theory. Prosecutor Seok also thought that the timing of this case was very delicate. Kim Young Hee, who had hidden her identity for many years, suddenly tried to reach out too hastily. Just two months after the official investigation began, a military officer suspected of being an insider committed suicide, and she also made an extreme choice. Except for Lee Cheol Jin, all the key figures in the case have disappeared.

However difficult it may be, right now it is just a fantasy without reality, as if something happened without physical evidence.

"That's right, although the truth is unique, each person has a different relationship and perspective, so dozens or hundreds of different theories can appear. The story of the handkerchief or the ring disappearing from the scene is incontrovertible. After all, it's just someone's one-sided argument. If you need my help, please come with clearer evidence. I will try to help within my ability."

Prosecutor Seok draws a clear line. In the trial of Lee Cheol Jin that will take place in the next few days, before that if Yoon Jong Woo presents convincing evidence, all the time and effort so far will be wasted but Prosecutor Seok will still clarify the truth. But otherwise he could never have agreed.

Yoon Jong Woo nodded as if he understood, his face also looked tired and unhappy.

"If there's nothing left to say, I'll go first."

Prosecutor Seok immediately stood up. Yoon Jong Woo quickly stood up and nodded. For some reason, Prosecutor Seok silently nodded to Yoon Jong Woo and then strode towards him instead of towards the door. He passed by Yoon Jong Woo, who was watching suspiciously, and went to the chair behind him. A hooded man was sitting there. He bowed his head and his face was almost invisible, but Prosecutor Seok still started talking without hesitation.

"I heard that an arrest warrant was issued not long ago. I haven't received an official request for cooperation yet so I'll let it go this time. But the next time we meet I won't have a choice. other than arresting you. Personally, I hope that never happens."

Prosecutor Seok warned in a low, low voice. There was no response from the man. Prosecutor Seok looked down at the man for a moment then turned away and left the cafe.

Yoon Jong Woo sat down on the chair.

"Senior, it seems you've been discovered."

Yoon Jong Woo said while turning his head to look back. The man sitting with his back to him is none other than Kwon Taek Joo. Although Prosecutor Seok soon recognized him, he refused to arrest him. It was as if Prosecutor Seok agreed with Yoon Jong Woo's questions, or Kwon Taek Joo's questions to be exact. As long as physical evidence is secure, the Prosecutor will always act according to standards.

Of course, no matter whose request, Kwon Taek Joo still needs evidence to prove his innocence.

"First you go back to headquarters. Nothing good will come of it if you keep hanging around with a wanted person like me."

"What about senior? If you're suddenly discovered."

He lightly slapped Yoon Jong Woo's pale face. Blood circulates quickly, making the whole face hot. Yoon Jong Woo clenched his jaw and shouted "Ahh!" when he felt Kwon Taek Joo's hand on his face.

"Just worry about yourself, I'll find a way to live my own way."

Kwon Taek Joo grabbed the hard-working junior's nape and comforted him, but Yoon Jong Woo was still somber.

--

Kwon Taek Joo's mother stood at the sink with a confused look on her face. The rice in the pot was mushy. She was absent-minded for several hours while cooking with the thought of feeding her son.

She suddenly calmed down and then moved her hand mechanically again. Then, with many thoughts, she hurried into the living room.

The phone was being charged and a text message had just arrived. Her hands trembled as she checked the message she had just received. However, it was spam, not the contact she had been waiting for so long. For more than three months, she didn't know whether her only son was alive or dead.

She was frustrated for a moment then suddenly relaxed and stood up. She quickly grabbed a random coat and hurried out of the house. Each of her feet wears two shoes from two different pairs.

She passed by without hearing the neighbors' greetings. She didn't even realize someone was watching her.

A while later, the place where Kwon Taek Joo's mother arrived was a nearby police station. The police were confused as soon as she appeared. A police patrol who was monitoring the situation nearby approached.

"Have you found my son?"

Kwon Taek Joo's mother desperately grabbed the policeman's arm. He just smiled faintly at this repeating situation, then said, "Let's sit down here for a moment" and led her to a nearby table. Another police officer who was following the story also brought a cup of warm water.

However, Kwon Taek Joo's mother still looked at the two of them with despair in her eyes, looking confused and constantly muttering.

"Have you found my son?"

"Ah, about that.. We are also working on it. However, as I said last time, in cases where adults disappear without contact, we usually focus on the aspect of leaving voluntarily rather than being lost. Especially since your son.."

"It's not like that! He called every day. No matter what happened, no matter how late, I always answered. He's not the kind of person who disappears without a word like that!"

"Yes, of course. But, ma'am, your son didn't say anything honest to you. The community center where your son works said that there is no such employee and Even after searching the list of local officials, there was no one with the same name. You've seen this too, right?"

The police officer calmly persuaded but Kwon Taek Joo's mother repeatedly denied that such a thing could ever happen.

"There must be something wrong. Something bad must have happened. We can track the phone's location. I don't know if the phone will turn back on at this time. Hurry up, try it. Hurry up!"

"Ma'am, please calm down. First of all, drink water."

"You said you would find my son! Hurry up! Find my son!"

The water in the glass splashed out with excitement. The police officer grabbed both of her arms to avoid unwanted injuries, but Kwon Taek Joo's mother continued to move frantically. The police officers who were resisting were pushed away and their nails were scratched and injured.

A senior police officer looked at the scene displeased and then he approached. He then confidently presented a printed piece of paper to Kwon Taek Joo's mother, who was still in a panic.

"Ma'am, look at this. Is this your son?"

Kwon Taek Joo's mother accidentally looked at the photo paper and opened her eyes wide. She shook off the policeman's hand holding her and grabbed the printout in a split second. The printing condition isn't very good but it's definitely a photo of Kwon Taek Joo. She nodded several times.

"That's right, my son. Have you found him?"

"That's why he lost contact. Your son, he is a wanted criminal."

"..What?"

"Don't you understand? I want to say that Kwon Taek Joo was not the one who was captured by bad people, but it was he who committed evil actions and then ran away. How can we find the person who did it?"

The last words he said were almost to himself.

Kwon Taek Joo's mother stood blankly and shook her head. Eyes absentmindedly blinked continuously.

"I do have it."

"Yes. Your son is not like that, everyone says so. But anyway, your son is being chased for committing a serious crime. You don't need to tell us to find him, you have to be on duty. Continue to find him and bring him here. If he contacts you, please tell me to surrender and confess."

The police officer said an overflow had no chance of being stopped. Kwon Taek Joo's mother completely lost her senses as if she had just been bombed. She only occasionally groaned and repeated, "It can't be like that."

After a while, she was able to turn around and walk away. The worried eyes of the people around followed. Not long after, she collapsed on the floor before she could get out the door.

"Ma,am!"

"Oh my god, call 119!"

"What are you looking at? Quickly get over here!"

The confused policeman shouted hastily. Someone called 119 and several people carried Kwon Taek Joo's mother to a bench. They wet a handkerchief and apply it to their foreheads, quickly massaging their arms and legs to circulate blood. Ten minutes later the ambulance arrived.

Kwon Taek Joo's mother was taken into an ambulance in an unconscious state. A patrol police officer decided to accompany her to the hospital instead of the guardian who was not present. The ambulance turned on its warning lights and hurriedly left the police station.

Until the loud siren faded away, there was one person still standing there. That's Kwon Taek Joo. Because he was worried about his mother, he wandered in front of the house just as she walked out of the house. The fact that a wanted notice was issued means that people close to him will definitely be followed, so Kwon Taek Joo just planned to look at his mother from afar and then leave.

His mother is someone who can't sleep peacefully because she's worried about her son, so he doesn't expect her to have a good life. He never thought he would see her being carried away on a stretcher. Kwon Taek Joo felt resentful as he had to stand by helplessly even though he had not committed any crimes.

Kwon Taek Joo pulled the brim of his hat down further. His fists turned white in his hurried steps. Another reason to quickly find out the truth.

--

Kwon Taek Joo immediately went to the computer room. He went to the farthest corner and accessed the shooting game that Yoon Jong Woo loved. When he logged in with Yoon Jong Woo's ID, a message appeared. It was sent by Yoon Jong Woo through another ID. Kwon Taek Joo checked the content and deleted it immediately. Less than 5 minutes after entering, he left the computer room.

The place where Kwon Taek Joo reappeared was the subway station. He walked among the crowd of passengers flocking to the station and then left the group. He walked through the low corridor of the station and then began walking in a small tunnel with few passersby. Homeless people were sitting together, chattering and not paying attention to strangers along the small road. Kwon Taek Joo cautiously walked past them and stopped in front of a man lying on his side on a piece of newspaper.

On the man's chair was a worn Bacchus energy drink box. There were only a few coins in the box. As soon as he noticed a wad of money being pulled out from Kwon Taek Joo, he sat up, grabbed the money he was about to put in the box and openly counted it.

Immediately after that, the man handed back the black bag he was holding in his hand. Kwon Taek Joo silently took it and the man lay down again as if he had finished his business.

Kwon Taek Joo opened the bag and checked each item. Inside was a phone, ginseng juice and a corner of a newspaper with small notes on it. Kwon Taek Joo opened the bottle of red ginseng as he walked and drank it all in one gulp. A memory card is discreetly attached to the inside of the bottle cap. He removed the memory card and inserted it into the slot of the mobile phone and checked the data stored on the card. All the necessary information is arranged right in front of him. Kwon Taek Joo put the phone in his pocket and hurried out of the tunnel.